The Tampa Bay Rays’ bats have suddenly gone silent as they scored just four runs in their last two games after putting up 10 runs in the first game of the three-game series with Boston. The Red Sox won the series from the Rays, winning two out of three games.
On Monday night, the Rays scored 10 runs and needed all ten, as the Rays’ bullpen could not keep Boston off the scoreboard. Shane Baz started for the Rays, giving up three runs over five innings of work. After Garrett Cleavinger recorded two outs, Eric Orze came on to pitch for the Rays. Orze has been outstanding for the Rays this season with a 1.42 ERA, but gave up two runs to the Red Sox in one inning of work to let Boston back in the game.
Manny Rodriguez pitched two innings of scoreless ball, before turning things over to Pete Fairbanks. Fairbanks recorded the final out in the eighth inning before running into problems in the ninth. Fairbanks got out of the ninth, but not before allowing two runs on three hits.
Rookie Ian Seymour made his MLB debut in the tenth inning. Seymour, who attended Red Sox games as a kid and grew up a Boston fan, made his debut in front of family and a few close friends. He got the win despite two errors by first baseman Jonathan Aranda, allowing one run. Despite getting the win, he was rewarded with a ticket back to Durham after the game.
The Rays would bang out 12 hits, score 10 runs, and get the win 10-8 in eleven innings. Junior Camienero drew a bases-loaded walk, and Jake Mangum drove in the winning run with an infield hit to give the Rays the win.
On Tuesday night, the Rays could only muster one run and three hits against Boston starter Lucas Giolito and the Boston pen, losing 3-1. Yandy Diaz had the lone RBI for the Rays and Ryan Peiot had nine strikeouts in the loss to fall to 3-6 on the season. This was the second strong outing for Pepiot who walked two and struck out a season high nine in five and two-thirds innings of work.
On Wednesday night, the Rays were looking to win another series, but the Red Sox had other plans. Boston hit four solo homers, including two by Marcelo Mayer. Zack Littell gave up all four solo home runs and took the loss to drop to 6-6 on the season.
Yandy Diaz had a homer and two runs batted in for the Rays in the losing effort. Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero struggled in Boston, with Aranda going 2-for-10 and Caminero 0-for-12.
If the Rays are to stay in the thick of the wild card race, they will need better out of these young players. Currently, the Rays are 36-32, six games behind the Yankees for the division lead. The Rays are currently tied with Minnesota for the second wild card position.
The Rays head to New York for a weekend series with the Mets. This could be a challenging weekend as the Mets are an MLB-best 27-7 this season at Citi Field.
Taj Bradley, Drew Rasmussen, and Shane Baz will pitch for the Rays this weekend.
Notes
—The Rays have put pitcher Manny Rodriguez on the 10-day DL with a right forearm strain. Cole Sulser was recalled from Durham to take the place of Rodriguez.
—Bad news on the Shane McClanahan front. McClanahan has been shut down for the foreseeable future, and will consult with other doctors about what his next steps should be in his rehab.