Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Blanked 5-0

It was one of those days. Rene Rivera bobbles the throw to the plate as Mark Canha scores on Sam Fuld’s bases-loaded single in the sixth inning. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Steve Nesius)
The Oakland Athletics broke the Tampa Bay Rays’ two-game win streak Saturday afternoon, thanks to Eric Sogard’s sixth inning two-out single with Xavier Cedeno on the mound. At 24-20, Tampa Bay still leads the AL East by 1-1/2 games over New York.

Nathan Karns got the start and battled through the first five innings. Though he allowed six hits in those frames, Karns was able to strand three runners in scoring position in the first, second and fourth innings, while getting an extra hand from the defense in the third and fifth innings.

With one out in the third, Rene Rivera gunned down Marcus Semien as he attempted to swipe second. Then in the fifth, Logan Forsythe stole a potential extra-base hit from Billy Burns, snaring his line drive before it could bound into left field.

Nevertheless, the tone of the game changed in the sixth.

Josh Reddick led off the inning with a single to left to spark a fruitful uprising. The right-fielder moved to second on Billy Butler’s slow groundout to third. With Max Muncy at the plate, Reddick advanced to third on a passed ball. Muncy walked one pitch later to put two runners on. Karns’ day was done after he coaxed a swinging strikeout from Josh Phegley for the second out.

Manager Kevin Cash called upon Cedeno, who hadn’t allowed a run (earned, or otherwise) in 12 previous outings. The LOOGY got ahead of Sogard with an 0-2 count before leaving a middle-middle fastball in the swing path of the Athletics’ second baseman. Sogard made Cendeno pay for the mistake by smacking a base hit up the middle, driving in Reddick and giving the Athletics the only run they’d need on the day. Mark Canha then walked to load the bases, and Sam Fuld — who was mired in a 4-for-54 slump — lined a base clearing single to center field, plating a pair of runs. The third and fourth runs crossed the plate after Kevin Kiermaier and Rene Rivera committed errors on the play, giving Oakland a commanding lead.

Enny Romero, who was recalled from Triple-A late Friday night, threw the final three innings of the game. Romero looked excellent in the seventh, needing only eight pitches to work around a one out single for a clean frame. Yet his command escaped him in the eighth, and Romero walked the bases loaded with two outs before allowing a bases-loaded walk to Billy Burns to give Oakland a 5-0 advantage. Yes, Romero walked four consecutive batters with two outs.

Meanwhile, after being recalled from Triple-A Nashville to make a spot start, Kendall Graveman struck out six and walked two to help the A’s win for just the third time in 17 games. Graveman was excellent and allowed just one hit over the first four innings. He pulled a Houdini and worked out of a two-on no-out jam the very next inning, and another two-on rally in the sixth. And while the Rays put together one last two-out bases loaded rally in the ninth against Tyler Clippard, the closer eviscerated pinch hitter Joey Butler on three pitches to end the game. All told, Graveman and two relievers held the Rays to six scattered hits.

The New What Next

Erasmo Ramirez will toe the rubber opposite Sonny Gray in the series finale on Sunday. Gray was not as sharp as usual on Tuesday, allowing three runs, seven hits and three walks over only five innings. He also dropped two straight, and the Rays will attempt to tag him for a third in the matinee game. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 5/23/15 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Souza RF
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Forsythe 2B
DeJesus DH
Cabrera SS
Guyer LF
Wilson C
Ramirez RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays optioned Romero back to Triple-A Durham following the game — a move makes sense as the team needs another fresh arm with Ramirez starting. They corresponded by calling up RHP Preston Guilmet, who was acquired by Tampa Bay off waivers from the Blue Jays. Guilmet pitched for Cash previously with Cleveland.

— Here’s my solution to the debated roster move of Tim Beckham back to Triple-A: Since Beckham has 5 HR/16 RBI/.725 OPS off the bench, and Asdrubal Cabrera boasts 2 HR/11 RBI/.606 OPS as an everyday player, DFA Cabrera and recall T-Bex!

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Win Second Straight, 5-2

Evan Longoria high fives Steven Souza Jr. after his three-run home run during the fifth inning. (Photo credit: Will Vragovic/The Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Evan Longoria high fives Steven Souza Jr. after his three-run home run during the fifth inning. (Photo credit: Will Vragovic/The Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Evan Longoria belted the first of three homers Friday night in the Tampa Bay Rays’ second consecutive win over Oakland, this time by a score of 5-2. Steven Souza Jr. and Tim Beckham also homered, moving the Rays to five games over .500 for the first time this season. They now lead the division by 1-1/2 games over the Yankees — the most they’ve been atop the division by since May 4, 2012.

Chris Archer got the start and notched a win after posting 5-1/3 innings of one-run ball, fanning eight along the way. Archer, however, wasn’t nearly as sharp or efficient as in previous starts. The de fact0 ace allowed four free passes to the Athletics hitters, and got himself into three sticky jams over the course of his outing. Credit Archer with being able to hold Oakland to 0-6 with runners in scoring position, although one can’t help but wonder how much of their inability to score had to do with the A’s recent incapacity at the plate.

In all fairness, Archer’s put away slider was very good Friday, and he used it to his advantage — of the 47 thrown, 31 went for strikes and he coaxed 10 whiffs. I’ll concede point, he was able to make the big pitch when he needed to. However, considering that Archer used 25 combined pitches throughout the four plate appearances resulting in a walk, he put himself into those situations in which he needed to bear down — including a one-out, bases loaded jam in the sixth inning.

Manager Kevin Cash pulled Archer in favor of Brandon Gomes. With a win in the balance, Gomes helped Archer out of the bases-loaded jam by striking out Sam Fuld, and getting Billy Burns to fly to center.  Gomes now has stranded 14-15 inherited runners this year.

Archer agreed that he didn’t have his best stuff, though he told Rays Radio that he was satisfied with his ability to keep his team in the game:

Tampa Bay took the lead in the fifth inning.

Down by one, Brandon Guyer started the uprising with a first-pitch single to left. Steven Souza Jr. followed with a bunt, and reached when Max Muncy dropped the throw at first — Guyer went all the way to third. Longoria was next in the batter’s box, and he turned on a mistake fastball on the outer third of the plate, sending the ball to deep left field for his fifth home run of the season. The Rays third baseman now has a team leading 21 RBI, with 17 in the month of May.

Longo talked about his at-bat after the game:

Souza Jr. hit his team-leading seventh homer of the year in the seventh, and Tim Beckham — who hit a triple earlier in the game — homered to deep left-center for the final two insurance runs.

Gomes, Xavier Cedeno, and Kevin Jepsen pieced together three scoreless frames throughout the eighth, yet Oakland mounted a threat against Ernesto Frieri  in the ninth. Frieri didn’t look sharp, though I’d imagine that may have something to do with the fact that he hadn’t pitched in five days. Then again, he allowed two runs to score in his last appearance against Minnesota, so make of that what you will. Cash called upon Brad Boxberger for the final out of the game, and the closer fanned Vogt to earn his 13th save of the season.

Because the Rays used five relievers Friday night, and due to the fact the bullpen has had to cover 7-2/3 innings in the past two days, the team elected to option T-Bex back to Triple-A Durham and activate Enny Romero. The move gives Tampa Bay 13 pitchers and 12 position players for the moment. Romero will be the 41st player used by the Rays this year, compared to just 43 all of 2014.

Cash told the Tampa Bay Times:

Sending down Beckham was a very tough conversation and that he’s proven he is a big league player, but the priority was adding a bullpen arm to provide some protection. Cash said they could go back to carrying an extra bench player once/if the bullpen gets some rest.

After starting the season on the DL, Romero has made three starts for Durham, posting a 1-0 record with a 2.70 ERA.

The New What Next

Natahn Karns (3-1, 3.77) will get the start after getting skipped in his last start Tuesday in Atlanta. Karns has won his past three decisions. He’ll be opposed by Kendall Graveman (1-2, 8.27 ERA) and the Athletics. The 24 year-old Kendall has made four starts for the Athletics this season, allowing 15 earned runs and 24 hits in 16-1/3 IP. Graveman’s best performance of the season came against Houston in April, when he threw 5-1/3 scoreless innings in a 4-0 Athletics win. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 5/23/15 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Souza RF
Longoria DH
Loney 1B
Forsythe 3B
DeJesus LF
Cabrera SS
Franklin 2B
Rivera C
Karns RHP

Noteworthiness

— I get it, it’s the NHL postseason and everyone is excited for the Bolts. Yet surely those of you who aren’t at Amalie Arena can make it to the Trop to watch your first place Tampa Bay Rays. C’mon everyone, get out and support your team!

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— Noah Pransky (Shadow of the Stadium) writes, well-known St. Pete author Peter Golenbock, who wrote a George Steinbrenner autobiography, penned a piece for Creative Loafing this week that basically summarizes the Stadium Saga: a bunch of logical reasons fans aren’t coming to the game, and St. Pete’s logical refusal to just let the Rays walk for cheap.

But Golenbock goes where few have gone before — suggesting Rays owner Stu Sternberg could turn things around simply by moving (at least part-time) to St. Pete. Golenbock’s assertion is interesting, and worth your time.

— Matt Moore (Tommy John surgery) threw two innings in an extended Spring Training game today against the Orioles. The southpaw allowed two runs on five hits (triple,two doubles), fanning two. No word on his velocity yet.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Blank A’s 3-0, First in the AL East

David DeJesus heads for first base as he watches his home run off Oakland Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez in the seventh inning. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
David DeJesus heads for first base as he watches his home run off Oakland Athletics pitcher Jesse Chavez in the seventh inning. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
The Tampa Bay Rays took over sole possession of first place in the AL East on Thursday, beating the Athletics by a score of 3-0. With New York idled by an off-day, Tampa Bay is now a half-game ahead of the division after Alex Colome and four relievers combined to blank Oakland.

The Athletics had two chances to tag the Rays with a run, yet they couldn’t pounce. Their first opportunity came in the first inning, against Colome, when Billy Burns tripled over the head of Steven Souza Jr. to lead off the game. Marcus Semien then flew out to deep center, yet Burns, for some unknown reason, opted not to tag although it appeared he would have scored easily. Burns had another opportunity to score on Josh Reddick’s grounder to first, however, his indecision once again proved costly. Billy Butler grounded to third to end the threat and the inning.

Oakland’s second opportunity came in the fourth after a two-out rally. The Athletics loaded the bases on two hits (one on the infield) and a walk, but Colome got Sam Fuld to ground to first to end that threat. Colome rebounded nicely from his previous two starts against New York and Minnesota. He allowed only four hits and a walk while fanning three on 86 pitches (57 strikes, 70% K%).

Meanwhile the Rays remained scoreless against Jesse Chavez until the fourth. Evan Longoria, who celebrated his 1,000th game on this fair night, drew a leadoff walk, then scored from first on a big two-out double by David DeJesus to left center field.

Steve Geltz came on in relief of Colome in the sixth and threw a 1-2-3 frame. Kevin Jepsen followed in the seventh and posted another zero with some help from his battery mate. Jepsen walked Sam Fuld with two outs, but Wilson ended the inning by gunning down the former Ray as he tried to swipe second.

Later, in the bottom of the seventh, DeJesus belted his fourth homer of the year — a solo no doubter to right on a thigh high change-up. The team was not done. Brandon Guyer followed with a single to right, spelling the end of the night for Chavez. Edward Mujica entered the game, and Guyer promptly swiped second and third with Bobby Wilson at the plate.

Wilson needed only to make contact to drive in a run and he did not disappoint. The Rays catcher smoked a comebacker off Mujica’s right thumb (and arm), allowing Guyer to score. Unfortunately for Mujica, he was pulled from the game with a fractured right thumb.

Jake McGee came on the face the top of the order in the eighth and retired the side — striking out a pair along the way. De facto closer Brad Boxberger worked around a leadoff single in the ninth, and a two-out bunt hit to Max Muncy that put runners at the corners. With the shutout in jeopardy, Brett Lawrie (representing the tying run) stepped into the batter’s box. But Lawrie went down swinging on four pitches, as he’s wont to do, and Boxberger earned his 12th save.

The New What Next

Chris Archer will take the hill for the Rays opposite of Scott Kazmir. Archer has pitched back-to-back quality starts, allowing three earned runs in 13 innings with 12 strikeouts and two walks. Meanwhile, Kazmir is coming off a difficult start against the Southsiders on Sunday, when he lasted just 4-1/3 innings, and allowed three earned runs on seven hits. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 5/21/15 Starting Lineup

Guyer CF
Souza RF
Longoria 3B
Forsythe DH
Butler LF
Loney 1B
Cabrera SS
Beckham 2B
Rivera C
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

— Colome was called for an automatic ball by Cowboy Joe West during Semien’s at-bat in the third for going to the mouth with his fingers while on the mound.

— Matt Moore is slated to throw two innings (35-40 pitches) Saturday morning in an extended Spring Training game. This is likely the last step before starting his rehab assignment.

— Muy bueno!


— Muy bueno, part dos! 

(Photo credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
 

Rays 5/21/15 Starting Lineup, Drew Smyly Update

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Rays 5/21/15 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Souza RF
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Forsythe 2B
DeJesus DH
Guyer LF
Franklin SS
Wilson C
Colome RHP

Noteworthiness

— The fates of Matt Moore and Drew Smyly is expected to be discussed this afternoon — well, kind of. In the case of Moore, the team was to determine whether he’d go to extended Spring Training or straight to his rehab stint in the minors. As for Smyly, the LHP officially told the media that isn’t planning to go under the knife to repair a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder:

After talking with a few of the doctors that I’ve met with, we’ve decided to rehab it. Everyone seems very optimistic that that’s the route to take. It’s not choosing that over surgery. They act like surgery’s not even really an option right now. That’s the route I’m taking.

That plan includes eight weeks of rehab, and Smyly hopes to be pitching for the Rays in late July or early August. Neither manager Kevin Cash nor the team have put a timetable on the southpaws return. 
— You can read about tonight’s pitching matchup, and so much more, in our Rays/A’s series preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs. Athletics — A Series Preview

Rays manager Kevin Cash watches on between innings. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)
Rays manager Kevin Cash watches on between innings. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)

Despite a 2-3 record on their most recent road trip, the Tampa Bay Rays return home in a much better position than the slumping Oakland Athletics, who they’ll face over the next four days.

The Rays embark on the series tied for first place in the AL East, while the A’s — who were previously the team to beat in the AL West — sit at the bottom of their division, having lost eight of their last 10 games (and 12 of their last 14). For the A’s, the culprit is two-fold: the pitching staff ranks in the bottom half in the majors in ERA (4.04), and the fielders have erred an MLB leading 44 times — an average of 1.04 errors per game. Taking things a bit further, it’s the Athletics bullpen that has been questionable; the combined 5.12 ERA/4.34 FIP/.247 BA/.296 BABIP/78 Runs in 128-1/3 innings speaks to that.

True, Oakland has a +25 run differential over Tampa Bay (while averaging 4.4 runs per game), yet the pitching staff has allowed the second highest number of runs in the American League (196; 52 more than the Rays). It certainly doesn’t help that Oakland hit .236 with 45 runs scored in its last 14 contests.  

To be fair, the Rays offensive struggles, especially with runners in scoring position, have been well documented. However, Tampa Bay has done a much better job of late wRISP, posting a combined .360 vs. New York, .351 vs. Minnesota, and .286 vs. Atlanta. Compare that with Oakland, who is hitting .194 wRISP over the last 14 games after batting .310 in such situations over the first 28 contests. 

In short, the Athletics — much like the 2014 Tampa Bay team — are off to the second-worst start in team history.

Rays and Athletics series starters over the last 14 days.
Rays and Athletics series starters over the last 14 days.
Rays and Athletics offensive production over the last 14 days.
Rays and Athletics offensive production over the last 14 days.
Rays and Athletics by the numbers.
Rays and Athletics by the numbers.

Jesse Chavez: Chavez received a no-decision after yielding two runs and eight hits in six innings of a 4-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday (his third quality start in five turns). The 31-year-old righty has a 3.18 ERA in three relief appearances covering 5-2/3 innings against Tampa Bay, limiting the Rays roster to two hits in 16 at-bats. His cutter explodes on the hitter and generates a good number of whiffs and fly-balls; his change-up is firm and has some arm side fade, it also generates a lot of grounders; his four seam fastball also generates a lot of swings and misses, and his curveball has some good horizontal movement and coaxes an extreme number of fly-balls. Pitching matchups: Asdrubal Cabrera (1-3, HR, RBI).

Scott Kazmir: Per Rotowire, Kazmir struggled Sunday against the White Sox, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks in just 4.1 innings en route to his second loss of the season. The former Ray relies primarily upon his four seam fastball (93 mph) and change-up (78 mph), also mixing in a cutter (88 mph) and sinker (92 mph). He rarely throws a slider (82 mph) and curveball (77 mph). This will be his first start against his former team. Key matchups: David DeJesus (8-21, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 3 BB), James Loney (2-6, 3B), Rene Rivera (1-4).

Sonny Gray: Per Rotowire,  Gray was not as sharp as usual on Tuesday, allowing three runs, seven hits and three walks over only five innings. Gray is evolving as a pitcher finds Owen Watson (FanGraphs). He is relying less upon his four seam fastball and 12-6 curveball, favoring his two seam fastball and slurve instead. While Gray’s K% has fallen, the amount of weak contact induced has increased. He is also is pitching deeper into games, which stands to reason — if Gray is attacking the zone more often and relying upon weak contact, he’s using less pitches throughout the course of a game. Key matchups: Asrubal Cabrera (1-3, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (1-2, HR, 3 RBI), James Loney (3-7, 2 BB).

Noteworthiness

— James Loney is 11-for-24 during his seven-game hitting streak.

— After throwing a bullpen session Wednesday, Manager Kevin Cash gave LHP Matt Moore an “all thumbs up” rating. The team is waiting until Thursday to decide whether his next outing Saturday will be a simulated game or a move to extended spring training (the last step before starting a rehab assignment).

— Former Ray Ben Zobrist will not be making an appearance at the Trop over the course of the next four days, rather he will be on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville.

Zobrist told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) “I was hoping to make it back by then on a long shot, but I’ll miss it by a couple of days. Disappointed that I won’t get to say hello to friends and fans from the area.”

— Topkin also wrote, Wednesday was the fourth time in Rays history they were in first place after 40 games; also 2008, 2010 and 2011, all seasons they reached the playoffs.