First, a trade:
Was this an overreaction to the bullpen meltdowns over the weekend in New York? Maybe. But Doval is one of the better closers in the game even if he was struggling this year in Colorado (19 saves but a 5.95 ERA with 31 walks in 39 IP, double his BB rate from the previous year), coming off consecutive 1.6 WAR seasons with 50 saves. I'll trust the 75 stuff and 70 movement and figure the 50 control means he's due for positive regression. A little sad to part with Gaston who had 65 whiffs in 43 IP for us but I was never going to trust him in a high-leverage role (although the Rockies have and he saved a game in his debut for them).
Game 1: 7-8 L. LP-Sears (3-2). Starter-McClanahan (5 4 1 1 3 6). HR-Torkelson (23). Then again maybe the Doval deal wasn't an overreaction as the bullpen (Luis German and JP Sears) combined to allow 7 runs in the 7th to turn a potential 7-1 rout into an 8-7 loss, capped by a 3-run homer from former Ray Austin Meadows. Tork had a 2-run homer to put us ahead and Lonnie White a 2-run single to give us a commanding lead that turned out to not be so commanding. And to add injury to insult, Diego Cartaya had to leave with a strained hip. Although the injury is "minimal" we're not going to chance it with a healthy division lead.
Transaction: Cartaya goes to the IL, and Drew Romo's contract is purchased from Durham. The switch-hitter is an elite defensive C (75) but isn't much of a hitter (40 contact/45 power).
Game 2: 5-2 W. WP-Eldridge (3-0, 5 6 2 2 1 8). S-Doval (1/20). HR-Torkelson (24), Franco (22). Garrett Whitlock is on a rehab assignment but he's going to have a hard time dislodging Bryce Eldridge from the rotation (and Brian Gonzalez as well) after the rookie turned in another fine outing. 2-run homers from Tork and Wander (for insurance) set up Camilo Doval for a save in his Rays debut.
Game 3: 4-3 W. WP-Swanda (10-2, 6.1 6 3 3 1 4). S-Doval (2/21). HR-Franco (23), Romo (1). Swanda's Cy Young-caliber season continues apace and the new boys came through as Drew Romo's solo homer proved to be the difference and Doval struck out the side in the 9th for his second Rays save in as many days, leading Tampa Bay to its customary 2 wins out of 3.
Team record: 66-37. Toronto dropped 2 of 3 while the Yankees were swept so the division lead is now double digits over both. Next up: An off-day then three in Kansas City. The trade deadline is in a couple of days but I think we're done.
MLB News: Phillies superstar Bryce Harper hit his 500th career homer.