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LBWMF: Morton throws seven scoreless frames in Rays 6-2 win over Oakland

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  • The Rays walked away with sole possession of first place in the AL East last night after they defeated the Athletics, 6-2. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

Charlie Morton continued his terrific stretch on the mound, while the Rays hit three home runs as they defeated the Athletics, 6-2. Tampa Bay has won six of the last seven games, and now sits a season-best 17 games above .500 (41-24) with sole possession of first place in the AL East — a half-game ahead of the Yankees.

Morton allowed just two hits (with a combined exit velocity of 121.7 mph) and two walks across seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven batters on an efficient 83 pitches (55 strikes, 66% strike rate).

Morton got into some trouble in the first and third innings before he dialed it in, and went on a stretch where he retired 14 batters in a row. In the first, the right-hander allowed a leadoff single to Marcus Semien and then hit Matt Olson with one out. However, CFM punched out both Khris Davis and Steven Piscotty to end the threat.

Then in the third inning, Semien singled while Matt Chapman and Olson walked with one out, loading the bases. Yet Morton struck out Davis and got an inning-ending grounder from Piscotty, silencing the home run hitting Athletics for the balance of his start.

From then on, Morton retired his final 14 batters…although he did get a little help from his friends. In the fifth inning, Tommy Pham leaped at the wall in left to rob Chapman of an extra-base hit.

Then in the seventh, Kevin Kiermaier took away extra bases from Jurickson Profar when he made another sensational leaping grab at the wall in center.

In two June starts, Morton has tossed 14 scoreless frames with a 7.5 K/BB. His season ERA is down to a sparkling 2.10, while his FIP sits at 2.66 across 81-1/3 frames.

On the other side of the rubber, Tanner Anderson kept the Rays in check over the first five innings, yet neither he nor the Athletics relievers could keep Tampa Bay down entirely. In the sixth inning, Anderson walked Austin Meadows to leadoff the frame. After Meadows moved into second on a Tommy Pham groundout, Brandon Lowe hit an opposite-field homer to left on a 1-0 pitch, breaking the deadlock.

It was Lowe’s 14th homer of the season, and his third in two days.

Then in the seventh inning, Yandy Diaz doubled to right off reliever Yusmeiro Petit. Two pitches later, Kiermaier homered to center, his eighth of the season, for a four-run lead.

Colin Poche took over in the eighth inning and pitched a perfect frame with a pair of strikeouts in his Tropicana Field debut. In the bottom of the inning, Avisail Garcia singled to left against Joakim Soria before Ji-Man Choi hit a 445-foot blast to right, capping the scoring for Tampa Bay.

I love you DeWayne and Dave, but I could listen to the Korean call of Choi’s homer all day on repeat.

Poche took the mound again in the ninth and gave up the dreaded late-inning leadoff walk to pinch-hitter Mark Canha before he coaxed a line drive out to left from Davis.

With a runner on and one out, Chaz Roe entered in relief and gave up a 1-1 run-scoring double to Piscotty, which was followed by an 0-1 run-scoring single to left from Robbie Grossman on a 93 mph fastball that caught too much plate. On the very next pitch, Roe got Ramón Laureano to line out to left, while Profar grounded out to second to end the game.

The Rays now have scored five or more runs in five of the last six games, and have hit 13 homers over that stretch, including three last night.

The New What Next

Game two of the series is on Tuesday night when the dynamic duo of opener Ryne Stanek (0-1, 2.78 ERA) and bulk guy Jalen Beeks (5-0, 2.76 ERA) take the mound opposite of Mike Fiers (5-3, 4.76 ERA).

Ryne Stanek didn’t allow a run but walked three in 1-1/3 innings against the Red Sox in the second game of the doubleheader on Saturday. Stanek has been especially impressive at home this season, allowing just two runs over 20 innings.

Jalen Beeks scattered four hits and no walks while striking out two across 4-1/3 scoreless innings on Thursday against the Tigers. The left-hander entered the game in the third inning after opener Ryne Stanek, and pitched effectively into the seventh, limiting the Tigers’ bats and allowing just one extra-base hit and three singles. Beeks has been effective in a bulk-relief role this season, punching out 45 with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP across 49 innings. As Neil Solondz (Rays Radio) wrote, the challenge will be that Oakland does extremely well against lefties, as their OPS before the series began was .858, second in the American League.

Mike Fiers held the Angels to three runs on seven hits and no walks with five strikeouts through six innings. Fiers bested the Halos for the second time this season, improving to a career 5-4 over 11 starts. Fiers did get himself into some trouble in the fourth inning by allowing three consecutive singles to load the bases. Brian Goodwin hit a sacrifice fly to get the Angels on the board. Fiers also surrendered a two-run shot to Mike Trout in the fifth inning, although the Angels could not inflict any other damage on the night. The 33-year-old had been reliable of late, allowing three runs or fewer over eight consecutive starts. He’ll carry a 4.78 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 2.58 K/BB into his start on Tuesday. Fiers relies primarily on a 91 mph four-seam fastball with added backspin, while also mixing in a 74 mph curveball with “slurve” movement, an 87 mph cutter, an 85 mph changeup with fade and sink, and a whiffy 90 mph sinker. He is 1-2 with a 5.34 ERA in five career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-1, HR, RBI, BB), Avaisail Garcia (4-8, 2B), Guillermo Heredia (1-1, 3B), Kevin Kiermaier (2-8), Mike Zunino (2-8, 2B)

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

TNWN: Rays vs Athletics — a series preview

Rays 6/11/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Meadows DH
  2. Pham LF
  3. B. Lowe 2B
  4. Diaz 3B
  5. Choi 1B
  6. Adames SS
  7. Kiermaier CF
  8. Zunino C
  9. Heredia RF
  10. Stanek Opener

Noteworthiness

— Joey Wendle went 1-for-4 with a walk in his latest rehab game with Triple-A Durham. Even though Rays manager Kevin Cash said “there’s not a time frame” for Wendle’s return, he also said, “we’d certainly like to see him at some point on this homestand.”

— Brent Honeywell underwent surgery Monday after fracturing the right medial epicondyle bone in his elbow on Saturday, ending his hopes to return this season from February 2018 Tommy John surgery.

The team got what sounds like good news from Dr. James Andrews, who repaired the fracture: there was no damage to the repaired ligament. If the all goes as planned, Honeywell can start throwing again in January.

— Right-hander Tyler Glasnow (forearm strain) said everything “feels good and is “coming along according to schedule.” Glasnow is throwing at 75 feet and will soon progress to 90 and then likely get back on the mound. He is eligible to return after the All-Star break.

— Per Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) Jose Alvarado remains on the unpaid restricted list dealing with an undisclosed family matter in Venezuela, now not likely to return until later in the week.

TNWN: Rays vs Athletics — a series preview

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Brandon Lowe hit two home runs in the series finale at Fenway on Sunday.

After a dominating 5-2 road trip that swung through Detroit and Boston, the Tampa Bay Rays return home where, on Monday, they will start a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics. The Rays just took three-of-four from the Red Sox, while the A’s split their four-game series with the Rangers.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

The Tampa Bay has had a solid season overall and are currently tied with the New York Yankees for first place in the American League East. The Rays took two of three in Detroit after giving up nine runs to the Tigers in the first game of their road trip. And while Fenway Park may not a hospitable place for out of towners, the Rays held the Red Sox to just nine runs in four games, outscoring them by 12 runs overall. The pitching for Tampa Bay has been the best in the American League, and the Rays have allowed just 10 runs in their last six games.

Meanwhile, the Athletics split a three-day four-game series against their division rivals. Oakland took the first game on Friday by a score of 5-3 but then they lost both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday. They bounced back with a 9-8 win on Sunday. They jumped out to an eight-run lead and held a 9-6 lead in the bottom of the ninth before Texas made it interesting by scoring twice in their final frame. Still, the A’s eked out a win and the split set.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

The Rays may have the 18th best offense in the big leagues in scoring, averaging 4.72 runs per game (and ranking sixth in the AL hitting .260), however, they have been 16% better than Oakland over the last 14 days as it relates to wRC+ (117 wRC+ vs 101 wRC+). Even so, the A’s have been good at the plate, averaging 5.22 RPG, while hitting at .258 and hitting 34 homers on the season (second in the league).

Because Oakland is so dependent on the long ball, it will be up to the Rays pitching staff to keep the ball in the yard over the next three days ⁠— something the Rays, who have given up the fewest homers in all of baseball at 52, are capable of doing.

The Rays went 5-2 against the Athletics a season ago, and 2-1 at the Trop.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will lean on Charlie Morton (7-0, 2.30 ERA), and bulk guys Jalen Beeks (5-0, 2.76 ERA) and Yonny Chirinos (7-2, 2.87 ERA) in some capacity. Bob Melvin will respond with Tanner Anderson (4-4, 6.26 ERA at AAA), Mike Fiers (5-3, 4.76 ERA), and Brett Anderson (6-4, 3.98 ERA).

(Stats: FanGraphs)

Charlie Morton scattered five hits while striking out eight and walking none, and only allowed one runner to get as far as third base, which came in the fourth inning.

Brandon Dixon singled to right with two outs, then went to third on a base hit to right-center by Harold Castro. Castro swiped second but Morton struck out John Hicks looking to end the threat. Interestingly enough, 16 of the 21 runs allowed by Morton came with two outs, so there was a strong possibility that this particular threat could have ended miserably, yet Morton — staked to just a one-run lead — came up big when he was needed to.

The right-hander now has delivered three consecutive quality starts, seven on the season, while working to a 2.30 ERA and a 3.37 K/BB across 74-1/3 innings.

Tanner Anderson will be promoted Triple-A Las Vegas to start Monday’s game against the Rays. Anderson doesn’t inspire much confidence in the Athletics manager, posting a 6.26 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 1.42 K/BB across 54-2/3 innings at Triple-A. The former Pirate relies primarily on a 94 mph four-seam fastball with heavy sink and arm-side run, and an 86 mph worm-killer slider with 12-6 movement, while also mixing in a 94 mph sinker with natural sinking action.

Jalen Beeks scattered four hits and no walks while striking out two across 4-1/3 scoreless innings on Thursday against the Tigers. The left-hander entered the game in the third inning after opener Ryne Stanek, and pitched effectively into the seventh, limiting the Tigers’ bats and allowing just one extra-base hit and three singles. Beeks has been effective in a bulk-relief role this season, punching out 45 with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP across 49 innings.

Mike Fiers held the Angels to three runs on seven hits and no walks with five strikeouts through six innings. Fiers bested the Halos for the second time this season, improving to a career 5-4 over 11 starts. Fiers did get himself into some trouble in the fourth inning by allowing three consecutive singles to load the bases. Brian Goodwin hit a sacrifice fly to get the Angels on the board. Fiers also surrendered a two-run shot to Mike Trout in the fifth inning, although the Angels could not inflict any other damage on the night. The 33-year-old had been reliable of late, allowing three runs or fewer over eight consecutive starts. He’ll carry a 4.78 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 2.58 K/BB into his start on Tuesday. Fiers relies primarily on a 91 mph four-seam fastball with added backspin, while also mixing in a 74 mph curveball with “slurve” movement, an 87 mph cutter, an 85 mph changeup with fade and sink, and a whiffy 90 mph sinker. He is 1-2 with a 5.34 ERA in five career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (1-1, HR, RBI, BB), Avaisail Garcia (4-8, 2B), Guillermo Heredia (1-1, 3B), Kevin Kiermaier (2-8), Mike Zunino (2-8, 2B)

Yonny Chirinos limited the Red Sox to just two hits and two walks over eight scoreless frames. He struck out six. The right-hander was perfect through the front five innings (15 batters) before walking Brock Holt to lead off the sixth. After loading the bases, Chirinos struck out Andrew Benintendi looking on a 96 mph sinker and got Rafael Devers to swing through an 87 mph splitter to end the threat.

Chirinos was difficult to square up, as he coaxed 12 weakly hit ground balls from Boston’s aggressive lineup. The right-hander was denied a shot at his first career big-league shutout and complete game due to an elevated pitch count and was pulled in favor of Emilio Pagan after throwing 101 pitches (62 strikes, 61% strike rate). He now carries a 2.87 ERA and a 4.23 K/BB across 69 innings of work.

Brett Anderson allowed three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out five across 6-1/3 innings on Friday. Anderson was staked to an early 2-0 advantage, but he surrendered three runs in the sixth inning and gave up the lead prior to exiting. He fired off 67 of 92 pitches for strikes (73% strike rate) and threw first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 28 batters he faced (64%), so it’s safe to say he pounded the strike zone. The 31-year-old left-hander continues to look serviceable, owning a 3.98 ERA with 39 punch-outs across 72-1/3 innings. He relies primarily on a 91 mph sinker with some natural sinking action, and an 82 mph slider that has exceptional depth, while also mixing in an 83 mph worm-killer changeup with natural sinking action, a 91 mph four-seam fastball with natural sinking action, an 89 mph cutter, and a 77 mph worm-killer knuckle curveball that has exceptional bite. He is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in four career starts against the Rays. Key Matchup: Guillermo Heredia (1-4)

Noteworthiness

— The Rays are expected to get two players back this week: Jose Alvarado, who was moved to the restricted list from the family medical emergency list on Sunday, and Joey Wendle (fractured wrist). Wendle went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in a rehab game with Triple-A Durham.

— As expected, Michael Perez has been activated from the injured list and optioned to Durham. With Nick Cuiffo out 8-10 weeks with a thumb injury, the emergence of Travis d’Arnaud, and the fact the Rays have no depth behind the plate, it makes sense to have Perez go down to Durham then reevaluate things when Cuiffo is healthy.

— With the Rays 5-2 road trip, they have upped their chances for a postseason berth to 90.7%.

(Credit: FanGraphs)

— Don’t forget about the Rays/Rowdies doubleheader this Saturday. $30 for a pair of games (and some great promotional items) is a pretty darn good deal!

https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1137351184166129665

TNWN: Rays vs Tigers — a series preview

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Kevin Kiermaier and Brandon Lowe helped make things interesting in the series finale against the Twins, on Sunday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays hit the road en route to the Motor City, where they will face the Detroit Tigers over the next three days. Tampa Bay dropped three of four at home against the Twins after losing the series finale, 9-7, Sunday afternoon. Detroit dropped the rubber game of their three-game set on the road against Atlanta, losing 7-4 Sunday afternoon.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

After beating the Twins 14-3 in the series opener on Thursday, Tampa Bay dropped three consecutive games to close out the series. In short, the Rays were unable to contain Minnesota’s lineup. Even with the loss on Sunday, the Rays got two hits each from Austin Meadows (run, two RBI), Brandon Lowe (RBI) and Ji-Man Choi (two runs) while Christian Arroyo hit his second homer of the season, rallying from a 7-0 deficit to close the gap to two. They enter the series second in the AL East and 2-1/2 games behind the Yankees.

Detroit dropped the final two games of its road series in Atlanta as it was upended in the rubber match. The Tigers battled back from a three-run deficit to tie the game in the eighth inning before giving up four runs in the bottom of the frame. Grayson Greiner, JaCoby Jones, and Christin Stewart each homered in the loss. They enter the series fourth in the AL Central and 17 games behind the Twins.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

The Rays won the season series 4-2 last season, although the Tigers took two of three at Comerica Park July 9-11, 2018.

Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will throw starters Blake Snell (3-4, 3.06 ERA) and Charlie Morton (6-0, 2.54 ERA), and likely bulk guy Jalen Beeks (4-0, 3.02 ERA). Ron Gardenhire will counter with Ryan Carpenter (0-2, 7.58 ERA), Spencer Turnbull (3-4, 2.84 ERA), and Daniel Norris (2-4, 4.58 ERA).

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Blake Snell allowed two runs on six hits and two walks across six innings in an extra-inning win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday. He struck out five. The left-hander served up a two-run homer to Lourdes Gurriel during a shaky first inning but otherwise kept Toronto off the board. Snell was in line for his fourth win of the season until Jose Alvarado gave up the lead in the eighth inning. The 26-year-old was able to lower his ERA to 3.06 and has a 1.04 WHIP and 4.88 K/BB across 61-2/3 innings this season.

Ryan Carpenter gave up two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings on Wednesday. Carpenter worked efficiently against a poor Orioles lineup, needing only 79 pitches (50 strikes, 63% strike rate) to generate 15 outs. He allowed runs in the first and fourth innings, one of which came on a solo home run by Keon Broxton. Despite a relatively productive outing, Carpenter has a 7.58 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 19 innings and four starts this season. He relies primarily on an 82 mph slider with short glove-side cut and two-plane movement, and a 91 mph four-seam fastball with natural sinking action, while also mixing in a 91 mph sinker with natural sinking action, a firm 85 mph changeup with arm-side fade, and a 77 mph curveball with sweeping glove-side movement. Carpenter has never faced the Rays. Key Matchup: Avisail Garcia (1-3)

Charlie Morton had more than enough run support on Thursday, and he responded by allowing two runs on four hits and no walks across seven innings on an efficient 87 pitches (62 strikes, 71% strike rate). He struck out six. Morton pitched to the minimum, allowing just one hit across the first four frames before the Twins got on the board in the fifth inning on a two-out single by Ehire Adrianza. Minnesota pushed across another run in the sixth inning on Max Kepler’s groundout. Morton likely could have gone deeper into the game, although the lopsided score allowed Kevin Cash to give Adam Kolarek and Oliver Drake a little work in the eighth and ninth innings. Consecutive quality starts have Morton’s ERA at an excellent 2.54 heading into his next scheduled start against Detroit.

Spencer Turnbull allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out two over six innings on Friday. Turnbull surrendered his only run of the night in the third inning on a groundout to short, and it was smooth sailing from there. Following Friday’s impressive start, Turnbull sports a 2.84 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with a 2.91 K/BB through 66-2/3 innings this season. He relies primarily on a whiffy 94 mph four-seam fastball with heavy sinking action, and a hard 87 mph worm-killer slider with two-plane movement, while also mixing in a 95 mph sinker with natural sinking action, and an 80 mph curveball with sharp downward bite. Turnbull has never faced the Rays.

Jalen Beeks allowed two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three across 3-1/3 innings on Friday. Beeks cruised through his first two innings of work before getting roughed up in the fifth, yielding two runs on a pair of hits. Still, the 25-year-old southpaw has been solid out of the bulk inning role this season, posting a 3.02 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 44-2/3 innings of work.

Daniel Norris allowed six runs (five earned) across 5-1/3 innings on Saturday. He fanned four and walked two. Norris kept Atlanta off the board for the first three innings before he allowed two runs in each of the next two frames. He carries a 4.58 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 2.8 K/BB into the series finale on Thursday. He relies primarily on a 91 mph four-seam fastball, and an 84 mph slider with short glove-side cut, while also mixing in a whiffy 85 mph changeup that dives down out of the zone, a whiffy 91 mph sinker, and a 77 mph curveball with exceptional bite. Norris is 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA in four career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Avisail Garcia (2-8, 2 BB), Guillermo Heredia (5-8, HR, 3 RBI), Kevin Kiermaier (1-2, RBI), Daniel Robertson (2-5, 2 RBI, BB)

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

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Blake Snell will get the start on Saturday, pitching opposite of Masahiro Tanaka.

The Tampa Bay Rays will cap their five-game road trip in New York, where they will face the Yankees for the second consecutive weekend, starting Friday. Both teams are coming off two-game sweeps of the Marlins and Orioles respectively.

(Stats Credit: ESPN)

Even though the Rays were limited to five runs total by the Marlins over the last two days, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff held Miami’s offense scoreless over the span of the series (18 innings). They look to exact some revenge on the Yankees, who took two-of-three from the Rays last weekend.

That would appear to be an easy task on paper after all New York has underperformed the league average by 14% over the last 14 days (as it relates to wRC+). The -5.4 wRAA over the same stretch certainly doesn’t look too pretty either. On their end, the Rays have outperformed their rivals, posting a 103 wRC+ and a 1.6 wRAA over that same 14-day stretch.

However, the Rays learned a firsthand lesson last weekend: they, like most teams in the league, are no match for the backend of the Yankee’s A-bullpen. If they are going to take two-of-three — in the very least — from the Evil Empire, the Rays will have to strike early and often, and protect any leads they may hold.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

With Anthony Bemboom hitting the IL along with catchers Michael Perez and Mike Zunino, the Rays acquired veteran backstop Erik Kratz from the Giants for either a player to be named later or cash.

Kratz was designated for assignment by the Giants earlier this week, and he will now suit up for the ninth different team in 10 big league seasons in which he slashed a combined .208 BA/.256 OBP/.360 SLG/.616 OPS/.266 wOBA lined, with an overall 3.8 fWAR. However, he is seven seasons removed from a 2.1 fWAR campaign with the Phillies. Kratz will back up Travis d’Arnaud, himself a recent acquisition, and it’s probably safe to assume that his time with the Rays will be short as players begin to return from injury.

Whatever the case, Kratz is expected to join the team on Friday, while Aaron Slegers was designated for assignment to make room for the catcher.

Rays Pitching Probables

Over the next three days, Kevin Cash will lean on bulk innings guy Yonny Chirinos ()5-1, 3.61 ERA, Blake Snell (3-4, 3.56 ERA), and Charlie Morton (4-0, 2.32 ERA). Aaron Boone will counter with CC Sabathia (2-1, 3.26 ERA), Masahiro Tanaka (3-3, 3.44 ERA), and a pitcher to be named before the series finale on Sunday.

(Stats Credit: FanGraphs)

Yonny Chirinos earned the win against New York on Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits over four innings. He struck out two and walked one. Chirinos followed opener Ryne Stanek in the third inning, and while he wasn’t at his best, Tampa Bay scored five runs between the sixth and eighth innings to lock up his victory. The right-hander has a 3.61 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 3.88 K/BB across 42-1/3 innings. Chirinos is 3-1 with a 3.07 ERA in 14-2/3 innings against the Yankees.

CC Sabathia struck out two and allowed two runs on three hits and four walks across five innings on Saturday. The slovenly southpaw was removed after five frames despite throwing only 76 pitches (49 strikes, 64% strike rate), only to see the ‘pen immediately relinquish two runs after his exit. Sabathia has yet to complete six frames this season and has allowed three runs or fewer in all but one outing. He is now 17-16 with a 3.67 ERA across 49 career starts against the Rays. Key Matchups: Travis d’Arnaud (2-6, 2 BB), Yandy Diaz (1-3, HR, RBI), Avisail Garcia (4-16, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Guillermo Heredia (3-11, 2 2B, BB), Kevin Kiermaier (5-16, 2 HR, 2 RBI)

Blake Snell allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 12 over 5-2/3 on Sunday. Snell was cruising until an RBI double from Mike Tauchman and an RBI single from DJ LeMahieu in the fifth inning saddled him with his fourth loss of the season. The southpaw was dominant despite the loss, getting 26 swinging strikes in his start. He has allowed two runs with a 10.5 K/BB over his last two turns. Snell is 3-5 with a 4.25 ERA in 12 career starts against the Yankees, and 1-4 with a 5.63 ERA at Yankee Stadium.

Masahiro Tanaka allowed one run on five hits while striking out seven over seven innings on Sunday. A home run by Austin Meadows was the only damage given up by Tanaka en route his third win of the season. The right-hander did not give up a walk after allowing at least two in five of his last six starts. The long ball continues to be a problem for Tanaka as he has allowed home runs in each of his last seven starts. He is now 9-4 with a 3.54 ERA in 15 career starts against Tampa Bay. Key Matchups: Willy Adames (2-7, 2B, RBI), Ji-Man Choi (3-8, 2B, BB), Yandy Diaz (1-3), Avaisail Garcia (5-16, 2B, RBI, BB), Guillermo Heredia (1-4), Kevin Kiermaier (7-26, 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, BB), Brandon Lowe (2-7, 2B), Austin Meadows (1-3, HR, RBI), Tommy Pham (3-8, 2B, HR, 2 RBI)

Charlie Morton pitched six shutout innings, scattering three hits while striking out five to earn the win in a 4-0 victory over the Marlins. The right-hander had one of his cleanest performances of the season Tuesday and got enough support to take the win. Morton has 61 punchouts over 50-1/3 innings (nine starts) this season and owns a 2.32 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Morton is 2-1 with a 4.10 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees, and 1-1 with a 5.30 ERA in three starts at Yankee Stadium.

NY Pitcher TBA

TNWN: Rays look for a series sweep after a 4-0 win over Miami

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  • RHP Charlie Morton threw six efficient shutout innings against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

After a 4-0 combined shutout against the Marlins on Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Rays will for the sweep tonight. Tampa Bay enters the day a game ahead of New York in the AL East and is 13-5 on the road this season — an MLB best.

If we had to name two heroes from last night’s contest, Charlie Morton and Avisail Garcia would easily make the cut.

Charlie Morton pitched six shutout innings, scattering three hits while striking out five to earn the win in a 4-0 victory over the Marlins. The right-hander had one of his cleanest performances of the season Tuesday and got enough support to take the win. Morton has 61 punchouts over 50-1/3 innings (nine starts) this season and owns a 2.32 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Morton is scheduled to face New York on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Garcia had three hits and three runs batted in on Tuesday night. His first hit, RBI, and run came on a massive 471 solo blast to center field in the second inning.

Garcia’s blast was the furthest ball hit by an opponent in Marlins Park.

Ever the conspiracy theorist, Kevin Kiermaier feels the ball traveled even further than that, and in all honesty, he has a point:

The outfielder drove in a second run in the sixth inning against reliever Nick Anderson with a base hit to left and capped the scoring with a bases-loaded infield hit against Tyler Kinley.

All told, the Rays went 2-for-7 wRISP (.286 BA) and scored a pair of two-out runs.

The New What Next

Ryne Stanek (0-1, 2.57 ERA) will open for the Rays tonight, with Jalen Beeks (2-0, 2.48 ERA) likely to be the bulk pitcher. They’ll be opposed by Jose Urena (1-5, 4.82 ERA).

Ryne Stanek will open for the 11th time this season. So far he’s allowed just one run 15.2/3 innings (10 opens, 3 ER, 1.72 ERA).

Jalen Beeks allowed one run on three hits over 3-1/3 innings against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. He fanned three and walked none. The southpaw followed Ryne Stanek and continues to pitch well when utilized as a bulk reliever. With the loss of Tyler Glasnow to the IL, there is the potential for Beeks to temporarily join the starting rotation. He has a 2.48 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 2.9 K/BB across 21 innings to begin the season.

Jose Urena allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out three over seven innings on Wednesday. Urena allowed eight baserunners, although he was able to escape trouble most of the night. After giving four combined home runs in his last two starts, Urena kept the ball in the yard and generated 75% groundballs. He has a 1-5 record with a 4.82 ERA and 6.2 K/9 over eight starts this season. Urena is 0-0 with a 0.84 in seven games (one start) against the Rays. He relies primarily on a worm-killer 96 mph four-seam fastball with obvious tail and an 86 mph 12-6 slider while also mixing in a whiffy 91 mph changeup with slight arm-side fade. Key Matchups: Travis d’Arnaud (2-5, RBI, BB), Daniel Robertson (1-3)

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

TNWN: Rays vs. Marlins — an Interleague series preview

Rays 5/15/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Meadows RF
  2. Pham LF
  3. Choi 1B
  4. Lowe 2B
  5. Diaz 3B
  6. Kiermaier CF
  7. Adames SS
  8. Bemboom C
  9. Stanek RHP

Noteworthiness

— The Rays have an MLB-best 2.88 ERA. Meanwhile, the Marlins have scored just 105 runs (2.62 per contest) so far this year.

— The Marlins are averaging just 2.62 runs per game.

— Matt Duffy (hamstring, back) continued his rehab assignment today, playing third base today for the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs.

— Jose De Leon (Tommy John surgery) will start tonight for the Triple-A Durham Bulls.