Rays’ Snell frustrated by his shortcomings

by Gary Shelton on September 6, 2020

in general

Snell still has troubles with walks, homers/JEFFREY KING

Sunday, 4 a.m.

The words come out slowly, haltingly, as if he were trying to find the proper way to describe the disappointment.

Blake Snell, less than the sum of his stuff, had fallen short. He had walked more batters, and he had given up another home run, and once again, he had failed to make it out of the fifth inning.

Snell was sharp through three innings, but he gave up four runs in the fourth, including a two-run homer to former teammate Corey Dickerson. It was his eighth home run surrendered this season. He also walked three batters, bringing his total to 12.

The Rays lost 7-3.





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And so he talked about how he had not been what the Rays have wanted from him. There is a way a pitcher talks when his performance does not measure up to his arm, and once again, Snell was trying to describe it

"I have to clean the walks up," Snell said. "That's terrible. I need to start making strides forward. The walks ... that’s me being lazy.

"It’s mental. One-hundred percent mental. I've got to be ready to throw that first pitch with intent. It’s not physical. I’ve got to do a better job. i really do feel good. It’s going to start going my way. I've just got to get past this little run of home runs."

Snell wasn't the Rays' only problem. Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara allowed only three hits through six inning, and Marlins used their four-run fourth for a victory.

"That was due large part because Alcantara was so good. The guys we have faced (from the Marlins) have been very good. Sanchez, Lopez and Alcantara can be a challenge to anyone."

Michael Perez had three hits and drove in all three runs for the Rays. He did have a passed ball on a strikeout in the fourth that allowed a run to score.

The Rays play the Marlins again today at 1:10 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Tyler Glasnow will pitch for Tampa Bay against Trevor Rogers.
 


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