Rays fall two games under .500 after offensive-lacking Tuesday at Tropicana Field against Los Angeles
For the second game against the Angels, Tampa Bay sent Alex Cobb to the mound to face Matt Shoemaker.
Angels Start Off With A Bang…Two Of Them
The game started out rough for Cobb, giving up back-to-back home runs to Cameron Maybin (3) and Mike Trout (15) in his first six pitches. For the Angels, it was the third time this year that they hit back-to-back homers to leadoff a game.
Now that’s how you start a ball game! #Back2Back
Maybin: https://t.co/VqoTVhztGV
Trout: https://t.co/DT2j5lrefm pic.twitter.com/WuiGEOXO1K— Angels (@Angels) May 23, 2017
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Cobb was able to escape with only 13 first inning pitches, but not before giving up a double to Andrelton Simmons, his seventh of the year.
Los Angeles added to their lead in the eighth after Trout came across on an RBI single by Luis Valbuena, and Albert Pujols came in on a sacrifice fly by Kole Calhoun.
Rays Offense Practically Non-Existent
The first signs of life from the Rays came in the seventh inning. After a double by Logan Morrison and a walk to Tim Beckham, Colby Rasmus almost hit it out the park. Instead it went off the padding in right field for a very long single. Still, the Rays had the bases loaded with one out, and Shoemaker’s night was down.
The excitement was short-lived though. Yusmeiro Petit came in and struck out Steven Souza Jr. and Derek Norris to get the Angels out of the jam. Shoemaker (4-2) finished with 6.1 innings, recording five strikeouts on 89 pitches. Although he walked three and gave up three hits, he kept the Rays scoreless and dropped his ERA to 3.97.
Another Deep Start From Cobb
Aside from giving up back-to-back home runs before recording the first out, Cobb had another stellar game on the mound. He was replaced by Danny Farquhar after throwing 104 pitches in 7.1 innings, and not allowing a run from the second until the eighth, when two runners came across after he was pulled. Collecting five strikeouts and giving up seven hits, Cobb’s ERA rose to 3.88.
For Cobb (4-4), it was his fourth start this season he went 7.0 innings or deeper, something the Rays desperately need their starting pitchers to accomplish more frequently.
Manager Kevin Cash felt that Cobb pitched “phenomenal”…
Kevin Cash on tonight’s #Rays loss to #Angels. Word On Cobb “phenomenal”. pic.twitter.com/s9gIQ4JFBG
— The Scrum Sports (@TheScrumSports) May 24, 2017
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Although Cobb himself did not feel the same way, saying he was frustrated after the loss…
Cobb “one of the more frustrating games I left…” on leaving with runners on and down. #RaysUp #Rays pic.twitter.com/jBwTNM3xqE
— The Scrum Sports (@TheScrumSports) May 24, 2017
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Next Up
For the third game against the Angels (25-23), Tampa Bay (23-25) sends Erasmo Ramirez (2-0 3.00 ERA) to the rubber against Ricky Nolasco (2-3 4.01 ERA). First pitch is Wednesday night at 7:10 PM live from Tropicana Field.
