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The Tampa Bay Rays are not in a good place following the All-Star Break.
After entering the break with a decent sized lead for the division, the margin has now dwindled significantly after losing their 3rd straight game to AL East rivals Boston Red Sox 7-6 at Fenway Park on Saturday, losing the first series of the second half of the year.
Here is what you need to know about the contest.
Short Start and Paid For it Ian Seymour did not bounce back the way the Rays starting staff needed on Saturday and also wasnt given a leash actually to try.
Kevin Cash pulled his starter after 3 innings of work.
He gave up 2 home runs in the early frames, his only hits allowed in the game.
Cash instead chose to go with 5 relievers to finish the game.
It didnt go well for most of them, as only Kevin Kelly and Cam Booser were the only 2 pitchers for the Rays not awarded with a run allowed.
Garret Clevinger picked up the loss for the game after allowing a homer to Wilber Abreu, his second of the game and fourth of the series.
Bats Went Flat Late The offense did their job for most of the night against the surging Red Sox, but disappeared when it really mattered.
After a 4 run rally by Boston in the Bottom of the seventh inning, the rest of the Rays at bats were filled with pop ups and a lack of momentum.
The only base traffic they got after losing the lead was two walks in the top of the ninth, which they didnt capitalize on.
The Rays did pick up 10 hits on the night, including home runs from both Victor Mesa Jr.
and Jonny DeLuca, and were also 3 for 6 with runners in scoring position; it just all came before the final push by the Red Sox.
Losing Streaks Are Not Good This is turning into a possible panic situation for the Rays.
They enter Sunday only 2 games ahead of the Yankees for the AL East lead, and with the Red Sox winning their 12th straight game, they are now only 7 behind as well, on the cusp of a wild card spot.
This is going to make acquiring talent much more competitive over the next few weeks, something Eric Neander and the front office have not fared well with over the past few seasons.
Something needs to change quickly.
The Rays will look to avoid the sweep as they finish their series at Fenway Park on Sunday.
Shane McClanahan (8-5, 2.83 ERA) will be on the mound for Tampa Bay and will take on potential trade candidate Sonny Gray (11-1, 2.54 ERA) for the Red Sox.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 PM EST.