July 29: Off Day.
July 30: vs Miami 1-7 L. LP-Bradley (5-4, 5 3 3 3 3 3). Rays were held to five hits on a tough night.
So we did make a move at the deadline, trading away a starter with two more coming back:
Civale was going to start to get expensive next year and his numbers since joining the team weren't screaming must-keep, although in fairness he has pitched well of late. In exchange we got a couple of intriguing guys in Loftin, who provides a RH bat who can play all over the place and hit some (291/358/363 in 182 AB for the Royals). His versatility fits our club DNA. And Cross was once a more sought-after prospect after being KC's first pick in 2022 but he's struggled some in the minors. His potential is still good: 50 contact, 65 gap, 55 power, 70 stealing ability and 60 in RF. Not a stud but a potentially very solid guy. The other guy we threw in, Florian, isn't anything worth noting.
With the moves we welcome back
Drew Rasmussen and
Jeffrey Springs from their rehab assignments, taking the place of the traded Civale while
Jacob Lopez is returned to Durham. Also in a big bit of news to make room for Loftin we reluctantly sent down
Junior Caminero. The much-ballyhooed rookie hit quite well when called up in May but has gone ice cold over the last couple of months, hitting only .208 since June 1 with a .258 OBP. There were 8 homers mixed in there but it wasn't enough. We'll give him a month at Durham and bring him back when rosters expand.
July 31: vs Miami 6-2 W. WP-Contreras (1-0). Starter-Rasmussen (5 4 2 2 1 8). HR-B.Lowe (10). Rasmussen was excellent in his first start back after giving up a 2-run homer in the opening frame. And he was amply supported (albeit after he left) by
Brandon Lowe, who drove in 5 including a grand slam in a 5-run 6th.
August 1: Off-Day.
August 2: at Houston 6-4 W. WP-Kelly (4-1). S-Fairbanks (19). Starter-Pepiot (6 5 3 3 1 7, 3 HR). HR-Torkelson (5). Trailing 3-0 heading into the 8th the Rays rallied for another 5-spot keyed by a slam, this time from Tork.
Nick Loftin had 3 hits and 2 steals in his first Rays start.
August 3: at Houston 3-6 L. LP-Maton (3-3). Starter-Littell (6 5 2 2 1 6). This was a 2-2 game into the 7th before Maton was mashed for four runs. Yandy continued his tear, going 3-5 with a double and an RBI to bring his AVG up to .287.
August 4: at Houston 8-7 W. WP-Contreras (2-0). S-Fairbanks (20). Starter-Springs (4 6 2 2 2 5). Another big comeback win as they scored 4 times in the 9th off Houston closer Josh Hader with Jose Siri's bases-clearing double the winning blow. Springs was pretty good in his return but something is up with his stamina - although he's rated 45 he was in the red on pitch #60, which could be a real issue.
Record: 53-58. Next week: Yet another off-day (our third in eight days) then 3 in St. Louis before returning home for 3 against the Orioles.
Players of the Month (July):
AL Batter: Evan Carter (TEX), .378-10-32 with 12 walks.
NL Batter: Austin Riley (ATL), .389-9-25 with 30 runs.
AL Pitcher: Aaron Civale (KC but really us), 4-0, 3.04
NL Pitcher: Justin Steele (CHI), 5-1, 2.09
AL Rookie: Carter
NL Rookie: Jordan Lawlar (ARI), .329-5-17 although he tore his groin and is now out 5-6 weeks
Players of the Week:
AL: JD Martinez (TOR), 9-25, 4 HR, 11 RBI
NL: Jordan Lawlar (ARI), 9-10, 2 HR, 4 RBI before tearing the groin
Seeing JD Martinez on Toronto probably has you wondering about the big deals at the deadline so here are the significant players who changed teams:
Bobby Miller (LAD to TEX)
Tyler O'Neill (BOS to SEA)
Kenley Jansen (BOS to NYY)
Jesus Luzardo (MIA to BAL)
Grayson Rodriguez (BAL to MIA) yes, they were traded for each other
JD Davis (OAK to MIN)
Nick Pivetta (BOS to MIL)
David Bednar (PIT to CLE)
Paul Goldschmidt (STL to NYY)
Orelvis Martinez (TOR to NYM)
JD Martinez (NYM to TOR)
Jonathan India (CIN to BAL)
Triston McKenzie (CLE to SF)
Walker Buehler (LAD to ATL)
Aroldis Chapman (PIT to SEA)