Rays 2, Orioles 4: Defense, Bullpen Falter Late In Loss

The game was lost and won in the sixth inning, so let's start there.

With the score tied at two the Rays loaded the bases with one out. Desmond Jennings hit a slow roller to third that Chris Davis was able to barehand and get home to gun down James Loney. Ben Zobrist then flew out to deep right field to end the threat. The out at home was the THIRD of the game for the Rays. Not the ideal situation to say the least.

The bottom of the sixth brought Grant Balfour to the mound. With one out and a man on first, Chris Davis hit a grounder to first which James Loney fired to Yunel Escobar for the second out. Escobar, however, was unable to make an accurate throw to first, negating a would-be inning ending double play. Back to back singles later and the Rays had given up the lead.

Baseball is a funny game. Little things can make all the difference. If Jennings ball is a couple of feed to the right or left Loney probably beats the throw home. If Escobar's throw is a foot to the left it's an out. Unfortunately those things both went against the Rays.

Alex Cobb, who wasn't feeling well pregame, was only able to last four innings. The two runs he allowed came in the fourth when Jennings wasn't able to come up with a diving, sliding catch in center.

The Orioles would score another run in the seventh on a double to right-center by Nelson Cruz. Though Joel Peralta allowed the double, the runs were charged to Grant Balfour. Peralta escaped further damage, retiring the next three batters with runners on second and third.

Offensively the Rays were lead by Evan Longoria who accounted for two of the team's eight hits and both RBI. Although his overall production has slipped over his last twelve games -- with an OPS dipping from .719 to .713 -- he's driven in fourteen runs. So, hooray?

The Rays catch all kinds of heat for their low attendance, but this is two games in a row that the first place Orioles have failed to draw over 20,000. But we'll never hear a peep about that from the national media.

Drew Smyly takes the hill for the Rays tomorrow and is looking to duplicate his previous outing, a complete game shutout at Texas.