Rays unravel in ninth inning in latest loss to Red Sox

by Gary Shelton on May 24, 2018 · 4 comments

in general, Tampa Bay Rays

Archer matched Price zero-for-zero./CARMEN MANDATO

Archer matched Price zero-for-zero./CARMEN MANDATO

Thursday, 3 a.m.

On the first night, he flashed his potential.

On the second, however, Willie Adames proved he isn't ripe yet.

A ninth-inning error by Adames left the door open for the Tampa Bay Rays in Wednesday night's 4-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The Rays are now 3-9 against the Red Sox and have lost three of the four series.

Rays' receiver Alex Colome took the loss, giving up three runs in the ninth (on a double, a sacrifice fly and a passed ball) to lower his record to 3-5.

Content beyond this point is for members only.

Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using the handy "Sign In" button located in the upper right corner of the GarySheltonSports.com blog (it's at the far right of the navigation bar under Gary's photo)!

Not a member? It's easy to subscribe so you can view the rest of this column and all other premium content on GarySheltonSports.com.

Colome hands the ball to Cash after losing lead./CARMEN MANDATO

Colome hands the ball to Cash after losing lead./CARMEN MANDATO

"You know it’s my fault in the bottom of the ninth for making that error," Adames said. "It’s a tough night for me and that error and getting the L for the team.”

Most of the game was a pitching duel between Chris Archer and his mentor, former Ray David Price. Price  allowed three hits and a run over six innings.

Cron doubled for the Rays./CARMEN MANDATO

Cron doubled for the Rays./CARMEN MANDATO

Archer allowed four hits and a run over six innings.

“I felt like I had pretty good stuff and we played pretty good defense for the most part," Archer said. "Price was just as good and their bullpen is really good. Our margin for error is very small so I was thankful to limit the damage in that one inning, but I would’ve rather not given up any runs. I threw well, but not well enough.

“The team asks us to just be ourselves because we know and everyone knows what we are capable of, so no. We just go out there and try to do our thing and

Sucre avoids being hit by pitch./CARMEN MANDATO

Sucre avoids being hit by pitch./CARMEN MANDATO

pitch to our best capability, execute at a high level and that’s all anyone is asking us to do.”

Rays' manager Kevin Cash said the late innings were key.

“We got the big hit by C.J. (Cron) there (in the sixth) and unfortunately it didn’t get over the fence," Cash said. "I thought it was gone off the bat and hit to the deepest part of the ballpark. And then the ninth kind of unfolded. Alex (Colome) comes in and Willy (Adames) goes to his right, makes a pretty good play grabbing it and then he might have rushed his throw a tick, made it a little challenging and it unfolded from there.”

The Rays continue their series against the Red Sox tonight at 7:10 p.m. Blake Snell pitches against Rick Porcello.

Christian Arroyo makes the throw from third./CARMEN MANDATO

Christian Arroyo makes the throw from third./CARMEN MANDATO

{ 0 comments… read it below or Subscriptions }

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: