Rays’ slow start continues against Indians

by Gary Shelton on April 15, 2016 · 0 comments

in general, Tampa Bay Rays

Longoria has fielded well at third base./TRAVIS PENDERGRASS

Longoria has fielded well at third base./TRAVIS PENDERGRASS

Friday, 5:15 a.m.

The Tampa Bay Rays are officially off to a slow start.

The Rays lost their second straight series, and their sixth game in nine tries, Wednesday against the Cleveland Indians. The hitters haven't hit, and the starting pitchers haven't won.

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Archer hasn't won since last August 31./TRAVIS PENDERGRASS

Archer hasn't won since last August 31./TRAVIS PENDERGRASS

Like the first two games of the series, the Rays had one hit for much of the game before settling with five.

Chris Archer, winless since last Aug. 31, fell to 0-3 in the game. In eight starts, the Rays have been supported by only nine runs.

“Ugly loss. Frustrating game, obviously,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We didn’t do too many things well, or anything well for that matter. I actually liked the fact that today it looked like guys were frustrated. That’s OK to be frustrated. We all should be a little frustrated after the way we performed the last couple of nights, especially today. Today, we were not good."

Jenning catches a single by Tyler Naquin./TRAVIS PENDERGRASS

Jenning catches a single by Tyler Naquin./TRAVIS PENDERGRASS

The Rays have struggled to hit the ball, especially the imports from Seattle. Logan Morrison and Brad Miller have only two hits each (in 55 at bats) on the season,

I think we may be putting a little extra pressure on ourselves, honestly,” Archer said. “We’re still trying to build that team chemistry, that team camaraderie, because there are a lot of new faces and we’re all trying to get on the same page and get comfortable. So yeah, there is frustration because we know we’re better than our record reflects. But we’ve played nine games so there is a lot more season left.”

The Rays open a series against the Chicago White Sox tonight when Jake Odorizzi faces Chris Sale.

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