The Baltimore Orioles had allowed five or more runs in 20 games before snapping that streak on Saturday. On Sunday, it started right back up.
Prior to first pitch on Sunday the Rays announced that Blake Snell would rejoin the team on Wednesday. Snell will take the spot of Erasmo Ramirez who has been sent to the bullpen. A subsequent move will be made prior to Snell’s start against the Pirates.
Longoria Oddity Against Tillman
Entering the game, Evan Longoria was three for his last 22 against Orioles’ starter Chris Tillman. However, the three hits (2 HR, 1 3B) were all extra-bases. Throughout his career Longoria had taken Tillman deep on eight previous occasions.
Trailing by a run in the fifth inning, Longoria gave the Rays the lead by belting his ninth.
Um, yes, we’ll take three please. pic.twitter.com/58px89E219
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 25, 2017
Late Game Collapse
Holding on to a one-run lead, needing just six outs to secure victory, the Rays surrendered four runs before recording those six outs. Rays’ starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi was not at the top of his game today but he did leave with his team in front.
Unfortunately for the home squad the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead.
After Tommy Hunter went a scoreless inning-and-a-third, Chase Whitley was summoned to keep the Orioles aground. He was unable to do so.
Orioles’ second baseman Jonathan Schoop tied the game with his 15th home run of the season. Whitley would eventually get out of the 8th inning but the Orioles were not done there.
Alex Colome started the ninth by allowing a lead-off single to Caleb Joseph. Joseph was a thorn in the side all day for the Rays. The Orioles’ catcher finished the day 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored.
Craig Gentry sacrificed Joseph over to second and after an intentional walk to Seth Smith, Joey Rickard started the ninth-inning scoring with a ground-rule double to left, scoring Joseph. Two more runs would score in the inning, handing Colome his third loss of the season.
Colome Talks Ninth Inning Struggles
#Rays Colome talks about his struggles after 3-run 9th… pic.twitter.com/rOKqCo2ibJ
— Kris Dunn (@KrisDunnMLB) June 25, 2017
Odorizzi Allows Another HR
Caleb Jospeh blasted his third home run of the season off Odorizzi in the second inning. The Rays’ starter has now surrendered a homer in 11 straight starts. He ties Wilson Alvarez for the most consecutive games (all with TB) allowing a home run.
In 2002, Totonto Blue Jays pitcher Steve Parris ended the season by allowing a home run in six consecutive games. He joined the Rays in 2003 and proceeded to allow a home run in seven straight starts. After surrendering homers in 13 straight, Parris was sent to the bullpen.
Odorizzi addressed concerns after the game.
“I’ve had worse results than what I’ve had now, it’s just a matter of pitching through it”.
He also made reference to the length of the season and how much of a grind it can be.
“It’s taxing. But the only way to get through it that I know is to keep pitching,” Odorizzi told us after the game.
He’ll get every opportunity to do just that. Even if Odorizzi were to catch, and even surpass the consecutive home run mark by Parris, he is not in danger of losing his spot in the rotation.
What’s On Tap
The Rays have an off-day on Monday before heading to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates. Projected mashups for the series are below.
Tuesday: RHP Alex Cobb (6-5; 4.05) vs RHP Trevor Williams (3-3; 5.09)
Wednesday: LHP Blake Snell (0-4; 4.71) vs RHP Ivan Nova (7-5; 3.06)
Thursday: RHP Chris Archer (6-4; 3.88) vs RHP Jameson Taillon (3-2; 3.33)
