Not much can be said about last night’s 4-1 loss to the Astros… At least nothing that hasn’t already been said. Both Roberto Hernandez and Bud Norris were very good, though Norris was better. The Astros ace has been very good at home this season (2.27 ERA, 3 HR, 71-1/3 IP), and he did what ace’s are want to do: shut down the opposing offense.
Moving forward.
The New What Next
Tampa Bay will close out their four game residency in Houston today, with Chris Archer on the mound. Archer will toe the rubber opposite of Jordan Lyles. Losses are going to happen. And if the Rays can leave Houston with a W in their back pockets, I’d have to say a 3-1 road record is nothing to scoff at, or be ashamed of. You can read about the pitching match-up here.
Rays 7/4/13 Starting Lineup
Jennings CF
Joyce LF
Zobrist 2B
Longoria DH
Loney 1B
Myers RF
Johnson 3B
Lobaton C
Escobar SS
Archer P
Noteworthiness
Tampa Bay is 4-11 all-time on the Fourth of July, including 1-8 on the road. Remember when Farnsworth blew the lead last year against the Yankees? Oof. Then again, they are playing the lowly Astros. One would hope the Rays could eke out a win.
David Price allows three hits in seven innings and strikes out a season-high 10 in the Rays’ fourth straight victory. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
Welcome back David Price, how’s about you stick around for a while?! The Tampa Bay Rays blanked Houston for the second consecutive day, as David Price regained his dominant Cy Young Award winning form in an 8-0 shutout of the lowly Astros. The Rays posted back-to-back shutouts for the second time this season, and the seventh time in club history, while the offense put crooked numbers on the board for the second consecutive day.
Price faced just one batter over the minimum in his nearly flawless 70 pitch (48 for strikes) 7 IP/3 H/0 R/0 BB/10 K outing. There were some concerns over a loss of fastball velocity prior to his stint on the DL, but Price’s fastball averaged nearly 96 mph in his return performance, and those concerns fell bay the wayside. His fastball control was also something to behold. Price was able to lock-up batters with pinpoint accuracy, wringing up eight batters on caught looking strikeouts.
At-bat outcomes. (Courtesy of Brooks Baseball)
Following the game, Price was quoted as saying,
“That’s probably the best I’ve felt on a baseball field maybe in my entire life…I felt like that’s the most control I’ve had of a baseball game in a very long time. I think that was better than I threw the ball really at any point last year. – David Price on last night’s start”
Frankly, this is the kind of pitching performance the Rays need to see our of their ace if they’re going to be competitive beyond September.
Price’s pitch breakout: two-seam fastball (27 thrown, 19 for strikes, 2 whiffs), four-seam fastball (7 thrown, 5 for strikes, 1 whiff), change-up (19 thrown, 13 for strikes, 3 whiffs), curveball (6 thrown, 5 for strikes, 1 whiff), cutter (11 thrown, 6 for strikes).
The offense was explosive for the second consecutive game, scoring eight runs on 12 hits and six walks. Desmond Jennings lead the charge, going three-for-five with two runs and four runs batted in. Batting in the leadoff spot, Jennings reached base safely on a pair of singles in the first and fourth innings, while also mashing a two-run blast to left-field in the sixth (putting him four away from surpassing his 2012 home run total).
Yunel Escobar was mightily productive at the plate and in the field, hitting a two run double in the top of the ninth inning while also making a handful of outstanding defensive plays for the second consecutive day. Evan Longoria was back in the lineup hitting in the DH spot, while Kelly Johnson held down the fort at third base. Longo went two-for-four after missing the past three games with inflammation of his plantar fasciitis.
The Rays are now within two games of second place in the AL East following the Tampa Bay win and Baltimore’s loss.
The New What Next
Roberto Hernandez will follow his solid eight inning outing against the Blue Jays, with a start against Bud Norris and the Astros Wednesday night. You can read about the pitching match-up here.
Rays 7/3/13 Starting Lineup
Jennings CF
Joyce RF
Zobrist 2B
Longoria DH
Loney 1B
Myers RF
Johnson 3B
Molina C
Escobar SS
Hernandez RHP
Noteworthiness
The Rays signed RHP draftee Ryan Stanek Tuesday, for the slot value of $1,758,300. Stanek, 21, will report to Port Charlotte today to start getting back to game shape, then will be assigned to short-season Class A Hudson Valley to be used as a starter. Tampa Bay has now signed 33 of their 41 picks
Per Marc Topkin, Alex Cobb(mild concussion) is making steady progress, playing catch from 90 feet Tuesday at the Trop and using the elliptical for the first time since getting hit in the head with a line drive June 15.
Sweet Jesus, Manny Ramirez is back. Per MLB Trade Rumors, the Texas Rangers are set to sign the once Ray to a minor league contract. Bright side: If his 1-for-17 stint with the Rays is indicative of anything, he’s not nearly as intimidating as he once was. By the by, when did the Rangers become the Yankees? You know, the team who filter feeds the bottom of the barrel for any and every has-been with an ounce of juice left in their system.
Ryan Roberts is congratulated by Ben Zobrist after hitting a two-run homer in the third inning. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
The Rays absolutely throttled the Astros Monday night in a 12-0 routing at Minute Maid Park. I know what you’re saying, “But it was against the Astros, the second worst team in baseball.” I’d remind you that the Astros have played .500 ball over the last 40 games or so, while their starting rotation has the second lowest ERA in the American League during that stretch. The Rays’ no questions asked 12-0 win came courtesy of strong pitching and an offensive outburst from the seven-eight-nine trio of hitters, as Tampa Bay plated more two-out runs in one game than they had in the series prior. It’s time for another episode of The Good, The Bad, and The Argyle: A Bulleted Game Summary.
The Good
Knowing he could be the one packing his bags for Triple-A Durham Tuesday, Roberts had a carpe diem moment of sorts. Filling in for an ailing Evan Longoria, Roberts mashed a pair of homers to left-field — a two run missile in the third inning, and a solo blast in the top of the eighth — ultimately plating and scoring three runs.
Don’t look now, but Jose Lobaton has become a pretty dependable hitter. Lobaton (3-5, 3 R, RBI) has amassed pretty good looking .285 BA/.338 OBP/.424 SLG slash line following another productive night at the plate. Lobaton singled in a run in the fifth, and was driven home in the seventh and eighth innings after reaching base safely on a pair of base hits. He’s become the first Rays catcher with back-to-back three-hit games since Dioner Navarro in 2007.
Look, I love Sam Fuld as much as anyone else. However, I’m much more of a fan of the 2011 Super Sam model, than I am of the updated 2013 .185 BA version. I’ll admit, I cringed a bit when I saw Fuld’s name listed in the lineup Monday night. I also love when certain assumptions are proven wrong. Fuld put together a 3 H/1 R/2 RBI night, plating runs in the fifth on a single to right, and in the seventh on a single to center.
Sean Rodriguez put together his first four hit game of his career, reaching base on a pair of doubles and a couple of singles. Rodriguez plated three runs on an RBI base hit in the seventh, and a two RBI double to deep center in the eighth.
James Loney extended his hitting streak to 12 games, picking up his 500th career RBI on a third inning sacrifice fly to left.
Tampa Bay scored 11 two-out runs Monday night, accruing almost four times as many as the total number of two-out runs scored in the previous series. Furthermore, Tampa Bay went 8-for-15 wRISP and 8-for-12 wRISP and two outs.
Matt Moore looked like the Moore of early 2013, putting together a solid 7 IP/2 H/9 K outing on 101 pitches (61 for strikes). Moore impressively did not face more than four batters in any inning, only getting into trouble in the fourth inning after walking Jason Castro. Chris Carter followed the walk by crushing a pitch into center-field, moving Castro to third. Moore cooly struck out J.D. Martinez on a 95 MPH fastball, then got Matt Dominguez to ground into a Ben Zobrist to Yunel Escobar to James Loney double play, to end the inning and the threat.
Cesar Ramos put together two innings of scoreless relief to close out the game. Ramos allowed no hits and struck out two.
David Price will make his highly anticipated first start, following a six week stint on the DL. Price noted that he feels better than he’s felt all year, while this start could almost be viewed as his first of the season. Price will be taking on a resurgent Erik Bedard. You can read about the pitching match-up here.
Rays 7/2/13 Starting Lineup
Jennings CF
Rodriguez LF
Zobrist 2B
Longoria DH
Myers RF
Escobar SS
Loney 1B
Molina C
Johnson 3B
Price P
Noteworthiness
The Rays have optioned INF Ryan Roberts back to Triple-A Durham in order to make room for David Price. Rays beat writer Marc Topkin speculates, that this should mean Longoria is close to playing. Whatever the case, I’d imagine that Roberts will be recalled when Alex Cobb is reactivated from the DL.
Tigers starter Rick Porcello has been suspended for six games for intentionally throwing at Ben Zobrist on Sunday. Porcello says he’ll appeal the 6-game suspension, and is eligible to pitch until the case is heard. Tigers manager Jim Leyland wouldn’t comment on the suspension. Regardless, in my meager opinion, this is a huge victory of Zobrist and the Rays for enduring the cowardly actions of Porcello, Jim Leyland, and to a certain extent Miguel Cabrera. Per Joe Smith of the Times, Zobrist said was surprised Porcello was suspended for six games, but said it was good that the league took action. Zobrist went on to say he didn’t think anything was going to happen, but it sounds like league felt more should have been done Sunday.
Jennings CF
Rodriguez LF
Myers DH
Zobrist 2B
Escobar SS
Loney 1B
Roberts 3B
Lobaton C
Fuld RF
Moore LHP
Noteworthiness
Per Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, Evan Longoria said his foot is feeling better each day, and thinks he can pinch hit tonight, though he has to test it running pre game. He went on to say that he hopes to play in next couple days and mentioned that Andrew Friedman is confident he won’t go on DL.
Luke Scott and his brother Noah being interviewed. Is it really surprising that he hasn’t had a haircut in five years? (Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Rays director of communications Dave Haller)
The Rays head to Houston for a four game set against the Astros, on the heels of two big series wins at the Trop against the Blue Jays and Tigers. The Astros have the second worst record in baseball — they’re just a mere win better than the Marlins. And similar to the Marlins, the Astros tend to be a scrappy team. Yes, the numbers speak for themselves. But I’d imagine that the Rays won’t approach the series lightly.
Houston is coming off a three game sweep at the hands of the Angels, in a series where the Astros could only cull together a total of five runs. Though the Rays don’t stand to gain anything in the AL East by winning these games, a series win would put a nice buffer in the wins and losses columns. In short, these are the kinds of games the Rays should be winning. The biggest news is the return of David Price Tuesday.
Rays and Astros series starters.Rays and Astros offensive production at home, away, and over the last 14 days.Rays and Astros by the numbers.
Dallas Keuchel: Keuchel is a soft-tossing, groundball-inducing, control lefty with a deep assortment of pitches (four-seam fastball, sinker, cutter, changeup, slider, curve). Keuchel impressively gave up only nine earned runs in the month of June, spread out over 27 innings.
Erik Bedard: Per Rotowire, “Bedard picked up his third win of the season in Wednesday’s win over the Cardinals. He went six innings and gave up three runs on seven hits while striking out six.” The Rays have beat up Bedard over the last few years, tagging him for nine earned runs on 18 hits in 14-1/3 innings of work. He’s got decent movement on his fastball, though his velocity is gone (averaging 89 mph). Bedard has excellent secondary stuff, however his command and control issues make him fairly hittable. Key match-ups: Desmond Jennings (2-4, HR, RBI, BB), Ryan Roberts (1-2, RBI), Luke Scott (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Ben Zobrist (5-16, RBI).
Bud Norris: Per Rotowire, “Norris was exceptional Friday night, allowing just one run (unearned) on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts over seven innings, but was left with a no-decision in Houston’s 4-2 loss to the Angels.” Norris has average command over his fastball and slider, though he does struggle with leaving the fastball up in the zone too often. He also tends to hang the slider on occasion. Because of his struggles with keeping the ball down in the zone and command, Norris does give up his fair share home runs.
Jordan Lyles: Per Rotowire, “Lyles allowed four runs over four innings and was the losing pitcher Saturday against the Angels.” Like Keuchel, Lyles is a ground-ball inducing pitch to contact type of pitcher. He doesn’t have the pitch repertoire of his teammate however, tending to lean primarily on in his fastball, curveball, and slider.
Noteworthiness
The most dangerous bat in the Astros lineup is Chris Carter, who’s striking out 36.5% of the time. Former Ray Carlos Pena has reduced his strikeout rate to 26%, though his once powerful bat has waned, making him an average hitter at best.
The biggest culprits for the Astros lack of success are a lack of offense and plenty of shoddy defense.
A Ray of good news, Evan Longoria might be available in this series. “He actually felt pretty good (Sunday),” Maddon said. “It’s kind of encouraging. A lot of the pain was different. It wasn’t nearly as severe, so we’ll see. We might be able to use him in Houston like we had thought.”
James Loney will look to extend his hitting streak to 12 Monday (and if I may be a bit presumptuous 13, 14, and 15 thereafter).
The Rays have signed RHP Ramon S. Ramirez and OF Evan Frey, and both have been assigned to AAA Durham. In turn, they’ve released RHP Will Inman to make room.
