Monday, 4 a.m.
Are you worried yet?
Are you looking over your shoulder?
The Tampa Bay Rays continued to slide Sunday, being manhandled by the second-worst team in the American League. They were drubbed 8-4 by the Kansas City Royals.
The result is that the Rays' lead in the American League East is down to one game with series against the Rangers, Oriole,Marlins, Astros and Yankees coming up. Frankly, the Rays aren't playing very much like a first place team. They’re 3-8 in July, and they're 37-30 since June 1.
The Rays led by 6 1/2 games on July 1.
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Sunday, they didn't pitch very well. Zach Eflin was jumped early, giving up five runs in his three innings of work.
They didn't hit very well, either. Through seven innings, they managed just three hits and no runs against Brady Singer. They made it closer with a four-run eighth, but they never seriously competed.
Frankie Mejia had a three-run homer in the inning. Isaac Paredes hit a solo shot.
They didn't field very well, either, with a couple of possible catches in center fielder allying in for triples.
The Rays have been this way for a while, making mediocre pitchers look great as they lost.
The Rays now travel to Texas. Shane McClanahan will start tonight's game (7:30 p.m.) in Arlington. the Rangers will counter with Dane Dunning.