August 3: Optioned OF Jeff Hayes and P Jeff Reece to AAA Durham, recalled OF Jeremy Glasson and activated P Mike Wherry from his rehab assignment.
Finally pulled the plug on Hayes, who hasn't really hit since the first half of last season. This year he's been dreadful in limited action (and in limited action because he's been dreadful), "hitting" 138/180/138 in 58 at-bats (yes he doesn't have an extra-base hit so his BA and SLG match). Glasson's been up for brief spells the last couple of seasons and will take over the role of seldom-used fifth outfielder.
Game 1: Josh Carsello did not have it and the Rays were pasted by the White Sox 10-3. The lefty was hit for 8 runs on 3 homers and finished 4 8 8 8 2 3, his third poor start in four outings as his ERA rose nearly half a run to 3.13. Tony Rey was his usual ineffective self as well, allowing 2 runs in 3 innings of relief. Danny Ayala's 2-run single was the only offensive highlight, and just when I first mentioned Omar Rodriguez's 26-game hitting streak in the previous game recap it was a lock it would be snapped and sure enough that's what happened. He would have had one more shot if the Rays could have gotten just one baserunner over the final 3 innings, but they didn't.
Game 2: Jon Soranno blew leads of 6-0 and 7-2, but the Rays prevailed in the end thanks to some fine bullpen work 9-7. They got four homers in building that big early lead, with Omar Rodriguez snapping back from losing his hitting streak by starting things off with a 2-run blast (#22) and reaching base all 5 times up today, Daniel Vasquez launching a pair (#18 and 19) and driving in 3, and Jon Jimenez also going deep in the first (#18). But Soranno couldn't stand prosperity and he remains a dice-roll starter this season, going 2.1 6 7 7 2 0. Fortunately the bullpen went 6 2/3 scoreless from there with Damani Cotton going the first 2 2/3 and getting win #4 when Jimenez put the Rays back on top in the 4th with a sac fly. Danny Medina went two perfect innings, Tim Siqueiros took care of the 8th and Kikuo Kawase did his thing in the 9th for save #24. Jaiden Hardaway added a solo shot (#18) in the 8th to provide some insurance and cap a 4-hit day for him.
Game 3: Tim Gates continues to dominate and the bats continue to rake as the Rays blanked the White Sox 6-0 in the series finale. Gates went 7 5 0 0 1 8 and has allowed just 2 runs in his last 20 1/3 innings over 3 starts, upping his record to 7-0, 2.55. Chris Toombs went two perfect innings to complete the shutout. The offense was led by the resurgent Danny Ayala, 3-4 with a walk, HR #19 and 3 RBI while Omar Rodriguez added his 23rd homer of the year.
Team record: 79-30. Next up: An off-day then we return home for a weekend set against the Mets.