Wednesday, 4 a.m.
While no one expected the Tampa Bay Rays to win the rest of their games, some defeats seem more wasteful than others.
Take Tuesday night’s 3-2 loss to the Twins. In it, the Rays:
— Wasted a chance to pick up a game on the Baltimore Orioles, who lost to St. Louis.
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— Wasted a seconds straight strong start by Zack Littell.
— Wasted a chance to win their 90th game of the year.
Granted, the Rays have won 33 games coming from behind. But they’ve lost 25 in which they had a lead. Willi Castro hit a two-run homer in the seventh to make the difference.
The Rays had taken a 2-1 lead on a home run by Rene Pinto. Josh Lowe earlier had a single to knock in Brandon Lowe. Pinto had two of the Rays' hits.
But the Rays had just six hits, and they were one-for-five with runners in scoring position.
It was a shame. In his last two games, Littell has pitched 15 innings and has allowed four runs. The Rays have lost both games.
The Rays remain three games behind Baltimore in the AL East.
The Rays and Twins play again today at 1:10 p.m. at Target Field. Taj Bradley will start for the Rays against Dallas Keuchel.