Thursday, 4 a.m.
In a season going South, there are a lot of ways to dissect the latest thumping of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Shane Baz seems like a good place to start, however.
After all, Baz had been a rock for the Rays in the early going of the season. He had started the season 3-0 and appeared to be the ace of the staff.
On Wednesday night, Baz was clobbered by the Philadelphia Phillies in a 8-0 victory. The Ras fell to to 9-15 at home this season.
Baz lasted just 3 1/3 innings (10 outs) and gave up six runs and eight hits. In his last two starts, Baz hasn’t made it out of the fifth. He’s given up 17 hits and 13 runs.
On the other hand, Baz would have had to hod the Phillies to negative numbers to win. It was the sixth time this season the Rays were shut out. This time, it was by Cristopher Sanchez, who held the Rays to two singles.
Junior Caminero had a single in hte first inning and Yandy Diaz had one in the eighth.
Ir was the sixth straight loss at home by Tampa Bay. All six of the Rays’ shutouts have been by left-handed pitchers.
In two games, the Phillies have scored 15 runs and have had 25 hits against the Rays.
The Rays and Phillies play again tonight at 7:05 p.m. Ryan Pepiot will start for the Rays against Jesus Luzardo.