ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Ryan Pepiot said after Monday night’s 5-2 loss to Baltimore that it was nice to see how the Rays “stack up” against their American League East rival.
The Rays did not “stack up” well at all in a wraparound weekend series in which they were swept in four games by the O’s for the second time in franchise history and first time in eight years. Whether it was at the plate, on the mound or in the field, the Rays were clearly outclassed in a series in which they were outscored 25-7.
The only thing the Rays can do is attempt to forget about it and get ready for a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs beginning Tuesday night at the Trop.
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“Not good, not what we needed,” said manager Kevin Cash, whose team dropped to 31-35. “We have to get over it and get ready for the Chicago series. I keep saying that we have to play better baseball. We’re capable. We’re just not putting it all together quite yet. ”
Tampa Bay’s pitching, for the most part, has been pretty good. The rest has a lot to be desired. The offense has scored five or fewer runs in 22 of 25 games. The high-water mark against Baltimore was three runs in a 6-3 loss in Friday’s series opener.
The Trop has not been the friendliest of confines. The Rays are 17-22 at home, including 3-11 versus AL East opponents.
“We have to continue to stay positive, do what we can to stay consistent and get out of this thing collectively as a group,” said Cash.
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Zach Eflin (3-4, 4.14) will get the start Tuesday night against Jameson Taillon (3-2, 3.47). It will be Eflin’s second start after returning from lower back inflammation that sidelined him for two weeks. He threw four innings (two runs) and 55 pitches in the Rays’ 5-3 win at Miami last Wednesday.
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