Monday, 4 a.m.
Now, more than ever, the Tampa Bay Rays need for Zach Eflin to be a rock.
Sunday afternoon, he was a pebble , easily picked up and tossed aside.
With the Rays’ starting rotation in tatters, the Rays turned to Eflin to complete a sweep of the Cleveland Guardians. Instead, he was ambushed in a 9-2 defeat. Eflin lasted just three innings and gave up nine hits and six earned runs.
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Eflin had had two impressive outings in a row after a four-inning stint against the Marlins.
On Sunday, the Rays never gave themselves a chance. They gave up runs in the first six innings and fell behind 6-0 By the third.
One of the few bright spots for the Rays was rookie Osleivis Basabe, who had a double in his major league debut. Harold Ramirez had two hits.
Still, the Rays lost a chance to sweep the Guardians and keep the pressure on Baltimore, which led by two games going into Sunday’s play.
The Rays now travel to San Francisco to play the Giants at 9:45 p.m. tonight. Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to start for the Rays. The Giants have not announced a starter.