Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Price, Rays Shutdown Reds 2-1

David Price throws a pitch during the game against the Cincinnati Reds. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Without a doubt, David Price took the hill Friday with a couple of factors weighing on his shoulders. I’d imagine Cesar Ramos’ impending start Sunday was ever-present in the back of Price’s mind — leaving Price with the realization that an über quality start would save the bullpen from being overworked. His previous 6 IP/4 ER outing undoubtedly factored into his desire to be dominant Friday as well. Whatever the case, the Reds’ struggling lineup didn’t fare well against Price, who was on last night. The Rays walked away from Great American Ballpark with their first victory against the Reds in Cincinnati (their second franchise win overall) on the heels of a 2-1 win.

Price was able to command his fastball (21 thrown, 19 strikes) to all quadrants of the zone. And like the ace he is, once the Reds batters adjusted to his plus fastball, Price kept them off balance with his change-up (33 thrown, 24 strikes, 12 whiffs). Price posted a 8.1 IP/4 H/1 HR/1 ER/1 BB/10 K line on 114 pitches (85 for strikes, 75%) line, ending his outing only after Joey Votto tagged him for a solo shot in the ninth inning.

David Price did get into a few precarious situations, though he effectively squashed the Reds uprisings — keeping the Rays in the game throughout. Devin Mesoraco led off the third with a double into the left-field alley. With the Reds threatening, Zack Cozart hit a hard liner to the right of second base. Thankfully, Ben Zobrist made an excellent, run saving, diving catch. Johnny Cueto and Billy Hamilton followed with a sac-bunt (moving Mesoraco to third) and an infield pop-out to end the inning. Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto reached on a double and a walk (respectively) to lead off the fourth, but Price stepped up his game, striking out the next two batters before getting a fly ball out in center to end the inning.

On the offensive end of things, the Rays were able to tag Johnny Cueto for a pair of runs. Cueto wasn’t especially sharp in the front three innings (giving up three walks and four hits), though he progressively got better from the third inning on, keeping the game manageable. The Rays scored their first run after Desmond Jennings and Matt Joyce worked a pair of one out walks. Evan Longoria bounced a grounder through the left side of the infield, and Jennings scored from third. Longo’s first inning RBI represented the Rays first run batted in this week with runners in scoring position, outside of the ninth inning. That is, they’ve been horrendous wRISP in innings 1-8 this week. The other run came in the third, when Matt Joyce hit a mammoth 452 foot blast to right, off a hanging cutter.

 The New What Next

Alex Cobb looks to put together another strong outing following a solid 7 IP/3 H/0 R start against the Rangers, Sunday. He’ll be opposed by RHP Alfredo Simon. You can read more about the pitching match-up in our series preview.

Rays 4/12/14 Starting Lineup

DeJesus LF
Zobrist 2B
Joyce RF
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Kiermaier CF
Escobar SS
Hanigan C
Cobb RHP

Noteworthiness

  • At 1-9 wRISP, it would be an understatement to say the Rays left a little meat on the bone.
  • DRaysBay’s Ian Malinowski said it best, “In the top of the eighth, Loney stood at first base when Wil Myers hit a groundball to shortstop in the hole. Myers beat the throw easily for an infield hit, but Loney decided to try to go first to third. He was thrown out by a good couple feet. Not a good decision, but it does show that the Rays are making it a point of being aggressive on the basepaths this year.”
  • Grant Balfour made things interesting in the ninth after he loaded the bases on three consecutive walks. Balfour threw 25 pitches in 2/3 of inning, yet only 10 were strikes (two whiffs).
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Grant Balfour’s strikezone plot. (Courtesy of Brooks Baseball)

Rays 4/11/14 Starting Lineup, Etc

The scene from Cincinnati. (Photo courtesy of Marc Topkin)
The scene from Cincinnati. (Photo courtesy of Marc Topkin)

Rays 4/11/14 Starting Lineup (Sans DH)

Zobrist 2B
Jennings CF
Joyce LF
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Myers RF
Escobar SS
Molina C
Price LHP

Noteworthiness

  • Don’t forget to read about tonight’s pitching match-up in our series preview.
  • After optioning Jeff Beliveau back to Durham following Thursday’s game, the Rays finally made the official announcement that Kevin Kiermaier has been recalled from Triple-A.
  • The Rays and Matt Moore are waiting for more tests, on his left elbow, to be read. For now, they’re going to call his injury a strain, then wait and see. Moore plans to wait three to five days, then will play catch to see how his elbow feels. A decision on how to proceed will be made then. Part of the waiting, is to have the team doctor (Koko Eaton) compare the two MRI’s and make a determination of whether the damage is new, or old and inflamed. In any case, Marc Topkin writes, “chatter in the Rays clubhouse is that Bedard is coming up but, Ramos is starting Sunday. Should hear official word soon.” Said Moore, “If there’s any pain, it’s not going to be something I’m going to try and work through,” Moore said. “I think the goal is to get to a place where I don’t feel pain. And if I can get to that in the next few days just playing catch, then it’s a good sign to keep going. If not, then it’s a sign in the [other direction]. I’m optimistic about playing catch.”

The New What Next: Rays vs Reds — A Series Preview of Sorts

Great American Ballpark From Center Field With Steamboat Smokestacks (Photo courtesy of Gary Goodman)
Great American Ballpark From Center Field With Steamboat Smokestacks (Photo courtesy of Gary Goodman)

The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off their first series loss of the season, thanks in part to their sluggish 4-for-18 performance wRISP (overall), in Kansas City. They’ll start a three game interleague series against the Reds in Cincinnati, Friday. The Rays may have struggled with offensive production in their previous series, BUT the Reds certainly aren’t lighting any fires themselves, having gone 7-for-30 in their previous series against the Cardinals. Much like the Rays of late, it’s been difficult for the reds to get anything going. The offense has, as a whole, really struggled, while the bullpen has already experienced a number of painful blow-ups (six meltdowns, tied for 4th in baseball). The Reds lead Tampa Bay 8-1– the Rays’ worst record against any team. The Reds swept the Rays in a three-game series back in 2005, scoring 34 runs. The last time Tampa Bay faced Cincinnati (2011), they dropped two of three, scoring all of seven runs while relinquishing 12.

Rays and Reds series starters.
Rays and Reds series starters.
Offensive Production-1
Rays and Reds offensive production at home, away, and overall.
By the Numbers-1
Rays and Reds, by the numbers.

Johnny Cueto: The Rays faced Johnny Cueto back in June of 2011 at the Trop. In that game, Cueto posted 7-2/3 strong innings, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk along the way. Much like Octavio Dotel, Cueto has a simple and quick delivery, with a 3/4 arm angle. His delivery is clean and easy with some deception. He has good fastball command, an above-average changeup, and isn’t afraid to pitch to contact. His mid-90’s fastball has cut and sink, while his changeup has average fade and sink — though he throws it often, and with conviction and great command, which plays it up.

Alfredo Simon: Many on the Rays are familiar with the one-time Oriole, RHP Alfredo Simon. The 33 year-old fastball/cutter/splitter/slider pitcher went 6-4 in 2013, with a 2.87 ERA in 87-2/3 innings of work out of the bullpen. With the exception of his first start of the 2014 season, Simon had pitched out of the ‘pen for the last few seasons. Posting a 2.42 K/BB in 2013, the ground ball pitcher can be a bit erratic from time to time. It’ll be interesting to see how he’ll fare Saturday. Key match ups: Yunel Escobar (2-7, BB), Evan Longoria (4-13, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB), Jose Molina (1-2, 2 BB), Sean Rodriguez (4-9, 2 2B0. 

Tony Cingrani: Despite Cingrani’s big frame, he has a smooth and controlled motion. He has a high release point which allows him to have a good amount of cut on his fourseam fastball, leading to batters swinging over the top of the pitch. His curveball has big, 11-5 sweeping movement, and he throws it with confidence to both lefties and righties. He has a slider as well as a changeup, both of which he seldom throws.

Very good performances over meaningful innings pitched are highlighted. (Courtesy of Scouting Book)
Very good performances over meaningful innings pitched are highlighted. (Courtesy of Scouting Book)

Noteworthiness

  • Per Stats LLC, Tampa Bay (5-5) has totaled six runs and batted .194 while losing three of four, including Wednesday’s 7-3 defeat in Kansas City. The Rays are 4 for 29 with runners in scoring position in that span and hitting .211 in such situations overall.
  • The Rays and Matt Moore are waiting for more tests, on his left elbow, to be read. For now, they’re going to call his injury a strain, then wait and see. Moore plans to wait three to five days, then will play catch to see how his elbow feels. A decision on how to proceed will be made then. Part of the waiting, is to have the team doctor (Koko Eaton) compare the two MRI’s and make a determination of whether the damage is new, or old and inflamed. In any case, Marc Topkin writes, “chatter in the Rays clubhouse is that Bedard is coming up but, Ramos is starting Sunday. Should hear official word soon.” Said Moore, “If there’s any pain, it’s not going to be something I’m going to try and work through,” Moore said. “I think the goal is to get to a place where I don’t feel pain. And if I can get to that in the next few days just playing catch, then it’s a good sign to keep going. If not, then it’s a sign in the [other direction]. I’m optimistic about playing catch.”
  • Reliever Jeff Beliveau was optioned back to Triple-A Durham after Thursday’s game. In kind, they have called up OF Kevin Kiermaier at least for the first two games of the weekend series in Cincinnati under NL rules.
  • Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park and Dodger Stadium are the only two current major-league parks in which the Rays have never won.

 

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Blank Royals, 1-0

James Loney tags out Norichika Aoki on a pick-off play in the first inning of Tuesday night's game. Umpire Gerry Davis looks to make the call. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
James Loney tags out Norichika Aoki on a pick-off play in the first inning of Tuesday night’s game. Umpire Gerry Davis looks to make the call. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Tuesday night was chock full of excellent pitching and awkward circumstances. The Royals had the bases loaded not once, not twice, but three times — yet they had nothing to show for their efforts. Chris Archer successfully picked off Norichika Aoki at first, and there was a questionable call at second which was reviewed, yet not overturned. Then there was the whole “score knotted at 0-0 until the ninth inning,” thing. In the end, both Chris Archer and Yordan Ventura put together a pair of great outings, the Rays are able to hang their hats on their first victory in Kauffman Stadium in eight attempts, and the Rays beat the Royals by a score of 1-0. Game peripherals are below.

Game Peripherals

  • Sure, Chris Archer only struck out five, and induced a meager seven whiffs. And sure, he gave up nine hits and loaded the bases twice. But make no mistake, Archer was good Tuesday night — lasting seven innings and blanking the Royals along the way. Archer was in pitch to contact mode Tuesday might, inducing 11 ground-outs — including two big 6-4-3 double plays. Better yet, he was efficient — averaging just under 13 pitches per inning. Archer got into his fair share of jams, yet he was able to make that all important big pitch to get out of those sticky situations unscathed. Case in point: the sixth inning. With 57 pitches under his belt, the sixth started off innocently enough when the Rays mini ace struck out Aoki (swinging), bringing Eric Hosmer to the plate. In an unfortunate lapse of command, Archer walked Hosmer. Salvador Perez followed  the walk by reaching out over the plate and flipping an outside fastball into right field. Billy Butler, who grounded into an inning ending double play in his previous at bat, pulled a low and inside pitch into left field, loading the bases with only one out. That’s when good fortune started swinging Archer’s way. Alex Gordon swung hard, and hit a high infield popper for the second out of the inning. Danny Valencia was next, hitting the ball hard, but right at Longoria. Though Longo couldn’t field it cleanly, he kept his body in front of the hard grounder and knocked it down with his chest — calmly taking the out at second base.
  • In the bottom of the third, Jarrod Dyson hit a grounder to short. Yunel Escobar fielded the play, under-handing it to Ben Zobrist who stepped on the bag. But Zobrist couldn’t manage the transfer from mitt to throwing hand, and the ball fell to the ground. The umpire called the runner safe, yet Zobrist was adamant that he had lost it on the transfer. Joe Maddon came out and placed a challenge, however — after a review — the ump crew announced that the safe call would stand. You can see the play below. In my opinion, the runner was out at second BUT a fielder must now show control with the throwing hand in order to be credited with the catch in that situation.
Safe at second or out? Click the screenshot and decide for yourself.
Safe at second or out? Click the screenshot and decide for yourself.
  • Wil Myers lead off the ninth inning, facing closer Greg Holland, and quickly hit a grounder toward the left side of the infield. In a bout of confusion, Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar tried to make the play. Moustakas got to the ball first, but he — clearly distracted by the near-collision — wasn’t able to get the ball out of his glove to make a throw. After both Zobrist and Longoria were retired, Holland threw a costly wild pitch, with James Loney at the plate, which allowed Myers to advance to second. Loney hit a 3-2 pitch past a diving Danny Valencia, scoring Myers from second.
  • Grant Balfour put the Royals to bed in the ninth, tallying his second save (in as many opportunities) of the season. His command was pretty spot on, and his velocity was up. I like where this is going.

The New What Next

Jake Odorizzi and the Rays will attempt to walk away from Kansas City with two consecutive wins, and the series win, Wednesday, when they face Jeremy Guthrie and the Royals. Jeremy Guthrie has posted a 3-4 record, with a 4.06 ERA, and just a 37/19 K/BB over 51 innings, and his last three seasons, of work against the Rays. You can read about the match-up here, in our series preview.

Rays 4/9/14 Starting Lineup

DeJesus LF
Zobrist 2B
Joyce DH
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Jennings CF
Myers RF
Hanigan C
Escobar SS
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

  • Tuesday was the third time in Rays history they scored in the ninth inning or later, to win a 1-0 game. They are 19-19 overall in 1-0 games.
  • A lot has happened to/with Matt Moore this week, including the initial diagnosis of a UCL Injury, and the subsequent news that he’s seeking a second opinion. We’ve covered most of it! You can read our poignant, in depth discussion of all things Matt Moore here.

Matt Moore Injury Update – UCL Injury, Getting A Second Opinion

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10:48 Update: The injury that drove Rays starter Matt Moore from his start yesterday involves his UCL, reports Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (Twitter links). Moore, 24, will see Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion.

A Tommy John procedure is the surgery of choice associated with UCL tears. Pitchers can attempt a rehab and pitch through a tear if it is minor enough. Though, as Passan notes, any delay would push back the timetable in the event that surgery is ultimately necessary.

The Rays sounded optimistic earlier, but the outlook took a downturn as the day progressed. Tampa Bay has options to fill in for him in the near term — including Erik Bedard, Cesar Ramos, and Nate Karns.

5:00 Update: The Rays have placed Matt Moore on the 15-day DL with Beliveau called up. We will have more info on injury later. Andrew Friedman said no decision has been made on the replacement for Moore, and Cesar Ramos and Erik Bedard are the leading candidates. Roger Mooney tweeted, “Friedman said he’s concerned but fact Moore is optimistic is a positive sign.”

…All I know is that I don’t know, all I know is that I don’t know nothin’ 
— Operation Ivy

The Rays have yet to provide an update on LHP Matt Moore, who had an MRI exam this morning on his sore elbow. It would seem as though the plan is to put him on the disabled list. Adding credence to that idea, reliever Jeff Beliveau is on the way up from Durham to add arm an extra arm in the bullpen, also giving the Rays time to decide how to replace Moore in the rotation.

Moore hasn’t been told if he’ll be placed on the DL, yet he made mention that he’s cautiously optimistic  since his elbow felt “extremely better” when he woke. “Every movement I make,” said Moore, “it’s tough to find that soreness unless I put my finger on it, so I think that that’s a positive sign.”

In a tweet from Marc Topkin,

Screen Shot 2014-04-08 at 4.35.28 PM

Veteran LHP Erik Bedard seems the most likely choice to replace Moore in the rotation. With Thursday off, the Rays could drop Bedard (or Cesar Ramos or someone else) into Moore’s slot on Sunday, or they could move Chris Archer up to Sunday and Jake Odorizzi to Monday (still on normal rest) and use the replacement on Tuesday.

Beliveau is already on the 40-man roster from last season, whereas Bedard will need to be added — putting him at risk of being picked up by another team when this presumed stint has come to pass. Beliveau has a five pitch repertoire: Fourseam Fastball averaging 90 MPH, Cutter averaging 86 MPH, Changeup averaging 80 MPH, Slider averaging 80 MPH, and a Curve averaging  77 MPH.

 We’ll update this thread as the news on Moore breaks.