If I told you that both starters in a given game went seven innings, with one striking out seven and the other scoring nine, you would likely expect a close game. A pitcher’s duel, perhaps. But that wasn’t the case in tonight’s contest between the Rays and Athletics.
Tampa Bay starter Shane Baz delivered an inconsistent start in which he gave up five runs (4 earned) on six hits. Not all of the runs were his fault, though, as a few misplays by Chandler Simpson and an infield popup that landed on grass rather than an infielder’s glove capped an uninspiring defensive performance.
Here is the play in question:
Though catcher Nick Fortes was charged with the error, he had the toughest angle here. You can make the case that either third baseman Junior Caminero or shortstop Ha-Seong Kim ought to have charged and taken over, but they both had to run a long way. Ideally, the pitcher does not get involved, but in my opinion this is one of the few exceptions, as Baz had the best play here. Anyway, that was the final run in a three run frame by the Athletics in the fourth.
The former Rays prospect Jacob Lopez was dominant once again, continuing an impressive stretch of pitching. Coming into tonight, the 27-year-old southpaw pitched three scoreless starts in a row. This outing was no different, as Lopez added seven more scoreless innings to his tally. He scattered four hits as he mixed a steady diet of sliders, cutters and four-seamers.
Of those four Rays hits, second baseman Brandon Lowe recorded half of them, as he continues his hot hitting. Yandy Diaz and Chandler Simpson knocked the other two. Since May 13, Lowe is the fifth best hitter in baseball with a 167 wRC+ (min. 150 PA).
With this, the Athletics even the series. The Rays fall to 58-63 and 12.5 games back in the division. They can salvage the series tomorrow with Drew Rasmussen on the hill for another 10 p.m. eastern start. For the other side it will be JT Ginn, who impressed in long relief against the rays when the Athletics were in Tampa Bay.
