Going into today, Javier Vazquez had not lasted more than six innings in any start, and he hadn’t allowed fewer than three runs in any start either. He had struck out more batters than he walked in only two games, and in both those games he struck out only two more batters than he walked. His previous low for baserunners allowed was seven.
And yet, the Rays just made Vazquez look like an ace. Vazquez lasted seven innings against them, striking out seven while walking two and allowing three hits. The Rays couldn’t score any runs against him, essentially sealing their fate. Although the Rays scored a few runs against the Marlins’ bullpen late in the game, they had already fallen into a 5 run hole by the time David Price left the game.
Price was not at his best tonight, allowing multiple homeruns to the Marlins and lasting only five innings. He missed his location at times and although he did get four strikeouts, he wasn’t blowing hitters away as he normally does. It was an off day for him; thankfully days like today don’t happen to him too often.
The Rays have now lost six of their last eight games, and they’re tied with the Yankees for first place in the AL East. Their offense has been the main cause of their recent slump, averaging only 3.1 runs per game over the last week. Thankfully, there is one small bright spot: Josh Johnson was placed on the disabled list today, so the Rays will not have to face him tomorrow after all.