Astros keep Rays’ offense reeling

by Gary Shelton on May 1, 2021

in general

Yarbrough struggled against Houston./JEFFREY S. KING

Saturday, 4 a.m.

It wasn't much. Just a soft little single to right. Just a couple of meaningless runs to avoid further embarrassment. Just a tiny win in the series of defeats.

On the other hand, it was something.

Yippee.

Willy Adames ninth-inning single was about as good as things got for the Tampa Bay Rays in a crushing loss to Houston Friday night. In the grand scheme of things, it didn't make much of a difference in a 9-2 loss. But it avoided a shutout, and it was a rare hit with runners in scoring position for a team that has seemed lost when the opportunity presents itself.





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Adames snapped a 0-for-25 streak that had seen his average slip to .207.

"It felt good to touch first base again," Adames said.

Except for that, it was a humbling night for the Rays, who managed just six hits themselves and facing an Astros lineup it struggled against. The Rays have are now 3-6 in their last nine games.

Adames' single was just the third hit the Rays have managed in their last 50 attempts with runners in scoring position.

The Rays have now lost nine games at home, as many as they lost all of last year. Tampa Bay is 13-14 on the year.

Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough struggled, giving up nine hits and five earned runs in three innings.

"It was one of those weird nights where I pitched to a lot of contact," Yarbrough said. "A couple of balls were hit pretty hard, but a lot just found some weird holes.  It was one of those weird days.

"It’s the end of April. We have a long season to go. No one is trying to get too crazy and re-invent the wheel. It’s just one of those stretches we’re in now."

The Rays play against Houston today at Tropicana Field at 4:10 p.m. Tampa Bay will pitch Josh Fleming against Houston's Jose Urquidy.

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