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Rays 9/18/16 pregame notes, Longoria sets another milestone, etc.

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Evan Longoria has gone yard in three consecutive games. He'll try to make it four this afternoon. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Evan Longoria has gone yard in three consecutive games. He’ll try to make it four this afternoon. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays look to close out their 11-game road trip today on the winning side of the ledger this afternoon in Baltimore, in the season finale against the Orioles. They too have the opportunity to take a series from the O’s — something that seemed  unfathomable at the start of the series, as the Rays previously had gone 0-6 in Baltimore this season. Tampa Bay has won five of  seven after a 5-2 victory last night.

The Rays are now 30-30 since the All-Star Break, and need to go 8-6 over the remaining 14 games to finish with a winning mark since the unofficial midway point of the season.

The New What Next

Jake Odorizzi (9-6, 3.81 ERA) will get the start for the Rays this afternoon, opposite of Wade Miley (8-13, 5.80 ERA).

Odorizzi hurled seven strong innings on Monday, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while fanning four in a no-decision against Toronto. Jake bounced back from his worst start of the season by collecting the eighth quality start of his 11 second-half turns. Not counting his forgettable start against Baltimore on September 6th, Odorizzi hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a game since the All-Star Break. He’s 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA since the break.

Miley was pounded early by the Red Sox on Monday, lasting just 1-1/3 innings while allowing six runs on eight hits and a walk. 10 of the first 12 Red Sox hitters reached base against lefty, and Showalter removed him after just 41 pitches — his shortest outing of the season. It marked Miley’s third consecutive loss, while each outing has been progressively worse than its predecessor. Since the start of August, Miley has an incredibly gaudy 8.41 ERA despite surrendering just six homers over eight starts. Be that as it may, Miley is 3-2 with a 2.38 ERA in seven starts against Tampa Bay (extending back to 2013). This season, while pitching for Seattle, Miley allowed four runs in six innings and dished up homers to Steven Souza Jr. and (now Oriole) Steve Pearce.

You can read more about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 9/18/16 Starting Lineup

Mahtook LF
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller SS
Souza Jr. RF
Dickerson DH
Staffer 1B
Ramirez 2B
Maile C
Odorizzi RHP

Noteworthiness

— Logan Forsythe has this afternoon off, with Alexei Ramirez slotting in at second and hitting eighth, and Brad Miller handling the shortstop duties, hitting fourth.

— After hitting his single-season career high 34th homer on Friday, Evan Longoria reached another milestone last night, hitting a triple and his third homer in as many days. Longoria currently has 310 total bases — the most he’s had in a single season. Per Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) his total of 35 homers is the third most by a Rays player in a single year, with Carlos Pena holding the top two numbers (46 in 2007 and 39 in 2009). Longoria now is six RBI shy of reaching 100 for the third time in his career, and first since 2010.

— Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) reported that Steven Souza Jr. is heading to Nashville on Monday to see a specialist, who will look into what may be ailing his left hip. There are a wide range of outcomes, including potential season-ending surgery.

— In other surgery related news, the season is over for Orioles’ deadline acquisition Steve Pearce, who is in need of elbow surgery. Pearce, 33, started the season with Tampa Bay, and experienced right forearm/elbow discomfort throughout his time with the Rays. A free-agent at the end of the season, both Pearce and the Rays have expressed an interest in a reunion of sorts next season. Like Logan Morrison before him, one could only imagine that there will be an effect in Pearce’s stock due to the surgery.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays fall late to the Orioles, 5-4

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If you squint your eyes and pretend, last night's game between the Rays and the playoff contending Orioles was a sellout. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

If you squint your eyes and pretend, last night’s game between the Rays and the playoff contending Orioles was a sellout. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays scored four runs over the first and second innings, but squandered the lead and fell to the Baltimore Orioles, 5-4. Baltimore, who currently holds the top Wild-Card spot, has won seven of eight contests against Tampa Bay at home this season.


Source: FanGraphs

Early in the game, it appeared that Tampa Bay was en route to a fourth consecutive win. Kevin Kiermaier hit a first inning, one-out double to right that skipped just over the glove of Chris Davis, then Evan Longoria followed with a massive homer to left-center off Ubaldo Jimenez.

It was the second first inning homer for Longoria in as many days, and his career high 34th on the season — also tying the Rays’ single-season record for home runs by a right-handed batter (Jose Canseco, 1999).

The Rays were able to extend the lead in the second inning after Steven Souza Jr. singled to left, and Richie Shaffer followed with a two-run homer to left for a 4-0 lead.

At this point in the ballgame Souza had reached base in 11 of 17 plate appearances, while Shaffer’s blast was his first with the big league squad this season.

However, Jimenez found his stride and shutdown the Rays from then on, at one point retiring 14 of 16 batters. He ultimately posted seven solid innings and held the Rays scoreless over the remainder of his start, allowing the Orioles to chip away at the lead.

Chris Archer, meanwhile, worked around a pair of first inning errors before Pedro Alvarez put Baltimore on the board in the second with a homer to right-center. Then in the fourth inning, Chris Davis hit an opposite field homer to left, making it a two-run game. Archer was otherwise stingy through through six, posting a decent 6.1 IP/7 H/3 ER/1 BB/4 2 HR line on 100 pitches (63 strikes, 14-of-27 first pitch strikes, 13 whiffs).

Baltimore threatened in the seventh, yet a big play by The Outlaw kept the Rays in front. After allowing back-to-back, one-out singles to JJ Hardy and Michael Bourn, Archer departed the game with the lead intact. Danny Farquhar, dead set on blowing things for the Rays ace, entered in relief and promptly plunked Adam Jones with his first pitch, loading the bases.

Outfielder Hyun-Soo Kim was next, and he drove a ball to the wall in right-center, yet Kiermaier — timing the fly-ball perfectly, then making a leap in front of the wall — prevented the ball from leaving the ballpark for a grand slam. The ball, however, fell out of his glove as he crashed into the wall, leading to (as BA called it) the longest single ever seen, making it a 4-3 game.

Though Kiermaier was visibly upset with himself, for what he likely deemed to be a misplay, bringing that ball back was pivotal — Farquhar recovered to strike out Manny Machado and Davis (both swinging) to end the threat, each in eight-pitch at-bats.

If there’s one thing we know to be true, you can’t keep the Orioles down for long…especially when you don’t execute your pitches. And though the Rays maintained a late lead, albeit a shaky one-run lead, the Orioles once again showed why they are in playoff contention, and Tampa Bay isn’t.

Brad Boxberger, who got two key outs the previous day, took the mound for Tampa Bay. Yet unlike Thursday, Boxberger promptly walked Jonathan Schoop and Pedro Alvarez, then hit Matt Wieters with a 1-2 pitch — loading the bases with none out. With Baltimore’s fans loudly singing the chorus Seven Nation Army, Hardy hit a ground ball deep into the hole at short. And while Alexei Ramirez fielded the play cleanly, he couldn’t fire off a throw to any of the bases — consequently allowing the tying run to score. Bourn then followed with a sac-fly to left, making it 5-4. Boxberger and Ryan Garton paired up for the final two outs of the from, but the damage was already done.

Zach Britton, the league’s only closer without a blown save, took the mound for the Orioles in the ninth and was able to keep his streak alive. Steven Souza Jr. came close to handing Britton his first blown save of the season, working an 11-pitch at-bat before flying out to the warning track in left for the second out. Undeterred, Mikie Mahtook singled off second base before Ramirez lined a base hit into the left-field corner on a 3-2 pitch. Mahtook, who was off with the pitch, tried to score all the way from first, but was thrown out at the plate to end the game.

Rays fall, 5-4.

The New What Next

Matt Andriese (7-7, 4.46 ERA) will take the mound for the Rays, opposite of Chris Tillman (16-5, 3.68 ERA) in the third game of the set. Andriese Snapped a 17-game, eight-start dry spell with solid start on Sunday against the Yankees, allowing one run in five innings. He is 0-3 with a 9.24 in five games (two starts) against the Orioles. Tillman has struggled a bit, going 2-3 with a 5.68 ERA in six games following a 14-2, 3.18 ERA start to the season. Saturday marks his 25th career start against Tampa Bay, over which he is 8-9, with a 4.09 ERA, having allowed 156 baserunners in 141 innings. You can read more about the pitching matchup, in our series preview.

Rays 9/17/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller SS
Dickerson DH
Souza RF
Shaffer 1B
Mahtook LF
Casali C
Andriese RHP

Noteworthiness

— Kevin Kiermaier currently has a 22 defensive runs saved (DRS) rating, good enough for third in Major League Baseball. It should be noted, hose ahead of him have played at least 50 more games this season.

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

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Latest call-up, Luke Maile (left) caught 12-of-38 attempted base stealers (31.6%) this season for the Durham Bulls. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Latest call-up, Luke Maile (left) caught 12-of-38 attempted base stealers (31.6%) this season for the Durham Bulls. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The long stretch until the end of the season — AKA the Tampa Bay Rays miracle run — begins Friday, when the Baltimore Orioles travel to St. Petersburg for a three game series.

Screen Shot 2016-07-14 at 9.43.02 PM

While the Rays are mired in a 3-25 stretch, the Orioles, who sit at the top of the AL East, have gone 4-6 over their last 10 games, including a four-game victimization/sweep by the Seattle Mariners. Be that as it may, I won’t cherry pick statistics to demonstrate  why Tampa Bay, some how…some way, will eke out a series win. Why? Because if we’ve learned anything from this ugly stretch of play, it’s that the Rays have regressed back to the Devil Rays.

Sure, it would be phenomenal for the team to snap out of this funk, and to be honest, it’s not like they don’t have the capability to do so. Besides the Rays are now closer to full strength with the re-addition of Kevin Kiermaier, as well as the additions of Kevin Jepsen and Luke Maile, who will take the place of Hank Conger on the active roster.

Then again, the team has been…uhh, rather surprising all season, so make your own inference.

Screen Shot 2016-07-14 at 9.42.35 PM

Kevin Cash will throw Chris Archer (4-12, 4.66 ERA), Matt Moore (5-6, 4.46 ERA), and Jake Odorizzi (3-5, 4.47 ERA) over the next three days. Buck Showalter will counter with Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 5.82 ERA), Chris Tillman (12-2, 3.41 ERA), and a player to be named ahead of Sunday’s contest.

Screen Shot 2016-07-14 at 9.42.09 PM

Rays Series Starters

Archer dished up five earned runs on seven hits and two walks in a loss to the Red Sox on Friday. He struck out just three. Archer fell behind frequently, a recipe for disaster against any lineup. He was able to notch only nine (of 26) first-pitch strikes  and coaxed 10 whiffs on 116 pitches. Archer is one loss away from equaling his career-high mark set last season, while his four wins currently rank as his lowest total since 2012 when he fired only 29-1/3 innings. Archer told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) the answer to his extensive first-inning struggles is internal:

It’s not that I need to warm up more or warm up less, it’s just a matter of whenever I’m on the mound of attacking hitters.

Moore allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over six innings against Boston last Saturday. The southpaw gave up a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, and the Rays’ offense failed to offer him any support, leading to his sixth loss of the season. He’s held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts, allowing him to lower his ERA to 4.46.

Odorizzi gave up four runs on six hits and a walk over five innings last Sunday, while fanning only four. Jake wasn’t sharp, throwing 52 of 86 pitches for strikes (60% K%; six whiffs), although with David Price dealing for the Red Sox, Odorizzi would have had to match him pitch-for-pitch for a shot at a win. He’s put together just one quality start over his last six starts, and added a full run to his ERA (4.47) heading into the All-Star Break.

Orioles Series Starters

Gallardo allowed two runs on six hits and four walks, while striking out two in a five inning no decision against the Angels on Saturday. Gallardo shut down the Angels for five innings, yet allowed a pair of runs in the sixth inning, leaving the game with a one run deficit. The righty has fired just one quality start in his nine outings this season, and his ERA sits at 5.82. Gallardo allowed three runs on seven hits (including a homer) over 5-1/3 innings against the Rays on June 24. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (4-6, 2B, HR, 4 RBI), Logan Forsythe (4-13, 2B), Desmond Jennings (2-8, 3B), Kevin Kiermaier (3-7, 2B, RBI, BB), Brad Miller (2-8, 2B, 3B)

Tillman was good over seven innings on Sunday, allowing just one run on three hits. He, however, walked five batters. His record is superb, although Tillman’s wobbled a bit lately — posting a 5.02 ERA and a 1.33 K/BB over his last five starts. The Rays tagged him for six runs on 10 hits (including a homer) and two walks over five innings on June 25. Key matchups: Tim Beckham (1-4, RBI, BB), Logan Forsythe (9-28, 3 2B, RBI, BB), Brandon Guyer (3-11), Evan Longoria (17-57, 4 2B, 7 HR, 10 RBI, 5 BB), Logan Morrison (5-11, 2B, RBI, BB), Steven Souza Jr. (4-16, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB)

Noteworthiness

At the time of his expected activation, Maile was hitting .345 with six doubles and two homers in 17 games with Triple-A Durham since June 21. He also caught 12 of 38 attempted base stealers (31.6%) this season.

I’ve just been trying to be myself, Maile told the Times. There’s been some times when I’ve tried to do a little bit too much.

Injury Report

— Alex Cobb (Tommy John surgery) threw a bullpen session at Tropicana Field on Thursday with no apparent issues. Because he left his previous rehab start after one inning and 27 pitches due to fatigue, Cobb will get an extra day of rest before his next scheduled start.

— Steve Pearce (hamstring) worked out on Thursday and ran the bases, saying he felt very good. He plans to start a rehab assignment this weekend and is slated to rejoin the team next week.

— Brad Boxberger (oblique) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Friday, but will need an extended rehab before he can return to the fold.

— Desmond Jennings (hamstring) and Mikie Mahtook (broken left hand) are still working out.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays blow four-run lead, fall 8-6

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Brad Miller went 3-5 with two runs and an RBI in the second game of the double header yesterday, and the Rays still lost. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Brad Miller went 3-5 with two runs and an RBI in the second game of the doubleheader yesterday, and the Rays still lost. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Another blown lead, another loss. The Tampa Bay Rays fell to the Baltimore Orioles in the second game of the doubleheader on Saturday, 8-6.

The Rays scored four unanswered runs in the front three innings, and two more in the fifth. The Orioles, however, consistently put up runs from the third through eighth innings against Jake Odorizzi, Erasmo Ramirez and Danny Farquhar, and edged out Tampa Bay by a pair of runs.

Odorizzi summed the game up perfectly, saying,

I did a bad job. Plain and simple, I didn’t pitch very good.

Following the game, the Rays reinstated RHP Ryan Webb from the 15-day disabled list. In doing so, the team optioned RHP Tyler Sturdevant back to Triple-A Durham. They also sent RHP Danny Farquhar back to Durham after his one-day stint as the 26th man.

The New What Next

Tampa Bay looks to salvage one game on this woeful road trip this afternoon when Drew Smyly takes on Tyler Wilson. Smyly gave up the lead in his most recent start against Cleveland, working seven innings with no decision. The southpaw is winless in his past six starts, with an 0-3 and a 6.69 ERA. Smyly, however, is 4-0 with a 1.82 ERA in eight games against the Orioles, and 11-3 with a 1.87 ERA versus AL East teams. Wilson is coming off six-inning no-decision against the Padres. He is 3-5 with a 4.57 ERA in 11 starts since moving into rotation late April. He lost his last start against the Rays in 2015, allowing six runs in 4-1/3 innings. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 6/26/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria DH
Morrison 1B
Jennings CF
Arcia RF
Beckham 3B
Conger C
Decker LF
LHP Smyly

Noteworthiness

— At least the bats woke up, with the Rays scoring six runs on 14 hits and five walks, going 4-11 wRISP (.364) and scoring three two-out runs. When was the last time you read a line like that?

— The Rays have now signed 25 of 41 2016 draft picks:

1. 3B Josh Lowe
2. OF Ryan Boldt; 2-b. OF Jake Fraley
3. RHP Austin Franklin
5. RHP Mikey York
6. RHP Zack Trageton
7. RHP J.D. Busfield
8. LHP Kenny Rosenberg
9. RHP Peter Bayer
10. RHP Spencer Jones
12. RHP Brandon Lawson
13. 1B Nathanial Lowe
15. LHP Dalton Moats
19. 3B James Haley
23. OF Isaac Benard
24. RHP Joe Serrapica
27. 2B Robbie Tenerowicz
28. C Jean Ramirez
29. 2B Trek Stemp
31. C Joey Roach
32. SS Deion Tansel
34. 1B Bobby Melley
35. LHP Alex Estrella
36. RHP Anthony Parente
38. RHP Brian McAfee

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays beat Orioles 3-1; news on Cobb and Boxberger

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The new bash brothers? (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The new bash brothers? (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1, thanks to a key sixth inning two-run homer by Kevin Kiermaier. With the win, the Rays are again at .500 on the season, as they’ll go for the series sweep on Wednesday.

Starter Jake Odorizzi allowed one run and seven hits in five innings of work on 93 pitches (60 strikes). Credit where it’s due, despite getting into six full counts, Odorizzi walked just one batter and wiggled his way out of two big wRISP situations.

The Rays initially took the lead when Desmond Jennings drove in Logan Forsythe on a sacrifice-fly with the bases loaded in the third inning. Even though Baltimore tied the game in the top of the following inning, Kevin Kiermaier put the good guys on top  again (and for good) in the sixth, sending an 0-2 fastball on the inner third of the plate into the right field seats.

At 0-10 wRISP in the game, it’s safe to say the Rays left a lot of chicken on the bone. Rays manager Kevin Cash spoke to that point, saying,

We put a clinic on offensively of not what to do with runners in scoring position early on.

In any case, the Rays have now won three in a row, with 11 of their 13 runs over the stretch coming with two outs.

The New What Next

Matt Moore will take the mound in Wednesday night’s series finale, opposite of Chris Tillman. Moore is 4-4 with a 3.83 ERA in 10 career starts against Baltimore. When the lefty is up 0-2 in the count, he’s allowed just one hit in 10 official at-bats and fanned five. This marks the eighth consecutive series between the two teams that Tillman will have a start. Tillman is 2-for-3 and didn’t factor in the decision in the other two games, both won by Tampa Bay. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.

Rays 4/27/16 Starting Lineup

Forsythe 2B
Miller SS
Longoria 3B
Dickerson DH
Jennings LF
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Kiermaier CF
Conger C
Moore LHP

Noteworthiness

— On Alex Cobb and Brad Boxberger…

Cobb continued the program to build up his arm strength on Tuesday, throwing 25 fastballs off the mound in a bullpen session. He is expected to continue throwing bullpen sessions until he begins to face hitters in June. The righty told Bill Chastain (Rays beat writer, MLB.com) that he’s beginning to feel more familiar with throwing a baseball.

Even in Spring Training, when he’s not returning from an injury,

It takes a good eight to 10 bullpens before I’m feeling like I know how to pitch again, Cobb said. I’m very happy with how quickly I’ve gotten to the point I’m at already.

Cobb has focused solely on his mechanics and nothing else.

I’m not worried about my elbow, I’m not worried about the way the ball is coming out. I’m worried about how my mechanics line up to make the pitches do what I want them to do. That’s a great sign. It’s a good sign for me mentally to just be focusing on that instead of the other stuff that goes along with the surgery.

Cobb should return by late July or early August.

Boxberger was cleared by Dr. William Meyers — the Philadelphia doctor who performed his core muscle surgery in March — to resume full baseball activity. Like Cobb, Boxberger is on a similar program of throwing bullpen sessions and should be just about ready to face live hitters. He throw will his second bullpen session Wednesday.

He said everything is good, ready to go, Boxberger said. I can start working more on the baseball stuff, agilities and all that. Getting back with the boys.

The reliever still expects a mid-May return to the bullpen.

Cash was pleased with the news, saying,

We had a really good report, from what I heard from (head athletic trainer) Ron (Porterfield). And talking to Box, he seemed excited. … He’s eager to get back out there, which is great. We expect a lot of big things when he gets back. From talking to him, he’s eager to get back out there, which is great,” said Cash, who added, Porterfield said he’s been tremendous in the weight room and in the rehab. We expect a lot of big things when he is back.

— Corey Dickerson and Steven Souza both reached homers in 58 plate appearances (tied for the ninth quickest in team history to start a season).

— According to Elias Sports Beureau, the Rays have scored 15 of their 18 runs in the last five games with two outs (83.3%). For the season, 42 of 70 of their runs have been scored with two outs (60%), highest in the majors.