Game Recaps

Rays 6, Nats 1: Erasmo is the second-best starter for the Rays

Erasmo shows us his best high-wire act, Souza walks all over the world, Cedeno makes it interesting

By Brett Phillips Jun 15, 2015, 10:26pm EDT

Erasmo started off not great, but he got a little help from his defense. Cabby’s diving stop kept Yunel from scoring a single to left. His throw from the ground pulled Logan Forsythe off of the bag, but Denard Span overslid second base (how often have we seen that this year?) and Frosty tagged ‘em out. Erasmo has a pretty slick changeup, and threw it to Harper on a 1-1 count and he flailed at it. He threw the same pitch on a full count, and Harper took it. It may have been a bit low in the zone, but ump Jim Reynolds rang him up. "I was framed!" Harper seemed to shout, but his plea fell on deaf ears.

The Rays put up a bit of a threat in the bottom of this inning, after Nats starter Gio Gonzalez started fairly well, picking up two outs on four pitches. Longo worked a walk and Frosty poked one through the left side. Steven Souza Jr. too managed to draw a walk, despite swinging like a gosh dang lumberjack on a 3-0 count. Had Gio’s pitch been a mere 2 centimeters lower, it would’ve found the Party Deck. That said Souza walked, loading the bases for Jake Elmore. Yet unlike his sticky namesake, Jake (Elmer) Elmore couldn’t hold it together, expanding his zone on the first pitch and grounding to the pitcher. Gonzalez almost threw the ball into right field but Danny Espinosa corralled it well. The 46 pitch inning ended with two fat goose eggs.

Erasmo got away with two fat pitches right down the pipe in the second. Danny Espinosa and Michael Taylor both hit loud outs, lining to Souza and KK, respectively. He seemed to lose a little bit of effectiveness this inning after losing Clint Robinson to a walk

Kevin Kiermaier might be the best kept secret in baseball. I feel like he has to get a little bit of notoriety just because of his stellar D, but folks don’t seem to pay attention to him, even when he turns a leadoff bloop hit into a triple solely on the backs of hustle. Denard Span, a good defensive CF, didn’t get the memo on Kevin. KK turned yet another single into an extra base hit, catching Span napping and sliding into second. 4 pitches later, noticing that Gio Gonzalez was doing next to nothing in the way of keeping him honest, got a great jump and slid into third with a stolen base. Next pitch: Rene Rivera lifts one to center, not even all that deep, but still deep enough for Kiermaier, who didn’t even have to slide. Span’s throw was spot on and strong, but there was just no way. If Kiermaier can keep up his momentum (speed pun) and convert his speed in the outfield into stolen bases on the basepaths, he’ll be one of the more potent weapons in the AL, one that the MLB can’t ignore for long.

Erasmo got two quick outs, and probably should’ve had a third just as quickly, but a bad read by Souza sent the ball skipping by him, putting a man on second. Erasmo then was a mere strike away from the end of the inning, but hit Yunel Escobar with a 0-2 count. Wanting nothing to do with Best Hitter in Baseball ™ Bryce Harper, Erasmo walked him to get to Wilson Ramos. It’s a shame Ramos’ first name doesn’t start with an E. Then it’d have been Erasmo vs. E Ramos. Their names would’ve been anagrams! How cool would that have been? I wonder how many times pitchers have faced batters who were anagrams of each other. It’d be a neat story.

Oh yeah Ramos grounded out to end the threat cool

Rays got a bit of luck to extend their lead. Joey Butler, Modern Day Hero, hit the ball up the middle for a single. Evan Longoria, Face of the Franchise and Restaurant Entrepreneur, lined the ball up the middle to hit a single. Logan Forsythe, All-Star Second Baseman, lined a ball up the middle to score another run, making it 2-0. The ball actually glanced off the sole of Gio’s foot and hopped over the head of the second baseman. It was an insane hop, and even thought it would’ve been a hit either way, it just kind of showed the luck the Nats were getting tonight. Souza walked to load the bases, and Elmore flew out to drive in the Rays’ third run of the game.

Cabrera sent a flyball to left in nearly the same place as last night, but it fell just short of a 3 run homer and into the glove of Michael Taylor. MLB.com says he flew out sharply. How do you fly out sharply? Is it possible? Kiermaier grounded out to end the threat, but he sure made it close, nearly beating out the Nationals throw to first.

Michael Taylor singled to center (on a ball nearly insanely caught by a diving Kiermaier) and stole second base, but Erasmo managed to retire the side on a fairly efficient 13 pitches. Neat.

Rays loaded the bases on a hit, HBP, and hit from Rene, Guyer, and Joey Buts for Longo. Evan flew out deep enough to score the fairly slow Rene Rivera, leading to the third sac fly in the game. Hits w/RISP are overrated if you can pick up deep fly balls and walks whenever you want. Frosty, the only one with a non-sac-fly RBI today, picked up another one with a hard-hit ball to left, scoring Joey Butler from third. This kicked Gio Gonzalez out of the game; the 3.1 IP makes this his shortest start of the season.

Taylor Hill entered for the Nationals, and walked Souza for the third time tonight. Joey Butler and Logan Forsythe managed to execute a double steal before the fourth ball was thrown, and in doing so they caught Ramos napping hard. By the time he even realized that the steal was on, Butler was coasting into third. Jake Elmore, in his third AB with the bases loaded, got good wood on it but hit it right at Ian Desmond. Cabby struck out next so oh well, but the Rays put two more on the board so that’s pretty great.

Erasmo walked the proverbial tightrope in the fifth but somehow emerged unscathed. Facing Bryce Harper with one out and runners on first and second, Erasmo got him down to two strikes, and coaxed a weak fly ball from Harper to Brandon Guyer. After another single by Wilson Ramos (finally with the hit w/RISP!) Clint Robinson lined out hard to Jake Elmore, whose luck is now evened out completely. No runs were scored, somehow.

In the bottom of the fifth, Kiermaier reached second base on yet another freak play. A ground ball to the right side actually hit the base, careening past the contorted Espinosa on its way to right field. Kevin made it into second easily, and Guyer brought him home with a deep, deep triple to the deepest part of the deep, deep park. Hill seemed to lose all command at this point, losing Joey Butler on a four-pitch walk, the latter of which almost hit him. Hill did manage to finally hit a Ray in Evan Longoria, who left the game shaking his head. If I were a betting man I’d say that it was just a precautionary thing, merely taking your star third baseman out of the game with a rather large six run lead just to be safe. It’s probably nothing. After all, X-rays came back negative and he’s officially listed as day-to-day. It’s probably nothing. If I repeat it enough times I’ll start to believe it. Frosty grounded out with the bases loaded, probably still thinking about poor Longo and his restaurant franchises.

The Rays put runners in scoring position in the first six innings. Souza drew a walk (for his fourth of the night! He’d have five before it was over! WTH!) and Elmore finally got a hit to put two men on with no outs. Alas, the Rays wouldn’t score this time, bringing the LOB total up to 12 through six innings.

C.J. Riefenhauser took the ball from Erasmo, who threw six shutout innings, and allowed five hits and three balls. Over his last four starts, he’s allowed three earned runs. He’s basically Drew Smyly at this point. Or David Price. I’ll go that far. He allowed a leadoff walk but retired the rest in order, including a strikeout of Bryce Harper with a sweeping slider. Pretty neato. Enny Romero entered and worked a clean eighth inning with the help of Logan Forsythe’s slick arm. Ranging to his right on the left side of second base, Logan fired a bullet to Nick Franklin at first to beat the runner. Staats said he’d put "three stars next to it" and I’d pretty much agree.

Xaiver Cedeno entered to close out the game, and did. I mean, it was a little close. He allowed a run, and only an incredible catch on a line drive by Nick Franklin (and the ensuing doubling-up-of-the-baserunner) kept Harper from doing some major damage. This was the eighth straight win for the Rays when the other team starts a left-handed pitcher. Plus, with the Yankees losing, the Rays now take sole possession of first place in the AL East, and have the second-highest number of wins in the AL, second only to the Astros! Nice! Go Rays!

Yeah, but seriously, this was a great overall game to win, and if nothing comes of this Longoria injury this'll be one of the best days of the year for the Rays so far. The Rays look for a two-game sweep with Alex Colome in the saddle tomorrow.

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<tr><td width=150>Total comments</td><td>501</tr>

<tr class="alt"><td>Total commenters</td><td>36</tr>

<tr><td>Commenter list</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Adam%20Sanford">Adam Sanford</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Assbutt96">Assbutt96</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Banestar">Banestar</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Bradley%20Woodrum">Bradley Woodrum</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brett%20Phillips">Brett Phillips</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brian%20Andersbot">Brian Andersbot</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brickhaus">Brickhaus</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Darby%20Robinson">Darby Robinson</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Edged">Edged</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Grimesy22">Grimesy22</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Imperialism32">Imperialism32</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JRTW612">JRTW612</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Landlord">Landlord</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MakeitRayn">MakeitRayn</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrWizzle21">MrWizzle21</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Noles95'">Noles95'</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Pocoroba">Pocoroba</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Psychorugby">Psychorugby</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rays%20Fan%20in%20NC">Rays Fan in NC</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rays1118">Rays1118</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rays15">Rays15</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RaysProf">RaysProf</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TBRaysfan009">TBRaysfan009</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/barnecles">barnecles</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/essenpee">essenpee</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kapaafire">kapaafire</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kfharlock">kfharlock</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/killa3312">killa3312</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/lizzieray">lizzieray</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/magicrays">magicrays</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/npolackw">npolackw</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tampagator">tampagator</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tb_throwaway">tb_throwaway</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/the%20dobber">the dobber</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thedudeofdudes">thedudeofdudes</a></tr>

<tr class="alt"><td>Story URLs</td><td><div><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series">http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series</a></div>

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<th width=60># Recs</th><th>Commenter</th><th>Comment Link</th>

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<td>5</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brian%20Andersbot">Brian Andersbot</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311440818">Since this team is on a mission from God I figure this is the part of the movie where Longo goes to the DL and Richie Shaffer comes up and mashes like Aybar in 2008.</a></td>

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<td>5</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Noles95'">Noles95'</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311442860">Fuck this guy</a></td>

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<td>4</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Darby%20Robinson">Darby Robinson</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311445608">And then the Phillies just cut him this year...</a></td>

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<td>4</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/lizzieray">lizzieray</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311428068">You should be required to pay some sort of penalty for being both pessimistic and wrong.</a></td>

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<td>4</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311413348">everyone should play in domes</a></td>

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<td>3</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/lizzieray">lizzieray</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311428152">They are men of taste, apparently.</a></td>

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<td>3</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/essenpee">essenpee</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311424356">Should've made him manager.</a></td>

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<td>3</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Pocoroba">Pocoroba</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311444380">It is so idiotic to think we would intentionally hit Yunel with a man on and Harper on deck.</a></td>

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<td>3</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brian%20Andersbot">Brian Andersbot</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311451118">I think it's amazing. Nobody bitched when Jeter started last year after putting up an 83 wRC+ prior to the game.</a></td>

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<td>3</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thedudeofdudes">thedudeofdudes</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311416728">LOL</a></td>

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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311409428">fuck all things Game of Thrones</a></td>

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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brett%20Phillips">Brett Phillips</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311434262">Like 5</a></td>

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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brian%20Andersbot">Brian Andersbot</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311438410">They could have brought back Ellsbury and Lester for 7/153 and 6/155, respectively. Instead they gave up</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thedudeofdudes">thedudeofdudes</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311410974">Oh look at the Nats enjoying the DH there.</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brett%20Phillips">Brett Phillips</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311453798">This is neat</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311454844">If only his first name was Maxx, he'd be a god</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrWizzle21">MrWizzle21</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311459130">They're just having fun, let em</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brian%20Andersbot">Brian Andersbot</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311457364">For all the talk about how the AL East is a bad division (false and dumb) it misses the fact that all three possible playoff slots would go to East teams right now basically.</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brian%20Andersbot">Brian Andersbot</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311450294">Hurt his wrist jacking off. Going to use a HBP card to get a free two week vacation.</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/killa3312">killa3312</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311449768">If I was Cooper</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/npolackw">npolackw</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311442222">If he does that every game for the rest of the year</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Pocoroba">Pocoroba</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311427836">I agree. Hopefully we can pay him like one and he is okay with the role</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311426396">what if Reynolds had given him the baseball?</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Darby%20Robinson">Darby Robinson</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311422166">Living in DC now, I've seen/been to a lot of Nats games this year.</a></td>

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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JRTW612">JRTW612</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/6/15/8785591/gdt-so-begins-the-2nd-homeroad-series#311421046">Former Expos < Future Expos</a></td>

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Rays 6, Nats 1: Erasmo is the second-best starter for the Rays

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