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A Below Average Rays Fan Blog

LBWMF: Rays throttle Red Sox, 10-3; Mallex Smith admitted to hospital

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Willy “The Kid” went 2-3 with 2 RBI, 3 runs, and a homer last night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays scored nine two-out runs in the second, third and fourth innings on Friday night, propelling the team to a 10-3 win at over the Boston Red Sox. The Rays have won a season-high six consecutive games, and are seven games over .500 for the first time this season.

Diego Castillo opened the game and posted 1-2/3 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing two hits while striking out four. His first two punchouts came against the first two batters of the game and on just six pitches. Castillo was followed by Jalen Beeks, who worked his way out of a runners on the corners two-out jam by coaxing a fly-ball to shallow left from Boston’s catcher Blake Swihart.

Tampa Bay got on the board in the second inning against Hector Velazquez, who allowed just one run to the same team less than a week ago.

Designated hitter Ji-Man Choi started the rally with a double to right field before Willy “The Kid” Adames worked a free pass. And while Kevin Kiermaier went down swinging on five pitches, Choi and Adames pulled a double steal to get into scoring position ahead of Carlos Gomez — looking a lot like the Rays of old in the process. Gomez chopped a ball to third which allowed Choi to score the first run of the game, with Adames moving up 90 feet. After Brandon Lowe worked the second free pass of the inning, Michael Perez hit a two-run double off the glove of a diving Jackie Bradley Jr. in right-centerfield, capping the rally.

Yet Boston struck back for a pair of runs off left-hander Jalen Beeks in the top of the third inning on a bases-loaded two-out single by Xander Bogaerts, putting the Rays up by just one. Beeks walked Mookie Betts on four pitches — as it appeared that he wanted nothing to do with one of the best hitters in the American League — before Steve Pearce and J.D. Martinez both reached on infield hits that took awkward bounces, making plays against nearly impossible. Beeks ended the night with a .412 BABIP against, largely due to his unlucky third.

Be that as it may, Tampa Bay answered with a big two-out rally in the bottom of the frame. With none on, Choi and Adames hit back-to-back singles before Kiermaier snuck a hit under the glove Steve Pearce for a run. Then Gomez and Lowe sprayed run-scoring base hits to left and right (respectively) to put the Rays up by four. After Lowe stole the third bag of the night, Perez capped the five-run rally with a two-run single to right, chasing Velazquez and making it 8-2.

Beeks allowed one more run in the fifth inning after he relinquished back-to-back-to-back singles to Andrew Benintendi, Pearce and Martinez. Yet the southpaw worked around seven hits and three walks while striking out four across 5-1/3 innings — his longest outing in a Rays’ uniform. He was helped by double plays in the fifth and the seventh innings.

Beeks didn’t have his best stuff, yet he spotted his fastball and made some pitches when he had to.

(The) offense exploded, Beeks said, and that made it a lot easier on the pitchers.

Meanwhile, the Rays capped their scoring in the fourth inning against Drew Pomeranz. Choi walked with two outs before Adames blasted a two-run homer to dead center (his eighth) for an eight-run advantage.

Hunter Wood took the mound for the final two innings of the game, allowing four hits but no walks while striking out three. All told, Tampa Bay collected 12 hits. Adames and Choi teamed up to score six runs and Lowe reached base four times.

The New What Next

Ryne Stanek (1-3, 2.58 ERA) will open the game for Tampa Bay in the second game of the set, and will likely be followed by Ryan Yarbrough(12-5, 3,84 ERA). They will face RHP Rick Porcello (15-6, 4.14 ERA).

Yarbrough picked up the win on Monday after he fired off 5-1/3 scoreless innings against Kansas City. He struck out six. Yarbrough relinquished two hits and one walk in the outing. The southpaw replaced opener Hunter Wood midway through the second inning and recorded the final out with two runners on the base paths. Tampa Bay plated their lone run in the bottom half of the inning, making Yarbrough the pitcher of record while he and the bullpen shut down the Kansas City offense for the rest of the game. Yarbrough has kept the opposition off the board in each of his last three appearances while posting a 0.53 WHIP and 10-to-1 K/BB across 11-1/3 innings.

Porcello took the loss Monday night after he gave up five runs on six hits and one walk over seven innings against Cleveland. He struck out six. The game was tied at three apiece heading into the seventh inning when Porcello got the first out before walking the next batter. After he was then hit in the stomach by a comebacker off the bat of Yan Gomes, which led to a fielder’s choice, Greg Allen broke the tie with a two-run home shot, proving to be the difference in the game. Porcello is 3-1 against the Rays this season, although his sole loss came on May 24, the last time he took the mound against Tampa Bay. In that game, the right-hander allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks over 3-2/3 innings. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-2), Ji-Man Choi (2-5, 2B, RBI), Matt Duffy (7-18, RBI), Carlos Gomez (3-9, 2B, HR, RBI), Joey Wendle (3-10, 2B)

Rays 8/25/18 Starting Lineup

MENDLE 2B
DUFFMAN 3B
JI DH
PHAMTASTIC LF
BIG FELLA 1B
OUTLAW CF
THE KID SS
LOWE RF
MYKII C
STANNY RHP

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Red Sox — one last time with feeling

Noteworthiness

— After waking up at 3:00 AM Friday morning feeling ill, OF Mallex Smith has been hospitalized due to a viral infection. He has been placed on the 10-day disabled list. According to Matt Baker (Tampa Bay Times), the illness is serious enough to elicit a stay in the hospital but does not appear to be life-threatening.

Smith was admitted to an area hospital and was receiving antibiotics via IV, the team said but was not expected to stay long. His condition is not considered anything like the life-threatening bacterial infection that led to Cleveland OF Leonys Martin being hospitalized earlier this month and sidelined for the rest of the season.

Rays manager Kevin Cash spoke on Smith’s status after the game:

I don’t get the sense it’s serious. The kid’s in the hospital, so that’s concerning enough. I don’t know much other than that.

The team has recalled Andrew Kittredge to take Smith’s place on the active roster in the short-term, adding an extra arm to the bullpen, although they could call up an outfielder since they have two days off next week. Austin Meadows would be an option.

— OF Tommy Pham hit off the machine Friday as he continues to progress from the dislocated right ring finger he suffered on Tuesday.

He’s going to feel it for a while, Cash said. It’s okay to feel it, but we don’t want him changing his bat path or the mechanics of his swing.

He was available off the bench last night and could start this evening.

The New What Next: Rays look to salvage the series against Boston on Sunday

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A win would provide some momentum ahead of the Rays upcoming homestand. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After losing their second game in as many days, the Tampa Bay Rays are in salvage mode on Sunday, in the series finale against the Red Sox. If they can eke out a win, they will end their nine-game road trip through the AL East with a 5-4 record.

Tyler Glasnow put the Rays in a four-run hole early on Saturday, struggling through a 28-pitch first inning.

But after allowing four runs on back-to-back doubles, three consecutive walks, two steals and a Jake Bauers throwing error, Glasnow settled in and worked impressively into the seventh. The right-hander retired his final 12 batters, and 17 of his last 18 overall, following J.D. Martinez’s majors-most 38th homer in the third inning.

In his fourth outing since coming to Tampa Bay, Glasnow worked a career-high 6-2/3 innings, allowing three hits and three walks, striking out four on 94 pitches (50 strikes, 53% strike rate, 15/25 first-pitch strikes).

Glasnow didn’t have his best stuff, with only his fastball as the most reliable offering.

I just kind of realized this is what I had today and just go out and compete as hard as I can and get out of that fix-it mode. I went out after the first and did what I had to do, Glasnow said. In Pittsburgh things like that would happen and I wasn’t able to go out and complete the day so I’m definitely happy with going back out after the first and getting through 6-2/3.

The New What Next

Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.63 ERA) will open for Tampa Bay, while Jalen Beeks (1-1, 8.03 ERA) — who was traded from Boston for Nathan Eovaldi — will provide length. They will be opposed by Hector Velazquez (7-0, 2.77 ERA), who will start for the injured and previously scheduled Chris Sale.

Castillo threw a scoreless frame in Friday’s 7-3 defeat. 

Beeks spent four years plus working his way through Boston’s farm system and made two one-day cameos for the Red Sox this season prior to the trade on July 25.

The southpaw told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) he’s looking forward for the chance to face his former team this afternoon.

Just the competitiveness in me, I want to pitch here again, especially this year, Beeks said. I’m just happy to be in the big leagues obviously, but it’s pretty cool I might get the opportunity to face them so quickly after (the trade). So I’m excited.

Velazquez hasn’t thrown more than 52 pitches or three innings since April, so the Red Sox could use the game as a bullpen day, with Drew Pomeranz and Brandon Workman available to provide length.

Rays 8/19/18 Starting Lineup

Smith RF
Duffy 3B
Bauers LF
Pham CF
Wendle SS
Cron 1B
Choi DH
Lowe 2B
Sucre C
Castillo RHP

Noteworthiness

— Since only Adam Kolarek was needed on Saturday, Tampa Bay should have a fresh bullpen.

— Jesus Sucre’s right wrist “felt way better” and is in the lineup today for the first time since hurting it on a swing Tuesday.

— Even though LHP Vidal Nuno (hamstring) wasn’t sharp in his first rehab game on Friday he, more importantly, felt fine and is scheduled to make a few more rehab starts.

Rays look to bounce back against the BoSox on Saturday; 8/18/18 pregame notes

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Kevin Kiermaier, Willy Adames, and the Rays look to bounce back from a 7-3 loss against the Red Sox Saturday night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a 7-3 loss in the opening game of the series against Boston on Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back tonight. A win would ensure a winning road trip while also guaranteeing the team would begin their forthcoming homestand on the positive side of the ledger.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox have now captured the season series in three straight seasons for the first time since 2005-2007.

The Rays got off to a good start last night, plating three two-out runs in the top of the first. Yet the Red Sox showed why they have the best record in baseball the very next inning, scoring two against a wild Ryne Stanek, then five subsequent runs from the fourth inning on.

You’re not going to get a much better start than three runs in the first inning, unfortunately, we gave it back a little too quick, Rays manager Kevin Cash said. They can pile on. Very relentless from top to bottom.

Stanek peppered the fringes of the zone and beyond in his 32-pitch first inning to change the momentum.

I got behind I think every hitting I faced … and doing that against a lineup like that is just a recipe for it to not be very good, Stanek said.

You can say that again.

Ryne Stanek’s location plot. (Credit: Brooks Baseball)

Adding insult to injury, RHP Yonny Chirinos allowed runs in four consecutive innings, five total.

Yonny … uncharacteristically was up in the zone, Cash said. Left his fastball there and he really didn’t have an offspeed pitch to go to. … And when you go limited weapons, the Red Sox are going to get you. He got hit maybe as hard as I’ve seen. … He’s a sinkerball pitcher; when it’s not sinking, it’s not a good thing.

That’s all in the past now though, and it’s time to move on.

The New What Next

Tyler Glasnow (1-2, 3.97 ERA) will get the start tonight for the Rays, pitching opposite of former Ray, David Price (12-6, 3.75).

Tyler Glasnow allowed one run on two hits while striking out six over five innings on Sunday. Glasnow cruised through the first five frames, although he allowed a run in the sixth inning and exited the game shortly thereafter with the score tied at one. He’s off to a great start with Tampa Bay: he’s surrendered and punched out 20 over 12 innings of work and owns a 3.97 ERA and a  1.32 WHIP with 92 strikeouts through 68 innings this season. After throwing 79 pitches in his most recent outing Sunday, expect Glasnow’s pitch ceiling to increase tonight.

The right-hander is close to being fully stretched out to starter status, Cash said, with Saturday’s start possibly the last under restriction. Glasnow said he feels the transition back from the relief role he had with the Pirates has gone well.

I think I’m close to being built up, so I’m starting to feel pretty good, he said.

David Price blanked the Orioles over six innings on Saturday. He allowed five hits and struck out a season-high 10. It was a dominant performance for the former Ray, who only allowed just two runners to get into scoring position. Price has fired off five consecutive quality starts, posting a 1.64 ERA over that stretch while performing to a 9.0 K/9. The strong run has allowed his ERA drop to 3.75, while his overall K/9 sits at 8.98. Price has been good against his former team this season, going 1-1 with a 2.10 ERA in four starts, although he is 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA in career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (6-21, 3 2B, RBI)

Rays 8/18/18 Starting Lineup

Gomez RF
Duffy 3B
Bauers 1B
Pham LF
Cron DH
Wendle 2B
Adames SS
Kiermaier CF
Perez C
Glasnow RHP

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs. Red Sox — a series preview

Noteworthiness

— Jesus Sucre told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) his sore right wrist is feeling better after testing it with about 20 swings Friday afternoon; a decision on his status is likely to come by Saturday.

— LHP Vidal Nuno (hamstring strain) made his first rehab appearance, throwing 34 pitches over 1-⅔ innings for the Class-A Charlottes Stone Crabs. He allowed three runs on five hits, including two homers.

— With Boston using two more left-handed starters, Kevin Cash plans to rest for some of his southpaw hitters who play every day. Jake Bauers didn’t start Friday, with off-days coming for outfielders Kevin Kiermaier and Mallex Smith. Right-handed hitter C.J. Cron is slated to play all three games.

— A Ray of hope? The Red Sox just announced that Chris Sale is going back on the disabled list (retroactive to Wednesday), so the Rays won’t face him on tomorrow as scheduled. And since he won’t be eligible to return until August 25th, Tampa Bay could miss him for the balance of the 2018 season.

The New What Next: Rays vs. Red Sox — a series preview

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Mallex Smith went 5-14 with four runs and two RBI over the last three days against the Yankees. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After beating the Yankees 3-1 on Thursday — and winning the series two games out of three — the Tampa Bay Rays will cap their three-city, nine-game road trip through the AL East in Boston, with a three-game series starting Friday. The Rays have won three consecutive series, going 6-4 in their last 10 games, while the Red Sox are coming off a 7-4 loss against the Phillies, snapping a five-game win streak.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Even though the Rays scored just 10 runs in the last three contests, they limited the powerful Yankees to six runs total. And aside from a couple of errant pitches in the series opener, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff did a great job with shutting down that powerful team in the Bronx — limiting them to just two home runs. The Yankees, however, have not been nearly as consistent as the Red Sox, who have gone 17-6 since the All-Star Break. Whatever the case, the same “limit the long ball” approach applies.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Boston hasn’t lost two consecutive games since July 24-26 and has lost only four series this season … ironically one of those came against the Rays. It will not be easy for the Rays to win multiple games and/or the series this weekend against a team that is in the midst of a historic season. Yet that is what they are faced with. No whammies can be afforded, and no pitching mistakes can be made. Buckle up, this could be a bumpy ride.

Pitching Probables

Kevin Cash has committed to opening the series with Ryne Stanek (0-2, 2.51 ERA), who is likely to be followed by Yonny Chirinos (0-3, 3.50 ERA). Tyler Glasnow (1-2, 3.97 ERA) will get the start Saturday, while Sunday’s starter is TBA. Alex Cora will counter with Brian Johnson (3-1, 3.21 ERA), David Price (12-6, 3.75), and Chris Sale (12-4, 1.97 ERA).

(Stats Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Ryne Stanek owns a 3.00 ERA through five appearances (six innings) this month, three of which have been opening stints. While he doesn’t pitch deep enough into games to factor into the decision, Stanek owns a useful 2.45 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 6.2 K/BB across 47-2/3 innings this season. He last pitched Thursday, a 2/3 inning stint against the Yankees, allowing one run on two hits.

Yonny Chirinos threw five innings and earned the win on August 9, allowing just one run on three hits (including a homer) while fanning four in the 5-4 win over Baltimore. Chirinos came in to start the third inning, relieving Rays opener Hunter Wood. The only real damage against him was a Renato Nunez solo home run. Chirinos now owns a 3.50 ERA/3.65 FIP, and a solid 8.35 K/9. He has gone 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two starts against Boston this season.

Brian Johnson gave up five earned runs in his previous start, but he won his past two decisions and holds a 3.25 ERA over the team’s last 60 games. Johnson has given up five runs on 11 hits over 4-1/3 innings against Tampa Bay this season (both relief appearances) and is 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA in three career appearances against the Rays. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (1-4), Matt Duffy (1-3), Mallex Smith (1-1), Jesus Sucre (1-1, 2B, RBI), Joey Wendle (1-1, 3B, RBI)

Tyler Glasnow allowed one run on two hits while striking out six over five innings on Sunday. Glasnow cruised through the first five frames, although he allowed a run in the sixth inning and exited the game shortly thereafter with the score tied at one. He’s off to a great start with Tampa Bay: he’s surrendered and punched out 20 over 12 innings of work and owns a 3.97 ERA and a  1.32 WHIP with 92 strikeouts through 68 innings this season. Expect Glasnow’s pitch ceiling to increase on Saturday.

David Price blanked the Orioles over six innings on Saturday. He allowed five hits and struck out a season-high 10. It was a dominant performance for the former Ray, who only allowed just two runners to get into scoring position. Price has fired off five consecutive quality starts, posting a 1.64 ERA over that stretch while performing to a 9.0 K/9. The strong run has allowed his ERA drop to 3.75, while his overall K/9 sits at 8.98. Price has been good against his former team this season, going 1-1 with a 2.10 ERA in four starts, although he is 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA in career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: CJ Cron (6-21, 3 2B, RBI)

I will update this piece when a starter is announced for Sunday’s game.

Chris Sale was impressive in his return to the mound following a brief DL stint, allowing one hit and fanning 12 over five scoreless innings to pick up the win on Sunday against Baltimore. The southpaw extended his scoreless streak to 28 frames. It may appear odd that he was pulled after five innings and 68 pitches, especially after Boston’s bullpen was needed for 15-2/3 innings over the last two days, but manager Alex Cora told reporters in his post-game remarks that Sale was on a 75-pitch ceiling, much like Blake Snell. Expect his pitch ceiling to increase on Sunday. Note above: Sale worked to a -1.65 FIP in his last start; I’ve never seen a negative FIP before. Sale has been especially tough on the Rays this season, going 1-0 with a 0.65 ERA in two starts. in Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-3, HR, RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (5-17, HR, 3 RBI, BB)

Noteworthiness

— Wonderful things:

Tampa Bay Rays 9/16/17 starting lineup and pregame notes

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Hurricane Hechavarria struck again Friday night, hitting a sixth inning homer that extended the Rays lead to three. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

After a frustrating six hour and five minute 13-6 loss to Boston on Friday night, the Tampa Bay Rays look to bounce back this afternoon. Tampa Bay has dropped six of eight games after getting back to the .500 mark.

As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio Blog) noted, Kevin Kiermaier did homer for the third straight game, tying the longest streak of his career. Wilson Ramos had his first multi-homer game with the Rays, and gave the Rays 23 homers from their catchers, adding to the franchise’s single-season record. Kiermaier also flashed his Gold Glove defense last night.

The New What Next

Alex Cobb (11-9, 3.59 ERA, 4.16 FIP) will get the start for the Rays, pitching opposite of Rick Porcello (9-17, 4.64 ERA, 4.56 FIP).

Cobb has won his last two outings and has delivered quality starts in each of his last three, the most recent of which came against Boston. The right-hander held the Red Sox to just one earned run, although it took him 93 pitches to navigate five-plus innings. Cobb is 6-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 13 career starts against Boston, and 23-18 with a 3.07 ERA in 57 career starts at the Trop.

Porcello kept the Red Sox in the game last time out although he lost, allowing two runs on five over innings against the Rays.  Porcello enjoyed a strong outing overall, although it was tarnished in the fifth inning when he allowed a pair of runs on four hits and a walk. He ran up his pitch count and did not return for the sixth, marking the second consecutive outing in which he failed to complete six innings. While it was an improvement on the seven runs he allowed in his previous turn, the sinkerballer has still allowed 14 runs over 21-2/3 innings in his last four outings. In five starts vs. Tampa Bay in 2017, Porcello is 1-4 with a 4.91 ERA. Key Matchups: Peter Bourjos (2-7), Curt Casali (3-10), Danny Espinosa (1-3, HR, 2 RBI), Evan Longoria (15-58, 6 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4 BB), Brad Miller (11-34, 4 2B, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 2 BB), Logan Morrison (10-34, 3 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB), Steven Souza Jr. (9-30, HR, RBI)

You can read about the series in our preview.

Rays 9/16/17 Starting Lineup

Kiermaier CF
Souza Jr. RF
Longoria 3B
Duda 1B
Ramos C
Dickerson DH
Hechavarria SS
Miller 2B
Smith LF
Cobb RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Durham Bulls became the second Rays affiliate to win a championship last night, joining the Hudson Valley Renegades. The Bulls beat the Yankees affiliate 6-4 to win the International League title 3-1.

It marked the first time in eight years that the Rays had two title winners in one season.

INF Jake Bauers was named Finals MVP, while INF Daniel Robertson homered and drove in four runs. The Bulls will play on Tuesday in the Triple-A National Championship in Scranton, PA against either Memphis or El Paso.