Sometimes, it's tough for Cash to watch the Rays./JEFFREY S. KING
Sunday, 3 a.m.
This is a playoff team?
Really?
The Tampa Bay Rays, once again, were drubbed on Saturday night, making it seem silly to mention that the Rays are, technically, still in the wild-card picture. This time, it was 9-0, meaning that the Rays have given up 28 runs and 39 hits in their last three games. Not since early June (when they gave up 28 runs and 38 hits to Seattle) have the Rays been that bad in three straight games.
Tampa Bay pitcher Matt Andriese had a tough time of it, giving up eight runs (six earned) and getting only five outs. Andriese has now given up 13 runs in his last two starts and has lasted only 6 1/3 innings.
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Andriese got only five outs and gave up eight runs./CARMEN MANDATO
Tampa Bay managed only eight hits off Chris Sale, who won his 16th game.
“It's the second night in a row we've gotten beaten up in the first inning, and it's gone from there,” said Rays' manager Kevin Cash. “This team is the best team in the division for a reason. They're very complete. Their offense is as good as anyone in baseball. We normally seem to play pretty good bb against them.”
It hasn't been that way this series. Once again, Boston scored three in the first, then had five in the second.
“We're down 8-0 against one of the best pitchers in the American League,” Cash said.
Danny Espinosa had three of the Rays' hits. The Rays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position.
Alex Cobb tries to salvage a game for Tampa Bay today when he pitches against Rick Porcello in a 1:10 p.m. game at Fenway.
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