The Rays Tank: Adios, KC, see you next year

"The Royals didn't go down in order until the fifth inning."

In the words of Mr. Jason Collette,

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Hellickson is an unmitigated disaster these days with a heavy dose of self-inflicted damage</p>&mdash; jasoncollette (@jasoncollette) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasoncollette/statuses/372076394987024384">August 26, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Jeremy Hellickson only lasted two-and-two-thirds yesterday, matching the shortest outing of his career and allowing five runs in that span. Cesar Ramos picked up where Helly left off, giving up five runs in his three innings of relief, while Wesley Wright was the best pitcher of the day, only conceding a solo homer as the lone hit and run in his two-and-a-thirds to close out the game.

The Rays just couldn't find a way to win against Kansas City this season, going 1-6, with three of the losses going to Helly; who has not lasted five innings in five of his past six starts, posting an 0-5 record and a 9.00 ERA.

Per Marc Topkin, neither Joe Maddon nor Hellickson are sure what's going wrong this year:

"We feel very confident about him," Maddon said. "It's just been difficult or exasperating to try to get him to get back where he had been. And we're turning over every stone trying to figure it out."

Maddon said he's been "racking my brain" trying to help Hellickson, poring over reports only to find out "there's nothing definitively different about him."

Hellickson doesn't have any answers, either. He feels physically fine and said Monday was actually the most consistent he has been with his command the past five starts.

For the full recap, including Wil Myers' day at the plate and Maddon's ejection, scope Danny's postgame words.

Tonight the team opens up a three-game set against the Angels, then hit the road for a 10-game West Coast road trip against Oakland, Los Angeles and Seattle.

Links:

- Matt Harvey. Torn UCL. Heartbreak for baseball fans everywhere.

If that didn't make you sad enough...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Attention Matt Harvey fans. Since 2010, 4 pitchers have torn their UCL and returned to the majors. None did so in fewer than 11 months.</p>&mdash; ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/statuses/372211377001095168">August 27, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Thanks, for the ole salt in the wound, ESPN.

- A view, from a KC perspective, of Myers' return yesterday afternoon.

- The Marlins released Casey Kotchman. Who wants him?

- A new site dedicated to the art of pitching? Check it out.

- The Astros may be on pace for 108 losses, but according to Forbes, they're on pace to bring in approximately $99 million dollars in operating income this year. The Astros are denying this report.