Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Drop Doubleheader, Eight of the Last Ten Games

Alex Torres pitches against the Boston Red Sox. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Alex Torres pitches against the Boston Red Sox. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Rays dropped both games of a double-header Tuesday, in a day where the hype surrounding the call up of prospect Wil Myers overshadowed their inept ability to put runs on the board. Picking up where they left off in the previous series against Boston, Tampa Bay combined to go 1-for-10 wRISP, while stranding four men on second or third throughout the balance of both games. The Rays have now dropped three consecutive games, while going 2-8 in their last ten. You guessed it, it’s time for another episode of The Good, The Bad, and the Argyle: A Bulleted Game Summary. I also live blogged both games. You can read my passionate, and poignant, thoughts on the double-header at our Tumblr page.

The Good, AKA The Few and Far in Between

  • Cesar Ramos looked really sharp in the first game, posting a 2 IP/1 H/0 R/0 BB/2 K slash line. Ramos threw 28 pitches overall (19 for strikes), going 4-for-7 in first pitch strikes. Ramos never really got into trouble, allowing only one base runner in the seventh inning on a one out Mike Napoli base hit to left. Napoli inevitably got stranded at first after Ramos induced a Daniel Nava pop-out to second, and got Jarod Saltalamacchia to strikeout swinging to end the inning.
  • It’s easy to gloss over Jose Molina’s day at the plate, especially when the Rays couldn’t do much offensively. But credit where it’s due, he actually reached base safely three times on a second inning walk, and a pair of singles to left-field in the seventh and ninth innings.
  • After allowing 11 earned runs in 12-1/3 innings of work prior to his start Tuesday, Jake Odorizzi came out and pitched well in the second game of the double-header — well enough to keep the Rays in the thick of things. Odorizzi was able to shave his ERA down from 8.03 to 6.00, after throwing 5-2/3 innings of one run ball. He made one mistake in the second inning, and it proved costly. However with a 45% FB%, a homer every now and then is par for the course. He did a great job of inducing 11 fly-ball outs, while also working through a pair of big innings where the Sox could have really blown things open.
  • Just another case of Torres being Torres…The Rays left handed long-reliever came on in relief with two outs in the sixth inning of the second game, and quickly gave up a hard hit double to David Ortiz. However that would be the only hit he’d allow in two-and-one-third innings of work. Torres got Daniel Nava to ground out to third to end the inning and the threat. Torres looked a bit shaky with his four-seam fastball (throwing 50% for strikes) and he did allow two other base runners on a pair of walks in the seventh and eighth innings. Fortunately he kept his composure, and was able to negate any and all Sox that safely reached base. Torres ultimately posted a 2-1/3 IP/1 H/O R/2 BB/1 K slash line, inducing four ground-outs and two fly-outs.
  • Kelly Johnson did his part in the second game. Johnson reached base safely twice and knotted things up in the ninth inning on a 411 foot blast to right-center — his first home run since May 27 when he belted two homers against the Marlins. I’d also like to acknowledge that he played a carom off the Monstah much better than Joyce in the previous game, holding the batter to a base hit as opposed to a double.

The Bad

  • Allow me to reiterate: The Rays went 1-for-10 wRISP, while stranding four men on second or third throughout the balance of both games.
  • We expected much more out of Archer. As Ian of the Rays Tank put it, “More proof that Archer isn’t mentally ready for the majors.” After only three innings of work, Archer accrued 68 pitches (43 for strikes) for an average of 22 pitchers per inning…and looked flustered all the while. Joe Maddon pulled Archer after he loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth. Throwing 109 pitches in 4-2/3 innings, Archer gave up four runs and five walks, while putting the offensively strapped Rays at a huge disadvantage.

The Argyle

  • Welp, Myers thankfully isn’t Vogt. Wil Myers combined to go 1-for-7 over the span of two games, with his only hit coming on a hard hit single to left-field in his first at-bat of the second game. That’s not to say he didn’t show promise — Myers was able to work a couple of three-ball counts, and showed power to both left field and right. Myers admitted to being anxious in his first at-bat,

“I was a little anxious there, swinging at the first pitch, you usually don’t swing at that one,” Myers said. “I’m not a guy that takes a lot of pitches, anyway. But I should have got a better pitch to hit right there. I just got out of my approach a little bit, obviously, being the first game.”

Joe Maddon liked what he saw, noting,

“He’s going to be fine,” Maddon said. “We just have to get him out there and settled down. He’s going to be just fine. He’s definitely fine here. I don’t think he’s in awe of anything. … He was not overwhelmed by the moment.”

The New What Next

The Rays will attempt to salvage a game Wednesday night, before making the trek to New York for a four game set. Jeremy Hellickson will play the role of mopper-upper, when he takes the mound against Ryan Dempster at Fenway.

When Dempster is on, he’s good. Let’s pray that he’s not on, shall we? Helly, on the other hand, hmm… You can read about the pitching match-up here, and we’ll post the starting lineup when it becomes available.

Rays 6/19/13 Starting Lineup

Joyce LF
Jennings CF
Zobrist 2B
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Myers RF
Johnson DH
Molina C
Escobar SS
Hellickson RHP

Noteworthiness

  • Perhaps we should be a bit more concerned about Alex Cobb’s health, following the minor concussion incurred in last Saturday’s ball game. Cobb, who was pulled from after getting hit in the head by an Eric Hosmer line-drive, has also experienced some ear issues.

 “It’s getting better, but it’s going to be a long process, I think,”

said Joe Maddon in a piece by Marc Topkin, Tuesday. When asked if we could expect Cobb to return this season, Maddon went on to say

“I don’t know that. I don’t want to say one way or the other. We haven’t even discussed that. I think it’s important that he just gets to the next day and see how he feels and just stay together with the medical people. I would never create conjecture on that one way or the other. I really don’t know.”

 

Game Day Thread: The Double Header

Untitled-1
Myers, Archer, and Odorizzi…Oh my!

Rays 6/18/13 Game 1 Starting Lineup

Joyce LF
Jennings CF
Zobrist 2B
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Myers RF
Scott DH
Molina C
Escobar SS
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

  • Recall an over amped Chris Archer coming off the mound — fired up — after after striking out Daniel Nava with the bases loaded. Recall also Koji Uehara also falling all over himself as he made his way to the dugout, mocking Archer after striking out Evan Longoria. I’m certain Archer remembers as much. Wouldn’t it be incredible if he went out there, full of piss and vinegar, and mowed the Sox over?
  • You can read our series preview here.
  • We’ll post the starting lineup for game number two as it becomes available.
  • Ladies and gentlemen, I present you a photo of the first lineup card of the Wil Myers era:

Screen Shot 2013-06-18 at 10.33.41 AM

  • Rays lose game one by a score of 5-1 in a rain delayed game. Archer gave up four runs in 4-2/3 innings of work, while walking five. Myers went 0-4 with a strikeout. Rays will start game two six games out of first.

    Rays 6/18/13 Game 2 Starting Lineup (first pitch: 8:05)

    Jennings CF
    Rodriguez 1B
    Zobrist 2B
    Longoria 3B
    Escobar SS
    Myers RF
    Scott DH
    Lobaton C
    Johnson LF
    Odorizzi P

    • The New What Next: Rays vs Red Sox – A Series Preview of Sorts

    Wil Myers takes one last moment in the Durham Bulls dugout before heading to the Big Leagues. (Photo courtesy of the Durham Bulls)
    Wil Myers takes one last moment in the Durham Bulls dugout before heading to the Big Leagues. (Photo courtesy of the Durham Bulls)

    The Rays will make their way to Boston Tuesday to start a big three game series against the Red Sox, following a disappointing series loss to the Kansas City Royals. I cannot emphasize enough that the next two series are incredibly important — the Rays have an excellent opportunity to gain at least a game on the Red Sox, while also getting a chance to bury the Yankees. It is incumbent for the good guys to make sure they’re clicking on all fronts: pitching, defense, and hitting. That all starts Tuesday.

    Consider that it took 93 wins to clinch a post-season berth in 2012 — we’ll use that as a precedent for this season. In order for the Rays to reach the playoffs this year, they are going to need to play close to .600 ball. Frankly, there is no way that they’ll see post-season action if they continue to play as inconsistently as they have.

    The Rays have called up Wil Myers, and the prospect of him bolstering the offense is enticing. After all, Myers has posted a .327 BA/.367 OBP/.673 SLG/1.040 OPS slash line in June, with five homers and four stolen four bases. However Myers can’t offer quality starting pitching, something that has been at a premium of late. Too, don’t expect the Rays to place Myers in the meat of the order just yet. Rays skipper Joe Maddon noted as much Sunday, tweeting,

    “I don’t want to lump a bunch of high expectations on Wil. We’ll put him in the bottom part of the order and let him play, just be a Ray.”

    If the Rays are going to make a pre-All Star Break run, they’ll need to come out strong Tuesday against a (relatively) slumping Red Sox — a team that has lost four out of their last six games, while averaging just under three runs per game in that span. That’s not to say Tampa Bay is somehow suited to dominate the Sox, on the contrary — the Rays have won only two of their last six games, while averaging only two-and-a-half runs per game. Remember too, Tampa Bay has hit .141 (12-for-85) wRISP against the Red Sox, including .092 in their seven losses to Boston. To be fair, the Sox haven’t quite dominated Tampa Bay. Four of the Rays’ losses to the Red Sox were by just one run. A timely hit here and there and the story could be very different.

    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.

    Series update: Aceves will now get the early start against Archer, with Doubront getting the night start against Odorizzi.

    Alfredo Aceves: Per Rotowire, “Ojos Diablo will be recalled to start one game of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Rays, Jenny Dell of NESN reports.” You certainly don’t want to piss off good old Ojos Diablo, just see what he did in the WBC for team Mexico. Key match-ups: Yunel Escobar (2-6), Sam Fuld (1-3), Desmond Jennings (2-7, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 BB).

    Felix Doubront: Per Rotowire, “Doubront has been named a starter for one of Boston’s doubleheader games against Tampa Bay on Tuesday, the Boston Herald reports.” Doubront gave up two runs on three hits, over a five inning span in his last start against Tampa Bay on May 16. Since that start, the Sox have won only two games when Dubront has been on the hill, though that’s really of no fault of his; Doubront’s relented — on average — 2.2 earned runs per game in that span. Key match-ups: Yunel Escobar (4-12, 2 BB), Desmond Jennings (2-8, 2B, 2 BB), Kelly Johnson (3-11, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Matt Joyce (1-2, BB), Evan Longoria (3-8, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 4 BB), Sean Rodriguez (3-11, 3B, BB), Luke Scott (3-8, 2 HR, 2 RBI, BB).

    Ryan Dempster: Per Rotowire, “Dempster allowed two runs on five hits and five walks, while striking out four in 7.2 innings, in Boston’s loss to Baltimore on Friday.” Dempster owned the Rays in a 7 IP/2 H/1 R start in April. Though he’s been fairly consistent of late, relenting — on average — 2.5 earned runs per game in his last four starts, Dempster went on a run where he gave up four or more runs in four starts between April 21 and May 23. Key match-ups: Matt Joyce (1-3), Luke Scott (3-7, 2B, 3B, RBI).

    Noteworthiness

    • Alex Cobb was released from the hospital Sunday following a minor concussion incurred in a game the day previous. Cobb has been placed on the seven-day concussion DL, and his upcoming start against the Yankees will be filled by Alex Colome who was recalled Sunday.
    • David Price noted that he is making progress, but is not ready to start a minor league rehab assignment just yet. Price felt some soreness following a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday.

    “It’s not a setback,” Price said Sunday. “It’s just like after you throw your first live BP in spring training. You get that hitter in the box – you give that extra how many percent that you had that you usually don’t get in the bullpen, and that’s the way I felt yesterday… Definitely the way that I feel today, if you asked if I would have felt this good today, I would have been like there’s no chance,” Price said. “My entire arm was sore yesterday, and that’s just because I’m getting out there and facing those hitters after not doing it for a month.”

    -More to come!

     

     

     

    Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Alex Cobb Prognosis Good, Etc

    Ben Zobrist comforts Eric Hosmer of the Royals as the medical staff of the Rays and Royals attend to Alex Cobb on the field Saturday at Tropicana Field. (Photo courtesy of Brian Blanco/AP)
    Ben Zobrist comforts Eric Hosmer of the Royals, as the Rays and Royals medical staff attend to Alex Cobb on the field Saturday at the Trop. (Photo courtesy of Brian Blanco/AP)

    A Preface

    Saturday’s ball game at the Trop signified another tragic injury inducing line drive come-backer event, one where another pitcher had to be carried off the field on a stretcher. And though these events seem to be happening with greater frequency, they never get any easier to watch — nor should they. Thankfully — as with JA Happ before him — Alex Cobb will be able to walk away with only minor injuries; a minor concussion and a cut on the ear. And as with JA Happ before him, as a matter of respect we won’t be posting a link to the line drive that put Cobb on the stretcher in the first place. To that end, since yesterday’s ball game became something greater than the play of the field, I’m only going to shorthand the summary, interspersing it with the thoughts of people directly involved in the horrific scene.

    Bulleted Highlights

    • Alex Cobb was on his way to putting together another quality start before the fifth inning incident mentioned above. Though he had a rough second inning — one where he threw 37-pitches and gave up two runs — Cobb was more than en route to settling down, giving up only one hit in the two innings that followed.
    • Alex Torres, wow! Torres came on in relief of Cobb, and posted an impressive 1-2/3 IP/0 H/0 R/0 BB/4 K slash line. What’s more, he wrung up the first four batters he faced (three swinging strikeouts) before inducing a weakly hit Mike Moustakas infield pop-out. Torres had issues with command in the minors. With 23 strikeouts and only three walks in 16 innings, the question begs: Command issues? What command issues?!
    • The rest of the pen, though a touch shaky, was able to hold the Royals to one run on four hits and a walk, striking out four.
    • The long-ball reigned supreme. With the exception of a Longo RBI sac-fly in the first inning, the majority of the Rays runs came off homers. In the third inning, Luke Scott sent 399 foot line drive shot to right-center, plating Ben Zobrist. Matt Joyce followed that with a 367 foot blast to right in the fifth. My personal favorite homer came in the sixth inning. Jeremy Guthrie started his at-bat against Longo, by dusting him off the plate. Two pitches later Longo, sent a massive one run blast 411 feet to left-field, giving the Rays a three-run lead.
    • This is the Elliot Johnson we know and love. You know, the ElJo that goes 1-for-4 at the plate…the one that can’t get it done in the field. Chug that rally sauce all you want, but there’s a reason you’re batting just north of .250.
    • Runners in scoring position opportunities were few and far in between, but hey, at least the Rays were able to convert 33% of those opportunities, while plating a pair of two-out runs.

    From the Lips (and/or Fingers) of Those Involved

    • “Rays say Cobb has a mild concussion, and all tests are normal.” – Marc Topkin
    • “Price said Cobb is feeling fine, and was mad trainers wouldn’t let him get up on field.” -Marc Topkin
    • Cobb is listed in good condition this morning at (the) hospital, and (is) expected to be released today. Team will have update later. -Marc Topkin
    • All of the Rays starters saw Cobb off as he made his way to the ambulance, while David Price — who was able to leave the game because of his status on the DL — joined him at the hospital. Former Ray James Shields, and Cobb’s dad and girlfriend were there as well. Shields continues to be a class act even though he’s no longer part of the organization.
    • “102 off the dome = tough as nails = Alex Cobb. Lets keep him close in our thoughts and prayers as he recovers.” -Matt Moore
    • “Wishing Alex all the best tonight. Hopefully we can find a suitable way to protect pitchers in the very near future.” -Sam Fuld

    The New What Next

    The Rays will attempt to win the last game of the home stand Sunday with Robo on the mound. Hernandez pitched very well in his last start against the Red Sox, and will be opposed by the former Ray Wade Davis. You can read about the pitching match-up here. A victory would give Tampa Bay its second win of the season against Kansas City, while giving them a tide of momentum going into Boston Tuesday.

    Rays 6/16/13 Starting Lineup

    Joyce RF
    Zobrist 2B
    Scott LF
    Longoria DH
    Loney 1B
    Jennings CF
    Johnson 3B
    Molina C
    Escobar SS
    Hernandez RHP

    Looking Backward While Moving Forward: The “At Least the Pen Has Improved” Edition

    Around the time this photo was taken, Matt Moore was blowing it on the mound. (Photo courtesy of the X-Rays Spex Instagram account)
    Around the time this photo was taken, Matt Moore was blowing it on the mound. (Photo courtesy of the X-Rays Spex Instagram account)

    Following last night’s 7-2 debacle, Joe Maddon tweeted,

    “I know I sound like a broken record but we have to pitch a lot better to get to the spot we want to this year.”

    Maddon’s got a point. Three of the five starters have given up five or more runs in an inning this week. Because of it, the Rays have lost five of their last six games, while going 3-5 on this 10-game home-stand. To add insult to injury, they seem to be ebbing at the plate, scoring only four runs in the last three games, going 1-for-22 wRISP in the same span. All this from a team that has averaged five runs per game in June. I digress.

    After a rough first inning, something seemed to click in Matt Moore — he pitched really well from that point, through the fourth inning. But like Jeremy Hellickson the night previous, Moore couldn’t avoid the big inning. Moore gave up four runs in the fifth, consequently putting Tampa Bay in a three run deficit. Unlike Hellickson though, why he blew the game is glaringly obvious: Moore had spotty command, and his velocity was down.

    Having attended the game, I didn’t get a chance to hear what BA or Dewayne had to say about Moore. However, Ian Malinowski of DRaysBay imparted the wisdom of the Rays announcers, noting,

    “His mechanics are inconsistent (the telecast highlighted four pitches in the same at bat with four different follow-throughs), he can’t find his release point, and his velocity is down in the low 90s.”

    Thankfully his fastball hasn’t flattened out. However spotty command of a low 90’s fastball makes Matt Moore a very ordinary, and hittable, pitcher. Look no further than his previous three starts for evidence of that. I’m not going to delve too much into last night’s game. You can check out our Tumblr page for a blow-by-blow account of the game, live from section 122.

    I overheard a conversation involving one of the employees at the Trop last night. She said something that struck me as true, “The Rays are playing like nine men on the field, not a team.” When the starters were doing okay, the pen was blowing it and the Rays couldn’t score runs. Then the pen came around and the Rays have been scoring a lot of runs, but now the starters are blowing it. In order for the Rays to win 90 games or more — or make it to the post-season — all of the parts are going to need to click in unison.

    I would like to spotlight the Rays bullpen for a moment. After faltering out the gate, Joel Peralta and the boys (with the exception of a certain pitcher) have really tightened things up. Compare the relievers numbers in May with what they’ve put together in the first half of June. Generally speaking, the relievers have significantly lowered their ERA, batting average against, and the number of walks and home runs they’ve given up over nine innings. They’ve also increased the number of strikeouts over nine innings, among other things.

    The Rays pen in the month of May.
    The Rays pen in the month of May.
    Last 14 Days-1
    The Rays pen over the last 14 days.

    Furthermore, the addition of Alex Torres has really boosted the pen. The LHP still hasn’t relinquished a run in 14-1/3 innings of work, while Torres has given up only three hits and struck out 19.

    The New What Next

    Alex Cobb played the role of grinder in his last start, and the Rays will look to the split-change of destruction throwing righty to put together a quality outing Saturday. Cobb will take on Jeremy Guthrie in the 4:10 game at the Trop. You can read about the pitching match-up here, and we’ll post the starting lineup when it becomes available.

    Rays 6/15/13 Starting Lineup

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

    Noteworthiness

  • Per Marc Topkin, “Maddon says Longoria expected to DH Sunday then return to 3B on Tuesday at least for 1 of the games in Boston.”<\li>