The Tampa Bay Rays will conclude a stretch of four games in a 45-hour period Sunday afternoon, and can finish with a series win. They split a doubleheader against the Athletics yesterday, walking it off, 6–5, in the 10th inning of the first game before falling 7–2 in the nightcap. The Rays are now 4–2 on their current homestand, and would leave for their upcoming roadtrip two games over .500 with a victory.
The loss in the nightcap snapped a four-game win streak for Tampa Bay. Evan Longoria, who hit the game-winning RBI single in the first game, hit his 250th homer in the nightcap. Longoria joins Miguel Cabrera, Ryan Braun and Jose Bautista as the active players to reach 250 homers with their current teams.
Here’s to many more, @Evan3Longoria. pic.twitter.com/asfT6ZBZ43
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 11, 2017
Another positive from Saturday’s action, the speedy Mallex Smith swiped another bag — his fourth since being recalled from Triple-A Durham on Friday.
Yet some of those good feelings are muted, as Rays starter Matt Andriese — who was activated from the disabled list just 45 minutes before his scheduled start in the second game — reinjured his groin while warming up ahead of the second inning and had to be pulled from the contest. Andriese told the media that he felt the groin issue at the end of first inning, and it didn’t subside.
According to Rays skipper Kevin Cash it’s “highly likely” that he will go back on the DL. That determination will be made some time today after the hurler undergoes an MRI scan.
Due to the need for some fresh arms, the Rays reactivated RHP Jumbo Diaz from the DL and optioned Ryne Stanek, and his 100 mph fastball, back to Durham.
The New What Next
Chris Archer (4-4, 3.65 ERA, 2.86 FIP) will get the start today — tasked with slowing down an Oakland lineup that collected 32 hits total on Saturday — opposite of Jesse Hahn (2-4, 3.40 ERA, 2.89 FIP).
Archer took a hard-luck loss on Tuesday, fanning 11 over seven innings, but allowing two runs on a pair of homers. The right-hander has gone at least seven innings in his past three starts, as well as seven of 13 overall, and now has collected double digit strikeouts in five of his last seven starts.
Hahn earned the win over Toronto in his first start back from the disabled list (right triceps strain). He allowed one run on seven hits over six innings, while walking one and fanning two. He also coaxed a pair of double plays in that outing. The Rays have only faced the right-hander — who this season has relied primarily upon a 94 mph sinker, while also mixing in a sweeping 76 mph curveball, a firm 86 mph circle changeup, and a ground ball inducing 85 mph slider — one time; a four hit, one run, 7-2/3 inning affair. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (3-7, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Evan Longoria (1-3), Derek Norris (1-2, BB), Colby Rasmus (2-7, 2B, RBI), Steven Souza Jr. (1-3)
Rays 6/11/17 Starting Lineup
Smith CF
Dickerson DH
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Souza Jr RF
Rasmus LF
Beckham SS
Norris C
Robertson 2B
Archer RHP