Like a caged monkey, there I was behind the fence in centerfield last night. (Photo Credit: Anthony Ateek/X-Rays Spex)

Despite hitting solo homers in each of the first three innings Friday night, the Tampa Bay Rays couldn’t hold on to a two-run lead past the fourth inning, as they fell to the Houston Astros, 6-3.


Source: FanGraphs

Things we learned from last night’s ball game:

— Cobb was pretty damn whiffy last night, racking up seven strikeouts; six swinging swinging K’s, and three on his changeup. Overall, Cobb pitched well, limiting a very tough Astros’ offense, and getting some ugly whiffs oh his changeup — the difference maker (when it’s on) in his repertoire.

The right-hander both mixed his pitches and changed locations well. One more thing: Cobb owns Jose Altuve, who chronically gets on base and uses his speed to cause chaos. That, however, was not the case last night as Cobb not only picked him off once, but twice at first.

— Do not f**k with Kevin Kiermaier:

— Additionally, do not f**k with Tim Beckham (which admittedly is hard to type):

— Conversely, do not f**k with the Astro’s bullpen. In the words of the inimitable Neil Solondz (Rays Radio):

Meanwhile, Houston’s standout bullpen was in control after Mike Fiers went the first five innings. Michael Feliz worked a 1–2–3 6th, and then Will Harris pitched around a Tim Beckham single in the seventh. Luke Gregerson was perfect in the eighth, and Ken Giles in the ninth.

The New What Next

The Rays and Astros will play game two of three tonight with Blake Snell (0-2, 2.76 ERA, 4.20 FIP) taking the mound opposite right-hander Charlie Morton (1-1, 2.81 ERA, 3.61 FIP).

Snell dropped to 0-2 on the season, despite allowing just one earned run on seven hits over five innings of work. He was done in by sloppy defensive play behind him in that outing. The southpaw tinkered with throwing pitches primarily out of the stretch in that start, so it will be interesting to see if he continues to pitch as though there are men on base, on Saturday. He is 5-5 with a 3.32 ERA at the Trop.

Morton will make his fourth start of season. He worked six innings in his first start, but has lasted only five innings in his last two, including five shutout innings against the Angels. He made four starts last year before incurring an injury. The former Phillie (and Pirate) has faced the Rays just one time in his career, back in 2014 when he allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits over seven innings. Morton relies primarily upon a heavy 95 mph sinker with decent tailing action, and an 81 mph knuckle curveball which generates a fair number of whiffs. He will also mix in an 88 mph cutter — that despite its name, has little cutting action — and an 86 mph splitter. Key matchups: Corey Dickerson (4-9, HR, RBI), Logan Morrison (4-8, 2 2B, RBI), Derek Norris (2-8), Shane Peterson (2-4, 2 RBI)

You can read about the pitching matchup, and so much more, in our series preview.

Rays 4/22/17 Starting Lineup

Dickerson DH
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller 2B
Souza Jr. RF
Morrison 1B
Norris C
Peterson LF
Beckham SS
Snell LHP

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