Rays In a pennant race, the search for ‘a stopper’

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.- After surging to the top of the AL East standings and manufacturing an impressive 9-game winning streak on their most recent road trip, the Tampa Bay Rays suddenly looked mortal.

Coming into a home game with Toronto on Aug. 19, the Rays dropped four of the previous five games during their current Tropicana Field home stand. In the process, they were outscored 36-22 in those five games and 23 of the runs came with two outs during a given opponents’ inning.

In calling upon All-Star righthander Drew Rasmussen, the Rays hoped to find a significant arm to stop the bleeding. Coming into this start on Aug. 19 against the Jays, Rassmussen sported a 12-5 mark and a 2.78 ERA. He allowed two runs combined in his previous four starts and represented the ideal candidate for the Rays’ precarious position.

Rasmussen started in complete control. He retired the first eight hitters in order and delivered a first-pitch to the first eight hitters in the Toronto lineup. Then, catastrophe.

After the Rays elevated Rasmussen to a 7-1 lead after four innings, the wheels dramatically became separated. The Jays responded with a four-spot in the fifth and that’s where Rasmussen departed.

“(The Jays) took the first time through the order and my best guess is starting to sit on the pitches which I get them out,” he said after boosting his season mark to 13-5. “That’s the first time I faced them this season and kudos to them. They made really good adjustments in-game and unfortunately, the way that fifth inning unfolded. It would have been good to give our guys a little bit of a breather.”

With the Orioles and Blue Jays making things difficult for Tampa Bay, the maladies suffering by the Rays could best be attributed to the dynamics of a pennant race.

“Every win now is quite the grind and we’re seeing the best version the American League East,” offered manager Kevin Cash after the Rays squeezed out a 7-6 win on Aug 19 over Toronto. “Everyone is playing with a lot at stake. Happy we were able to take some deep breaths and allow the bullpen to make big pitches.”

A first inning, two-run homer from Yandy Diaz put Tampa Bay on the board early and from there, “small ball” dominated the Rays’ offense. Bunts in key situations from Taylor Walls and Chandler Simpson triggered a five-run rally in the fourth.

After that 7-1 lead became precarious and melted down to a one-run advantage, back-end relievers Tyler Wells and closer Bryan Baker slammed the door. Baker earned his major league-leading 36^th save and the win moved the Rays to an American League-best 76-50. Only the Milwaukee Brewers have a better season mark.

Creating a viable “culture” … Aside from production on the field, an important intangible appears to be guiding the Tampa Bay Rays. In the development of a clubhouse where egos are left at the door, the chemistry within these doors represents a principal factor for the Rays to ascend in the AL East.

That was the immediate response from catcher Liam Hicks the moment he walked through those clubhouse doors. Acquired from Miami at the recent trade deadline, Hicks told reporters about the ease and comfort fitting into a new team. That’s the immediate response for a player here just a few weeks.

Turn the calendar back to the days of spring training

Development of a clubhouse committed to respect and quality relationships was the radar screen from day one of spring training at Port Charlotte. Created by Erik Neander, the team’s president of baseball operation, and Kevin Cash, the field manager, players bought into a culture based on value and character. The effort to accentuate integrity into the club’s culture has helped define this edition of the Rays.

“I’ve been in a couple of big-league clubhouses, and this is the best one by far,” said Rays’ outfielder Ryan Vilade, who has major league experience with Colorado, Detroit. St. Louis, Cincinnati and now Tampa Bay. “I think this starts with your veteran leadership and then just everyone coming together for the right reasons. There are no egos on this team, it’s play winning baseball and have fun doing this. We’re all brothers here and that’s what it feels like showing up every day. When you win together, it also brings that bond closer together.”

Next … The Rays conclude their current home stand with a matinee encounter on Aug. 20 against Toronto. Lefty Ian Seymour (9-3, 4.11 ERA) goes for Tampa Bay and draws veteran right-hander Shane Bieber (4-2, 4.99).  Then, it’s off for a six-game road trip that features with three in Baltimore and three in Detroit. Tampa Bay returns to Tropicana Field Aug. 28 to face the San Diego Padres.

The post Rays In a pennant race, the search for ‘a stopper’ first appeared on Through The Fence Baseball.

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