The New What Next: Rays vs Le Tigre, part two — a series preview

In his first swing back from the disabled list, Brandon Guyer bashed a 420 foot solo shot into left center field seats. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
In his first swing back from the disabled list, Brandon Guyer bashed a 420 foot solo shot into left center field seats. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
After a string of 11 straight losses, the Rays took two-of-three from the Red Sox, earning their first series win since June 14 – 16 (vs. Seattle). They also snapped a streak of 13 consecutive games where Tampa Bay allowed five or more runs. Next on the docket, the Tampa Bay Rays welcome the Detroit Tigers into Tropicana Field for a four game series, starting Thursday.

The Tigers are surging on the heels of a 6-3 homestand, this in spite of a three-game sweep at the hands of the Indians. They are set to face a ball-club in the midst of an 11-game homestand — a ball-club in dire need of more consistent play and success at the Trop, as the Rays try to scratch and claw their way back to the .500 mark.

And while the series win against Boston was an excellent step forward, the Rays will have to play clean baseball if they hope to further their ambitions of playing relevant baseball into the fall.

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I know what you’re thinking, the Rays enter the series 11 games under .500, with 11 games left until the All-Star Break. The potential for a playoff run is unrealistic at best.

To you I posit this: in order to be viewed as something more than a team destined for a massive sell off at the trade deadline, the Rays need to hover around the .500 mark going into the break, thus putting themselves into a position to make a run in the second-half of the season. I highly doubt they’ll win the next 11 consecutive games, but it is conceivable for Tampa Bay to string together at least eight wins — taking three-of-four from both the Tigers and Angels, and two-of-three from Boston — and end the first-half of the season with a 41-47 record, within striking distance of the .500 mark.

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The Rays and Tigers already faced one another three times this season at Comerica Park. Tampa Bay won the first game of that series, extending what was then a season-long, four-game winning streak, however, the Tigers won the last two games of the set. If you recall, that was the ill-fated series in which Kevin Kiermaier fractured his left-hand on a diving play.

Rays skipper Kevin Cash will throw Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 3.93 ERA), Drew Smyly (2-8, 5.32 ERA), Blake Snell (1-2, 4.11 ERA), and Chris Archer (4-11, 4.76 ERA) over the span of the series. Brad Ausmus will counter with Jordan Zimmermann (9-4, 3.81 ERA), Michael Fulmer (7-2, 2.40 ERA), Justin Verlander (7-6, 4.30 ERA), and Mike Pelfrey (2-7, 5.02 ERA).

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Rays series starters

Odorizzi took a no-decision on Saturday after he allowed five runs on eight hits (including three homers) over six innings. He struck out and walked one. The Rays took an early four-run lead, yet Odorizzi left with just a one-run cushion after six frames. The long ball has hampered Odorizzi this season. Since May 13, he’s allowed 12 homers in 48-2/3 innings, giving him a 2.22 HR/9 rate over the last nine starts (3.27 HR/9 over the last 14 days). Be that as it may, Odorizzi maintains a respectable 3.93 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 89-1/3 innings of work.

Smyly was tagged for eight runs on 10 hits (including three home runs) and a walk over five innings on Sunday. He struck out six. He’s still whiffing batters with the best of them — Smyly generated 17 swinging strikes among his 90 pitches — although he’s now given up at least one home run in seven straight starts, and 19 home runs total in 89-2/3 innings on the season for an ugly 1.91 HR/9 (2.41 HR/9 over the last 14 days).

Snell collected his first Major League win on Monday, despite allowing four earned runs over just 5-1/3 innings of work. He allowed eight hits and four walks, while striking out four. The four runs allowed were the most he’s surrendered in any of his four big league starts. The culprit: too many free passes, giving him a bloated 5.87 BB/9 and an ugly 1.77 WHIP.

Archer dropped his fourth consecutive start in Tuesday’s contest opposite of the Red Sox. He threw 6-1/3 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits and four walks while fanning nine. Once an All-Star, Archer now leads the big leagues in losses, as he continues to struggle with suppressing batters.

Tigers series starters

Zimmerman allowed seven runs on nine hits while striking out three in just 3-2/3 innings of work on Friday. The righty relinquished a pair of runs in the second inning before the bottom fell out in the fourth, when Zimmermann allowed five runs without completing the frame. Since May 11, when he owned a 1.50 ERA, he’s allowed 30 earned runs over his last 41-2/3 innings, raising his ERA to 3.81. He allowed two runs on five hits (including a homer) the last time he faced the Rays. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-2), Curt Casali (2-4, HR, RBI, BB), Corey Dickerson (2-3, HR, 2B, RBI), Brandon Guyer (1-4), Evan Longoria (2-8)

Fulmer, who was knocked out of his last start after just 4-1/3 innings due to dizziness, set a team rookie record for most consecutive scoreless innings at 33-1/3, although he has allowed an earned run in each of his last two starts. Fulmer stymied the Rays on May 21, allowing just one earned run on four scattered hits over seven innings of work, striking out 11 while walking one. Key matchups: Oswaldo Arcia (1-2), Brandon Guyer (1-3, 2B), Evan Longoria (1-3, HR, RBI), Brad Miller (1-3, 2B)

Verlander got hammered to the tune of eight runs on nine hits (including four homers) and two walks on Sunday, while striking out five over 4-2/3 innings. Verlander looked good the first time through the order, but then he gave up a couple runs in the fourth inning and four homers in the fifth before getting chased. It’s the first time Verlander has allowed that many homers in a game (much less a single inning) since September 2007. Verlander is 7-3 with a 3.49 ERA in 14 starts against the Rays. In one Tropicana Field start last season, the righty held Tampa Bay to one run on four hits over eight innings, striking out 10. Key matchups: Logan Forsythe (1-3), Desmond Jennings (4-11, 3B, 2 HR, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (7-28, HR, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, BB)

Pelfrey gave up four runs on 12 hits over 5-1/3 innings on Tuesday against Miami. He walked and struck out one. The righty wasn’t as bad as he’s been at other points in the season, however, he certainly wasn’t good either. Opponents are hitting .337 against Palfrey (including .417 over the last 14 days) and his 1.74 WHIP is the worst among qualifying starters. Pelfrey relies primarily on 93 mph sinker with slight arm side run, while also mixing in an 82 mph splitter with depth, and an 85 mph slider. Key matchups: Oswaldo Arcia (1-2, RBI), Desmond Jennings (2-2, BB), Evan Longoria (4-8, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB)

Noteworthiness

— Brad Miller hit his 10th homer on Tuesday, which is the most in club history for a shortstop before the All-Star break. His next milestone is the Rays’ shortstop single-season record of 15.

— Both Tampa Bay and Detroit have hit over 100 home runs this season, but the Tigers have five players with at least 12 homers, and the Rays have two.

— Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wrote about Cash’s sequencing of the Alex Colome-less bullpen, saying,

With their first lead to protect without injured RH closer Alex Colome, the Rays used RHP Erasmo Ramirez in the eighth and LHP Xavier Cedeno in the ninth. Cash said that sequencing was a product of the Boston lineup, and they will continue to mix and match as needed.

Colome is expected to return from the DL on Monday.

— DH/OF Corey Dickerson said the sore left thumb that sidelined him for the past four games is better, and he hopes to be back in the lineup on Thursday.

— Alex Cobb and Chase Whitley (Tommy John surgeries) are scheduled to throw live batting practice on Thursday. OF Steven Souza Jr. (hip strain) may hit against them ahead of his pending rehab assignment.

— To my point above, Cash thinks the Rays can still make a run and get back in this thing.

— Cash said OF Steven Souza Jr. (left hip strain) will start his rehabilitation stint Friday at Class-A Charlotte. It could be a quick turnaround if his timing returns quickly.

The New What Next: Matt Moore vs. David Price, Wednesday afternoon’s series finale

Desmond Jennings makes a leaping catch against the wall in centerfield, robbing Boston's leadoff man of an extra base hit for the first out of the game Wednesday night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Desmond Jennings makes a leaping catch against the wall in centerfield, robbing Boston’s leadoff man of an extra base hit for the first out of the game Wednesday night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Things didn’t go nearly well enough for the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, when the good guys put an ugly showing in an 8-2 loss against the Boston Red Sox.

Note: I didn’t get much sleep last night, thanks to a sick puppy, and I have my doubts that I’ll be able to write something coherent because of it. If you’re looking for a game recap, check out the incomparable Neil Solondz (Rays Radio), or DRaysBay.

The New What Next

The bright side of the loss, the Rays still have an opportunity to bounce back Wednesday afternoon against former Ray, David Price (8-4 4.68), who is 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA against Tampa Bay. Fellow southpaw Matt Moore (3-5, 5.04) will take the mound for the good guys in the rubber match.

Moore, who has gone at least six innings in four straight starts, was perfect through 4-1/3 innings in his last start, but squandered a three-run lead against the Orioles. The lefty is 3-4 with a 5.40 ERA against Boston, and has not faced the Red Sox in 2016.

Telling reporters that he’d hate to face Price in the rubber match of the series, because he’d “hate to do that to him,” Moore spoke about his forthcoming start before Tuesday’s contest.

Moore (and the rest of the pitching staff) will try to end a string of 13 straight games where the Rays have allowed five runs or more — the longest such streak of any Major League team since the Royals (13 straight) June 27 – August 10, 2005. During that 13-game stretch, the Rays bullpen has a 9.00 ERA (36 IP, 36 ER).

Price is coming off a start where he was knocked out 2-1/3 innings against Texas. The rough outing broke a string of eight consecutive quality starts, while his ERA jumped to 4.68. Incidentally, the second shortest outing of the season came at the hands of Tampa Bay, for whom he has posted a 1-2 record and a 4.26 ERA against. In that start, Price allowed eight runs on eight hits and two walks, including two homers, in just 3-2/3 innings of work.

You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 6/29/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Jennings CF
Guyer RF
Franklin LF
Casali C
Beckham DH
Motter 1B
Moore LHP

Noteworthiness

— Tampa Bay will get a boost to the active roster on Wednesday, as Brandon Guyer will be activated ahead of the matinee this afternoon. Jeff Decker, who hit just .138 (four singles) in 10 games with the Rays, was designated for assignment to make room for Guyer.

Guyer last played on June 3, when he sustained a left hamstring strain. He took over as a starter early in the season and played well, hitting .271 with six home runs and 14 RBI in 40 games prior to the injury.

— Food for thought: With 12 games left before the All-Star Break, if the Rays can go 8-4 over that span, they will end the ceremonial first half of the season with a 40-48 record, and in a much better position to play relevant baseball in the second half.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: losing streak snapped at 11, Rays win 13-7

The Tampa Bay Rays won, 13-7, over the Red Sox to open the series. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
The Tampa Bay Rays won, 13-7, over the Red Sox to open the series. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
The Tampa Bay Rays snapped their longest losing skid in seven seasons with an impressive offensive display against the Boston Red Sox, winning 13-7. Nick Franklin homered and drove in a career-high five runs as the Rays scored their most runs in a home game this season.

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The Rays scored five runs and batted around in the first inning. Logan Forsythe got things started with a single to left against lefty Eduardo Rodriguez. Then with one out, Evan Longoria singled to center, moving Forsythe to third — Longoria was able to move into scoring position when the throw to third got past Marco Hernandez. Logan Morrison followed with a two-RBI single to right.

After Desmond Jennings popped out, Oswaldo Arcia singled hard into the shift, allowing Morrison to move up to third. The tandem of Taylor Motter and Nick Franklin struck next, going back-to-back with run scoring doubles, thus capping the five-run rally.

Tampa Bay tacked on four more, and knocked Rodriguez out of the game, in the bottom of the third. Jennings made up for his pop-out in foul territory with a leadoff solo-shot to left for a six-run lead. After Arcia doubled to left-center, Motter flew out to deep center, advancing Oswaldo to third. Franklin, who entered the game with exactly zero RBI, singled past a drawn-in infield for his third RBI in as many innings. Finally, Forsythe chased Rodriguez with an absolute bomb off the tarp in left, putting Tampa Bay in front by nine runs.

Meanwhile, Blake Snell got through the first three innings by allowing just a pair of singles. At that point the lefty was in full command of his fastball, and his off-speed stuff looked deadly. However, Snell started to lose command after the fourth.

Snell allowed two runs in the fourth on Bryce Brentz’s double to right-center, although Brentz helped out the Rays when he tried to stretch his extra base hit into a triple, and was thrown out at third by a mile. The Massholes scored another run in the fifth when Snell walked David Ortiz with the bases loaded. He, however, avoided further damage when he caught Hanley Ramirez looking at a beautifully placed curveball.

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Tampa Bay was able to get back a run against relief pitcher Tommy Layne in the fifth after Motter reached on comebacker, then moved to second on throwing error by Layne. Two batters later, Forsythe doubled off the wall in left-center, scoring Motter.

Unfortunately another run crossed the against Snell after he failed to cover first in a timely manner* on a grounder to Morrison, scoring Hernandez. By that point, with two on and one out and Snell having thrown 103 pitches, Kevin Cash called upon the services of Ryan Garton.

Garton squelched the fire by coaxing a pair of harmless fly-ball outs from Mookie Betts and Dustin Pedroia to end the threat. Snell was charged with four runs on eight hits, while walking and fanning four in 5-1/3 innings. In spite of his short outing, Snell became the first American League rookie starter to stop a losing streak of 11 or more games since 2009, when David Price also stopped an 11-game skid for Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay was relentless, however, and the aforementioned tandem again put the Rays up by eight. Nick “have yourself a night” Franklin followed a walk of Motter by lacing a two-run homer to right off Koji Uehara.

Nick Franklin crushes a solo home run into right his first of the year. Click the screenshot to be redirected to video of the blast.
Nick Franklin crushes a solo home run into right his first of the year. Click the screenshot to be redirected to video of the blast.
And while Boston catcher Sandy Leon hit a two-run shot of his own in the eighth inning off Danny Farquhar, the Rays answered when Motter came up with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame against flame thrower Craig Kimbrel.

Travis Shaw capped the scoring in the ninth with a sac-fly off Xavier Cedeno.

*For the second time of the night, no less.

The New What Next

Tuesday RHP Chris Archer (4-10, 4.70 ERA) will get the start opposite of Rick Porcello (8-2, 3.93 ERA) Tuesday night. Archer has won three of four games against Boston, although his 10.69 ERA in 16 first innings this season is worrisome to say the least. His command has eluded him, and Archer has fallen behind hitters a lot this season. The Rays ace is 7-17 with a 4.29 ERA since the second half of 2015. Porcello, who allowed four runs in 5-1/3 innings his last turn, needs a quality start to help an overworked bullpen. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 6/28/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Jennings CF
Arcia RF
Motter LF
Franklin DH
Conger C
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays have placed RHP Alex Colomé (right medial biceps tendinitis) on the 15-day DL, retroactive to June 19. In doing so, the team has selected LHP Dana Eveland from Triple-A Durham.

Kevin Cash told reporters that Colome first started to feel something last week, and the Rays will be cautious in getting him back on mound. The de facto reliever is expected to return Monday, July 4.

Until Colome returns, the Rays will be forced to cobble together the closer’s role based on matchups, although it’s likely Matt Andriese and/or Xavier Cedeño to receive the bulk of the heavy lifting.

— LHP Enny Romero, who was struck Saturday on his pitching hand with a line drive, was still sore but improving.

— RHPs Alex Cobb and Chase Whitley (Tommy John surgery) are scheduled to throw bullpens Tuesday afternoon.

— RHP Brad Boxberger (oblique) is slated to throw off the mound Thursday.

— RHP Andrew Bellatti cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Durham.

— DRaysBay broke down the newest Ray, Oswaldo Arcia.

Rays 6/27/16 starting lineup; team designates Ryan Webb for assignment, recalls Danny Farquhar

Blake Snell will make his second Tropicana Field start Monday night. (Photo Credit: MLB.com)
Blake Snell will make his second Tropicana Field start Monday night. (Photo Credit: MLB.com)

Rays 6/27/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Beckham SS
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Jennings CF
Arcia RF
Motter LF
Franklin DH
Casali C
Snell LHP

Noteworthiness

— Nick Franklin? At DH?! What about Corey Dickerson? Dickerson told Roger Mooney (Tampa Bay Times) the swelling in his thumb is going down, and he’s not as sore. He is expected to take batting practice this afternoon to see how it responds.

— The Tampa Bay Rays announced that they have recalled Danny Farquhar from Triple-A Durham. In doing so, RHP sinker-baller Ryan Webb has been designated for assignment. Webb, who was reinstated from the DL on June 25th, has shown glimpses of what he has to offer over his 17-1/3 innings of work. However, a 5.19 ERA/3.88 FIP, decreased GB% (48.4%, down from a career 56.1% career mark), and ballooning HR/FB (11.8%, up from a career 7.5% mark) have made Webb more of a liability than an asset.

Performance aside, Rays skipper Kevin Cash said the move was made because Farquhar can provide more length, and that’s what ‘pen is in need of right now.

Assuming he doesn’t get picked up off waivers, the team will have 10 days to either trade, release, or outright Webb to Triple-A Durham. The move clears up a spot on the Rays’ 40-man roster, so another player (pitcher or otherwise) may soon be added.

— Duh, Longo.

— You can read about tonight’s pitching matchup, and so much more, in our series preview.

— Join representatives from the Baseball Forever campaign tonight at Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill, where you can learn about the city’s initiative to keep the Rays in the Sunshine City. While you’re there, sign up for Rays memorabilia or free tickets to a future ballgame.

The New What Next: Rays vs Red Sox, part two — a series preview

Brad Miller posted back-to-back three-hit games over the weekend. He's now tied with Logan Forsythe (5) for the Rays lead. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Brad Miller posted back-to-back three-hit games over the weekend. He’s now tied with Logan Forsythe (5) for the Rays lead. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays are in the throes of an 11-game losing streak, their longest since 2009. They, however, have a chance to redeem themselves when they open a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Monday.

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The Rays are coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles, although some positives did come out of that failed road series. Rays skipper Kevin Cash hit on one such positive his post-game presser Sunday afternoon.

We’ll continue to look at some positives, the way the offense battled back … a lot of guys swung the bats well.

However, the offense was the least of the problems this past weekend. The pitching staff allowed an obscene number of two-out runs (9), while allowing at least five runs in all 11 losses, with the starters and relievers struggling along the way.

We pieced together our hits. We just have to be able to prevent them from scoring runs, which we did not, said Cash.

Looking at things in a larger context, it’s been a rollercoaster ride for Tampa Bay since mid-May. The Rays won five-of-six between May 14 and May 20, then immediately lost 11-of-13. They followed by winning 9-of-11, then began their current 11-game skid.

That’s not to suggest they’ll be overmatched over the next three series — Tampa Bay welcomes in a Red Sox team that’s lost 5-of-7 and are now four games out. Boston has lost 17-of-29 overall.

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Both teams will depend upon their respective heavy hitters. Evan Longoria has plated 23 runs in his last 26 games while Xander Bogaerts has 24 in his last 27. The newest Ray, Oswaldo Arcia, went 3-of-7 over the weekend, with a homer, a run and three RBI.

The two teams have met only three times this season, when the Rays took two of three from Boston in April. After the Red Sox leave, the Rays will take on the Tigers and Angels — two teams that are currently at, or below, .500. Make no mistake, this is the beginning of make or break homestand for the reeling Rays.

Cash will throw Blake Snell (0-2, 2.70 ERA), Chris Archer (4-10, 4.70 ERA), and Matt Moore (3-5, 5.04 ERA) over the next three days. John Farrell will counter with Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 6.41 ERA), Rick Porcello (8-2, 3.93 ERA), and David Price (8-4, 4.68 ERA).

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Rays series starters

Snell gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits over 6-2/3 innings, with three walks and three strikeouts in a loss on Tuesday against Cleveland. The lefty improved on his previous start, in which he lasted just 3-1/3 innings and gave up five runs (one earned) on eight hits. Snell’s control was a bit shaky in that start, throwing just 13 of 29 first-pitch strikes, and 57 strikes against 47 balls (55% K%). Snell has allowed seven free passes in 15 innings, and if he can’t rein in his control, that sparkling 2.40 ERA will be heading north in a hurry.

Archer feels that his struggles this season stem mainly from his performance in small stretches within games (especially in the first inning), and that he is still throwing the ball well overall.

Per ESPN,

Despite a major league-worst 10 losses, as well as a 4.70 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, the young right-hander remains confident in his ability to turn the season around. Archer is trying to remain focused on his process more so than the results and in executing enough of his pitches to give his team a chance to win each time he takes the mound. While some of the 27-year-old’s metrics appear to corroborate his belief that he’s firing away as effectively as ever, such as a 10.57 K/9 rate that is the second-highest of his career, his BB/9 and HR/9 rates, ERA and WHIP, along with the aforementioned losses, are on pace to be the worst he’s ever generated in those respective categories. Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey doesn’t necessarily disagree with Archer’s assessment, but also seems to feel that a thoroughly frank self-appraisal is needed at this point in the season. “But the process has not been good overall either. You may walk a guy leading off an inning you have no business walking and he ends up coming around and scoring, that is not a good process,” said Hickey. “I guess you have to identify what the process is and be a good, solid, honest evaluator of whether or not you actually executed what it is you set out to do. I think wins and losses, they count very much, especially at the end of the day.”

Moore fanned six, but allowed five earned runs on seven hits and a walk over 6-2/3 innings in Friday’s loss to Baltimore. Moore’s performance was mixed; the five earned runs marred 18 swinging strikes. He gave up a fourth inning solo homer to Adam Jones, yet was done in by lesser hits and a 45.5% LOB. It was a step back for the lefty, who posted back-to-back quality starts prior to Friday’s outing.

Red Sox series starters

Rodriguez allowed three runs in six innings for a no-decision on Wednesday. This came after he found himself in a stretch of three straight outings with four earned runs or more. Rodriguez has given up seven homers in 26-2/3 innings this season, largely because he hasn’t been comfortable with his breaking ball – he threw just four sliders out of his 102 pitches (77 fastballs, 21 changeups) thrown in Wednesday’s game. The southpaw relied heavily on his heater and changeup in that contest, a mix that bit him in the end after he gave up the game-tying homer in the sixth inning. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-3), Logan Forsythe (1-4, RBI, 2 BB), Brandon Guyer (1-3, HR, RBI, 3 BB), Evan Longoria (3-5, 2B, RBI, BB)

Porcello relinquished four runs on eight hits in 5-1/3 innings against the ChiSox on Thursday. He fanned two and walked one. Porcello has regressed of late, as he’s missed fewer bats than he did in April, when he whiffed 36 batters in 32-2/3 innings. Since the start of May, he’s struck out a modest 45 over 61-1/3 innings. In that span, Porcello’s allowed 31 earned runs, good for a 4.57 ERA. The Rays tagged the righty for three runs on six hits over seven innings in a 7-3 loss to Boston on April 20th. Key matchups: Oswaldo Arcia (2-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Corey Dickerson (2-7, 2B, HR, RBI), Logan Forsythe (5-14, 3B, 2 BB), Desmond Jennings (6-20, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Brad Miller (2-5, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Logan Morrison (4-10, 2B, RBI)

Price allowed six runs on 12 hits while striking out one over 2-1/3 innings, on Friday against the Rangers. The former Ray gave up runs in each of the three innings he took the mound, leaving the game with a 6-0 deficit. The rough outing broke a string of eight consecutive quality starts, while his ERA jumped to 4.68. Incidentally, the second shortest outing of the season came at the hands of Tampa Bay, for whom he has posted a 1-2 record and a 4.26 ERA against. In that start, Price gave up eight runs on eight hits and two walks, including two homers, in just 3-2/3 innings of work. Key matchups: Curt Casali (5-8, 3 HR, 5 RBI), Hank Conger (1-3, RBI), Nick Franklin (1-4, RBI)