McCarthy Dominant, Cobb Plagued by Discomfort in Hand

After winning three consecutive games, the hot streak is over after the Rays were shut out by the Oakland A’s tonight by a final score of 8-0.

The Rays caught a break in the first when the A’s third base coach Mike Gallego, gave no apparent guidance to Coco Crisp, causing him to make the third out. It felt like a good beginning to the game but Brandon McCarthy started strong on the mound and unfortunately Evan Longoria was unable to score after he singled in the bottom of the inning.

David DeJesus started the second inning off with a solo shot off of Alex Cobb. Scott Sizemore scored on a ground out by Adam Rosales before the inning ended. Oakland struck again in the third after Coco Crisp reached on a bunt to Longoria, who dropped the ball. Crisp stole second then reached third on a ground out by Hideki Matsui, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Willingham.

The A’s kept it up in the fifth driving Cobb from the game after a visit from Maddon couldn’t get him back on track. David DeJesus added salt to the wound with a solo shot off reliever Jake McGee in the top of the ninth. Despite the shut out loss, Rays pitching recorded ten strike outs, giving free pizza to the fans in attendance.

This game was just all Oakland from the start. Even their running game was on, with seven stolen bases. The only real excitement was the change in Evan Longoria’s walk up music during his second at bat. He tested out the use of this song by Skillet, but returned to “Down and Out” for his remaining plate appearances. Just when you think the Rays have figured it out, the water runs cold once again. Maybe it was because Joe Maddon didn’t change the line-up. I should also give credit where credit is due to Brandon McCarthy however, who pitched a great game.

Post-game note: Dave Wills reported that Alex Cobb went to St. Anthony’s after the game to have precautionary tests on his throwing hand since he felt some discomfort there. Hopefully he is ok. Perhaps it will be a saving grace that the Rays have been using a six man rotation.

Update via Marc topkin on Twitter: “not saying much about Cobb’s hand issue, but concern seems to be more vascular, such as blood clot, than structural”

Discussion is just a tweet away! @Raynaadi
also be sure to like us on Facebook!