Rays’ offense continues to struggle in loss

by Gary Shelton on October 3, 2022

in general

Monday, 4 a.m.

They needed a hit. They hungered for a hit. They were desperate for a hit.

And, with runners on the ninth inning Sunday, the Tampa Bay Rays turned their eyes to....Miles Mastrobuoni?

With the tying run on base, and with both Yandy Diaz and Wander Franco on the bench, the Rays allowed Mastrobuoni, hitting .188, to go to the plate. And he walked.

And then, with the bases loaded, the Rays looked to ....Tyler Walls?


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Walls, hitting .171, grounded to second base for the final out of a 3-1 loss to the Houston Astros. Once again, the Rays squandered a decent pitching performance. Once again, they didn't hit.

"Before the game, I promised both of them a full day off unless there was an injury," said Rays' manager Kevin Cash.

Do you think the Cleveland Guardians, the Rays' likely opponent in the first round of the playoffs, are nervous? How about the Astros, possibly their second-round opponent?

The Rays had all of 35 hits in their six games against the Astros, and they scored two runs or fewer in five of their games (all losses). The Rays offense has been limited to one run (or fewer) in six of their last seven games. The Rays have been held to one run (or fewer) 29 times this season, including 10 times since the start of September.

Yes, the Astros have a potent offense, but their pitching has absolutely bamboozled the Rays. Only Ji-Man Choi had two hits on Sunday.

The Rays close out their season with a three-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. In tonight's 7:10 p.m. game, Tyler Glasnow will get the start against Rich Hill.

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