Kevin Kiermaier and the Rays look to bounce back from a 9-5 loss Tuesday night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

A day after the Rays came back from a 5-2 deficit to tie the game against the Braves, only to lose 9-5 after a rare, tough outing by Chaz Roe, Tampa Bay looks to split the series with Atlanta tonight. The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for the Rays, who start the day 9.5 games back of the Oakland Athletics in the AL Wildcard race.

A late defensive gaffe behind Roe proved costly.

With the score tied at five, Roe walked the leadoff batter, Kurt Suzuki, to start the eighth. Ozzie Albies followed with a double to right. Then with the infield drawn in, Atlanta shortstop Dansby Swanson grounded back through the middle. Joey Wendle scooped the ball and checked pinch-runner Adam Duvall back to third before throwing to first to get Swanson.

Jake Bauers looked toward second at Albies, who started heading for third before scurrying back to second, while Duvall raced home, beating Bauers’ throw to give the Braves a 6-5 lead.

It was just kind of a weird play, Bauers said. They had their lines crossed, and then at the end of it, we had our lines crossed and they got a run out of it.

The New What Next

Diego Castillo (3-2, 3.23 ERA), who will be followed by Jalen Beeks (3-1, 6.62 ERA), will get the start for the Rays, pitching opposite of Sean Newcomb (11-6, 3.57 ERA).

Castillo worked 2-2/3 scoreless innings against the Red Sox over two outings (Friday and Sunday). He struck out four Boston hitters and allowed two hits. Castillo has been very good, giving up just two runs over his last 14 innings of work (extending back to July 29).

Beeks was credited with the win on Friday when the Rays routed the Red Sox 10-3. He allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks across 5-1/3 innings of work while striking out four. Beeks wasn’t particularly sharp against his former club, throwing 59 of 97 pitches for strikes (61% strike rate, 13/24 first-pitch strikes) but the Rays offense did more than enough to cover for the southpaw, who has lowered his overall ERA to 6.62 (down from +13) with a 1.8 K/BB in six appearances (27-2/3 innings) since being traded to Tampa Bay.

Newcomb allowed two hits while walking three and striking out eight over six scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against Miami. Newcomb took advantage of the weak Marlins lineup to record his first scoreless start since June 16. He received an extra day of rest between starts, which may have helped him bounce back from consecutive subpar outings during which he gave up 12 earned runs across 9-1/3 innings. In any case, Newcomb struggled with efficiency, needing 111 pitches to retire 18 batters with only 64 of his pitches going for strikes (58% strike rate). Still, the left-hander relinquished just two hits, but three walks, across six scoreless innings against the Rays on May 8. He fanned six.

Rays 8/29/18 Starting Lineup

Adames SS
Pham LF
Duffy 3B
Cron 1B
Wendle 2B
Gomez RF
Kiermaier CF
Sucre C
Castillo RHP

You can read about the series in our preview.

The New What Next: Rays vs Braves part two — an Interleague series preview

Noteworthiness

— The Rays released their Spring Training schedule, with the Grapefruit League finale scheduled at the Trop. The spring schedule, features a game against USF and one in North Port against the Braves at their new facility.

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