Once again, Rays have lost five games in row

by Gary Shelton on June 6, 2018 · 0 comments

in general

Miller drove in the Rays' only two runs./CARMEN MANDATO

Miller drove in the Rays' only two runs./CARMEN MANDATO

Wednesday, 4 a.m.

The way the Tampa Bay Rays are going these days, you don't have to be one of the best pitchers in the game to beat them.

On the other hand, it doesn't hurt.

Max Scherzer ran his record to 10-1 on the season Tuesday night, leading the Washington Nationals to a 4-2 victory over Tampa Bay. Scherzer struck out 13 Rays en route to the victory. He faced 28 batters in eight innings, and he threw 25 first-pitch strikes.

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In the sixth he struck out three batters on nine pitches.

Stanek had a strong ninth inning./JEFFREY S. KING

Stanek had a strong ninth inning./JEFFREY S. KING

It was the Rays' fifth straight loss. Four times this season, the Rays have had a five game losing streak or more. The Rays have had three five-game winning streaks.

"He’s tough," Rays manager Kevin Cash said of Scherzer. "We probably don’t have the appreciation for him now that he’s been in the National League for a couple of years. He’s really, really good. The  strike-throwing amazes me as much as anything. There is no secret. He’s coming after you. "Here it is: Hit it.' I

Duffy kept his average at .309./CARMEN MANDATO

Duffy kept his average at .309./CARMEN MANDATO

just think it speaks to how quality his stuff is.

“I looked up at one point. He had 86 pitches, and 70 strikes. It’s absurd. Guys just don’t do that. For a guy to pound the strike zone the way he did and not give up hard hits, it's really telling about how special he is."

The Rays' Nate Eovaldi actually allowed fewer hits than Scherzer, but he gave up four earned runs in the first five innings. The Rays were scoreless until Brad Miller had a two-run double in the eighth.

For the Rays, Wilmer Font threw two hitless innings and Ryne Stanek one.

The Rays play the Nationals again today at 1:05 p.m. Johnny Venters will start today for the Rays against Tanner Roark.

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