Snell is off to a 3-5 start./TIM WIRT
Wednesday, 4 a.m.
In Tampa Bay, we do not do encores very well.
For instance, in 2002, the Bucs won the Super Bowl; in 2003, they fell to 7-9. In 2004, the Lightning won the Stanley Cup; in 2005, there was no hockey (they lost 11 more years afterward). In 2008, the Rays went to the World Series; in 2009, they finished 19 games out. Derrick Brooks was defensive MVP in 2002; he made the Pro Bowl in 2003, but his impact plays were down. In 2013, David Price won the Cy Young and 20 games; In 2014, he won 10.
Which brings us to the reigning Cy Young winner Blake Snell.
And "ouch."
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Adames' grand slam came too late./CHUCK MULLER
Snell lasted only 4 1/3 innings Tuesday night, giving up six runs including a grand slam to Miguel Cabrera in a 9-6 loss. It was the Rays' fourth straight loss, a stretch in which they've given up 29 runs. Snell is now 3-5 on the season.
"He got his strikeouts (eight)," said manager Kevin Cash. "But the Tigers' hitters did a good job of spoiling pitches. They got his pitch count up by laying off pitches we normally see a lot of clubs swing at. They made some adjustments, and they had the big blow that came from one of the game’s best."
Snell seemed to be visibly frustrated when he didn't get the call on a close pitch to Nick Castellanos. But close pitches often go the other way.
"I've got to be better," Snell said. "At throwing zeroes up. Winning games. Stuff like that. Yeah, it’s frustrating, for sure."
Last year, Snell had a 1.89 ERA. This year, it's 3.68.
The Rays held a 2-1 lead on a home run by Avi Garcia. Later, they got a grand slam of their own from Willy Adames, but it came when they were behind 9-2/
The Rays play the Tigers again today at Comerica Park in Detroit.. Game time is 7:10 p.m. The Rays will start Charlie Morton (6-0) against Spencer Turnbull.
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