Kevin Kiermaier leads off tonight with a meaty .361 BA/.387 OBP/.569 SLG/.956 OPS/.208 ISO slash line in the month of June.
Rays 6/26/15 Starting Lineup
Kiermaier CF
Butler DH
Longoria 3B
DeJesus LF
Forsythe 2B
Souza RF
Cabrera SS
Kraus 1B
Casali C
Colome RHP
Noteworthiness
— The Rays have spent 11 straight days alone in first place — their longest stay atop the AL East since a 52-day run, from April 22 to June 12, 2010.
— Newest addition to the roster Marc Krauss gets the start at first tonight, hitting eighth and wearing number 36. Kraus said he got in around 2:00 a.m. last night (with the time change), “Its the life of a ball player.” What can be expected out of Krauss? A left handed power bat, and a true first baseman.
Kevin Kiermaier hits a double during the ninth inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 24, 2015. (Photo Credit: Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Rays are setting the pace in the American League East while the Boston Red Sox flounder at the bottom.
— The Sports XChange
The Rays will try to bury the last-place Red Sox even further at the bottom of the AL East, while also gain some separation in the division when they host that team for a three-game series, starting Friday. Even though Tampa Bay has dropped three of its last four games, including a pair shutouts, it has had no problem with Boston in 2015 — the Rays are winners of the two previous series between the division rivals.
The Red Sox, losers of 10 of their last 15 games, are trying to cope with the loss of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring strain on Thursday. Boston is coming off a series loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
Tampa Bay will start Alex Colome, Matt Andriese, and Chris Archer over the next three days. Colome has endured some ups and downs this reason with the team, although the 26 year-old righty took a perfect game into the sixth inning and ended up allowing just one hit in seven scoreless against Cleveland in his last start. Colome pitched five innings at Fenway on May 6, allowing just two runs on four hits in a 5-3 win. Andriese gave up four runs on five hits — including thee home runs — over 5-1/3 innings in a loss Monday to Toronto. He struck out two and walked none. Andriese has never faced Boston. King Archer gave up just two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while fanning seven over eight innings against the Blue Jays on Tuesday. He allowed one run over 5-2/3 innings in his lone start against the Red Sox this season, walking one while striking out nine.
Rays and Red Sox series starters over the last 14 days.Rays and Red Sox offensive numbers over the last 14 days.Rays and Red Sox by the numbers.Rick Porcello: Porcello (4-8, 5.61 ERA) is in the throes of a woeful ix game losing streak. The former Tiger was hammered for six runs on eight hits — including a pair of home runs — and two walks in five innings against the Royals on Saturday. That outing marked the fourth time in the last six turns that he relinquished at least five earned runs. A caveat, Porcello had his best start in a Red Sox uniform against Tampa Bay on May 5, when he scattered eight hits and no walks over seven scoreless innings. Key matchups: Asdrubal Cabrera (13-47, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB), David DeJesus (10-25, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 BB), Marc Krauss (1-4, 2B, RBI, BB), Rene Rivera (1-3), Steven Souza Jr. (2-3).
Wade Miley: Per Rotowire, Miley (7-6, 4.50 ERA) pitched six shutout innings Sunday, giving up five hits and three walks while striking out two in a 13-2 win over Kansas City. The 28 year-old lefty has been excellent in his last two starts against Tampa Bay, allowing just one run on seven hits and walks in 13-1/3 combined innings of work. Miley features a 92 mph sinker and four-seam fastball, an 85 mph slider, an 84mph worm killer of a circle change, and a 77 mph curveball. Key matchups: Logan Forsythe (3-10, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Rene Rivera (4-8, 2B, 2 RBI).
Justin Masterson: The Red Sox optioned RHP Joe Kelly to Triple-A on Thursday, and RHP Justin Masterson was tapped to take his spot in the rotation. Masterson (2-2, 6.37 ERA) has been spotty in seven starts this season. The Rays, historically, have had a good amount of success against the right-handed four-seam fastball/slider/change-up throwing hurler, slashing a combined .345 BA/.450 OBP/.619 SLG/1.069 OPS line. Key matchups: Joey Butler (1-3, 2 RBI), Asdrubal Cabrera (3-7, 3B, RBI), David DeJesus (4-13, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB), Logan Forsythe (1-2, RBI), Brandon Guyer (1-1, 2B, BB), Evan Longoria (8-25, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 BB).
Noteworthiness
— LHP reliever Jake McGee has not allowed a run in any of his last 11 appearances. Moreover, of the 308 batters McGee, Brad Boxberger, and Kevin Jepsen have faced, 287 have been in (according to Baseball Reference) “Late and Close” situations.
— The last pitchers to match Chris Archers wins, strikeouts, and ERA on this date: Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson — the 2000 Cy Young Award winners.
— Drew Smyly is scheduled to throw off the mound Saturday at Tropicana Field. In other injury news, John Jaso is slated to start his rehabilitation assignment Saturday with the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Both Jaso and James Loney are still a good couple of weeks away from being added to the active roster.
Additionally, Matt Moore is scheduled to throw six innings/90 pitches in his last rehab start on Friday. Meanwhile Erasmo Ramirez threw a bullpen session Friday at the Trop. Ramirez did well in his session — he flashed thumbs-up after his session and said he was good to go. He should get the start Tuesday night against the Indians.
— The Rays released 1B Allan Dykstra and INF Eugenio Velez from the Durham Bulls.
— Boston LF Hanley Ramirez (hand contusion) sat out Thursday and is day-to-day.
The Rays have acquired 1B/OF Marc Krauss from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In turn, the team optioned utility infielder — and former heir apparent to Ben Zobrist’s roster spot — Nick Franklin to Triple-A Durham in order to make room on the roster.
Jeff Todd (MLB Trade Rumors) writes,
The Rays have acquired first baseman/outfielder Marc Krauss from the Angels in exchange for righty Kyle Winkler, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Krauss will head straight to the active roster, with utilityman Nick Franklin being optioned to clear roster space.
The left-handed-hitting Krauss was designated and outrighted by the Angels earlier in the year. He was off to a rough .143/.211/.286 start over 38 plate appearances at that time. Krauss came to the Halos over the offseason in a waiver claim from the Astros.
Krauss has always hit well in the upper minors, and that has been no different this year. Over 195 trips to the plate, he owns a .289/.415/.453 slash with four long balls.
The former second-round pick has split his big league time between first and the corner outfield, but has mostly played on the grass in the minors. He has seen action in parts of three seasons in the majors, taking 392 plate appearances and posting a cumulative .603 OPS.
Winkler, 25, has not yet advanced out of the minors. He has mostly pitched in a relief capacity as a professional. This year, splitting his time between Double-A and Triple-A, Winkler owns a 1.46 ERA over 12 1/3 frames with 10.9 K/9 against just 0.7 BB/9, though the bulk of the positive numbers came at the lower of those levels.
Rays VP of Baseball Operations Erik Neander spoke on the acquisition:
Marc is a disciplined hitter who brings left-handed power to our club. He’s a good fit for our present roster.
Franklin struggled through an oblique injury to start the season, slashing a sub-optimal .139 BA/.205 OBP/.215 SLG/.420 OPS/.206 wOBA in parts of 28 games and 78 plate appearances with Tampa Bay this season.
Neander noted the necessity of the move, especially from the perspective of Franklin:
Nick’s oblique injury in spring training interrupted his preparation for the season, and when he returned, our team’s injuries forced him to learn a new position on the fly. He’s young and talented and a big part of our future. Our goal is to make sure he is able to continue developing and get back on track, and we believe consistent playing time is the best way to achieve that.
Best Gatorade splashdown pose ever! (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
Chris Archer was again dominant against Toronto on Tuesday night, in the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 win against the Blue Jays. Archer posted eight strong innings for the third time in his last six starts, and gave up just three hits and two runs (one earned), while walking one and fanning seven. He has allowed just one earned run in three starts against the best offensive team in the majors. The Rays split the first two games of their three-game set against the Jays, and remain one game up in the AL East.
Tampa Bay initially took the lead in the second inning, after Asdrubal Cabrera singled to center, then was wild pitched to second and scored on an RBI base-hit to left by Brandon Guyer.
Meanwhile Archer sailed right out the gates, retiring his first 13 batters before Dioner “Whiskers” Navarro hammered his second homer in as many days — this one a fifth inning solo shot into the front row of the right-center field seats. Whiskers’ last five homers have come against his former team.
However, the Rays immediately answered against RA Dickey, and it all started with a one out single by Kevin Kiermaier (his second hit of the game). Kiermaier advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored on Joey Butler’s RBI liner to right-center — giving the Rays a one run advantage. Evan Longoria worked a five pitch walk, advancing Butler to second, then Logan Forsythe blasted a ball to deep right-center that center fielder Kevin Pillar ran down. The ball popped out of Pillar’s glove as he made contact with the wall, and Butler seized on the opportunity. Butler tagged up and scored from second as the throw to cutoff man, Ryan Goins, short-hopped him and trickled away, giving the Rays a two-run lead.
Aside from Navarro’s home run, Archer only got into trouble once more in the seventh inning. Jose Bautista worked a leadoff walk after falling behind 0-2. One out later, Archer got ahead of Navarro before allowing a bloop single to center, enabling Bautista to advance to third.
Archer came back to coax a Russell Martin pop-out in foul territory, but Ezequiel Carrera followed with a slow bouncer to third, which Evan Longoria fielded quickly and fired on the run to Jake Elmore at first. Yet Elmore was unable to handle Longoria’s throw as it went under his glove and rolled into the bullpen, allowing Bautista to score and the runners to advance to second and third. Archer induced a grounder to first out of Pillar to end the inning.
The ace came back out in the eighth and tossed an efficient 10 pitch 1-2-3 inning, punctuated with a strikeout of Josh Donaldson — his seventh punch out of the game.
Archer, who is now 9-4 on the season, had everything working. The righty was overpowering and efficient, averaging just 12-1/2 pitches per inning.
I mean, all three of my pitches were there, Archer said after the game. I could locate my fastball on both sides. I felt comfortable throwing anything at any time, first time through or fourth time through the order. Just kind of went with (Rene Rivera), and obviously that comes from the scouting report that our coaches put together.
Tampa Bay tacked on a key run in the eighth, on a towering homer to right-field by Cabrera off reliever Steve Delabar. Interestingly enough, the home run was preceded by a foul ball that had home run distance.
The extra run proved critical, as Edwin Encarnacion homered against Brad Boxberger with one out in the ninth inning. But Boxberger got Whiskers to ground out to second, and struck out Russell Martin (swinging) to finish the game and earn save number 19.
The New What Next
Nathan Karns (4-3, 3.53 ERA) will face Marco Estrada (5-3, 3.92 ERA) and the Blue Jays in the rubber match of the three-game series on Wednesday. Karns will look to find similar success from his first career start against Toronto back on September 12. In that start, Karns became the first hurler in franchise history to go seven-plus innings and allow two hits or fewer in his club debut. Estrada took a no-hitter into the eighth inning during his last start against the Orioles. It was the fourth time in his last five outings that Estrada recorded a quality start. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 6/24/14 Starting Lineup
Kiermaier CF
Butler DH
Longoria 3B
DeJesus LF
Forsythe 2B
Cabrera SS
Guyer RF
Elmore 1B
Casali C
Karns RHP
Noteworthiness
— At 15-7, Tampa Bay has clinched its first winning June since 2011.
— The Rays’ 41 wins are more than all but two teams: the St. Louis Cardinals have 46, and the Houston Astros have 42.
Kevin Kiermaier scores on a single by David DeJesus during the first inning on Monday. (Photo Credit: Brian Blanco/Getty Images)Toronto showed why it’s one of the hottest teams in the majors on Monday, as the Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays by a score of 8-5. The Rays fell for just the second time in eight meetings this season with Toronto, a team that continues to chug along in the month of June. All is not lost, however, Tampa Bay remained a game in front of New York in the AL East, thanks to the Yankees’ 11-8 loss to Philly.
Tampa Bay took a two-run lead in the first two innings against Drew Hutchison. Kevin Kiermaier singled on the second pitch of the game, stole second, and scored on a David DeJesus single to center. Yet Toronto knotted the game at one apiece in the second inning on an RBI groundout by Chris Colabello groundout.
Tampa Bay regained the lead with a two-out rally in the second. The Outlaw came up with an RBI base-hit to right — scoring Jake Elmore who reached on a walk, moved to second on a groundout, and was wild pitched to third — then eventually scored himself on a single by Evan Longoria. Hutchison, who labored through the first two innings, managed to get through five frames, departing the game after his team scored seven runs. Hutchison entered the night with the most run support in the majors (eight runs per game, on average).
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays hit three homers against Rays’ starter Matt Andriese, and eventually broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning when Jose Bautista crushed a solo shot to left field. All of the homers came on mistake pitches that Andriese left over the plate:
Jose Reyes’ third inning homer.Whiksers’ fourth inning homer.Jose Bautista’s sixth inning homer.While the homers were of the solo shot variety, they added up and bolstered the death by a thousand cuts feeling of the game.
Ronald Belisario entered the game with one out in the sixth, and though he was tasked with getting just two outs, he quickly gave up the ghost. Belisario allowed a walk to Edwin Encarnacion, a bloop single to Dioner “Whiskers” Navarro, and then an RBI double to Colabello to give Toronto a two-run lead. The sinker-baller never settled in, and with the infield in, Ezequiel Carrera hit a grounder just past Logan Forsythe to plate another run, and Danny Valencia capped the four-run rally with an RBI groundout to third.
The Rays put together a two-run rally in the seventh after Forsythe homered to left, and Rene Rivera doubled home Steven Souza Jr., who reached on a triple to the left-field corner. However, Liam Hendriks (entering the game in relief of St. Pete native Todd Redmond) fanned Kevin Kiermaier for the final out of the inning. Prior to that, Kiermaier went 3-4.
Toronto notched their eighth run on a Danny Valencia single in the eighth against Enny Romero. The run was set up after the Rays’ high octane lefty culled two quick outs before giving up a single Carrera. Toronto’s right-fielder moved to third on a botched pick-off throw by Romero that sailed over the head of Elmore, and bounded up the right-field line.
Steve Geltz threw a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth, and now has retired a club-record 28 straight batters. He spoke about the accomplishment with Rays Radio following the game:
Tampa Bay loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth against Hendriks and Roberto Osuna (who entered the game in relief), but the righty fanned Souza Jr. and Nick Franklin to end the threat. Franklin took over at short after Asdrubal Cabrera was ejected in the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes. Cabrera has now been ejected four times in his career, and stands as the first Rays player to be ejected this season.
Osuna came back out for the ninth and put down Elmore, Rivera, and Kiermaier in order for a 1-2-3 ninth.
On the night, the Rays went 4-19 with runners in scoring position with 11 strikeouts — preventing the team from taking advantage of 15 hits, and five stolen bases. Again, death by a thousand cuts. Kevin Kiermaier spoke about the offensive struggles after the game:
The New What Next
Chris Archer (8-4, 2.18 ERA) will look to continue the historic success he’s had against the Blue Jays, opposite of knuckleballer RA Dickey. In two starts against Toronto, Archer has allowed just four hits and hasn’t given up a run in 14 innings while striking out 18. He is the first pitcher to make consecutive starts of seven-plus innings with two hits or fewer and no runs against the Blue Jays since Oakland’s Ron Darling in 1992. Dickey was activated from the bereavement list Monday after he spent some time away from the team following the death of his father last Tuesday. He has a 3-4 record with a 4.18 ERA in 11 career outings at Tropicana Field. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 6/23/15 Starting Lineup
Kiermaier CF
Butler DH
Longoria 3B
Forsythe 2B
Souza Jr. RF
Cabrera SS
Guyer LF
Elmore 1B
Rivera C
Archer RHP
Noteworthiness
— Following his 2 IP/1 ER/3 K appearance, the Rays optioned LHP Enny Romero back to Triple-A Durham. The team responded by recalling RHP reliever Kirby Yates from Triple-A Durham. Yates recently spent time on the 15-day DL after sustaining a right pectoral strain.
— Rays manager Kevin Cash said Erasmo Ramirez, who was initially scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday, will instead throw again in 2-3 days. He could join the back end of the rotation next week. For what it’s worth, Ramirez’s regularly scheduled start would fall on Thursday — an off-day for the Rays. Since he would likely miss a start on Friday, his next start would fall on Tuesday, June 30. Matt Moore will make his final rehabilitation start with the Durham Bulls on Friday, slotting his return to the rotation for Wednesday, July 1.
— John Jaso worked at first base and took batting practice Monday afternoon. Jaso is aiming to begin a rehab assignment at the end of the week — likely with the Stone Crabs — but still needs to make hard contact swings before progressing to games.
— Grady Sizemore made his organizational debut with the Charlotte Stone Crabs. Sizemore went 0-2 before a rain delay. Sizemore, who signed a minor-league deal this month after being released by the Phillies, was quoted after the game:
I’m not trying to prove anything. Just trying to get the reps, get back in shape, make a difference and make an impact.
