Adames accounted for the Rays' only run./JEFFREY S. KING
Wednesday, 4 a.m.
Sometimes, you can see their promise. Sometimes, you can glimpse at their future.
And sometimes, you can see the young Tampa Bay Rays struggle.
The Rays' lineup was handcuffed once again Tuesday night in a 4-1 loss to the New York Yankees. Tampa Bay managed only one hit off of New York starter J.A. Happ (13-6).
Tampa Bay has only two runs and nine hits in its last two games.
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Beeks struck out six straight batters./JEFFREY S. KING
"I thought he had a good fastball," Rays' manager Kevin Cash said. "He was a little uncharacteristic with four walks. He still had a good fastball. For whatever reason, we couldn’t barrel him up.
"He’s a good pitcher. He's not one of those guys who fools you or pitches backward. We just couldn’t make the adjustment off his fastball. He’s lived off deception and late life off his fastball for his entire career. He had it going tonight."
The Rays fell behind 1-0 behind opener Hunter Wood, who is struggling.
"Woody’s in a little bit of a slump," Cash said. "Sometimes, it looks like he’s trying to strike a guy out from pitch one. He has not looked as sharp. But Kyle (pitching coach Snyder) will sit down with him."
The Rays scored on Willy Adames' sixth home run of the season, but except for that, they managed only hits by C.J. Cron and Joey Wendle.
Jalen Beeks had his moments for the Rays, striking out eight in five innings of works. At one point, he struck out six batters in a row. However, he gave up a two-run homer to Austin Romine.
"More confidence, more comfort in these outings," Cash said. "I thought the strike to ball wasn’t as sharp as we wanted to be. He still competed well. The home run is one thing. It’s the leadoff walk (before the home run) that bothers you. You just can’t walk those guys."
Beeks saw positives, he said, and he saw negatives.
"My stuff was good when I was around the zone," Beeks said. "I had a lot of 3-2 counts. I want to get people out and be a little more efficient. In the fourth inning, I got out of rhythm. I have to be more consistent."
The Rays will try to get a little more going offensively tonight when they face Luis Cessa at 7:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium. Jake Faria will pitch for the Rays.
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