Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Hernandez So-So, Farnsworth Not Good, and the Rays Lose 6-2

Evan Longoria rounds the bases after hitting his 21st homer of the season off Red Sox starter Jon Lester in the sixth inning, getting the Rays within 3-2. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
Evan Longoria rounds the bases after hitting his 21st homer of the season off Red Sox starter Jon Lester in the sixth inning, getting the Rays within 3-2. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

I’d hardly call Tuesday night’s 6-2 loss to the Red Sox a crushing blow, however there is a certain amount of suckiness attached when you consider that the Rays could have pulled into first place for only the second time this season. Let’s not get down on ourselves though, the Rays have had a great run, and one loss — only their third in 21 games mind you — shouldn’t be viewed as a foreboding indicator of doom and gloom. Losses are going to happen, and the true test will come tonight when David Price takes the hill, opposite of Felix Doubront. While I’d be hesitant to call this a crushing blow, I’d be foolish to overlook the glaring antecedents that factored into the Rays loss: A mediocre start by Roberto Hernandez, a horrible two-thirds of an inning by Kyle Farnsworth, cracks in the defense, and an anemic offense.

Roberto Hernandez

Let’s start with the facts, Hernandez wasn’t terrible and he was able to keep Tampa Bay in the thick of things throughout the course of his 5 IP/7 H/3 ER outing. Marc Topkin summed up Hernandez’s outing perfectly,

“Hernandez delivered a performance that wasn’t horrible but wasn’t good enough — and certainly not up to the level of excellence by the other starters.”

However, Roberto was very hittable Tuesday night — the Red Sox BABIP’d Fausto, tagging him for three extra base hits. In fact two of those doubles directly resulted in runs. Boston also pounced on his reputation for not being able to control the running game, beautifully executing a double steal in the bottom of the third , resulting in a Shane Victorino run. To be fair, Jose Molina probably shouldn’t have tried to gun down Pedroia as he swiped second. After all, with runners on the corners, Molina opened up the possibility of a Victorino steal of home when he errantly attempted to throw Pedroia out at second.

In the end, Hernandez has allowed three runs in each of his past five starts and has only one win to show for it. That speaks to he being an unlucky pitcher. But if last night’s outing was reflective of anything, the big hits, and the fumbling in pressing/high leverage situations, ultimately rang the death knell on the mound for Hernandez.

Kyle Farnsworth

I’ll just flatly come out and say it, Kyle Farnsworth was horrible. The once dependable RHP reliever incurred as much damage in two-thirds of an inning, as Hernandez had in five. After Jamey Wright got David Ortiz to ground into the first out of the eighth inning, Joe Maddon decided to play the match-up card with Farnsworth — a plan that royally blew up in all of our faces. Mike Napoli doubled, Jonny Gomes singled, and after Saltalamacchia struck out, Steven Drew and Jose Iglesias plated three runs on back-to-back singles. Also thrown in for good measure was a stolen base which deleted the double play threat, and, as DRaysBay put it,

“A comedy of defense that saw Escobar earn the credit for throwing one away. Yunel had been riding a 53-game error-less stream, the best in Rays history at short stop.”

It will be particularly interesting to see what happens when Alex Cobb comes off the DL. Suffice to say, Roberto Hernandez and Chris Archer (once again) are fighting for the fifth starter spot in the rotation. In my opinion, Hernandez has what it takes to be a starter…but then again, so does Archer. To me, it would be unconscionable to send Archer back to Triple-A just because he still has options. The Rays are very prudent, and they will generally squeeze every ounce of value out of a player before they release him from a contract. That is to say, though the answer seems plainly obvious to you and me, it’s doubtful that Tampa Bay will just release Hernandez from his contract. So what do you do with him?

One solution seems to be to place him in the bullpen. The question then begs, who do you get rid of to make room for Hernandez? Jamey Wright, at least from the contract obligation point of view, seems like the low man on the totem pole. However, his numbers (2.84 ERA/.207 BAA/.267 BABIP/1.88 GB to FB) don’t justify Wright getting kicked to the curb. In short, his value as a pitcher exceeds the value of his contract. As much as it doesn’t pain me to say it, perhaps the wisest option would be to eat the remainder of Farnsworth’s $1.25 MM contract, and move Hernandez where he, arguably, should have been all along.

Cracks in the Defense

  1. With Napoli on second in the second inning, Mike Carp hit a liner that dribbled in the grass of shallow right-field. Wil Myers nonchalantly went after the ball, and there was no charge on the grounder rolling towards him. When he finally fielded the ball, Myers could not get a throw home to challenge the runner.
  2. The above mentioned errant handling of the third inning Victorino/Pedroia double steal.
  3. The above mentioned fielding error by Yunel Escobar.

An Anemic Offense

Tampa Bay went 0-5 wRISP, striking out a whopping 13 times — Desmond Jennings three times (in the lead off spot, no less), Ben Zobrist twice, Evan Longoria twice, James Loney twice, and Matt Joyce twice. Suffice to say, seven strikeouts at the top of the order is a lot of frustrating outs.

The New What Next

The Rays will attempt to get back to a half game of first following their minor regression. As mentioned above, David Price will butt heads with Felix Doubront in this, the third game of a four game set. You can read about the pitching match-up here.

Rays 7/24/13 Starting Lineup

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

Noteworthiness

  • Wil Myers has five straight multi-hit games, which ties the team mark for rookies set by Delmon Young in ’07.
  • Alex Torres will be second pitcher in the last 50 yrs to allow less than 10 hits in the first 100 at-bats of the season. The other  was Chapman of the Reds.
  • This isn’t the best of news: Rays‬ top pitching prospect Taylor Guerrieri is having Tommy John surgery today.
  • Alex Cobb had to be pulled after only two pitches into the first game of his rehab stint. Not to worry, the prognosis is a blister on one of his pitching fingers.
  • As Marc Topkin pointed out, “The Rays have lost 10 of 14 against the Sox — their first season series loss since 2007 — and their bigger problem has been a lack of offense, especially at Fenway, where in six losses they have seven runs and batted .171, including 2-for-36 with runners in scoring position.”
  • Today also brought forth news, that Stu Sternberg is optimistic for a breakthrough on the stadium stalemate. In a Tampa Bay Times article, Sternberg was quoted as saying, “The details I’m certainly not going to speak about, but it is no secret that the mayor and I have had a number of conversations over a lengthy period of time, and I would like to believe that that’s going to bear some fruit and allow us the opportunity to put this franchise on great footing for generations to come.” Marc Topkin went on to write, “Foster declined to elaborate on the negotiations Tuesday night, but City Council Chairman Karl Nurse said city and team lawyers “have been trying to draft an agreement” for months that would allow the Rays to look at potential stadium sites in Tampa, as well as St. Petersburg,” and “An agreement would define ground rules for the search and reinforce the team’s current obligation to play at Tropicana Field through 2027, Nurse said. The Rays also would have to thoroughly examine a proposed stadium in St. Petersburg’s Carillon Business Park before looking in Tampa, he said.”

 

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Matt Moore, Rays Shutout Red Sox 3-0

Matt Moore, right, gets a handshake from Rays manager Joe Maddon after pitching the first complete game of his career. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
Matt Moore, right, gets a handshake from Rays manager Joe Maddon after pitching the first complete game of his career. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

Sure, the outcome of last night’s 3-0 shutout of the Red Sox is great. Better yet, the Rays now sit a half game out of first place and that’s a beautiful thing. But I’d argue the narrative coming out of Fenway has more to do with how the Rays defeated a team notorious for walk-offs. Matt Moore tossed a shutout for the first complete game of his major league career, surgically slicing and dicing the Sox while allowing total of three batters to reach base. Simply put, Moore was insanely good.

Moore went primal, attacking the Red Sox with his fastball which he was able to command on both sides of the plate, and up and down (mostly down) in the zone. Moore was able to control everything last night, not just his pitches.

“I really felt like he was in command of everything about himself in that game — his emotions, his breathing, his delivery, his command of his fastball,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Everything he did (Monday), he commanded it. It was the one-moment-at-a-time thing, and that’s why he was so effective.”

Not shying away from contact, Moore was able to induce weakly hit ground outs and pop outs, while the Sox were only able to make solid contact twice — a Mike Napoli single to center in the second, and a David Ortiz base hit to right in the seventh. Mike Napoli also reached base in the fifth inning on a full count walk, though Jonny Gomes immediately ground into a double play, deleting the Sox first baseman and erasing the threat. Moore didn’t throw his deadly curveball, though that had more to do with the fact that he didn’t need to. Ian Malinowski of DRaysBay pointed out,

“Moore’s change-up produced four whiffs out of 22 pitches (18%), which is good, but that far undersells its effectiveness. Of the four strikeouts he got, three were decided by a changeup and the Sox hitters almost never managed to put a good swing on the other change-ups he threw.”

Incidentally, Moore felt as though he had a poor bullpen session before the game. In fact, his session was so bad he had to reassure Jose Lobaton when walking back to the dugout following the ill fated session. “I told Loby,” said Moore “We’re going to be okay, I’ll figure it out.”

In the end, it took Moore only 109 pitches (74 for strikes) to secure the shutout and complete game. Only hitting the 14 pitch per inning plateau once in the game (3.76 pitches per plate appearance), Moore put together a mighty efficient outing. It will be interesting to see if Hernandez can follow things up with his fifth consecutive quality start, and his sixth in eight attempts.

Workman appeared very hittable in a 33 pitch first inning, though he ultimately settled down to put together a solid six inning outing.

Desmond Jennings lead off the game with a single, flipping an outside pitch into right field. He, unfortunately, was caught leaning and was consequently picked off. Ben Zobrist followed, hitting a grounder up the middle, while Evan Longoria hit a hard liner to the left-center gap to put runners at the corners with one out. James Loney plated the first run of the game on a sac-fly to right, with Zobrist tagging and scoring easily ahead of Shane Victorino’s throw to the plate. The Rays wouldn’t be able to tack on any other runs until the fifth and ninth innings.

Yunel Escobar lead off the fifth with a walk. Desmond Jennings followed the walk with a beautiful bunt down the first base line, moving Escobar to second. Zobrist moved Yunel to third on a ground ball into the hole between short and third, beating out Jose Iglesias’ throw to first by a half a footstep, putting runners on the corners. Loney was able to bring home Escobar two batters later on a hard hit single past first base. The Rays tacked on one more run in the ninth inning when, Jennings hit a fly ball to shallow right center field with the bases loaded. Matt Joyce scored easily from third, ahead of Jacoby Ellsbury’s late and offline throw.

The New What Next

Tampa Bay will attempt to gain sole possession of first place tonight with Roberto Hernandez on the mound. Robo will toe the rubber against Jon Lester who’s making first start after incurring general soreness. You can read about the pitching match-up here, and we’ll post the starting lineup when it becomes available.

Rays 7/23/13 Starting Lineup

Desmond Jennings CF
Ben Zobrist 2B
Evan Longoria 3B
Wil Myers RF
Matt Joyce DH
Yunel Escobar SS
James Loney 1B
Jose Molina C
Sean Rodriguez LF
Hernandez RHP

Noteworthiness

  • Marc Topkin tweeted, “David Price says Braun suspension a “step in the right direction” and that “we all want a level playing field.'”
  • Matt Moore was the ninth lefty to shut out the Red Sox at Fenway allowing two hits or less.
  • Per Elias, Moore threw the 66th complete-game shutout by a LHP against the Sox in the 102-year history of Fenway Park.
  • Wil Myers is back in right, hitting fourth.
  • This could be another one of those rainy nights at Fenway. Roger Mooney of the Trib tweeted a photo of a storm that’s brewing:
Storm clouds over Fenway. (Photo courtesy of Roger Mooney)
Storm clouds over Fenway. (Photo courtesy of Roger Mooney)

 

 

 

Rays 7/22/13 Starting Lineup, Etc

Rays 7/22/13 Starting Lineup

Jennings CF
Zobrist 2B
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Scott DH
Johnson LF
Joyce RF
Lobaton C
Escobar SS
Moore LHP

Noteworthiness

  • Yunel Escobar is back in the lineup, hitting ninth. Wil Myers, on the other hand, is not in the lineup. His wrist is reportedly 100% and, he is available to pinch hit late in the game.
  • You can read our series preview (including tonight’s pitching match-up) here.
  • The Rays are 3-9 against the Red Sox this season. One more loss it will spell the first time they’ve lost the season series since 2007. Furthermore, Tampa Bay is 1-5 at Fenway this season, in large part because the Red Sox pitchers have a 1.80 ERA in those games. Then again, they are a much better Rays team than they were even a month ago.
  • The Rays 17-2 run is the best 19-game stretch in the majors since the 2006 Minnesota Twins went 18-1 from June 13–July 3.
  • Roger Mooney of the Tribune pointed out, that this is first time the Rays have won the first three post All-Star Break games.
  • Wait, did I miss something? Did Nate Silver join the ranks with the devil?
Screen Shot 2013-07-22 at 3.51.18 PM
Ahem…cough.

 

The New What Next: Rays Vs Red Sox Pt. Five, A Series Preview of Sorts

Chris Archer tosses seven innings, allowing one run on five hits and four walks while striking out one against the Blue Jays. (Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rays)
Chris Archer tosses seven innings, allowing one run on five hits and four walks while striking out one against the Blue Jays. (Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rays)

Chris Archer put together his third consecutive quality start Sunday, holding the Blue Jays to only one run on five hits and four walks. Plagued by another unclean outing, Fernando Rodney was credited with his 24th save of the year after giving up a pair of runs — cutting a three-run lead to a run — after walking two and giving up a base hit. All of the Rays runs came thanks to home runs by Evan Longoria, Luke Scott, and Kelly Johnson.

A little house cleaning before I move on, with six ground outs and seven fly outs on the day, Archer didn’t conform to his 47.6%/33.3% GB/FB ratio once more — the last time he did this was in his start against the Twins on the 11th. I’d argue that the placement of the outfielders spoke volumes. True, he gave up a free pass five too many hitters. However, he also induced weak contact on more than a few potential hits — many of which were robbed by the outfielders in shallow left and right field. Also noteworthy, the number of bats he exploded. It would be safe to say that the Blue Jays are a very aggressive team in the batters box. I’d imagine pitch to contact was in the game plan all along, to which Archer did an outstanding job.

The Rays will start a four game set against the Red Sox Monday. It goes without saying, this is a big series, and the Rays stand to gain a lot of ground on the AL East leading Red Sox. However, this isn’t a season defining series. That is to say, no harm or foul if the Rays leave Boston Thursday with an even split on the series — hope for three-out-of-four or a sweep, be content with an even split. If anything, Tampa Bay is looking for a bit of payback for being kicked around by the Red Sox over their first 12 games against them.

Tampa Bay has won 21 games since the last time it faced Boston — 22 if you count the game they took from the Red Sox in that series — losing only six in that 27 game stretch. Meanwhile, the Sox have gone 6-6 in their last 12, taking two of their last four series. I’m certainly not implying that the Rays won’t face any challenges with the Red Sox this time through — Pedroia and Ellsbury are still dangerous, as are Ortiz and Napoli. However, Tampa Bay has charged back from the depths of the AL East, and that shouldn’t be overlooked.

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

Brandon Workman: Per Rotowire, “Workman had his start pushed up from Tuesday to Monday, the Boston Herald reports.” The scouting report on Workman, “Big-framed righty with well filled-out lower half. Not much projection left in his body. Raised arm slot from ¾ to closer to over the top. Fastball can sit 93-94 mph early in-game, but loses velocity as the game goes on. Tops out at 95 mph as a starter, but he may be able to reach back and add 1-2 mph out of the bullpen. Shows late finish when staying on top of the ball. Average fastball command. Has trouble consistently throwing to both sides of the plate. 87-90 mph cutter breaks late to glove side. Strong deception between fastball. Grades as a plus pitch. Good feel and command of offering to miss bats. Future out-pitch at big-league level. Fringe-average 75-77 mph curveball. Pitch is inconsistent due to wrist wrapping at times during release. Can show tight two-plane break and depth, but tends to roll and is loose with it. Average-to-solid-average potential with refined release and work staying on top of ball. Sprinkles in 83-85 mph change-up. Work in progress. Shows arm-side fade, but arm tends to slow down. Not an overly loose thrower. Effort in delivery wears him down multiple times through a lineup. Jerky nature of mechanics affects ability to repeat arm slot and overall command of arsenal as a starter. Projects as an 8th inning reliever or back-end starter.”

Jon Lester: Per Rotowire, “Lester (general soreness) is set to start Tuesday against the Rays after completing a 35-pitch bullpen session Sunday, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports.” The Rays demoralized Lester the last time they faced him, tagging him for seven runs (all earned) on eight hits (including three homers) in 4-2/3 innings. Otherwise, Lester has given up all of three runs in his previous two outings against Tampa Bay. Whatever, that he’s given up four or more runs in nine of his starts gives me hope that the Rays will face an erratic Lester. Key match-ups: Yunel Escobar (9-30, 2B, 2 RBI, 5 BB), Desmond Jennings (8-22, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Matt Joyce (4-8, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB), Jose Molina (8-23, RBI, 3 BB).

Felix Doubront: Per Rotowire, “Doubront allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, walking three and striking out five over 6.1 innings of a 4-2 win against the Yankees on Friday night.” The Rays weren’t able to do anything against Doubront the last time they faced him, accumulating a paltry three base runners on three hits in eight innings of work. Key match-ups: Yunel Escobar (4-15, 2 BB), Kelly Johnson (4-13, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Matt Joyce (1-3, BB), Evan Longoria (3-11, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 4 BB), Wil Myers (1-3), Luke Scott (3-11, 2 HR, 2 RBI, BB).

John Lackey: Per Rotowire, “Lackey gave up four runs on 10 hits and zero walks, with seven strikeouts over 6.1 innings, in a loss to the Yankees on Saturday.” Lackey’s been pitching like a rejuvenated non mouth-breather of late, though the Rays have been able to tag him for nine runs in 10 innings of work this season. You know what they say about Lackey pitching with his mouth open… Key match-ups: Yunel Escobar (8-15, 2 2B, RBI, 3 BB), Matt Joyce (6-18, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB), Jose Lobaton (1-3), James Loney (4-16, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Evan Longoria (10-31, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI), Sean Rodriguez (2-5), Luke Scott (7-21, 4 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB), Ben Zobrist (11-27, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 5 BB).

Noteworthiness

  • Rays rookie RF Wil Myers (wrist) sat out Sunday’s game, though he’s expected back Monday. He is 14-for-28 with six multiple-hit games in his last seven.
  • Rays DH Luke Scott has gone 18-for-47 (.383) with four homers and 10 RBI during a career-best 13-game hitting streak.
  • The Rays have outscored opponents 94-44 in going a major league-best 17-2 since June 29, climbing to within 1-1/2 games of the Red Sox. Tampa Bay leads the American League in batting average (.283) while the pitching staff has the lowest ERA (2.16) and the lowest WHIP (0.96). The Rays pitching staff has allowed only 40 runs this month.
  • As Full Count from WEEI points out, “Kelly Johnson is coming off a big day on Sunday in which he hit his 15th home run of the season as well as a double in a 3-for-4 showing against the Blue Jays. Johnson has been on fire recently, going 8-for-12 in his last three games and batting .385/.429/.641 with four home runs over his last 11 games. Johnson’s average dipped as low as .233 in the beginning of the month, but the good stretch has bumped his line up to .256/.328/.474 in 79 games.”
  • Red Sox DH Mike Napoli had two homers Sunday, including the decisive blast in Boston’s major league-best ninth walk-off victory. Boston improved to 27-8 when Napoli drives in at least one run, and has hit .311 while winning 20-of-26 at home since May 24th.
  • Workman’s first career start was a memorable one – he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against Oakland on July 14 but gave up a tying two-run homer and did not factor in the decision in a 6 1/3-inning stint.

 

 

 

 

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: It Wasn’t Pretty, But A Win Is A Win (Updated)

Fernando Rodney celebrates their victory with Jose Molina during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Fernando Rodney celebrates their victory with Jose Molina during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

It wasn’t particularly the prettiest of victories, especially late in the game, however we can walk away knowing that the Rays achieved the preferred outcome Saturday, in a 4-3 victory against the Blue Jays. The hottest team in baseball (Fox said so, so it must be true) did just enough to keep the wolves at bay, taking the second game of their three game set as they prepare for a sweep against a somewhat erratic RA Dickey, Sunday. Jeremy Hellickson walked away with his fifth consecutive win, while Fernando Rodney racked up his 23rd save of the year — a save that almost wasn’t.

All of the Rays scoring came in the first and third innings. Desmond Jennings led off the game with a walk and was subsequently moved to second on a Ben Zobrist bunt single to third. Jennings was then able to move to third on an Evan Longoria pop-out to right-field. With runners on the corners, Wil Myers hit a sac-fly to shallow right, plating Jennings just ahead of the throw to the plate from Bautista. Ryan Roberts ended the inning by grounding into a fielder’s choice to third, forcing Zobrist at second.

Sam Fuld led off the third inning with a single to center. Desmond Jennings laid down the second successful bunt base-hit of the game, quickly applying the pressure to a flustered Mark Buerhle — who ultimately loaded the bases with no outs, on a Zobrist walk. Evan Longoria joined in on the fun by driving in his 54th RBI of the year on a fielder’s choice to short. Though Zobrist was forced at second on the fielder’s choice, he did a great job of breaking up the potential double play to put runners on the corners with only one out. Wil Myers was next. The Rays rookie drove in his second run of the day on a single to left, moving Longo to second. Ryan Roberts capped the scoring on a fielder’s choice to short, forcing Myers out at second. Longo moved to third, and scored on a throwing error Brett Lawrie.

The Rays would threaten wRISP in the fifth, seventh, and ninth innings, however Buehrle and Casey Janssen did an outstanding job of making the big pitches when they needed to, keeping the Jays in the game until the end. Tampa Bay ultimately went 1-8 wRISP, stranding 10 men on the bags.

In an act of total journalistic laziness, here are some by the inning observations of Jeremy Hellickson, Alex Torres, Joel Peralta, and Fernando Rodney. Yes, I did just cut, paste, and modify posts from our Tumblr account.

Sixth Inning

-Helly gave up two runs on five hits and three walks, putting together a respectable five inning outing. It’s not technically a quality start, though he is still in line for a win — assuming the Rays take second game of this series.

Alex Torres quickly retired the Jays in order, on a Colby Rasmus strikeout (looking at a 95 MPH fastball), and a pair of ground-ball outs.

-Rays are up 4-2 going, into the seventh.

Seventh Inning

-Holy drop on that change-up, Torres! Wow! Watching the Rays LHP reliever wring up Lawrie (looking at a well placed change-up) was a thing of beauty.

Torres ultimately retired the side in order once again, this time needing only seven pitches to do so.

Eighth Inning

-As the graphic designer of the blog so eloquently put it, “I really don’t want to like Luke Scott, but he’s making it hard on me.” Luke extended his hitting streak on a base hit, however he was deleted on a failed bunt attempt by the Rays fastest (editors note: the first “s” in fastest could have easily been replaced with a “t”) runner, Jośe Molina.

Could someone please inform Molina that he, under no circumstances, should square up to bunt. Never ever.

-Maddon begrudgingly pulled Alex Torres in favor of Joel Peralta, after Torres walked two consecutive batters to start the bottom of the eighth.

Torres’ final line: 2+ IP/0 H/0 R/2 BB/2 K.

-After Peralta walked the first batter he faced to load the bases, he sat down the following three Jays in order. The final out of the inning was particularly filthy, a full count JP Arencibia strikeout (swinging) on a filthy splitter in the dirt, preserving the Rays two run lead.

Ninth Inning

-A walk and a base hit; runners on the corners with two outs. Rodney’s fraying a few nerves…

-Rodney incurs an error on come-backer by Encarnacion, plating a run and cutting the Rays lead to one.

-Rodney gets a pop-fly out to end the game.

The New What Next

Tampa Bay will send Chris Archer to the mound to face RA Dickey, in the final game of this three game set. A win against Dickey would give the Rays an enormous wave of momentum going into Boston, Monday. You can read about the pitching match-up here, and we’ll post the starting lineup when it becomes available.

Rays 7/21/13 Starting Lineup

Jennings CF
Zobrist SS
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Scott DH
Johnson 2B
Joyce RF
Lobaton C
Fuld LF
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

  • Per the Tampa Bay Rays, “Fernando Rodney tied Danys Baez (71) for second place on the Rays career saves list, in just his second year as closer. Roberto Hernandez leads with 101.”
  • A question of what the Blue Jays “fans” were chanting during the game was posed. The picture below should clear that up:
Montreal Expos fans fill an outfield section during a baseball game between the Tampa Bays Rays and Toronto Blue Jays Toronto on Saturday July 20, 2013. The Montreal fans hope to lure a major league team back to their city. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn).Now it all makes sense. Cough...I certainly hope they’re not implying the Rays would be the team lured back to Montreal.
Montreal Expos fans fill an outfield section during a baseball game between the Tampa Bays Rays and Toronto Blue Jays Toronto on Saturday July 20, 2013. The Montreal fans hope to lure a major league team back to their city. Now it all makes sense. Cough…I certainly hope they’re not implying the Rays would be the team lured back to Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn).
  • Wil Myers is not in the lineup because of a sore left wrist. Per Roger Mooney of the Tribune, “Myers said (his) wrist is sore. Hurt it sliding yesterday. Expects to play Monday in Boston.” Maddon said Myers could pinch-hit today if needed.
Yunel Escobar testing out an ailing hamstring. (Photo courtesy of Marc Topkin/Tampa Bay Times)
Yunel Escobar testing out an ailing hamstring. (Photo courtesy of Marc Topkin/Tampa Bay Times)
  • The prognosis on Yunel Escobar: He’s fine. Escobar’s thorough workout is over, and Joe Maddon said he expected to play in Boston, though Maddon doesn’t know if he’ll start Monday. Ryan Roberts has been sent back to Durham.