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Rays Drop Series Finale 2-0 To Braves

By Steve Kinsella
May 20, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price (14) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
May 20, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price (14) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

The Rays were shut out 15 times in 2011 and until today had been able to avoid the doughnut in 2012 as Tim Hudson improved his record to 3-1 and the Braves defeated the Rays 2-0. David Price, who entering today's game had received the highest run support per nine innings of any Rays starter (6.19), was the tough luck loser on the day dropping his record to 6-2.

The Braves jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a David Ross solo homer in the third inning and extended the lead to 2-0 in the sixth inning. With 1-out in the sixth Freddie Freeman singled and moved to second on a Jose Molina passed ball and came in to score on a 2-out RBI single by Jason Heyward.

The Rays had opportunities to score leaving the bases loaded in the 6th and 8th innings and stranding Sean Rodriguez at 3rd in the 7th inning. Carlos Pena flew out with the bases loaded in the sixth on a ball that was hit solidly to straight away center. The Rays were the victim of a bad break when a ground ball off the bat of Luke Scott which appeared ticketed to right field to tie the game hit Carlos Pena to end the rally.

David Price worked 7 innings for the 4th consecutive start giving up 2R/1ER on 6 hits while striking out seven and walking three. Burke Badenhop and Jake McGee worked a scoreless 8th and 9th inning to keep the game close. The Rays drop to 25-17 and remain 2-games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.

Sam Fuld was in the broadcast booth during today's SunSports telecast to assist in an intro to sabermetrics. Topics discussed included OPS, UZR, Catchers Framing Pitches, WAR, FIP, Clutch Ability, and Team Chemistry. There wasn't a great deal of action in today's game so for those who watched the game:

  • Did you enjoy the sabermetric angle?
  • Did you feel the Staats and Anderson were open to the ideas discussed by Sam Fuld?
  • Did you feel that any of the concepts were explained poorly or could have been presented better?
  • Did you see more positive or negative response concerning the broadcast in your twitter timeline?
  • What was the #1 complaint observed about the broadcast?

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