Gut Check, Rays Lose Ninth Time In Last 10 Games
Jose Alvarado gave up a two run homer to Kyle Seager in the top of the seventh inning and the Mariners never looked back in defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4. The game ended with Johnny Field being thrown out at the plate.
James Paxton (6-1, 3.02 ERA) picks up the win for the Mariners take three out of four from the Rays and improve to 41-24 on the season. They end up taking six out of seven from the Rays in 2018. Edwin Diaz worked the ninth inning picking up his major league leading 23rd save of the year. Seattle improves to 21-9 on the season.
Jose Alvarado (0-3, 3.29 ERA) takes the loss for Tampa Bay who have lost 9 of their last 10 and fall to 29-35 on the season. The Rays have played 26 games this season against teams currently in playoff position and are 5-21 in those games. They are in the middle of a stretch of playing 41 games in 40 days (May 11 to June 20) and are 14-16 in those games. The Rays are now 9-17 in one run games.
Eovaldi’s First Home Start:
Nathan Eovaldi made his first start at Tropicana Field as a member of the Rays and departed after giving up a game tying 2-run homer to Mike Zunino in the top of the sixth. Overall, he went five innings allowing three earned runs on four hits while striking out three and walking none. He threw 102 pitches with 71 for strikes and only six swinging strikes.
Cron Hits Homer 15:
C.J. Cron delivered a solo homer in the fourth inning to give the Rays a 2-1 lead. It was his 15th homer of the season. He’s just one homer shy of his career high (16) which he has hit in each of the last three seasons.
Smith Extends Hit Streak:
Mallex Smith singled and stole second in the fifth inning. His hit extended his current batting streak to four straight games. It was his 12th stolen base of the season. His career high for stolen bases is 16 which he accomplished in each of the last two seasons.
Robertston Departs With Injury:
Daniel Robertson departed the game after experiencing tightness in his left hamstring after running out a ground ball to second in the bottom of the first.
Up Next For Rays:
Tampa Bay opens a three game series against the Toronto Blue Jays Monday night at 7:10. Ryan Yarbrough (4-2, 3.68 ERA) will play the role of the “opener”. Toronto counters with Sam Gaviglio (2-1, 2.51 ERA).
