"It's a beautiful day for baseball, let's play two!" -- Ernie Banks
“It’s a beautiful day for baseball, let’s play two!”
— Ernie Banks

Rays 6/27/14 Starting Lineup (Game 1)

Jennings CF
Kiermaier RF
Zobrist SS
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Guyer LF
Joyce DH
Rodriguez 2B
Molina C
Colome RHP

Game one game peripherals

The Rays came from behind an early deficit to take down the Orioles in the first game of the day/night double header, by a score of 5-2. Alex Colome was credited with the win, and Jake McGee culled his second save of the year. Bulleted highlights follow.

  • Ultimately Alex Colome wore the run he gave up in the sixth inning — after all, he gave up the base hit and the walk. However, had Jośe Molina put more effort in blocking the first of two wild pitches — which were black-able, the first run never would’ve scored.
  • “Two wild pitches, that under ordinary circumstances would have been block-able.”– DeWayne Staats, on Jośe Molina’s inability to block pitches in the dirt.
  • Interesting; the Rays have turned three efficient double plays since Yunel Escobar has been out with a sore throwing arm (two today). I’m not implying it’s telling…but, I’m certainly not implying it’s not.
  • Though not dominant, Alex Torres is in line for the win after putting together a good 5.2 IP/2 H/1 ER/4 BB/3 K outing on 104 pitches (63 strikes). Colome got better as the game progressed, especially with his slider. After he walked Crush Davis with two-outs, Boxberger came on in relief and quickly rung up Nelson Cruz (swinging) on three pitches. Despite the solo shot off the bat of Manny Machado, Boxberger retired four Orioles via the strikeout.
  • Nice job by Grant Balfour to put the O’s down in order in the eighth; coaxing three ground-ball outs — two to the right side, and one to Longo who was protecting the line.
  • The bulk of the offensive production came from the six-through-nine hitters. Brandon Guyer, Matt Joyce, Jośe Molina, and Sean Rodriguez combined to go 7-14 with four runs and five RBI. Guyer had a huge day at the plate, going 3-3 with three doubles, two runs, and an RBI. Tampa Bay ended the first game 4-8 wRISP.
  • Jake McGee is now 2-2 in the save department, closing out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth including two strikeouts (one swinging).

 

Rays 6/27/14 Starting Lineup (Game 2)

Jennings DH
Kiermaier CF
Zobrist SS
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Guyer LF
Joyce RH
Hanigan C
Forsythe 2B
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

  • The Rays will reached the midway point after the first today; with the win, the Rays put up their worst since first half since 2007 (also 33-48).
  • Tampa Bay will be starting two rookie pitchers for only second time in team history (22 previous double headers). The last time came in Boston in 2013 (Odorizzi and Archer).
  • Since June 9th, the Rays have a 2.75 ERA; the fourth best in the majors. That’s also the day Medicine Man Bobby Henry paid visit to The Trop. Hmm….

 

Leave a comment