Shields Shaky Early, Bullpen Shaky Late, Rays Lose 9-5

by BWoodrum on Jul 16, 2011 8:22 PM EDT in Game Recaps

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 16: Shortstop Marco Scutaro #10 of the Boston Red Sox turns a double play as B.J. Upton #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays tries to break it up during the game at Tropicana Field on July 16, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

It is a truly rare day when the Rays (50-42) score 5 runs for James Shields and still lose, but the Red Sox (56-36) were just too much today. Shields (L, 8-8) struggled to find the zone throughout the start, uncharacteristically walking 3 batters in 6 innings. He collected a dandy 8 strikeouts, but a rough 2nd and 3rd innings helped seal the Rays' fate.

The Rays jumped to an early lead and looked poised to hand John Lackey (W, 7-8) yet another rough start, but after getting up 3-0 in the first, the Rays offense went silent. The Red Sox added 2 in the 2nd, 3 in the 3rd, and 1 in the 4th, putting them up 6-3 going into the 5th.

In the bottom of the 5th, Matt Joyce took a hard foul off his right leg. The injury looked rather serious, but Joyce stayed in and homered on the next pitch. Go figure. This gave the Rays a manageable 6-4 deficit, but Dustin Pedroia added an opposite field homer in 7th, and the recent callup combo of Brandon Gomes and Jake McGee allowed another 2 runs in the 9th, pushing the Sox lead to 9-4.

Casey Kotchman tripled with one gone in the bottom of the 9th, coming home on a Longoria single, but the effort proved insufficient and the Rays lost 9-5.

Notes:

During the game, it seemed like Shields' cutter was betraying him, but after reviewing the Pitch F/x data, it appears his whole arsenal did him no favors today. Shields' cutter/slider combo generated only 1 swinging strike and 2 in-play outs, while allowing 3 hits. His changeup, which is usually very reliable, generated only 2 swinging strikes and no in-play outs, despite allowing 3 hits.
Matt Joyce, B.J. Upton, and Sam Fuld all had steals off Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Joyce had an altogether great day, going 3 for 5 with the aforementioned dinger.
The Rays used a combined five relievers today. Hopefully tomorrow's starter, Jeff Niemann, can repeat his great start from before the break.

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Comments

We just sucked today.

Hope for a series win tomorrow.

by Peter Piontek on Jul 16, 2011 8:29 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, as lame as today was, tomorrow starts 0-0.

Here’s hoping Niemann pitching like Old Niemann.

A DRaysBay and FanGraphs writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum

by BWoodrum on Jul 16, 2011 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

And Beckett pitches like Sonny.

by Passionate Apathy on Jul 16, 2011 8:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yup.

I love the heart that this team has shown. I just don’t think they have what it takes to stay in it. I just wish i knew where we are going to get some offense in the near future.

by Peter Piontek on Jul 16, 2011 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I do find it interesting that the Brewers came in and got Rodriguez from us.

makes you wonder what the front office is thinking about this season.

by Peter Piontek on Jul 16, 2011 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

Glad they did to be honest

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Jul 16, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

me too.

it just makes me think that the front office feels like they can make the moves to win and by win i mean it all.

by Peter Piontek on Jul 16, 2011 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

It could also be noise thrown out there...

Misinformation/dog-wagging is done a lot more often than you might think.

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Jul 16, 2011 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

this wouldn't suprise me.

drive the price up on the guys we are selling by appearing like buyers.

by Peter Piontek on Jul 16, 2011 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Wasn't it Russell who gave up the runs in the 9th, not McGee?

by DaPriceIsRight on Jul 16, 2011 9:16 PM EDT reply actions

Gomes charged with the ER. Russell allowed them on a walk and groundout RBI. Oh well, doesn't matter.

by DaPriceIsRight on Jul 16, 2011 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

STOP PICKING NITS

by firemangreg on Jul 17, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

We have to win tomorrow

Otherwise we will lose the 2 biggest series of the season so far. Man I want jennings up right now damnit

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 9:25 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Malm with another HR tonight

Jennings 3-4 2 2B BB K

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Jul 16, 2011 9:28 PM EDT reply actions

Jennings?

by mr. maniac on Jul 16, 2011 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

miraculous recovery

by Peter Piontek on Jul 16, 2011 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

DH'd for Durham tonight

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Jul 16, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Why isnt jennings up

I hate watching fuld and ruggiano attempt to even hit a baseball. I guarentee jennings could out produce those 2.

Also im glad malm is doing good this year, I hope he keeps it up I liked his potential when we drafted him

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 9:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

doing well

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Jul 16, 2011 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Might as well leave him down until next year and avoid Super 2 for another year

I do this for free

by SRQman on Jul 16, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I would be so mad if we did that lol

I hope he is up before august

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 9:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Be lucky to see him on the team in 2013

I do this for free

by SRQman on Jul 16, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

2013, you're that optimistic?

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Jul 16, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

For a one day call up.

Then sent right back down.

I do this for free

by SRQman on Jul 16, 2011 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Can I just say how much I love the picture of Upton looking like he's about to nutpunch Scutaro?

by pudieron89 on Jul 16, 2011 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

Brandon Allen hit a monster shot tonight for ARI. Don't they have 3 1B power prospects?

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Jul 16, 2011 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

2 i believe but they are both kind of old

Ryan Howard was old also but yeah Allen and Goldschmidt

by Peter Piontek on Jul 16, 2011 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Farnsworth and kotchman for allen

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 9:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

As soon as I saw as Shields throw 95, I just knew it wasn't gone be a fun day

That is 2010 Shields where he thinks he’s David Price.

A couple of cool moments with Joyce pulling a Gibson and McGee striking out the only guy he faced again.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

He threw 96 in his first complete game shutout.....

by mr. maniac on Jul 17, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Cobb has been called up

They were only considering torres because cobb got hit in the head the other day.

corresponding roster move coming monday. Knowing how this team is I bet they will be making another move, hopefully jennings for ruggiano or helliot

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 10:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Supposedly McGee is safe

Despite how they did today, I would like to see Ramos go down and not Gomes. Also, Ruggiano is now in witness protection, he took over for Sonnanstine, call up Jennings already.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Im done with fuld or ruggiano starting

Im fine with fuld being a bench player because of his speed and defense but he cant hit. Perhaps peralta will go on the dl like davis did

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 10:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

It wouldn't even be a fake injury

His arm must feel like its falling off and I’d say that’s cause for a DL visit.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Maddon spoke highly of Gomes after the game

by Dbullsfan on Jul 16, 2011 10:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That means he's going down

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Jul 16, 2011 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

hate to say it but I think that is correct

Even though with Ramos, we have 3 lefties. Not needed.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions

i cant imagine we keep 3 lefties

Unless ramos becomes true long man. I think he goes down, he being ramos

by Dbullsfan on Jul 16, 2011 10:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

yields

big game james?

by dram57 on Jul 16, 2011 10:15 PM EDT reply actions

Omg he has had what 2 or 3 bad games this year

Shut up

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 10:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

He over threw, he knew what he did wrong

If you are going by the fact that he has lost 4 straight, then seriously? blaming him? He lost that Yankee game, yeah, Yields.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

It's tough to blame a guy who has been amazing all year

but getting that win would have been really really nice.

by Sveet on Jul 17, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

It started out so promising.

I do this for free

by SRQman on Jul 17, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

There has been a trend going on that we need to find a way to break tomorrow

Even though it’s Beckett. I have seen a lot of series where we win the first game and look so good then drop the next 2, come on Neimann, bats.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

Hows niemann been,against boston the last couple of years?

Im going to guess not too good

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 10:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Awful

But I don’t think he was ever that good against the Yankees and who saw him stopping the Cards and Brewers? You never know.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I just dont trust niemann.

I much rather trade him and go with cobb

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 10:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Most of us would

But he has shut down 3 of the best offense in MLB since returning. That Brewer game in Milwaukee in his 1st game back is the most impressive to me. Ignore that Houston start, it didn’t happen.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I always though that cobb would be trade bait or a bullpen arm

Im glad I was wrong and hope to continue to be wrong about him

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 10:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

be curious to see who the Rays try to acquire for the stretch run

I still think they look at Furcal the most out of the rentals. If Jennings isn’t called up, then I say they target Willingham or Ludwick. I highly doubt they try for Beltran.

by raysfaninminnesota on Jul 16, 2011 10:33 PM EDT reply actions

It's a question on how much they want in return because they are basically willing to pay for Beltran to play for a new team

If they want too much then we should just go back to the Rays fan favorite, Rasmus. I wonder what JP thinks about him.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay, question

Can anyone guess what the thinking was here? Alex Torres being pulled early.

- Like the Yankees are afraid whether it’s Cobb or Torres
- Despite his pitch count, Torres was never a real candidate on 2 days rest
- He lacks control and the Yankees work counts, he would be destroyed
- Everyone expected Cobb the whole time and he had already been pulled early also

Did they play a useless mind game or are we finishing up a trade involving Torres?

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:34 PM EDT reply actions

cobb got hit in the head the other day

Torres was a back up plan in case he couldnt go

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 10:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

im probably wrong but with all the talk about rasmus

by Dbullsfan on Jul 16, 2011 10:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That might also have something to do with it also

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 10:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

oops

Cont…something seems close and I think torres or hellickson are involved. My guess the cards really wanted hellickson but weren’t willing to give up martinez or miller and that is why uptons name is being tossed around now .instead of hellickson that being said this is way to public for Andrew Friedman

by Dbullsfan on Jul 16, 2011 10:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I just don't see it, Hellickson

I mean they wont trade Miller anyway but whats the point of trading Hellickson who has proven it in the majors for a prospect? Even one as a elite as Miller. The thing I kept thinking was the Cards were impressed enough with Cobb’s starts to take him in return for Rasmus and Torres was getting the spot start.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I would be pissed if hell boy is moved

I like torres but I just see him as trade bait or a bullpen arm. He could be pretty decent but not good enough to break our future rotation

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 16, 2011 10:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Upton and Torres

for Rasmus and a prospect right. It wouldnt be those 2 for Rasmus only would it?

No matter how much they are hyped, my teams always find a way to disappoint.
Free Lobaton!

by thedudeofdudes on Jul 16, 2011 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Upton and Torres would bring back more i would hope.

St. Louis isn’t interested in Upton from what is out there.

by Peter Piontek on Jul 16, 2011 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

dont underestimate the value of rasmus

by Dbullsfan on Jul 16, 2011 11:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Cards want to start Jay if they trade Rasmus, they don't want Upton.

But maybe we can work a 3 way deal, send BJ to the Braves or Nats and then send those players we got back for Rasmus.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

i wouldnt think so

But this thing has had legs for awhile now and both olney and the fox guy said said upton for rasmus

by Dbullsfan on Jul 16, 2011 11:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

rosenthal

by Dbullsfan on Jul 16, 2011 11:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Rosenthal is saying Nat's , Phil's or Braves are in on Upton

by Peter Piontek on Jul 16, 2011 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Well I was just goin off what I saw

it said that the Rays and Cards were discussing a Upton/Rasmus swap.

No matter how much they are hyped, my teams always find a way to disappoint.
Free Lobaton!

by thedudeofdudes on Jul 16, 2011 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I bet that it would be a 3 way trade with one of those nl east teams

Perhaps norris and rasmus to rays, upton to nats, farnsworth and torres to cards.

Hows that sound?

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 17, 2011 12:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Cards want a SP they can count on right now. I think Cobb would be most likely.

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Jul 17, 2011 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Would u trade cobb for that deal?

I think I would consider it

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 17, 2011 12:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Look at all of this rosterbation going on

Maddon's Mission
Make you want to kill him, then make you want to love him. Sly.

by Jonah Keri on Jun 19, 2010 10:31 PM EDT

by Doug09 on Jul 16, 2011 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions

it's that time of year

like half christmas

by Peter Piontek on Jul 16, 2011 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Except we never get the Nintendo 64

I do this for free

by SRQman on Jul 17, 2011 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

haha

@RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Jul 17, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Its fun to do

until we remember no big moves will probly be made.

No matter how much they are hyped, my teams always find a way to disappoint.
Free Lobaton!

by thedudeofdudes on Jul 16, 2011 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions

this

by Dbullsfan on Jul 16, 2011 11:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

They showed in 09 that when they fall out if ut they will make a deal

Kazmir

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Jul 17, 2011 12:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

SP Times said, if I remember correctly, that Cobb's head injury made the Rays double-check

They wanted to make sure they had someone ready in case Cobb couldn’t go.

by raysfaninminnesota on Jul 16, 2011 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

if that was the case why have torres pitch at all

The injury was the night before right.

by Dbullsfan on Jul 16, 2011 10:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That

Let the trade go down and call Moore up to AAA please.

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 16, 2011 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

You can't be serious....

I have no idea why you guys think there is a trade.

by mr. maniac on Jul 17, 2011 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Joey gets crazy when he is tired

(he is always crazy)

I do this for free

by SRQman on Jul 17, 2011 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

It wasn't my trade idea, I just agreed with it but alright

Under construction

by joeybw on Jul 17, 2011 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions

rec'd

its past joeys bedtime, crazy mofo

My Twitter

by miamigirl54 on Jul 17, 2011 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions

lol

by mr. maniac on Jul 17, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Why hasn't anyone mentioned

BRIGNAC BROKE .200 BA TODAY!!!

We need a celebratory post tomorrow.

PIZZA?!?

by Transplanted on Jul 16, 2011 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

Big party after the game

I do this for free

by SRQman on Jul 17, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Rays cannot beat Sox or Yankees this year

Today Rays should have easily beat Sox. Lackey sucked and Shields was our pitcher. Honestly what player or two changes our playoff outlook? The loss today makes me believe Rays will sell to improve the future and not one or two months from now. BJ will be traded in a week or two and hopefully the return is very good for 2012 and beyond.

by Raysball Fan on Jul 16, 2011 11:32 PM EDT reply actions