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.

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