Rays’ Bullpen Melts Down Against the M’s

June 5, 2011

A: Seattle Mariners

Attendance: 28,947

W: Jamey Wright (2-2) 2.70 ERA

L: J.P. Howell (0-1) 18.90 ERA

Summary:

The Rays and Mariners played a tight, crisp 3-3 game into the bottom of the seventh. Both starters were throwing well. Wade Davis, who has been struggling a lot lately, was throwing an especially good game. Other than the three runs that he allowed in the third, he didn’t allow another hit until the seventh. In both the third and the seventh, two-run triples did him in. However, down 5-3, the Rays were able to bounce back with three in the top of the eighth.

What followed was a bullpen meltdown of epic proportions. J.P. Howell came on to work the eighth, got an out, but then allowed a walk and two singles that tied the game. Joel Peralta came on to face Miguel Olivo even though Olivo had just homered against him the day earlier. Olivo did it again, sending a three run shot to left field to give the M’s a 9-6 lead and win.

Perhaps, Howell is not all the way back from his injury. His ERA (over 18.00 after giving up three earnies today) is an indication of that. Peralta also hasn’t been as sharp as late.

After losing three of four in Seattle, the Rays will head to Los Angeles to take on the Angels. They have already lost four of five against them this year. David Price takes the ball tomorrow. He was rocked in his last start against the Halos, so look for a motivated Price to come up big.

Player of the Game: Greg Halmon making his season debut, he went three for four with a two run triple.