A step back for the Rays as they dropped 2 of 3 when the offense dried up over the final two games.
The offense wasn't dry in the opener though as they bashed the Rangers 10-3.
Alex Kirilloff doubled, homered (#7) and drove in 3,
Diego Cartaya was 4-4 with a walk and a ribbie, and
Andrew Greckel hit a 478-foot moon shot to dead center (#7). Joe Ryan (5-3) was solid at 6.1 8 3 3 1 6 for the win.
Transaction:
Heston Kjerstad is on the shelf yet again, this time with a dead arm which will keep him out for approximately the 10 days he'll be on the IL.
Brayden Jobert, who seemed to go 2-4 every time he started earlier this year, is back up from Durham.
The Rays' bats were shackled in the second game as they only managed 3 hits in a 4-1 loss to the Rangers. As a result
Pablo Lopez tasted defeat for the first time as a Ray, as he dropped to 4-1 with the club after going 6.1 7 4 4 0 7.
It was another tough day at the plate as Tampa Bay fell just short 4-3 to Texas in the series finale.
Shane Panzini struggled again with the longball, allowing 2 more homers to make it 11 yielded in 56 IP as he dropped to 4-4 with a 4.1 8 4 4 3 7 performance.
Kelly Crumpton went yard with the bases empty (#18).
Team record: 30-25. Fortunately Boston dropped 2 of 3 (and Ben Rortvedt's 28-game hit streak was snapped), so the Rays remain 1/2 game out although they're third on percentage points as the Yankees are also 1/2 game out at 29-24. Next up: An off-day at home then Minnesota visits for 3 over the weekend.
