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TNWN: Rays vs Yankees — a series preview, part five

July 15, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

Ryne Stanek and Ryan Yarbrough took a perfect game into the ninth inning of the series finale in Baltimore, on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The top two teams in the AL East will kick off a four-game series in the Bronx, Monday night. The Tampa Bay Rays look to gain ground in the division, while the Yankees set their focus on extending their lead. Tampa Bay closed a four-game, three-day series against Baltimore on Sunday, winning 4-1 and taking three of four in the series. New York finished its three-game home set against Toronto on Sunday afternoon, winning the rubber match 4-2.

The Rays bounced back from a loss in the first game of a day-night doubleheader Saturday to win the nightcap and followed it up with a win to close the set Sunday behind a strong pitching performance from the tandem of Ryne Stanek and Ryan Yarbrough. The Rays enter the current series second in the AL East, six games behind New York in the standings. They currently hold the first Wildcard spot.

New York bounced back from a tough, low-scoring loss on Saturday to prevail in the rubber game against Toronto. As a result of the loss, the Yankees let the Rays to gain 1/2 game.

The Rays have not fared well against the Yankees this season, having won just four of their 13 previous meetings, and just one at Yankee Stadium. What’s more, New York has a +33 run differential against Tampa Bay. Yet, there’s no time like the present for the Rays to flip the script on the Evil Empire. Over the last 14 days, the Rays have outperformed the Yanks in every important offensive category including OPS (.812 vs .741), ISO (.203 vs .173), wOBA (.342 vs .316), wRC+ (117 vs 94), and wRAA (8.6 vs -1.0).

These are a big four games. We’re going to try to close that gap on them. They’ve been playing great baseball all year and obviously, we’ve had our trouble with them this whole year.
— Kevin Kiermaier

Rays hitters — namely Nate Lowe, Mike Brosseau, Tommy Pham, and Austin Meadows — have gotten toasty, and the starters tasked with taking on this formidable opponent have pitched well of late. Expect fireworks in this all-important series.

The teams split a four-game set at the Trop from July 4-7.

Pitching Probables

Over the next four days, Kevin Cash will throw Blake Snell (5-7, 4.70 ERA), a pitcher to be named before Tuesday’s contest, Yonny Chirinos (8-4, 3.11 ERA), and Charlie Morton (11-2, 2.35 ERA). Aaron Boone will counter with James Paxton (5-4, 4.01 ERA), C.C. Sabathia (5-4, 4.03 ERA), Diego German (10-2, 3.49 ERA), and J.A. Happ (7-5, 4.93 ERA).

Blake Snell allowed one run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts across five innings of work. Even though he didn’t get the win, Snell followed his 12-strikeout performance from his last start with another stellar, albeit labor intensive, outing. The Yankees worked the hurler over his 93 pitch (62 strikes, 67% strike rate) outing, yet Snell certainly didn’t get any help from the home plate umpire, who made more than a few egregious calls. For the fifth time in his last seven appearances, Snell averaged more than a strikeout per inning, as he lowered his ERA to 4.70 ERA with 122 strikeouts across 90 innings.

James Paxton fanned 11 while allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks through against the Rays on Sunday. Paxton allowed a hit to each of the first three batters he faced and surrendered both runs in the first inning, but afterward, he effectively shut down the Rays coaxing 20 swinging strikes (15 of which came on his fastball). The southpaw has allowed just three runs and has 14 strikeouts in his last two starts. Look for the Rays to pounce on mistakes early; Paxton has a reputation for trouble at the beginning of games with a 10.20 ERA in the first inning and a 2.49 ERA in all other frames. He now is 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA in four career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Yandy Diaz (2-3, 2B), Avisail Garcia (4-8, 2 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-2), Tommy Pham (2-6, 2 2B, RBI)

TBA

C.C. Sabathia allowed three runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts across seven innings in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Saturday. Even though he didn’t capture his third consecutive win, Sabathia did post his third straight quality start. He’s pitched fairly well since the beginning of June, although a couple of bad outings have bloated his ERA to 4.67 in his last six starts. He now is 18-16 with a 3.59 ERA in 52 career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Micheal Brosseau (1-2, BB), Travis d’Arnaud (5-15, RBI, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (6-19, 2 HR, 2 RBI), Nate Lowe (1-2, HR, 2 RBI), Tommy Pham (4-13, RBI, BB), Joey Wendle (1-2)

Yonny Chirinos allowed just two runs on four hits with no walks and eight strikeouts across seven innings. The Orioles scored two-out runs in the third and fourth innings, their only tallies against the Rays starter. The 25-year-old turned in his best outing since June 7, although he has pitched well over the last month plus. Overall, Chirinos is 8-4 with a 3.11 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 89 punch outs across 107 innings this season.

Domingo German tossed six scoreless frames against the Blue Jays on Friday, fanning seven and walking none while allowing just three hits. He coaxed 13 whiffs on his curveball in the outing. German’s breaking ball may not have a reputation yet, but it is one of baseballs best curves. He hit a bit of a rough patch in four starts from the middle of May to the beginning of June (7.32 ERA, 1.53 WHIP), but has pitched well otherwise this season. German is 2-0 with a 6.75 ERA in four career outings (three starts) against the Rays. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (2-7, 2B, BB), Ji-Man Choi (1-2, HR, RBI, BB), Avisail Garcia (1-2), Brandon Lowe (1-3), Austin Meadows (2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI)

Charlie Morton gave up two runs on six hits over six innings on Saturday. He struck out six and walked one. Morton got into a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning, consequently allowing a two-run single, yet he kept the Orioles in check otherwise. The 35-year-old has allowed up 10 runs (eight earned) total and has a 6.83 K/BB in his last five starts (31-1/3 innings).

J.A. Happ allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five across 5-1/3 innings on Saturday. Happ has now dropped his last two turns after winning six consecutive decisions from May 9 to June 18. That streak ended with a thud, as the Astros hung an eight-spot on Happ in his final start of June. He is now 5-4 with a 4.15 ERA in 18 career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Travis d’Arnaud (1-4, BB), Avisail Garcia (5-14, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Austin Meadows (1-3), Tommy Pham (3-5, 2B, BB), Mike Zunino (3-11, RBI, BB)

TNWN: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview, part four

July 12, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

Right-hander Emilio Pagan was fired up in the series finale against the New York Yankees last Sunday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays0

After splitting their series against the New York Yankees, which was followed by the 2019 All-Star Break, the Tampa Bay Rays look to continue their winning streak when they start a four-game/three-day series against the Baltimore Orioles, on Friday. Meanwhile, in spite of a pretty lackluster first half, the Orioles, winners three of their last four games, are looking to continue a hot spate of play.

The second-place Rays enter play 6-1/2 games behind the Yankees and led the AL East through June 14. Yet, Tampa Bay is 10-12 since and retain a slender 1/2 game edge over Cleveland for the top AL wildcard spot.

Whether we’re 6 back, 2, 10, we just know each and every day we control our own destiny. We have to beat the teams we’re supposed to beat and we also have to beat the teams that are really good.
— Kevin Kiermaier

To Kiermaier’s point, Baltimore is one of those teams they’re supposed to beat, and the Rays have done just that to a large extent this season, going 5-3 over the first eight games of the season series, and outscoring them 42-27 (+15 run differential).

After traveling to Charm City, beginning a stretch in which Tampa Bay will play just 10 of its next 41 games against teams that currently have winning records, the Rays head to the Bronx for a four-game set against New York. The Rays need to use this series to increase the win/loss buffer and get on a hot streak ahead of that important series, which starts Monday.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will throw Yonny Chirinos (4-4, 3.15 ERA), Charlie Morton (10-2, 2.32 ERA), Brendan McKay (1-0, 2.45 ERA), and a pitcher to be named before the series finale. Brandon Hyde will counter with Dylan Bundy (4-10, 4.65 ERA), a pitcher to be named before the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, John Means (5-4, 2.64 ERA), and Andrew Cashner (9-3, 3.83 ERA).

Yonny Chirinos gave up three earned runs on five hits across seven innings, while striking out five and walking one against the Yankees. The right-hander continued his strong first half of the season with a sixth straight quality start, needing 101 pitches (66 strikes, 65% strike rate) to make it through seven frames against a tough Yankees lineup. Over 100 innings this season, Chirinos has emerged as a key component of the Rays’ pitching staff, and now boasts a 3.15 ERA, an impressive 0.99 WHIP, and a 3.68 K/BB.

Dylan Bundy allowed one run on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts over 6-2/3 against the Blue Jays on Friday. Bundy gave up a homer for the ninth time in the last eight games (a solo homer) but allowed just two other hits as he posted his lowest hit total since May 17. Bundy improved to 4-10 with a 4.65 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 96 strikeouts across 91 innings this season. He is 4-5 with a 5.49 ERA in 11 career starts against the Rays, and 18-22 with a 4.45 ERA in 50 starts at Camden Yards. Key Matchups: Avisail Garcia (6-12, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (4-14, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB), Austin Meadows (1-3)

Brendan McKay allowed three runs over five innings on Friday against the Yankees, fanning three while walking none and allowing six hits. McKay gave up a solo homer to Aaron Judge in the first inning and a two-run single to Mike Tauchmann in the fifth. He now owns a strong 2.45 ERA through his first two big-league starts, although his 15.0% strikeout rate is nothing close to the 35.3% mark he managed in Triple-A this season. McKay will be the 26th man and will be recalled on Saturday for the doubleheader.T

TBA

Charlie Morton punched out 10 while allowing one run on five hits and one walk across 5-2/3 innings on Sunday. Morton found himself in a pitching duel with James Paxton and prevailed by only allowing a solo home run and generating 13 swinging strikes. Morton has back-to-back starts with 10 or more strikeouts and has a league-leading 83 punch outs on his curveball. Morton’s 2.32 ERA is the best in the American League heading into the second half of the season.

John Means allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and no walks while striking out five across seven innings Wednesday against Tampa Bay. Means pounded the strike zone, with 71 of his 98 pitches going for strikes (72% strike rate). After throwing only 84 pitches and working five innings in his first start after being activated off the injured list on June 28, Means posted his longest start since May 6. While his 7.5 K/9 isn’t particularly impressive, Means maintains a 1.0 HR/9 and 2.4 BB/9 across 82-2/3 innings this season. As a result, he currently holds a 2.50 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 2019. Key Matchups: Michael Brosseau (1-3, HR, RBI), Yandy Diaz (1-4, 2B), Avisail Garcia (1-4, RBI), Guillermo Heredia (2-3, 3B), Joey Wendle (1-3)

TBA

Andrew Cashner pitched seven innings against the Blue Jays on Saturday, allowing just one run on three hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Cashner was nicked by Cavan Biggio for an RBI single in the fourth inning but otherwise was in complete control. Over his last five starts, Cashner has allowed only four earned runs over 32 innings, lowering his ERA to 3.83 and his WHIP to 1.19. He has a 2.28 K/BB overall. Cashner is 2-1 with a 4.03 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Guillermo Heredia (2-8, 2B, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-8), Austin Meadows (2-3, 2B), Tommy Pham (3-11, HR, 2 RBI), Joey Wendle (3-8, 3B, 2 RBI, BB)

Noteworthiness

— Diego Castillo (shoulder soreness) has been activated from the 10-day IL, while Hunter Wood will be recalled before Saturday’s game against the Orioles. In order to make room for them on the active roster, Chaz Roe has been placed on the 10-day IL with a right flexor strain, while Jose Alvarado has been on the IL with a right oblique strain.

— The Rays have promoted outfielder Jesus Sanchez to Triple-A Durham.

Rays look to cap homestand with a win; on attendance, Alvarado, Castillo, and Duffy

July 7, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

The Rays have seen big crowds at the old big top the last six days, and another is expected this afternoon. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

After a magnificent, 4-3 walk-off win over New York, the Tampa Bay Rays will look to gain another game on the AL East-leading Yankees before the All-Star Break this afternoon. A victory would give the Rays a series split and a winning homestand.

The walk-off win was the second for Tampa Bay this season and the third victory for the Rays in 12 tries against New York. A few key events led up to the Rays win.

Blake Snell allowed one run on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts across five innings of work. Even though he didn’t get the win, Snell followed his 12-strikeout performance from his last start with another stellar, albeit labor intensive, outing. The Yankees worked the hurler over his 93 pitch (62 strikes, 67% strike rate) outing, yet Snell certainly didn’t get any help from the home plate umpire, who made more than a few egregious calls.

(vs. RHH; green dots are balls, red are strikes)

(vs. LHH; green dots are balls, red are strikes)

For the fifth time in his last seven appearances, Snell averaged more than a strikeout per inning, as he lowered his ERA to 4.70 ERA with 122 strikeouts across 90 innings.

Chaz Rowe, doppelgänger of the singer for System of a Down, actually pitched well in the sixth inning. He notched three strikeouts (two swinging) while walking one on a beefy, yet effective, 24 pitches (13 strikes, 54% strike rate). Why? Because “he wanted too.”

https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1147630350908215297

I guess you could say that Roe had his slider working on Saturday.

Down by one in the seventh inning, Nate Lowe hit his second homer of the season, a two-run blast to right field, giving the Rays a 3-2 lead.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1147640208663257088

https://twitter.com/DingerTracker/status/1147639152885850113

Colin Poche got within a strike of his first big league save, yet Aaron Hicks spoiled the occasion, hitting a two-out, 0-2 solo shot in the top of the ninth. However, Travis d’Arnaud ultimately had the last laugh, hitting his own two-strike, two-out solo homer into the first row of the right-field seats — capping the ballgame with Dan Johnson-like heroics.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1147652586037624832

https://twitter.com/DingerTracker/status/1147651416464461826

On Attendance

Tropicana Field has now played host to six consecutive games of 20-thousand plus baseball fans (yesterday’s attendance: 21,477), allowing the Rays to increase their per game attendance average to 15,385 — a difference of 802 fans per game over this time last season. They are one of just thirteen teams in the league whose attendance has increased over last season. In fact, the Yankees have seen their average attendance drop by 2,923 fans per game. A modest increase? Absolutely, but positive change is positive change, and I’ll take it.

Furthermore, Tampa Bay hit the 20-thousand home attendance mark for the time this season with another big crowd is expected this afternoon. For context, 20-thousand plus fans attended just nine of the 81 home ballgames last season. Tampa Bay IS a big league market…thank you fans for proving that point. Now, let’s keep things going after the All-Star Break.

The New What Next

All-Star Charlie Morton (9-2, 2.35 ERA) will start for the Rays in the series finale against New York, pitching opposite of James Paxton (5-3, 4.09 ERA).

Charlie Morton was dominant in his outing against Baltimore, allowing one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out 12 across seven innings. Morton’s sole blemish of the contest came on a third-inning solo homer by Chris Davis, otherwise, he held the Orioles without an extra-base hit and didn’t allow a baserunner into scoring position until his final inning of work. It was his second double-digit strikeout performance of the season, and he’s now racked up 132 strikeouts across 107 innings of work. Morton has also supplied All-Star ratios, managing a 2.36 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.

James Paxton allowed one earned run on eight hits and two walks while striking out three across six innings on Tuesday. Paxton surrendered just a solo home run to J.D. Davis in his outing — only his second quality start in seven chances since coming off the IL in late May. Paxton was unable to generate much deception with his pitches, recording just 12 swinging strikes on 103 total pitches (12% SwStr). The left-hander is 3-0 with a 3.32 ERA in three career starts against the Rays, and 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA in two starts at the Trop. Key Matchup: Avisail Garcia (3-5, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

TNWN: Rays vs Yankees — a series preview, part four

Rays 7/7/19 Starting Lineup

d’Arnaud 1B
Pham LF
Diaz 3B
Garcia RF
Lowe DH
Brosseau 2B
Adames SS
Kiermaier CF
Zunino C

Noteworthiness

— The Rays are expected to place Jose Alvarado on the injured list today with a right oblique strain. The left-hander could be out two to six weeks depending upon the results of an MRI scheduled for today. Alvarado would be the 18th different player on the IL for Tampa Bay this season.

— Matt Duffy (hamstring) played five innings for the Gulf Coast League Rays on Friday and went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. After an off-day today, Duffy will likely play seven innings on Monday with the Charlotte Stone Crabs.

What he’s said to me is he feels the best he has all season long, so hopefully no setbacks, get him off and get him running. Let’s see how these first three, four games go before we start thinking when it’s time. He still has work to do timing-wise, but we’re thrilled he’s feeling better.
— Kevin Cash

— High leverage reliever Diego Castillo threw a 15-pitch live bullpen session with third baseman Matt Duffy standing in prior to Saturday’s contest against the Yankees.

Castillo, who has been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation since June 23, hit 98-100 mph on the radar gun with his fastball. He will pitch on Tuesday for the Stone Crabs and could rejoin Tampa Bay on Friday, in Baltimore.

He’s going to take a couple of days off and will throw an inning on Tuesday, and if all goes well, we’ll anticipate him being activated for Friday in Baltimore.
— Kevin Cash

Rays look for a sweep in the series against Baltimore; on the decent crowds the last few nights

July 3, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles for the second consecutive day, 6-3, in front of 20,945 fans. (Photo Credit: X-Rays Spex)

After winning their second consecutive game against the Baltimore Orioles, each by a 6-3 margin, the Tampa Bay Rays look to sweep the series on Wednesday. A win would allow the Rays to earn their second home sweep of the season, and a fifth straight win overall, ahead of their huge four-game weekender leading into the All-Star Break.

Charlie Morton was dominant in his outing against Baltimore, allowing one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out 12 across seven innings. Morton’s sole blemish of the contest came on a third-inning solo homer by Chris Davis, otherwise, he held the Orioles without an extra-base hit and didn’t allow a baserunner into scoring position until his final inning of work. It was his second double-digit strikeout performance of the season, and he’s now racked up 132 strikeouts across 107 innings of work. Morton has also supplied All-Star ratios, managing a 2.36 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.

Charlie made 'em say Uncle. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/324md0c8y9
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 3, 2019

Brandon Lowe, who exited the game with a lower leg injury, had three hits on the night (including a first-inning home run), and drove in a pair of runs.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1146197860003639297

In the sixth inning, Lowe twice fouled a ball off his right leg — once below his shin-guard and once above. Thankfully the X-rays came back negative, and he was diagnosed with a lower leg contusion. He, however, was on crutches after the game. Lowe is listed as day-to-day and will be re-evaluated before this evening’s contest.

.@RaysBaseball 2B Brandon Lowe on exiting the game with a right-leg contusion after his 3-hit night.#RaysUp #MLB pic.twitter.com/rS9cBZ2QfD
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) July 3, 2019

After Lowe was replaced by pinch runner Yandy Diaz, Tommy Pham came up big, driving in a pair of insurance runs on an RBI double.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1146228458403463168

The extra runs were important, as Chaz Roe, who closed out the game, was Chaz Roe — allowing a pair of runs to score on a two-run, ninth-inning blast. I know…I also don’t understand why Cash continues to roll him out.

The New What Next

Ryne Stanek (0-1, 2.64 ERA), who threw two scoreless innings in the first game of this series, will open the game, pitching opposite of John Means (7-4, 2.50 ERA).

Stanek will either be followed by Yonny Chirinos (7-4, 3.10 ERA), or Kevin Cash has a full complement of relievers in the ‘pen, as Colin Poche, Andrew Kittredge and Austin Pruitt have not pitched in this set.

Assuming it’s Chirinos…

Yonny Chirinos allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks over six innings while striking out five on Friday. It was far from a sharp outing by Chirinos even though he, technically, tossed a quality start. The error that led to the unearned run was his own, while Chirinos threw only 59 of 105 pitches for strikes (56% strike rate) en route to a season-high four walks — for context, he hadn’t walked more than two batters in any previous outing. The right-hander still maintains a 3.10 ERA and 3.62 K/BB across 93 innings on the season. Chirinos is 3-2 with a 3.38 ERA in five career outings (two starts) against Baltimore.

John Means tossed five scoreless innings on Friday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out five. This was his first start off the injured list after not having pitched since June 16, which speaks to why he was not allowed to go deeper into the outing while sitting at 84 pitches (53 strikes, 63% strike rate). Means now has a 2.50 ERA that ranks fifth in the majors behind only Hyun-Jin Ryu, Mike Soroka, Mike Minor, and Charlie Morton. However, his 3.94 FIP illustrates the fact that he may be pitching a little over his head. The right-hander has allowed more than three earned runs just once, although he hasn’t pitched more than six innings since the beginning of May. Either way, he has been extremely effective across 75-2/3 innings this season. Means is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in one outing against the Rays this season (2 IP).

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup and Noteworthiness are below.

Rays vs Orioles — a series preview, hey now you’re an All-Star, on attendance

Rays 7/3/19 Starting Lineup

d’Arnaud 1B
Pham LF
Diaz 3B
Garcia DH
Kiermaier CF
Brosseau 2B
Zunino C
Wendle SS
Heredia RF

Noteworthiness

— 1B Ji-Man Choi has been placed on the 10-day Injured List with a left ankle strain, while rookie infielder Mike Brosseau has been recalled to replace him.

Brosseau went 3-for-8 with three runs batted in during his first Major League stint and hit his 15th home run last night for Durham.

Choi has struggled of late, hitting .152 with a .568 OPS over his last 15 games. The move to the IL comes at a good time in that he could miss just six games — the final five contests before the All-Star Break and the first one after. Overall, Choi is hitting .266 with nine homers, 33 RBI and a .774 OPS.

— More roster moves: Tampa Bay sent INF/OF Andrew Velazquez to Cleveland for international bonus pool money, a move to clear space on the 40-man roster. As Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) writes, the Rays have five players on the 60-day DL they potentially will need space for, starting with pitcher Jose De Leon, whose thrice-extended rehab assignment from Tommy John surgery is about to end.

Jose De Leon was activated off the 60-day IL and optioned to Triple-A Durham, where he had been pitching in his thrice-extended rehab stint. He is 0-1 with a 3.99 ERA in nine games, (29-1/3 innings).

Casey Sadler, who was designated for assignment on Saturday, was traded to the Dodgers for minor-league right-hander Nathan Witt. The hurler was 1-2 with a 5.32 ERA in 22 games at Class-A Great Lakes and will join Class A Bowling Green.

Nick Ciuffo, who was designated for assignment, has gone through release waivers and is now a free agent.

— Decent +20-thousand crowds have shown up to the ole ballpark the last two nights, with a third large crowd expected tonight as well. The same is anticipated this weekend with the Yankees coming into town.

I know, what you’re thinking, “…but that’s only because the Rays sold out of the 30-thousand $2.00 tickets that were made available prior to the start of this series.” That is undoubtedly true. And it should not be forgotten that a good number of fans came through the turnstiles when the Rays had a $5.00 flash sale a few weeks back, which led into a successful day/night doubleheader with the Rowdies. To the naysayers, I posit this: 10-thousand fans per night, at $2.00 a pop, is far better than 30-thousand (overall) empty seats. The team made a moderate revenue on the ticket sales and even more money when you factor in concessions and team merchandise — cash they wouldn’t have generated otherwise.

To Stu Sternberg and the Rays front office, fans have shown that they will attend games when family-friendly and affordable ticket options are offered. Instead of bashing the market and the fan-base, saying things like an 81-game season is untenable in Tampa Bay (and yes, most of us know that’s a rhetorical leverage ploy), how about continuing to roll out ticket specials throughout the balance of the season? The Rays have hit the 20-thousand mark 11 times in 2019, and we aren’t at the halfway point yet. For context, 20-thousand fans (or more) attended just nine ballgames last season. We love the love Rays in Tampa Bay. You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

LBWMF: Rays rally to defeat the Orioles, 6-3

July 2, 2019 By Schmitty Leave a Comment

Yandy Diaz scored the second of two first inning runs against the Baltimore Orioles, on Monday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay took an early lead in the first inning on Monday, lost the advantage, but then took it right back. After the 6-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles, the Rays find themselves in the midst of a three-game winning streak to start the month of July.

Ryne Stanek opened the game and quickly got Jonathan Villar to line out on the first pitch of the game, yet he allowed the next two batters to reach base. Stanek was able to retire Dwight Smith Jr. on a fly-ball out to right — which allowed a runner to tag and move up to third — and 3B Renato Núñez on a strikeout to end the inning without incurring any real damage. From there, the right-hander put together a perfect second inning, setting the table for bulk guy Ryan Yarbrough and the Rays offense.

Tampa Bay took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first against Tom Eshelman, who was making his big league debut. Austin Meadows led off the game with a single to center before Brandon Lowe walked. Yandy Diaz reached base on a 6-4 fielder’s choice, putting runners on the corners with one out. Ji-Man Choi and Avisail Garcia came through with a pair of RBI base hits, giving Tampa Bay a two-run advantage. Kevin Kiermaier followed with a hard-hit single to center, loading the bases. However, Willy Adames grounded into a 3-2 fielder’s choice before Brendan McKay, in his first MLB at-bat, grounded out to first to end the threat. From that point on, Eshelman retired 12 of the next 14 batters to get through five innings.

After a scoreless third, Baltimore got on the board in the fourth inning against Yarbrough. The southpaw allowed a leadoff walk to Smith while Núñez hit a bloop single to right, putting runners on the corners with none out. Pedro Severino hit a grounder to first, with Núñez advancing the second, while Hanser Alberto looped an RBI single to center, cutting the Rays lead in half. Yarbrough was able to limit damage though, striking out Keon Broxton and getting Richie Martin to fly to center.

The left-hander battled through three innings, allowing four hits and walking two while striking out three.

In the top of the sixth, and as if on cue, Chaz Roe gave up a double to Núñez, who moved up to third on a wild pitch. Severino rolled a single through the shift to right, tying the game at two. He was also able to move into scoring position on a slow grounder to second off the bat of Alberto. Be that as it may, Roe punched out, Broxton the final batter he’d face. When Brandon Hyled beckoned the left-handed hitting pinch-hitter, Rio Ruiz, Kevin Cash called on loogy Adam Kolarek.

Kolarek had allowed just two of 21 previous inherited runners to score, yet Ruiz singled against the defense to left. Austin Meadows came up throwing, yet his corresponding throw was late, allowing Severino scored as Ruiz advanced into second. However, Lowe helped limit the damage when he made a diving catch on Villar’s liner, ending the inning.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1145863920306909184

Trailing by one in the home half of the sixth, Tampa Bay immediately answered against reliever Branden Kline. Choi walked and Garcia singled to left-center, putting two on with none out. Kiermaier was next. He worked a 3-1 count before The Outlaw blasted a 98 mph fastball, out over the heart of the plate, 417 feet to center field.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1145865669872766976

It was Kiermaier’s 10th homer this season. The rally put Kolarek on the right side of the ledger, even though he allowed a go-ahead hit.

They weren’t done; the Rays tacked on an insurance run in the seventh inning against Miguel Castro. Diaz walked and swiped second before Choi ripped an RBI single through the left side.

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1145873086471790592

https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/1145873959918813185

The Rays bullpen was able to hold Baltimore in check over the final three frames, as Oliver Drake worked a scoreless seventh, Emilio Pagan hurled a perfect eighth, and Jose Alvarado fanned a pair in ninth for the save.

https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1146025935180902409

The New What Next

All-Star Charlie Morton (8-2, 2.43 ERA) will take the mound for the Rays, pitching opposite of Asher Wojciechowski (0-0, 0.00 ERA).

Charlie Morton surrendered five runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out seven across 6-1/3 innings in his last start. Despite allowing a season high in hits, Morton only allowed singles. The right-hander had no problem missing bats, and he looked sharp overall against a potent Twins lineup. The 35-year-old right-hander maintains an All-Star worthy 2.43 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 3.53 K/BB on the season. Morton is 1-2 with a 4.41 ERA in four career starts against the Orioles.

Asher Wojciechowski will make his first big league appearance since 2017 after being acquired from Cleveland for cash considerations. Wojciechowski was 8-2 in 15 starts for Triple-A Columbus this season with a 3.61 ERA. Key Matchup: Tommy Pham (2-5, 2B, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview, while the starting lineup is below.