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Tampa Bay Rays 8/9/18 pregame notes; Chaz Roe update

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Jalen Beeks fared well in his third appearance with the Rays last night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After another one-run game on Wednesday, resulting in a 5-4 loss, the Tampa Bay Rays look to win the series against Baltimore this evening and finish a homestand on a high note. The Rays need a win to move back above the .500 mark.

The loss was just the third this season when Tampa Bay held a lead after eight innings — the first since June 18th. The Rays are, surprisingly, 7-8 against the worst team in baseball, due in large part because have allowed 31 home runs in 15 contests, including three last night.

Even so, Jalen Beeks was good on the mound Wednesday night, firing off five innings of one-run ball, while allowing two hits (indulging a home run) and a pair of free passes on an efficient 68 pitches (44 strikes, 65% strike rate, 12/19 first pitch strikes). Beeks kept the game a one-run affair through the seventh when the Rays took advantage of Baltimore mistakes to tie the game.

Beeks spoke about his outing with Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) after the game:

The southpaw has rebounded in impressive fashion since his July 28th debut with the team, surrendering three combined runs over 10-innings and allowing him to lower his ERA from 15.94 to 9.15.

The New What Next

Hunter Wood (0-0, 3.22 ERA) will get the start tonight and will be followed by Yonny Chirinos (0-4, 3.70 ERA) or Jake Faria (4-3, 5.26 ERA). They’ll be opposed by David Hess (2-6, 6.41 ERA).

Wood allowed a run in his second inning of work on Sunday against Chicago, but just two runs in 8-1/3 innings as an opener (five previous appearances). Chirinos has been good in his two home appearances since coming off the DL.

Hess coughed up seven runs (five earned) on five hits and a walk over 3-1/3 innings while striking out four Rangers. While some shitty defense helped deflect the blow to Hess’s ratios, most of it was by the pitcher himself, as he committed two of the Orioles three errors on the night. Hess has split his time out of the ‘pen and the rotation this season, although a lack of arms necessitated the starter status. In three games against Tampa Bay, Hess is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA … but, that over just 13-2/3 innings of work. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (2-6, HR, 3 RBI), Joey Wendle (4-5, BB)

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview

Rays 8/9/18 Starting Lineup

Smith RF
Duffy 3B
Bauers LF
Cron 1B
Choi DH
Kiermaier CF
Adames SS
Lowe LF
Sucre C
Wood RHP

Noteworthiness

Medical matters…

— RHP Chaz Roe will begin a rehab assignment with the Charlotte Stone Crabs tonight. The right-hander has been out since July 6 after going under the knife to repair a torn meniscus. Roe could return during the upcoming road trip.

Rays 8/8/18 pregame notes; Glasnow’s second start in Tampa Bay

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More of this, please. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After winning in walk-off fashion on Tuesday night, the Tampa Bay Rays look to win a series against the Orioles tonight. Tampa Bay has won seven games in walk-off fashion, four via the home run. The seven walk-off wins are tied for the American League lead. Thanks to losses by the Mariners and Athletics, the Rays start the day 9.5 games out of the final Wildcard spot, and 7.5 behind Seattle.

Tyler Glasnow, one of the players who came to Tampa Bay in the Chris Archer trade, got the start for the Rays. Because he had been used as a reliever in Pittsburgh, Glasnow was on a pitch count of four innings or 60 pitches and will continue to be until he is fully stretched out.

Over his first two frames, Glasnow struck out five of six batters on 98 mph fastballs and low 80’s curveballs that were hard to time up due to the speed differential and the movement.

Baltimore got its first baserunner with two outs in the third, when Caleb Joseph singled and swiped second, but Glasnow struck out Jonathan Villar on four pitches, setting up a filthy 86 mph slider with a trio of fastballs.

Tim Beckham, ever the intrepid fastball hunter, led off the fourth inning with a solo home run when Glasnow’s velocity dropped a touch, but that was the only damage incurred against the tall right-hander.

All told, Glasnow struck out nine and walked none — not bad for a guy with a reputation of having control issues.

Following the game, Glasnow told reporters he feels comfortable with Tampa Bay and is pitching more athletically than trying to control his delivery.

I felt good physically and I wanted to go out and attack, Glasnow was quoted as saying.

The other big story from the game was Willy Adames’ walk-off homer, his first hit of that type since he was in Double-A Montgomery. It also came in front of his parents and sister, who had flown in from the Dominican Republic.

That bat flip though!

It’s just an amazing feeling, Adames said after the game. I have no words to explain the feeling I have right now.

The New What Next

Ryne Stanek (1-3, 2.27 ERA) will open for the Rays, and will likely be followed by Jalen Beeks (1-0, 10.80 ERA). They’ll be opposed by Andrew Cashner (3-10, 5.05 ERA).

Stanek struck out all five batters he faced his last appearance against the White Sox.

Beeks allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk over five innings on Thursday. He struck out four. Beeks didn’t exactly set a high bar in his debut against the Orioles on July 28th, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits and three walks over 3-1/3 innings. Yet the southpaw looked considerably more composed over an efficient 71 pitches (47 strikes, 66% strike rate, 13/18 first-pitch strikes) Thursday, limiting the damage after Hunter Wood had been stellar over the first two innings as the opener. The key to Beeks’ bounce back success was two-fold: he got ahead of batters, and remained calm when things appeared like they might spiral out of control. He figures to be utilized in similar fashion Wednesday, with his ability to pitch multiple innings makes him a natural for the second-man-in role on “bullpen days.”

Andrew Cashner allowed 10 earned runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out one across just 1-2/3 innings in a loss on Thursday against the Rangers. Cashner only allowed one home run, yet five consecutive Rangers reached base in the second inning before he was chased from the game. Cashner had pitched well over a 52-inning stretch prior to Thursday’s game, performing to a 3.46 ERA and 1.29 WHIP — although he only managed 31 strikeouts. In that stretch, the right-hander limited the Rays to two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings of work back on the 27th. Key Matchups: Jake Bauers (1-3), CJ Cron (3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Matt Duffy (4-16, 3B, RBI, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-3), Michael Perez (1-2), Joey Wendle (2-5, 3B, RBI, BB) 

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview

Rays 8/8/18 Starting Lineup

Smith LF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Wendle 2B
Choi DH
Gomez RF
Kiermaier CF
Adames SS
Perez C
Stanek RHP

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles — a series preview

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The offense woke up in the series finale against the White Sox. Unfortunately, the pitching staff couldn’t contain Chicago’s “potent” offense. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles will begin a three-game series Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. The Rays are holding onto postseason aspirations by a thread after a disappointing series loss to the White Sox, while the Orioles are still a lot of games under .500. Still, Baltimore won the last three meetings against Tampa Bay a week-and-a-half ago.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Tampa Bay bounced back from a series loss against the Orioles by sweeping the Los Angeles Angels. Yet whatever momentum the team generated from the series win was for not, as the White Sox silenced the Rays over a dismal, three-game weekend series. The Orioles didn’t fare much better this weekend past, dropping three of four against the Rangers. They enter the Trop with a 14-43 road record.

(Stats Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Chicago’s success against Tampa Bay was due, in part, to the pitching staff leaning heavily on secondary offerings. And while the Rays put a lot of runners on the base paths, they couldn’t bring them in, going 6-29 with runners in scoring position — good for a .207 wRISP batting average. In contrast, Baltimore maintained its productive hitting against Texas, yet the hurlers couldn’t slow down the Rangers. The Rays hope for a similar outcome from the Orioles pitching staff, lest they continue their backslide toward irrelevancy.

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash will lean on Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 3.00 ERA), likely Jalen Beeks (1-0, 10.80 ERA), and a pitcher to be named before the series finale on Thursday. Buck Showalter will counter with Alex Cobb (3-14, 5.84 ERA), Andrew Cashner (3-10, 5.05 ERA), and David Hess (2-6, 6.44 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Tyler Glasnow was impressive in his debut with the Rays, throwing three innings of one-run ball on 48 pitches (34 strikes, 71% strike rate, 21% SwStr rate). Glasnow allowed two hits (including a solo home run), one walk, and struck out five.

Fastball, curveball, slider today, I had a good feel for things, Glasnow said following the Rays’ win. I felt relaxed out there. Overall, the feel in this clubhouse is really good. It’s relaxed, it’s friendly.

Rays manager Kevin Cash had nothing but superlatives for the right-hander, saying,

Probably not going to (throw 70 percent strikes) all of the time. But a great start. If he’s featuring that kind of stuff at a 70 percent clip in the zone, he’s going to have a special career.

On Glasnow’s repertoire … The right-hander threw 24 of 35 four-seam fastballs for strikes (five whiffs), averaging 97.6 mph (and topping out at 99.5 mph); 3 of 5 sliders for strikes (1 whiff); and 7 of 8 curveballs for strikes (1 whiff). He was able to move his fastball all over the zone at will and played his off-speed stuff off of his heater.

The only real criticism for Glasnow, is that he left a fair number of hanging breaking pitches in hittable locations. One of those very hittable offerings was a 0-2 curveball that flattened out over the heart of the plate and was consequently hit into the Rays tank — thanks a lot, Kole Calhoun. Otherwise, it was an excellent introduction to the flame-throwing right-hander, who should have a longer leash his next time out.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said the goal is to get Glasnow through four innings as he continues to stretch out his arm.

Alex Cobb allowed one run on seven hits while fanning six across six innings as he secured his third victory of the season on Wednesday. The former Ray has turned it around on the hill of late, this despite a 5.83 ERA and 1.54 WHIP through 109-2/3 frames this season. Cobb has now surrendered seven runs over 23-1/3 innings (four starts) while recording 15 punch outs. Tampa Bay was able to get to the right-hander again on July 26, tagging him for four runs (three earned) on eight hits over six innings of work. Key Matchups: Jake Bauers (1-3, RBI), Ji-Man Choi (2-3, 2B, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-3, 2B), Michael Perez (1-2, 2B), Mallex Smith (3-5, 2B, BB), Joey Wendle (4-8, 2 RBI)

Jalen Beeks allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk over five innings on Thursday. He struck out four. Beeks didn’t exactly set a high bar in his debut against the Orioles on July 28th, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits and three walks over 3-1/3 innings. Yet the southpaw looked considerably more composed over an efficient 71 pitches (47 strikes, 66% strike rate, 13/18 first-pitch strikes) Thursday, limiting the damage after Hunter Wood had been stellar over the first two innings as the opener. The key to Beeks’ bounce back success was two-fold: he got ahead of batters, and remained calm when things appeared like they might spiral out of control. He figures to be utilized in similar fashion Wednesday, with his ability to pitch multiple innings makes him a natural for the second-man-in role on “bullpen days.”

Andrew Cashner allowed 10 earned runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out one across just 1-2/3 innings in a loss on Thursday against the Rangers. Cashner only allowed one home run, yet five consecutive Rangers reached base in the second inning before he was chased from the game. Cashner had pitched well over a 52-inning stretch prior to Thursday’s game, performing to a 3.46 ERA and 1.29 WHIP — although he only managed 31 strikeouts. In that stretch, the right-hander limited the Rays to two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings of work back on the 27th. Key Matchups: Jake Bauers (1-3), CJ Cron (3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Matt Duffy (4-16, 3B, RBI, 2 BB), Kevin Kiermaier (2-3), Michael Perez (1-2), Joey Wendle (2-5, 3B, RBI, BB) 

I will update things when a starter in Thursday’s game is announced.

David Hess coughed up seven runs (five earned) on five hits and a walk over 3-1/3 innings while striking out four Rangers. While some shitty defense helped deflect the blow to Hess’s ratios, most of it was by the pitcher himself, as he committed two of the Orioles three errors on the night. Hess has split his time out of the ‘pen and the rotation this season, although a lack of arms necessitated the starter status. In three games against Tampa Bay, Hess is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA … but, that over just 13-2/3 innings of work. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (2-6, HR, 3 RBI), Joey Wendle (4-5, BB)

Noteworthiness

Medical Matters…

— Right-handed relief pitcher Chaz Roe threw live batting practice on Monday in Port Charlotte and hopes to begin a rehab assignment Thursday.

— UTL Daniel Robertson underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb Monday morning and is expected to be out 6-8 weeks, likely ending his season.

— OF Tommy Pham is feeling better after suffering a hairline fracture in his right foot last week, although he is still on the same 2-4 week timetable for his return.

Rays 7/29/18 pregame notes, injury update (Ramos, Snell, Nuno), Archer trade rumors

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Jesus Sucre and the Rays can earn a series split with a win this afternoon, in Baltimore. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a pair of blowouts by the Orioles, the Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back on Sunday, and earn a series split of the four-game set in Baltimore. Tampa Bay is 6-6 this season against Baltimore, but has allowed 10 runs or more in three of the last four games at Camden Yards. In spite of the loss though, the Rays start the day 8-1/2 games out of the final Wildcard spot thanks to losses by both the Mariners and Athletics — but 1/2 game behind the Angels, who will start a series against Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

The Rays have had a tough time on the road over the past couple of months, going 7-19 since May 31st. By comparison, they have won 17 of their last 21 at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay has allowed at least 10 runs four times.

The New What Next

Yonny Chirinos (0-2, 3.78 ERA) will get the start for the Rays, pitching opposite of Dylan Bundy (6-9, 4.57 ERA).

Yonny Chirinos was recalled from Durham on the last home stand, and he pitched well in his last turn on the mound. The right-hander gave up three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out six in 6-2/3 innings on Tuesday. It was the longest start of his big-league career, as Chirinos threw 87 pitches (60 strikes, 69% strike rate) and faced 27 batters. With Yonny fully stretched out, he should be good for 90+ pitches this afternoon.

Dylan Bundy has allowed at least five runs in each of his last three starts, and he’s given up five homers total over that stretch. Bundy has faced Tampa Bay twice this  season, giving up eight runs in 4-2/3 innings in a 9-5 Rays win at the Trop in April, but blanking them over seven shutout innings in a 17-1 loss in Baltimore. All told, Bundy is 2-3 with a 6.00 ERA in eight career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Matt Duffy (1-3, 2B), Carlos Gomez (1-4), Kevin Kiermaier (2-7, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Mallex Smith (4-9, RBI, 2 BB), Joey Wendle (2-6, 2B, RBI)

Rays 7/29/18 Starting Lineup

Wendle LF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Cron DH
Perez C
Robertson 2B
Smith CF
Gomez RF
Adames SS
Chirinos RHP

Noteworthiness

— With the trade deadline looming on July 31 at 4:00 PM, there is nothing Chris Archer can do but sit, wait, and wonder if he’ll make his next start in a Rays uniform Tuesday night.

Archer told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) he was “curious” how the situation was going to be resolved after Friday’s so-so six-inning outing.

He plans to distance himself from the speculation over the next few days.

The way I have chosen to handle it is try and be as disconnected as possible. Trying to figure it out is literally impossible.

I’m just trying to enjoy every moment with my teammates regardless of the situation. We have a bunch of young, bright faces in here and it’s fun to be around them.

Atlanta, San Diego and and the Evil Empire are considered among the most interested teams, while weekend reports suggest Los Angeles and Pittsburgh may be added to the list.

Yet still…

Well put, Cespedes Family BBQ.

— The chances Wilson Ramos to be traded by Tuesday’s deadline have diminished with the news that a rehab outing planned for Monday will likely be pushed back due to how his strained left hamstring felt catching Vidal Nuno’s live batting practice during a workout on Saturday in Port Charlotte.

Wilson had a good day but I think he realized that it’s probably not quite going to happen on Monday, manager Kevin Cash said. I think he got really excited and realized once you add some adrenaline in there, it’s not the easiest thing to manage yourself running down a line or popping up out of a catching crouch. So he’s probably going to be a couple more days until we start talking a rehab.

— Blake Snell said his previously fatigued shoulder continues to feel good, although the big test will be a scheduled bullpen session on Sunday.

(That) will tell what’s going to happen, Snell said. (Today) is a big day.

The Rays will likely wait to see how the southpaw feels on Monday before making any decisions, but if all goes well he could rejoin the rotation as soon as Wednesday.

— Nuno’s live batting practice session went well, and he is expected to start a rehab assignment Tuesday with the Stone Crabs.

— Depending on the status of Archer and Snell, Tampa Bay plans to use LHP Jalen Beeks, RHP Yonny Chirinos and LHP Ryan Yarbrough on a modified five-or-six-day schedule, although usually behind an opener.

LBWMF: Rays hold on to defeat the Orioles, 4-3

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The Rays took down the birds, as expected, in Baltimore Thursday night, 4-3. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays scored two crucial runs in the seventh inning on Thursday, allowing them to cobble together a 4-3 road win over the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays enter the day within a game of their high-water mark after taking the first of four contests against Baltimore, earning 1/2 game on the Seattle Mariners in the AL Wildcard race with 58 left to play.

Hunter Wood opened the game for Tampa Bay and got the first five outs, collecting three punch outs (Tim Beckham swinging, Adam Jones swinging, Chris Davis looking) along the way. Ryan Yarbrough, who was credited with the win, came on in relief of Wood with runners at first and second and two outs in the second inning … and promptly walked Jace Peterson to load the bases. But after he got ahead of Caleb Joseph 1-2, Yarbrough got Baltimore’s catcher to fly out to left to end the inning.

Meanwhile, Alex Cobb held his former team hitless over the first three frames, but the Rays changed all that when they got on the board in the fourth inning. Kevin Kiermaier led off the frame by lining a double to centerfield before Jake Bauers drove him home on a one out single through the right side. After CJ Cron moved Bauers up to second on a grounder to third, Ji-Man Choi grounded a two-out single to left, plating a run. Choi started his tenure in Tampa Bay on a 2-for-15 cold streak, although he has collected 15 hits (including two Thursday night) since.

The dreaded leadoff walk would come back to bite Yarbrough in the fifth inning, after Tim Beckham drew a free pass, the first of two mistakes by the left-hander, and Jonathan Schoop followed with a two-run homer that landed just inside the left field foul pole — his second mistake.

However, Yarbrough settled down to retire six of the next eight batters, working 4-1/3 innings overall — his longest outing since June 28 against Houston. Yarbs earned his ninth win of the season, the second-most on the Rays pitching staff behind Blake Snell (12).

Tampa Bay struck back in the top of the seventh, and it all began with Choi, who nearly gave the team a leadoff homer that bounced high off the left-field wall which the umpires ruled a double. After a lengthy review of the play, the call on the field somehow stood. Watch the video (below) and decide for yourself.

Nevertheless, Joey Wendle moved Choi up to third on a single to center before Adeiny Hechavarria drove him in for the go ahead run two batters later, chasing Cobb.

Hechavarria’s go-ahead single | 07/26/2018

Adeiny Hechavarria singles into left field, scoring Ji-Man Choi to help the Rays regain the lead at 3-2 in the 7th

Paul Fry entered in relief, and even though he was able to coax a double play out of Daniel Robertson, he hit Mallex Smith with a pitch and walked Kiermaier to load the bases. Enter former Ray, Jhan Marinez. The right-hander threw a comebacker to Matt Duffy, but a throwing error by Marinez allowed Wendle to score an important insurance run.

Sergio Romo entered against the top of the order in the bottom of the seventh and put down Schoop, Jones and Mark Trumbo in order despite allowing a one out single. Thanks kindly, ground ball double play! But in the bottom of the eighth Romo gave up a solo homer to Chris Davis, cutting the Rays lead to a run. Romo bounced back and collected two fly-ball outs to set up closer Austin Pruitt.

Pruitt struck out Peterson to end the eighth, and retired the Orioles in order in the ninth to record his third career save — his first of less than three innings in length. All three of Pruitt’s saves have come against Baltimore.

The New What Next

Chris Archer (3-4, 4.30 ERA) will take the mound for the Rays amid trade speculation, pitching opposite of Andrew Cashner (2-9, 4.40 ERA).

Chris Archer allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits while striking out 13 over six innings against the Marlins on Sunday. Archer collected a season-high 13 strikeouts in his 16th outing of the season and now sits with a 3.41 K/BB over 90 innings of work. Archer looks to improve his 4.30 ERA ahead of the trade deadline.

Andrew Cashner allowed one run on six hits and one walk across 5-2/3 innings on Sunday. He struck out two. Cashner surrendered his lone run in the fourth inning, and he was lifted from the game in the sixth inning after throwing 79 pitches (51 strikes, 65% strike rate). While Cashner improved on his previous outing (five runs over 6-1/3 innings vs. the Yankees), he couldn’t collect the victory. The 31-year-old is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA against the Rays this season after allowing five runs on 11 hits and four walks over five innings on May 26. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Matt Duffy (4-16, 3B, RBI, 2 BB), Daniel Robertson (3-3, 2B), Joey Wendle (1-3, 3B, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Orioles part four — a series preview

Rays 7/27/18 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Wendle 2B
Bauers 1B
Choi DH
Robertson 3B
Smith LF
Gomez RF
Perez C
Adames SS
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays made their third July trade Thursday night, dealing Jonny Venters back to the Braves in exchange for an international signing slot.

The Rays have recalled RHP Andrew Kittredge to add to the bullpen for now. In 30-1/3 innings for Durham, Kittredge is 4–0 with a 2.62 ERA. The Rays have two open 40-man roster spots, although one will be used when Jacob Faria comes off the 60-day DL. It’s possible the Rays may wait to add current players in the system to the 40-man roster until after the trade deadline on Tuesday.

Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) wrote about the trade, saying:

The 33-year-old Venters went 1–1 with a 3.86 ERA (14-IP, 6-ER) in 22 appearances (one start) this season with the Rays. As a reliever, he pitched to a 0.66 ERA (13.2-IP, 1-ER) in his 21 apps, giving up five runs in his one outing as an opener.

Venters joinned the Rays on April 25th, and made his Tampa Bay debut that night. It was his first appearance in the majors in 2,028 days — since the National League Wild Card Game on October 5, 2012 (with Atlanta). Incidentally, it was the last major league game of former teammate Chipper Jones, who will be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend. He became the second pitcher to ever return to the majors after three Tommy John surgeries, following Jason Isringhausen, according to FanGraphs.

The deal gave the Rays more flexibility with signing players internationally, where Tampa Bay has been quite successful lately.

Maybe more important in the near term, the move creates roster space for several Durham pitchers who have excelled in Triple-A. It also allows Venters’ great story to continue back with Atlanta.

Venters underwent Tommy John surgery in 2005, 2013 and 2014. He originally signed with the Rays as a minor league free agent on March 11, 2015, and returned from his third Tommy John surgery to make five appearances for Class-A Charlotte in 2016 before the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow was torn for a fourth time. He underwent an additional “half-Tommy John,” performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, to reattach the ligament, and made 24 apps in the minors in 2017.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Venters was the first former All-Star to return to the majors after missing at least five years since Justin Thompson, who was an All-Star in 1997 and pitched for the Texas Rangers on August 18, 2005 in his first game since August 15, 1999.

Venters was selected by the Braves in the 30th round of the 2003 June Draft out of Indian River Community College in Fort Pierce, FL. He spent parts of three seasons (2010–12) with the Braves, going 15–10 with a 2.23 ERA (229.2-IP, 57-ER) while forming a dangerous back end of the Braves bullpen with Craig Kimbrel and Eric O’Flaherty. During that span, he ranked among major league relief leaders in apps (230, tied for second), strikeouts (258, fourth), wins (15, tied for fourth) and ERA (eighth).

— Tampa Bay has the opportunity to make up some ground in the Wildcard race tonight, as Seattle is set to start a three-game series against the fringe contending Angles, while Oakland will take on the 54-47 Rockies in the first of three.