Rays Tie O’s, 3-3, Pick the Fifth Starter (Updated)

Going into Saturday’s game against the Orioles, we all knew the big announcement of who would fill the fifth starter spot was just around the corner. The only question was when? And though the announcement was originally expected prior to the 1:05 game, we held our breath in anticipation for the end of the meeting of AL East rivals, while Alex Cobb put up a 12 strikeout outing in the game that ended in a 3-3 tie.

Cobb looked nearly un-hittable at times. The Rays RHP struck out the first three batters he faced en route to 12 total punchouts, over seven innings of work on 88 pitches (66 strikes). Even more impressive, Cobb didn’t get into a three-ball for the duration of his outing. Between all the strikeouts, however, Cobb gave up three runs on a few defensive miscues and hard-hit balls — including a massive solo blast over the scoreboard in center by former Ray, Delmon Young.

On Cobb’s outing, Joe Maddon said,

“He was outstanding. Great movement on everything — fastball, curveball, the changeup or splitter, whatever you want to call it, was really, really good. Everything that he’s been working on was really sharp today.”

Jake McGee, Joel Peralta, and Josh Lueke followed Cobb, and put together three innings of one-hit/one walk/two strikeout ball. Of interest, McGee threw a truly confounding curveball to Chris Davis, following it with a 95 MPH fastball to put away the Orioles slugger.

The Rays hitters jumped out to an early two-run lead thanks to a well struck, first inning two run homer to right field off the bat of James Loney. Ubaldo Jimenez settled in thereafter, holding Tampa Bay scoreless for the duration of his six inning outing. The Rays tacked on the tying run in the ninth inning when Alejandro Segovia singled on a soft fly ball to left, scoring Jonathan Quinonez from second.

After the game, Joe Maddon announced that Jake Odorizzi won the fifth starter spot, while Cesar Ramos would resume his role as the long-man in the bullpen. Maddon called it a very difficult decision. The Rays skipper said Odorizzi’s body of work set him apart, including what he did last September and his new split pitch, which is “spectacular.” Odorizzi said, he “Didn’t get much sleep last night, and said he was grateful to Alex Cobb for teaching him new change/split.” He also said he felt honored to be picked, noting any of the three could have gotten the spot in the starting rotation.

Maddon mentioned he was “highly impressed by Cesar Ramos,” said “he could see higher-leverage work from the bullpen and could start if needed in the future.”

Despite comments by Erik Bedard which gave the impression he’d be open to staying with organization, (if nothing else came up big league wise, that is) MLB insider Chris Cotillo broke the news that the veteran LHP opted out of his contract — even though the Rays hoped he’d the position in Triple-A. Plenty of organizations have been plagued by Tommy John surgery this winter, including the A’s and Braves, and one could assume that Bedard will find work elsewhere, and quickly. 

The New What Next

The Rays hit the road Sunday to take on the Red Sox in Fort Myers. LHP Matt Moore is sscheduled to start for Tampa Bay, opposite of fellow southpaw Felix Doubront. Sunday’s game could also mark the return of outfielder Matt Joyce, who has missed the last three games due to a stiff neck.

Rays 3/23/14 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 3B
DeJesus DH
Myers RF
Jennings CF
Rodriguez 1B
Joyce LF
Hanigan C
Nix 2B
Olmedo SS
Moore LHP

Noteworthiness

• A scary moment came in a Minor League game Saturday, when Hak-Ju Lee had to be pulled from the game early. Paul Casella of MLB.com wrote,

Rays No. 2 overall prospect, Hak-Ju Lee, left a Minor League game on Saturday after tweaking his left knee, the same one that cost him the entire 2013 season after he tore ligaments that required surgery to repair. Manager Joe Maddon said the shortstop’s removal was strictly precautionary and he does not expect Lee to miss substantial time.