Thursday, 4 a.m.
By now, you know the drill. Repeatedly, you have seen the Tampa Bay Rays succumb to it.
The starting pitcher is doing well until the middle innings, clinging to a narrow lead. In a heartbeat, he seems to lose command. Then he gives up a big home run, and just like that, the Rays are playing chase.
Again.
The Rays fell to Seattle, 5-2, by walking the familiar path Wednesday afternoon. They fell to 40-41 on the season.
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This time, it started in the fifth inning. Ryan Pepiot was throwing a one-hitter and leading 1-0. But, after a walk, manager Kevin Cash pulled Pepiot for Shawn Armstrong. Armstrong promptly walked another batter and gave up a three-run homer to Cal Raleigh.
The Rays have given up 113 home runs on the season.
In the seventh, J.P. Crawford had a two-run single to pad the lead.
The Rays had just five hits — three by Jose Caballeros and two by Yandy Diaz. Diaz hit in his 19th straight game, a franchise record.
Tampa Bay loaded the bases with no one out in the ninth on two walks and a hit batter, but Amed Rosario hit into a game-ending double play.
Seattle’s George Kirby went six innings and gave up just one earned run.
The Rays are off today. They are home against the Nationals on Friday at 6:40 p.m.