Monday, 4 a.m.
There are days they make you question their statistics.
According to the numbers, the Rays rank among the league leaders in runs scored, in steals, in batting average with men on base. According to the standings, they remain on the heels of the New York Yankees in the AL East.
According to Sunday’s game, however, there are still games when they are smothered.
The Rays managed just five hits in Sunday’s 5-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. They didn’t score until Brandon Lowe’s 18th homer. They were hitless in three chances with a runner in scoring position.
All of this was against Dean Kremer, who is just 7-7 on the season with an ERA of 4.27.
Tampa Bay’s Taj Bradley lasted just 5 1/3 innings and gave up five runs and eight hits.
The Rays are a game and a half behind the Yankees in the division race.
The Rays return home to face the Athletics tonight at 7:35 p.m. at Steinbrenner Field. Drew Rasmussen will face Jacob Lopez.