There’s a lot of noise surrounding Moore and he’s the starter that has been putting up the best results over the last couple of months. If this was the last start in Rays uniform it will have been a good one. I for one will remember him as the young guy who stepped up the playoffs a dealt one of the most dominating outings in Rays playoff history against the Texas Rangers.
The turnaround of Moore has been significant and goes back ten starts. He’s been fortunate in many cases, but there are things he’s doing better of late.
Matt Moore's 1st 11 starts vs his most recent 10 (including today) pic.twitter.com/IOaAaWJy5S
— Up in the Air (@jasoncollette) July 27, 2016
As far as looking forward to what you would expect the crazy low .228 BABIP sticks out, but there are things to like. Limiting homers which has resulted in a .126 ISO during this stretch compared to a .182 ISO in his first eleven starts.
Innings 1-3: Matt Moore does works around trouble in the first two innings. Dodgers 1-0.
In the top of the first Evan Longoria hit a single on a line drive to center field ahead of Corey Dickerson sending a fly ball to the warning track to end the first.
After a lead off single by Howie Kendrick, Matt Moore issued a one out walk to the hot hitting Justin Turner to put runners on first and second. Moore induced a ground ball double play by Scott Van Slyke to end the threat.
In the second inning Moore started the inning off with two quick outs. He walked Joc Pederson ahead of a single by A.J. Ellis to put runners on first and third with two outs. On a 2-2 count out to the pitcher, Brandon McCarthy, Luke Maile sent a ball into center field while attempting to throw out A.J. Ellis at second allowing the runner from third to score. Dodgers led 1-0. On the next pitch Moore struck McCarthy out looking.
In the third inning Moore walked around a lead off single by Howie Kendrick without any more damage.
Inning 4: Longoria and company put three runs on the board. Rays 3-1.
Brad Miller started off the top of the fourth with a double down the right field line. Evan Longoria followed with his 22nd homerun of the season to give the Rays a 2-1 lead.
Vin Scully's call when @Evan3Longoria hit the first #Rays home run at Dodger Stadium. #RaysUphttps://t.co/LcAdUalWSs
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 27, 2016
Steven Souza, Jr. walked with out. Souza stole his fifth base of the season as he was barely able to keep his finger on the bag when he over slid the bag on a feet first slide. Luke Maile ripped a double into left field with two outs to score Souza to put the Rays up 3-1.
Moore put up a shutdown inning as the Dodgers went down in order with two strikeouts by Chris Taylor and Joc Pederson.
Innings 5-7: Moore continues his strong start and puts up a quality start. Rays 3-1.
In the fifth inning the Rays put up another threat as Miller and Longoria hit back to back singles with one out. The Rays would fail to capitalize on the opportunity.
The bottom of the fifth was fairly uneventful as Howie Kendrick earned a two out walk before Corey Seager popped out to Brad Miller.
The sixth inning was very similar to fifth as Adrian Gonzalez singled with two outs, but Moore struck out Chris Taylor to end the inning.
In the top of the seventh the Rays put up a threat after Matt Moore singled and Brad Miller walked to put runners on first and second with one with Evan Longoria coming to the plate. Longoria grounded into a double play to end the threat.
In the seventh the Dodgers put up a threat after Joc Pederson worked a lead off walk to put the tying run at the plate. A.J. Ellis sent a drive to the left field wall that attempted to tie the game. Corey Dickerson made a nice play at the wall for the first out of the inning. Moore would induce a pop fly in foul territory that was caught by Logan Forsythe. Moore would leave the game with a 6.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 R, 4 BB, 5 K line.
Another key to the 7th: @MCoreyDickerson's catch at the wall. #RaysUp
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 27, 2016
WATCH: https://t.co/bcAKSa4TGJ pic.twitter.com/IV07BRwR27
Kevin Jepsen replaced Moore on the mound to face Howie Kendrick. With a full count Logan Morrison made what is likely the defensive play of the year for the Rays to end the inning. Morrison dove into the stands to make an incredible catch.
LoMo knows no bounds. #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/gOWdTMrQpw
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 27, 2016
Innings 8-9: Bullpen shut down Dodgers bats to secure the victory. Rays 3-1.
Xavier Cedeno came in to pitch the eighth inning. Scott Van Slyke picked up a single with two outs, but Adrian Gonzalez grounded out to Steve Pearce to end the inning.
Alex Colome came in the ninth to pick up the save. Andrew Toles and Joc Pederson grounded out to put two quick outs on the board. The game ended when pinch-hitter Yasmani Grandal struck out. Colome picked up his 22nd save of the year.
Rays head back to the Trop to take on the Yankees in a weekend series.