Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Blank Jays 3-0, Take Series

Hey Yankees, we're coming for you next! (Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Hey Yankees, we’re coming for you next! (Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

Know what I’m annoyed by? The constant trade rumors surrounding David Price. Know who else is? David Price. I get it, he’s been hugging people often — including an extended “hug session” following his excellent outing at The Trop yesterday — which, somehow, led people to believe he was saying goodbye. I really don’t read much into it. After all, he regularly hugs his teammates in the midst a game. This might be a radical line of thinking, but perhaps he’s just being a good teammate?

Let me put things into perspective:

  1. The Rays set their rotation following the All-Star Game, with Price scheduled to take the mound against the Twins Saturday, July 19th. Juxtapose that with a team, like the Red Sox, who are preparing for a trade. Jake Peavy isn’t scheduled to pitch again until July 22. If a Peavy trade were to take place before then, the Sox would have enough time to recall Brandon Workman, who was optioned to Triple-A last Wednesday.
  2. It’s common knowledge if Tampa Bay can continue its winning ways, the chances of a Price trade (or Zobrist, for that matter) are drastically reduced. The Rays have gone 21-12 since June 11 (a .636 WP), and there really hasn’t been any indication that they can’t/won’t continue their winning ways after the All-Star Break. In the Rays’ favor, their current position in the AL East — 9.5 games behind the first place Orioles, and 4.5 games behind the third place Yankees. They’ve also made up significant ground in the playoff standings, just 8.0 games out of the AL Wildcard race. The pitching staff has been, yet there’s still room for growth. The offense has averaged 4.4 runs per game since June 11th — an average per-game run total that is sustainable over the long haul. The defense — Tampa Bay’s other key component — has been solid, and the Rays will welcome players back to the fold following the ASG. Simply put, the Rays are becoming the team they were meant to be following Spring Training.
  3. Much of their recent success can be attributed to David Price. In kind, any future success (this season) will be predicated on Price being on the roster. With 65 games remaining in the season, if the Rays or going to go 43-22 (for an ultimate record of 87-75) in the symbolic second half of the season, they will need all hands on deck — Price included.

Moving forward.

Price threw eight excellent innings of shutout baseball on 112 pitches (74 strikes, 66% K%), allowing just five hits and a walk, while striking out five. Price did what others had before; when he realized his wipeout pitch may not be working, he relied upon weak contact for outs. Working one batter into the ninth, Joe Maddon called upon Jake McGee to finish off the Jays. The ace of the relief staff struck out two, preserving both the shutout and the win.

Yunel Escobar celebrated his return by scoring two of the Rays three runs. His first run came with Escobar on second in the second inning. Logan Forsythe shot an RBI single to right, plating the first run of the game. Then in the sixth, Escobar slapped a two-out single to center, promptly swiping second with Jose Molina at the plate. For RA Dickey, it was the second stolen base allowed all season. The steal paid dividends when Molina hit an RBI single to right. Though Escobar was initially called out at the plate, the call was overturned upon review. Yunel clearly slid in safe at home, ahead of Jose Bautista’s throw, and the Rays took a 2-0 lead.

Tampa Bay was rewarded with an insurance run in the seventh inning, following a beautiful Kevin Kiermaier/Ben Zobrist double steal of second and third (respectively). Evan Longoria hit a deep sac-fly, scoring Kiermaier from third. Three runs would be all the Rays would need.

The Rays capped off the symbolic first half of the season with a 21-12 run (extending back to June 11). Make that 22 consecutive home series wins against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees five inning, rain-postponed loss (the baseball gods were looking down on Tampa Bay) find the Rays 4.5 games out of third place in the AL East.

Noteworthiness

  • David Price, when given the choice between starting for the Rays Sunday, or pitching in the All-Star Game, chose to help his team over pitching an inning at the ASG Tuesday. Price, your dedication to the franchise has not gone unnoticed, and we love ya for it!
  • Here’s a pretty cool info-graphic on Kiermaier’s SLG as he’s risen through the ranks:
(Courtesy of James E. Krueger)
(Courtesy of James E. Krueger)

watchpartyfinal

Looking Backward While Moving forward: Kiermaier and Odorizzi Lead the Rays to 10-3 Win

Live from section 144. (Photo courtesy of Schmitty/X-Rays Spex)
Live from section 144. (Photo courtesy of Schmitty/X-Rays Spex)

The Tampa Bay Rays once again found themselves with a tally in the win column, after they blasted the Toronto Blue Jays by a score of 10-3, Saturday. Led by Kevin Kiermaier’s hitting and Jake Odorizzi’s solid pitching, the Rays reclaimed fourth place from the Red Sox (who lost to Houston), and start the day just 5-1/2 games behind the third place New York Yankees. Odorizzi got the start in place of scheduled starter David Price, who was feeling ill. Price will take the mound this afternoon, opposite of RA Dickey, in series finale.

Kiermaier put the Rays on the board in the first inning, thanks to his nonstop hustle. Outlaw hit what should have been a single to the right-center gap, stretching it into a double when Anthony Gose was slow to return the ball to the infield. Ben Zobrist moved him up to third on a deep flyout to center, then scored on a sac-fly — also hit to deep center — by Matt Joyce, giving the Rays an early 1-0 lead.

However, the tandem of Kiermaier and Brandon Guyer gave the run right back to Toronto in the top of the second inning. Kiermaier made a diving attempt on a liner off the bat of Colby Rasmus, but it glanced off his mitt and bounded to the left-center wall. Guyer, who should have been backing up the play, was slow to react, forcing Ben Zobrist to come all the way over from right field. By the time Zobrist returned the ball to the infield, Rasmus found himself at third with a one out triple. Juan Francisco plated Rasmus with a sacrifice fly hit to left to even the score at one apiece.

The Jays took the lead in the fourth inning when Odorizzi gave up an unearned run. Jose Bautista reached on a grounder up the middle to Sean Rodriguez, who made an excellent play to field the ball. But Rodriguez skipped his throw to first, past James Loney, and allowed Bautista to take second base. Odorizzi gave up back-to-back singles to Dan Johnson and Dioner Navarro, consequently moving Bautista to third before plating the go-ahead run. Yet Odorizzi limited the damage and retired the next three batters in order (two on strikeouts).

One thing was certain from the get go: Hutchison was very hittable Saturday night. Because of it, the Rays didn’t wait around to tie the game. Loney led off the bottom of the fourth with a single to left. Then, after a Brandon Guyer strikeout, Yunel Escobar singled to left, moving Loney to second, and bringing the mighty bat of Jose Molina to the plate. Molina, who found himself chasing the Mendoza line, brought Loney home and advanced Escobar to third, with a single to center that Rasmus — much like Kiermaier on his triple — dove for, and missed. With two outs in the inning, Molina stole second base — his second steal in as many attempts this season. His fleet of foot running was rewarded with a standing ovation from the crowd. Kiermaier struck out to end the inning with just one run to show for the three hits.

Sean Rodriguez made for his earlier fielding miscue in the top of the fifth inning, when he threw out Jose Reyes at second. Reyes attempted to stretch a single into a double after Zobrist couldn’t come up with a catch in shallow right field. Always one to back-up plays, Rodriguez hustled out to right field and gunned down Reyes. Toronto challenged the out call, but it was confirmed upon review.

The Rays buried the Blue Jays in the bottom of the sixth inning. The first three hitters of the inning reached to load the bases for Molina, who — as he’s wont to do — struck out. Joe Maddon made a controversial call when he pinched Sean Rodriguez for Cole Figueroa to face the righty. However, the move instantly paid dividends with an RBI walk that scored Loney, signaling the end of Hutchinson’s night. J.A. Happ, who was initially scheduled to start this afternoon’s contest, was called upon to get the Jays out of the jam. However, he did anything but.

Kiermaier stepped into the box and hit a single to left field that scored Guyer and Escobar, giving the Rays a 5-2 lead. Zobrist continued the hit show with another RBI single to left, scoring Figueroa. Matt Joyce was next, hitting another RBI single, this one scoring two more runs to give the Rays a commanding 8-2 lead. Evan Longoria (hitless in five at-bats) popped out to second for the second out of the inning, and Loney (batting for the second time in the inning) ended the sixth with a strikeout.

My question going into the seventh, how might the extended sixth effect Odorizzi? After all, the previous inning took 20+ minutes  from the beginning to the end. That question would be answered when Blue Jays got a run back in the top of the seventh with a rally of their own, started by a one out double to center off the bat of Francisco. And though it looked like Odorizzi could get out of trouble without any damage after a he struck out Steve Tolleson, Gose singled to right — scoring a run, and cutting the Rays’ lead to five. Odorizzi’s night was done after walked Reyes with two outs. His final line: 6.2 IP/6 H/3 R/2 ER/2 BB/7 K 107 pitches (66 K). Joel Peralta came on in relief and struck out Melky Cabrera to end the threat.

The Rays hit parade continued in the seventh. Guyer led off the inning with a double to left, and Escobar followed with a single. Molina, who worked a good at-bat, walked to load the bases for Figueroa. Finding himself in a deja vu like scenario, Figueroa struck out for the first out of the inning. But the Outlaw came up big once again, singling to right and scoring Guyer from third. With the bases still loaded, Zobrist hit a sac-fly to center, scoring Escobarand giving the Rays a 10-3 lead. The inning ended with a Longo pop-out to second, but the ultimate damage was done.

Peralta remained in the game for the first two outs of the eighth inning, however a Navarro double spelled his doom. Maddon called upon Juan-Carlos Oviedo to retire Rasmus and end the inning.

Finally, Erik Bedard (the Rays’ scheduled starter for Sunday if Price couldn’t go) pitched the ninth inning. And despite allowing a pair of hits with no outs, Bedard retired the next three batters without allowing a runner to score.

The New What Next

The Rays look to end the symbolic first half of play with a win against the Blue Jays. A victory would find the Rays with a 21-12 record, extending back to June 11th. Price will take the bump, opposite of RA Dickey. Need I really do a writeup on Dickey?

Rays 7/13/14 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Zobrist RF
Joyce DH
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Guyer LF
Escobar SS
Molina C
Forsythe 2B
Price LHP

Noteworthiness

  • Jeremy Hellickson has been optioned to Double-A Montgomery in order to make room on the roster for Jake McGee who has been reactivated from paternity leave. Hellickson will make a start Monday for the Montgomery Biscuits, then make another start with the Stone Crabs. He’s expected to rejoin the Rays for the Boston series at home.
  • That was quick. After the news spread of Price’s start this afternoon, he was replaced on the All-Star roster by former Ray Fernando Rodney.
  • Your tweet of the day,

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Ouch Balfour, Ouch!

Grant Balfour reacts on the mound after allowing a two-run single by Steve Tolleson. (Photo courtesy of Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
Grant Balfour reacts on the mound after allowing a two-run single by Steve Tolleson. (Photo courtesy of Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

Less is more today. An 8-5, late inning loss surely wasn’t the most operable way to start an important three-game series against an AL East foe.

Honestly, I’m at a loss for words for last night’s, stinging loss. I’m pretty sure you already know by now that Grant Balfour, once again, did the one thing he’s been pretty consistent at this season — he gave up the ghost late in the game. If you didn’t already know, surprise! By my count, Balfour has yielded runs in nine outings this season — last night included. Granted, all of those games didn’t result in a loss, but you get the point. For a team 11 games under .500, and struggling to keep its head above water, those nine games have proven costly for the Rays.

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Grant’s numbers speak for themselves.

Last night’s poor showing followed a similar pattern: Balfour was made to pay for walking a batter or two. In fact, he’s allowed free passes to opposing batters in six of the above mentioned nine games — a total of 27 walks in 35-1/3 innings of work.

There was no guarantee that Tampa Bay would, or could, have hit a walk-off in the ninth, or in extra innings for that matter. However, one thing is certain, the odds were greatly increased with the score knotted up at five. Instead, the Rays scratched and clawed their way back into last night’s game for not.

Want to read a formal recap? Head over to DRaysBay if you’re so inclined.

The New What Next

David Price went home sick during last night’s game, and has been scratched from today’s start. Jake Odorizzi will be bumped up a day in his place. Price has been named as the starter in Sunday’s game. Price will likely be out of the All-Star Game, though that’s not necessarily automatic. Per the CBA, Price can elect to pitch up to one inning. And before all of the Ancient Aliens-like conspiracy theories of a Price trade start flying, Marc Topkin tweeted last night,

Getting tweets questioning Price situation re:trade. Talked to him Fri afternoon in #Rays clubhouse, said then how sick he’d been Thursday.

You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview, and I’ll post the starting lineup when it becomes available.

Rays 7/12/14 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Zobrist RF
Joyce DH
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Guyer LF
Escobar SS
Molina C
Rodriguez 2B
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

 

Rays 7/11/14 Starting Lineup, Etc

Every five days, ladies and gentlemen. (Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rays)
Every five days, ladies and gentlemen. (Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rays)

Rays 7/11/14 Starting Lineup

(Lineup card, courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rays)
(Lineup card, courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rays)

Noteworthiness

The New What Next: Enter the Blue Jays — A Series Preview of Sorts

Tropicana Field, direct from section 143 in left-field. (Photo courtesy of Schmitty/X-Rays Spex)
Tropicana Field, direct from section 143 in left-field. (Photo courtesy of Schmitty/X-Rays Spex)

I want you to think back to a little more than a year ago, back to June 11-23. In that 11-game/12-day stretch, the 28-36 Toronto Blue Jays became the hottest team in baseball, winning 11 consecutive games to get above .500 for the first — and only — time of the 2013 season. But then they faced the Rays for a season altering three-game set, in which Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore paired up to hold the Blue Jays to just two runs in the front two games. Tampa Bay snapped the Jays’ hot streak a mere week prior to the start of a record setting, 21-6 month of July. The Rays were able to use that series — and the subsequent month of July — as a catalyst to propel them toward their fourth postseason berth.

And here we are, in the here and now.

When you look at the big picture the Rays are in a good place… That is, relative to their position; 10 games under .500 and nine and a half games out of first place in the AL East. The Yankees start the day (July 11) just one game over .500, and in dire straits after their All-Star ace Mashiro Tanaka was placed on the day DL with a torn UCL.

Enter the Blue Jays.

The same injury bug that hampered the Rays earlier in the season, has taken an extensive bite out of the Blue Jays. On the DL (officially, or otherwise) sit Adam Lind, Edwin Encarnacion, Macier Izturis, Brett Lawrie, and Brandon Morrow. Because of it, Toronto has scuffled of late, going 3-7 in their last 10 games, and 5-10 over their last 15.

To put things in perspective, if Tampa Bay can sweep Toronto, (I know, it’s a tall task, but bear with me) they will finish the home stand with a 4-2 record — the same as taking two of three from both the Royals and Blue Jays. (as it relates to the W/L record, and WP) Tampa Bay is in a prime position to make up three games in the AL East this weekend. Too, there’s an opportunity to exact some revenge on the Blue Jays, following the Rays 2-5 start to the season against Toronto. Call it cautious optimism.

Rays and Blue Jays series starters, over the last 14 days.
Rays and Blue Jays series starters, over the last 14 days.
Rays and Blue Jays offensive production at home, away, and over the last 14 days.
Rays and Blue Jays offensive production at home, away, and over the last 14 days.
Rays and Blue Jays, by the numbers.
Rays and Blue Jays, by the numbers.

Mark Buehrle: After a long stretch of wins, with only one loss to speak of, the bubble burst on Buehrle at the beginning of June. Since, the Blue Jays have gone 2-5 when the soft tossing lefty has taken the mound. If anything, it’s an implication of their offense who’s been strapped for runs, and the Jays’ bullpen since Burhrle has given up three or more runs, just three times since June 1. Unlike April 2 when Buehrle held the Rays to four hits in 8-2/3 innings of work, Tampa Bay was able to tag him for four runs (three earned) in a May 27, 9-6 loss. The Rays pitching staff has improved since that loss, and the odds are much better for Toronto’s scuffling offense to be held in check Friday night. Key matchups: Yunel Escobar (6-19, 2B, RBI, 2 BB), Logan Forsythe (3-5, 2B, BB), Ryan Hanigan (2-8, BB), Desmond Jennings (7-18, 2B, RBI, 3 BB), James Loney (6-21, 3 2B), Evan Longoria (10-31, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB), Jose Molina (12-39, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 4 BB), Sean Rodriguez (7-24, 3 2B, 4 RBI), Ben Zobrist (6-18, 2B, 2 RBI, BB).

Drew Hutchison: Tampa Bay hit the 23 year-old mid-90′s fastball/changeup/mid-80′s slider throwing LHP hard, to the tune of five runs on seven hits — including three home runs — back in May. It’s either feast or famine against Hutchison; he either holds opposing hitters to two runs or fewer (nine times), or give up runs in clusters (three or more runs, nine times). Key matchups: Yunel Escobar (1-4), Cole Figueroa (1-3), Desmond Jennings (4-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Matt Joyce (2-5, 2B, 3 BB), James Loney (1-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB).

JA Happ: The Rays have yet to face Happ this season. The 31 year-old lefty has had an up and down 2014, after transitioning to the starting rotation to take over for Brandon Morrow. He was excellent in May, posting a 4-1 record with a 3.20 ERA and 8.2 K/9. But he fell off. When Happ is on, he’s very good. However, the opposite is also true. And that he’s only averaging 4-3/4 innings per start should not be overlooked. Key matchups: Desmond Jennings (3-6, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI), James Loney (6-12, 2 2B, RBI, BB), Evan Longoria (4-10, 2 2B, RBI, BB), Sean Rodriguez (2-8, 2B, RBI, 3 BB), Ben Zobrist (5-9, 3 2B, 3 RBI, 3 BB).

Noteworthiness

  • Shortstop Yunel Escobar has been activated off the disabled list ahead of the series opener, Friday. In kind, Jake McGee, who welcomed his daughter into the works Thursday, will start a two-day paternity leave Friday, which would allow the team to activate Escobar from the DL without sending anyone down until Sunday. But the question begs, might this roster move be a mixed blessing for the Rays?
  • Per Marc Topkin, “Injuries have torn asunder their lineup with Adam Lind joining Edwin Encarnacion and Brett Lawrie on the DL. Ex-Ray Dan Johnson is a possible replacement call-up. The injuries may change their trade deadline focus from adding starting pitching to seeking more offense, though they still have Jose Reyes and Jose Bautista. The pitching overall has been good. The more immediate concern is a 1-6 West Coast road trip and a 10-21 record since June 7 that saw them go from six games ahead in the AL East to 21/2 behind.”
  • The Blue Jays lead the season series 5-2, while the Rays lead 149-134 overall, and 85-56 at Tropicana Field.