Tuesday, 4 a.m.
The Rays didn’t ask much of Taylor Walls Monday night. Three feet maybe. Two even.
Alas, another of the little things evaded the Rays in a 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros.
Go back to the bottom of the ninth inning. There was one out, and speedy Chandler Simpson was on third with one out. The Rays decided to have Walls bunt, figuring that Simpson’s legs would put too much pressure on the Astros.
On the second pitch he saw, however, Walls popped up a fastball to second base. Catcher Ben Rortvedt fouled out three pitches later, and the threat ended.
That’s how it went for the Rays Monday night. They were just one-for-10 with runners in scoring position, and they managed just seven hits overall.
The Rays did mount a small comeback after falling behind 3-0 in the third inning. Catcher Danny Jansen had a two-run homer and Jose Caballero doubled in Yandy Diaz to tie the game.
Jake Myers hit a solo homer off Manny Rodriguez in the seventh to break the tie and eventually win the game.
Ryan Pepiot gave up eight hits and six hits in his start.
Simpson gave the Rays’ their final chance. He reached on catcher’s interference, took second on a groundout and stole third.
Diaz had two hits for the Rays.
The Rays have played 24 games in which they have scored three runs or fewer.
The Rays and Astros play again tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Steinbrenner Field. Zack Littell will start for the Rays. The Astros have not decided on a starter.