Tuesday, 4 a.m.
How pronounced is the recent slump by the Tampa Bay Rays?
These days, they seem to be struggling agianst last-place teams.
The Rays made the woeful Detroit Tigers -- who came in with a record that was tied for the worst in baseball -- look like a World Series contender in Monday night's 10-9 loss at Tropicana Field.
Tampa gave up five home runs, including three straight in the third inning. The Rays fell behind by six runs twice.
The Tigers came in 4-21 in their last 25 games.
Still, the Rays can surrender runs to just about anyone. In their last eight games, they have given up nine runs or more four times.
Detroit's Dillon Dingler had two home runs, four hits and four RBI. Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene each had three hits. Tampa Bay has now lost two of their last three games to two of the worst teams in baseball (Detroit and the Las Angeles Angels).
For the Rays, Yandy Diaz had three hits. Junior Caminero and Ryan Vilade had home runs.
The Rays and Tigers play again tonight at 6:40 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Steven Matz (4-2) will start for the Rays against Jack Flaherty (0-7).