Tampa Bay Rays Game 133: What’s With These Extra-Inning Losses?

The Tampa Bay Rays are now just 2-11 in extra-inning games this season. Imagine how good of a position they would be in if they had won just a couple more of those games? This time, Brad Boxberger blew the save–although, to his credit, he composed himself after allowing a walk and a Jonathan Schoop home run to begin the ninth–before Matt Andriese gave up a moonshot to Chris Davis to end the game.

The other negative was Erasmo Ramirez, who allowed 4 runs on 6 runs in just 4 innings. We talked earlier today about how the Rays could end up with any three of Ramirez, Drew Smyly, Matt Moore, and Nate Karns in the last three spots in their rotation, and this is the type of game that has to make you wonder if Ramirez will be the odd one out. In any event, he will likely receive at least one more start to prove himself (probably on September 8th) before the Rays make a switch.

In better news, Alex Colome was unhittable, tossing 1.1 perfect innings with a strikeout, after Steve Geltz got past a walk in 1.2 hitless frames. Before him, Brandon Gomes had worked around a hit and a walk to toss scoreless ball in the sixth, picking off Ryan Flaherty. The Rays’ relief corps has looked a lot better of late, and it is unfortunate that Boxberger returned to struggling in this one to counteract their efforts.

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Then we have the offense. Evan Longoria led the way by going 2 for 5 with a pair of home runs and 3 RBI. He also helped out Andriese in the 10th inning with a beautiful defensive play, barehanding a soft groundball by Manny Machado before gunning him down at first by half a step. The Rays will need a lot more power and defense from Longoria to have any chance in the season’s final month. J.P. Arencibia also homered to cap a 2-for-4 game while Logan Forsythe stayed super hot, going 3 for 3 with 2 doubles and 2 walks. It is a travesty that he didn’t factor into the scoring, but the more important thing that he was healthy and playing in this game after being questionable at gametime. Forsythe is a ridiculous 11 for his last 13 at the plate.

The Tampa Bay Rays will be off on Thursday before heading to New York to take on the Yankees beginning on Friday night at 7:05 PM. Jake Odorizzi will hope to get his team back in the win column as he opposes impressive rookie Luis Severino.

Next: Tampa Bay Rays: Matt Moore Set To Replace Karns in Rotation