The Tampa Bay Rays (44-35) could not find an offensive rhythm, losing to the Cincinnati Reds (41-39). The Reds' starter, Mike Leake (W, 7-4) spread out 6 Rays base runners over 6 frames, allowing 2 doubles, 2 singles, and 2 walks. On the other hand, Jeremy Hellicksosn (L, 7-7), who did not display his typical command, kept falling behind hitters and grooving fastballs. Hellickson allowed 8 hits in his 6 innings, but he also managed to strike out 9 hitters and limit the damage to 3 earned runs and 1 unearned run.
The story of the night was the Rays inconsistent offense and defense, as two of their best fielders -- Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist -- had key errors on the night, but the team still managed to turn three double plays and make several sensational outs. Meanwhile, the offense mustered 4 doubles, but could not string enough hits together to bring any runners home.
Notes from the game:
- In the bottom of the 6th, Ben Zobrist doubled and Evan Longoria walked to lead off the inning. Matt Joyce then hit a powerful fly ball to left, but Fred Lewis caught it. Longoria, however, did not realize the situation and passed Ben Zobrist who was tagging up at second base, making Longo out on the play.
- Sam Fuld had yet another crazy catch, making an over-the-shoulder diving snag on a Fred Lewis fly ball to deep left field. Casey Kotchman and Reid Brignac also teamed up on a dandy double play in the 8th, catching Drew Stubbs as he tried to advance 1st-to-3rd on a Paul Janish ground out.
- Adam Russell had an excellent showing out of the bullpen, completing 1.2 innings while allowing only a walk and this:
- Jonny Gomes totally pulled a weak Derek Jeter, getting a HBP on a ball of the butt of his bat in the top of the 7th.