Tampa Bay Rays News and Links: Three shutouts over four games

Last night, the Tampa Bay Rays were shutout by Chris Sale and the vaunted Red Sox bullpen, with the final score being 2-0. The Red Sox would hold the Rays to just two hits throughout the night, while they racked up 16 strikeouts. Austin Pruitt did his part for the Rays, allowing just a run over six innings pitched, but his offense just couldn’t break through.

The Rays have now scored just two runs over their last four contests, having been shutout in three of them.

Tonight, the Rays will hope to split the two games set with Boston with Jake Odorizzi making his return from the disabled list. He’ll be opposed by Rick Porcello.

With the loss, the Rays are now 6.5 games back in the division race, while they’re tied with two other teams for the second Wild Card spot.

• Alex Cobb has been placed on the DL due to ‘Turf Toe’ with Blake Snell being re-called to take his place in the rotation
• Ever wanted to know who is the all-time hits leader for each state?
• Umpire Joe West has been suspended for three games thanks to him calling Adrian Beltre the biggest whiner in baseball
• A freak injury occurred yesterday in Atlanta, as infielder John Camargo tripped on his way to take his position and injured his knee
• It was a great night around the league for catches

On this date in 2007, the Casey Fossum era in Tampa Bay came to an end after spending close to three full seasons with the team. A former Red Sox top prospect, the Rays acquired him from the Diamondbacks for Jose Cruz Jr duing the 2004-2005 off-season.

He was a serviceable arm during his first year with the club, but his output spiraled in 2006, leading to his dismissal from the starting rotation and then he’d be used in a mop up role as a reliever.

We have this to always remember though.