Sunday, 4 a.m.
This is how you lose to the worst pitcher in the world, who happens to be playing for the second-worst team in the American League.
You don't pitch. You don't hit. You don't take advantage of quick starts. You don't slow down a weak opponent. You blow a four-run lead at home.
And, if you are the Tampa Bay Ray;
s, you lose 9-4 in embarrassing fashion to the Kansas City Royals.
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It was the Royals second win in three games against the Rays, who were 2-2 against Oakland, the only team with a worse record than the Royals. The Rays have won more than both of those teams, but now they are 3-4 against them.
“We know we’re not firing on all cylinders here," Rays' manager Kevin Cash said.
The Rays lost by:
-- Sticking with Yonny Chirinos as he gave up three runs in the third inning and four in the fourth. He gave up nine hits and eight earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. Chirinos also hit a batter and threw a wild pitch.
-- The Rays' offense, facing Jordan Lyles (0-11 on the season; his team was 0-15 when he had started), shut down after a quick start. The Rays led 4-0 after two innings, but had only two more hits and no more runs the rest of the way. Lyles started slowly, but settled down and the Rays offered little resistance.
-- The bottom of the Royals' lineup, the worst of the worst, were nine-for-14 for the day. They had three homers and five RBI.
All in all, it was indicative that this team isn't playing anywhere close to the way it started the season. Yes, they can win big -- as they did on Friday -- but they struggle to stay consistent.
Wander Franco did return to the Rays' offense, and his home run and RBI single helped the Rays to their 4-run start.
The Rays close out their four-game series against the Royals today at 1:40 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Tyler Glasnow will start for the Rays against Daniel Lynch.
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