Wednesday, 4 a.m.
Even for a team on a five-game plummet through the standings, this one was tough.
This time, the Rays not only left men on base, they left them in scoring position. And not only that, they left them in scoring position at the worst possible times in their 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
This one, they'll remember as a game they left on third base.
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Consider:
— With the score tied at 3-3 in the seventh inning, the Rays had Kameron Misner on third with no one out. He was out on a force play to the plate, and the Rays did not score again.
— With the score tied at 3-3 in the eighth inning, the Rays had Jose Caballero at third with no one out. He stayed there through two strikeouts and a fly out.
— With the Angels ahead 4-3 in the ninth inning, the Rays had Jake Mangum on third with no one out. He was still there as the game ended.
In all, the Rays were two-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base. They struck out 11 times.
It all spoiled a well-pitched start by Shane Baz, who gave up just three hits in his seven innings. One of those was a two-run homer by Kyren Paris.
The Rays still trailed 2-0 in the seventh before the offense came alive. Junior Caminero homered, Jonathan Aranda singled, Christopher Morel doubled and Misner tripled to give the team a 3-2 lead.
The bullpen faltered, however. Edwin Uceta gave up the tying run in the eighth and Pete Fairbanks gave up the losing run in the ninth. In his one inning, Fairbanks gave up two singles and a run.
In their five-game losing streak, the Rays have had 36 chances with runners in scoring position. They have had hits only seven times.
The Rays and Angels play again tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Steinbrenner Field. Ryan Pepiot will start for the Rays against Yusei Kikuchi.