Game 1: 6-7 L (11). LP-Ashby (0-4). Starter-Swanda (5 10 5 5 0 5). The Rays scored 5 in the first and looked on their way to an 8th straight win but Swanda couldn't hold it and the offense didn't tack on after that. Mead was 3-5 with 2 RBI.
Game 2: 4-3 W. WP-Scott (1-2). S-Fairbanks (15). Starter-Bradley (5.2 4 2 2 4 3). HR-Albies (11). Albies' 2-run homer in the 8th erased a 3-2 deficit and Tanner Scott got the win despite allowing a go-ahead run in the top of the innings. Fairbanks had a rare 1-2-3 9th.
Game 3: 3-11 L. LP-Castillo (5-9, 3.1 9 7 7 2 4). Luis Castillo was horrible and the Rays were blown out for the first time in a long time as all their recent losses seemed to be heartbreakers.
Time for a trade!
In an effort to beef up the bottom of the order, we acquired the Japanese vet who has had a bit of an up-and-down career with the Cubs and Pirates. As you can see from the numbers above he wasn't exactly setting the NL on fire, but the price was cheap. Schultz is a minor-league vet we won't miss and with the Cubs already picking up most of Suzuki's salary when they dealt him to the Pittsburgh and the Pirates picking up the rest he's a free player essentially. Joshua Mears is the odd man out as he and his 194/284/359 line were sent packing to Durham. Mears was 0 for his last 18, 3 for his last 35, saw his contact rating downgraded to 40 and his above-average power was only showing up sporadically.
Game 4: 0-4 L. LP-Rasmussen (4-7, 5.1 7 4 4 2 3). Diego Cartaya's double in the 3rd was the only hit the Rays managed until Albies singled in the 9th in a forgettable day at the Trop which saw the Rays drop 3 of 4 to the Orioles after seemingly turning things around. Seiya Suzuki was 0-3 in his Rays debut.
Team record: 45-43, 1/2 game behind the Yankees in the AL East. Next up: 3 games in Detroit before we hit the All-Star Break, and the Amateur Draft is Saturday.