Source: FanGraphs
Moore retired his first six hitters — his first 1-2-3 innings in a month (since May 3) — and needed just 26 pitches over the front three frames.
However, things changed in the fourth inning after Paul Goldschmidt doubled to left center with one out, then advanced to third on a liner to left by Wellington Castillo. After Brandon Drury struck out, a play that was initially ruled a foul tip and led to the ejection of Diamondbacks Manager Chip Hale, Jake Lamb hit a wall scraping opposite field three-run homer giving Arizona a 3-0 lead.
Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) made mention of a play that stood out on the night, Corey Dickerson’s botched attempt at Lamb’s home run.
Dickerson acknowledged a couple of missteps. He misjudged how far the ball would carry, he didn’t put his hand out to gauge where the wall was, and he jumped into the wall rather than straight up.
For his part, Dickerson spoke about the play, saying,
When I tried to jump my shoulder and head kind of hit the wall and it wouldn’t let me go up anymore. I should have taken a better step on it. It is what it is.
The Diamondbacks extended the lead in the sixth inning when Michael Bourn walked and Goldschmidt crushed his 11th homer of the season, a two-run blast to left. Moore has now allowed 14 home runs this season, a distinction that finds him tied for the second most in the American League. The Rays have also allowed the fifth most homers in all of baseball (78).
In spite of the homers, Cash said Moore was as sharp as he had been all season.
There was a lot to be really positive about. He was extremely efficient, that was outstanding. … You could argue the stuff coming out of his hand and the way he attacked hitters was as good as any game that he’s had. … I thought it was a really good outing for Matt, something we can really build off.
Moore ended up going seven innings, allowing five runs (all earned) on seven hits and a walk, while striking out three. Moore needed just 89 pitches on the night, saving an overworked and short-handed bullpen.
Credit where it’s due, both Taylor Motter and Desmond Jennings made multiple impressive plays in the field to keep the Diamondbacks from scoring any more runs.
DES!
Diving catch ends the @dbacks 2nd!
His snag in the first = solid. #RaysUp
WATCH: https://t.co/iyaj8tQYOB pic.twitter.com/fVGIWVBaxT
— #VoteRays (@RaysBaseball) June 8, 2016
Can’t hit them by @d_jennings8 tonight. #RaysUp
WATCH: https://t.co/Q9SMfFZyUA pic.twitter.com/WZvl7IEasb
— #VoteRays (@RaysBaseball) June 8, 2016
Greinke didn’t allow a Rays runner into scoring position, and scattered just three singles and a pair of walks over the course of his complete game shutout. Only one leadoff hitter, Hank Conger, reached base, yet he was wiped out when Moore bunted too hard, and into a third inning double play.
The New What Next
The Rays have a chance to win the series Wednesday afternoon when RHP Jake Odorizzi takes the mound opposite of RHP Archie Bradley. Odorizzi is coming off a career-high 120-pitch outing on Friday, working six innings in his seventh no-decision of the season (second most in majors). The righty is 5-3 with a 3.18 ERA in interleague play. Bradley will make his fifth start since being recalled from Triple-A Reno on May 29. With Reno, he was 5-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 40-2/3 innings, collecting 47 strikeouts along the way. You can read about the pitching matchup in our series preview.
Rays 6/8/16 Starting Lineup
Motter SS
Dickerson LF
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1V
Souza RF
Jennings CF
Beckham 2B
Casali C
Odorizzi RHO
Noteworthiness
— Second baseman Logan Forsythe is scheduled to play a seven-inning rehab assignment Wednesday with the Triple-A Durham Bulls. He is expected to rejoin the team during the upcoming home stand June 10 – June 19.