Game Notes: The Rays Go for the Sweep, Jennings Knee an Issue

In last night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Kevin Cash gave Erasmo Ramirez the start and tasked him with eating innings and minimizing damage. If his first three appearances were any indication, this mission seemed highly improbable. Although pitching a perfect inning in his latest relief appearance against the New York Mets on April 19th, the right-handed pitcher had allowed 15 earned runs in 6.1 innings prior to last night’s game.

Although pessimistic fans (myself included) wrote him off as a lost cause,  Ramirez proved his naysayers wrong and accomplished the task given. In four innings of work, Ramirez allowed only one earned run on four hits and one walk. His ERA went from a dastardly 21.32 to a still-dastardly-but-not-as-dastardly 13.94. Better yet, the Rays won the game.

However, all is not well in St. Petersburg as the Rays training staff continues to earn their paychecks. Despite their 4-2 comeback victory, there is something to be down about. Desmond Jennings left last night’s game in the eighth inning because of left knee soreness. For a team that has been plagued with injuries in all facets of the depth chart, Jennings flare up should be concerning as the outfielder missed the final 29 games of last season because of the same soreness in his left knee. Jennings is listed as day-to day.

In today’s game, the Rays look to extend their winning streak to five games and sweep their first series of the 2015 season.

The Lineups

Rays lineup for Sunday rays pic.twitter.com/iEd2M4OObi

— Bill Chastain (@wwchastain) April 26, 2015

Notes:

-James Loney is back in the starting lineup after a scheduled day off yesterday to ease him back into every day play following a return from his oblique injury.

-As previously stated Jennings will not be in tonight’s game due to left knee soreness.

Today's lineup at TB (1:10pm start), presented by @MajesticOnField pic.twitter.com/DHYXrGVTJO

— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 26, 2015

Notes:

-Jose Bautista will miss his fifth straight game because of a right shoulder injury.

The Starting Pitchers

Chris Archer (2-2, 1.07 ERA, 2.53 FIP, 0.829 WHIP)

Archer has has only given up three earned runs in 25.1 innings this season. Those three runs game in the Rays season opener, as Archer has not given up a single run in his last three appearances. Today’s game will be Archer’s second start against the Blue Jays this season. On April 16th in Toronto, Archer pitched seven scoreless innings on two hits, two walks, and 11 strikeouts.

The right-hander is looking for the bats to give him some run support as the Rays have only scored eight runs in the four games he has pitched.

Here’s a look at Archer’s career numbers against the Blue Jays roster:

Mark Buehrle (3-0, 4.00 ERA, 5.10 FIP, 1.500 WHIP)

Today’s game will be Buehrle’s second start against the Rays this season. On April 15th in Toronto, Buehrle faced off against Erasmo Ramirez, pitching six innings and allowing three earned runs on seven hits and one walk. The Blue Jays won that game by a score of 12-7. Ramirez gave up eight of those 12 runs.

While Archer has not received run support this season, Buehrle, on the other hand, has received an abundance of help from his offense. In the three games in which Buehrle has pitched, the Blue Jays have scored a staggering 37 runs.

Here’s a look at Buehrle’s career numbers against the Rays  roster: