Kiermaier homered and threw a runner out at home./JEFFREY S. KING
SATURDAY, 4 a.m.
Can anyone here own the ninth?
Suddenly, that is the question that will determine how long this team can last into its post-season race. Suddenly, there are gaps in the blueprint. Suddenly, there are holes in the roster.
Once again, the Rays were unable to close the door on the ninth inning, allowing two runs to the Twins in a 5-3 loss. The defeat broke a six-game winning streak for the Rays.
This time, it was Diego Castillo who allowed life to the opposition. He hit two batters in two-thirds of an inning and saw his record fall to 1-4. Jose Alvarado has also struggled in late appearances lately.
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Castillo allowed two runs to score in two-thirds of an inning./JEFFREY S. KING
“He definitely wasn’t trying to hit the first guy," Rays' manager Kevin Cash said. "Or the second for that matter. The fastball ran up-and-in and I think Astudillo – that was a breaking ball that just hung over the plate. Hung over inside. Didn’t get the depth. He threw two really good ones to start the at-bat and then left that pitch that just kind of backed up on him a little bit.
Beeks gave up two runs in 3 1/3 innings./JEFFREY S. KING
"We’re concerned about all of our guys all of the time. They’ve been fighting it a little bit. There's no denying that. We were so good for a month and a half. These last two weeks, some situations that have popped up where it’s a matter of simplifying it and executing pitch to pitch. We’re going to rely on those guys to help us win games in whatever role they're in."
The Rays had just five hits on the night against Juan Berrios. Still, they held a 3-1 lead. Two runs in the fifth by Minnesota tied it.
Eddie Rosario hit an opposite-field single off of Adam Kolarek to knock in two runs.
“Yeah I threw the first one that he fouled off and I really got in on him," Kolarek said. "So I thought that’s been my consistent plan of attack against lefties. We’ve faced a lot of good ones lately. I’ve gotten ground balls with it; it’s just been outs. When it works out, it’s definitely the right thing. I’m not second-guessing the pitch at all.”
The Rays play the Twins again today at 1:10 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Yonny Chirinos will start for the Rays against Kyle Gibson.
Kolarek gave up the winning hit./JEFFREY S. KING
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