[Art Deco]

Game 1: Just a brutal day all around for the Rays. They were bombed by the Astros 17-5, but the real bad news was that Brendan McKay partially tore his labrum and is done for the year. He should be ready for 2023 but it's a huge blow to lose the team's best pitcher this season and to add insult to injury he'll finish 5 1/3 innings short of qualifying for the ERA title as he ends the year at 2.59. Something seemed amiss when he gave up 3 solo homers in the first two innings and a parade of relievers fared no better as the game went on. It got to the point where Taylor Walls came in to pitch the 9th but he was hit so hard (6 runs in 2/3 innings) that I went back to Aaron Fletcher to get the final out. In a losing cause Brandon Lowe hit a 2-run HR (#30), Wander Franco drove in a pair with two doubles and Jarren Duran homered (#4).

August 28: Placed P Brendan McKay on the 60-day IL with a partially torn labrum and optioned P Colin Poche to AAA Durham, recalled Ps Luis Patino and Josh Fleming from AAA Durham.

Patino will go into McKay's spot. He was dreadful in April and was a bit of a mixed bag at Durham, 5-6, 4.23 in 17 starts with 122 whiffs (but 39 walks) in 95.2 innings. Fleming will give us a much-need long reliever as all of our bullpen guys are 35-40 stamina-rated so it's a lot to ask any of them to pitch more than 2.

Game 2: After yesterday's black cloud it was nice to bounce back with a win, and it was especially nice the way it happened as the Rays won 2-1. Luis Patino got the start and was quite good, even if he did walk some guys. He finished 5.1 2 1 1 4 4 against a tough lineup, although he got a no-decision. Aaron Fletcher came in after Patino left with two on, and struck out Michael Brantley and Zack Collins to end the threat and when Manuel Margot doubled and Randy Arozarena singled him home, Fletcher nabbed his 8th win. The triumvirate of Diego Castillo, Nick Anderson and Ken Giles each had a hitless inning to complete the combined 2-hitter, with Giles picking up save #31. Arozarena also brought home the first run in the 4th after Jarren Duran had tripled.

August 29: Optioned 1B/OF Oscar Colas to AAA Durham, recalled 2B/OF Vidal Brujan from AAA Durham.

I've had it with Colas, who hasn't had a multi-hit game or a homer since July 4 and was down to 217/298/338. Brujan meanwhile has done nothing but hit since going back to Durham after getting hurt, hitting 409/465/539 in 115 AB. Not sure how much he's going to play, but he'll be useful.

Game 3: The Rays twice answered Houston scores to tie it up and then won it in the bottom of the 9th 4-3 to take the series from the Astros. After Houston got 2 in the top of the 5th, the Rays shot right back with a 2-run Randy Arozarena single, and after the 'Stros went back ahead in the 6th 3-2, Joey Bart homered (#5/#12) to equalize again. And in the bottom of the 9th, Ji-Man Choi led off with a double and with two out Brandon Lowe singled in pinch-runner Vidal Brujan with the walk-off winner. Yonny Chirinos got the nod today and retired the first 9 Astros before leaving in the 6th with a man on, and Josh Fleming allowed that runner to score so he finished 5.2 5 3 3 2 4. The Castillo/Anderson/Giles combo came through again with Giles getting his 3rd win. Nick Anderson by the way is having an incredible season. He has an 11/95 BB/K ratio in 54.1 IP with a 1.66 ERA and has cut his HR/9 in more than half from 2.1 to a respectable 1.0.

Team record: 93-39, magic number is 10. Next up: 3 games in Baltimore to close out the month and begin September.