This time, Rays defeated on opponents’ homers

by Gary Shelton on June 15, 2017 · 0 comments

in general, Tampa Bay Rays

Jose Alvarado's first homer run allowed this season was a big one/STEVE MUNCIE

Jose Alvarado's first homer run allowed this season was a big one/STEVE MUNCIE

Thursday, 3:30 a.m.

Sometimes, it isn't the home runs that the Tampa Bay Rays hit.

Sometimes, it's the ones they give up.

The Rays came from ahead once again Wednesday night, losing a 7-6 decision to the Toronto Blue Jays. Tampa Bay starter Jake Odorizzi, who gives up a lot of homers, gave up a three-run shot to Kendrys Morales. And Jose Alvarado, who hadn't given up one all season, gave up a solo shot to Russell Martin for the Jays' winning run.

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Morrison hit his second homer in two nights./CARMEN MANDATO

Morrison hit his second homer in two nights./CARMEN MANDATO

The Rays scored three runs in the top of the eighth to tie the game. Logan Morrison hit a two-run homer and Derek Norris knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

“We didn't do a lot of things too well,” said manager Kevin Cash. “It showed a lot about the club to come back. The at-bats in the eighth were pretty telling about the club.”

That comeback is what the Rays will try to take from the game. But the Rays played ragged in the field. Catcher Derek Norris had a tough night, a ball fell in front of Mallex Smith and Taylor

Odorizzi has given up homers in nine straight games../CARMEN MANDATO

Odorizzi has given up homers in nine straight games../CARMEN MANDATO

Featherston booted a grounder that could have been a double play. And Odorizzi was not sharp.

It was Odorizzi's seventh straight start when he didn't get into the seventh inning, and his second in his last three starts when he didn't get out of the fourth.

“It's the most off I've seen him from a strike-throwing point in a long time,” Cash said. “Maybe ever.

“I know today you could tell from the first inning he didn't have his command. He was missing way up or way down underneath. He came back twice on Josh Donaldson. It speaks to his stuff; he just couldn't locate as well as he wanted.”

Said Odorizzi: “I didn't have anything. It's going to happen from time to time. I knew from the get-go and I tried to do the best I could.”

Morris had his second homer in as many nights in the comeback effort.

The Rays move to Detroit, where Alex Cobb faces Justin Verlander.

Norris' sacrifice fly in the eighth tied the game at 6-6../CARMEN MANDATO

Norris' sacrifice fly in the eighth tied the game at 6-6../CARMEN MANDATO

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