Boxscore Breakdown #29: Fuel On The Funeral Pyre – Rays 5, Angels 2

The last time Garrett Richards was unexpectedly sidelined for the season, in 2014, the rest of the rotation stepped up in a big way and posted a 3.21 ERA over the final month-plus of the season. Any lingering hope that might happen again this year was summarily snuffed out Friday night, as fill-in starter Cory Rasmus was lit up for four runs in just 2⅓ innings against the Rays.

I wouldn’t typically make a grand judgment about the future of a pitching staff based on one start. But given that the hero of 2014’s stretch run, Matt Shoemaker, was recently demoted to Triple-A with a 9.15 ERA, and that the two great hopes for the rotation, C.J. Wilson and Tyler Skaggs, are still at least a month away from contributing, imminent demise seems a pretty safe bet to make.

It’s gonna be a loooooong season.

Rays 5, Angels 2

Run Expectancy Rundown

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The Halos had tons of chances to get back into the game Friday—putting runners in scoring position in all but three innings—but finished the night just 1-for-11 with RISP. A timely HBP from Daniel Nava (welcome back!) following by bases-loaded walk from Mike Trout make that RISP number look a little better, but not much. Kole Calhoun and Carlos Perez had the lone extra-base hits (doubles) for the Angels, but neither came around to score. C.J. Cron was the only Angels starter not to reach base.

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Corey Dickerson and Brad Miller alone did all the damage necessary for the Rays. Dickerson blasted a three-run homer in the first, while Miller followed with a solo shot in the third as part of his four hits. Logan Forsythe and Steven Souza also had multi-hit nights.

Starting Pitcher Scores

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Rasmus threw just 45 pitches to 14 batters on Friday, but in that time managed to squeeze in two walks, two home runs, and a balk. Kind of impressive, in a macabre way. Chris Archer pitched something like the Cy Young candidate I predicted him to be, holding the Halos scoreless over six innings and striking out six.

Bullpen Battle

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For the umpteenth time in the last two weeks, the bullpen was called upon to keep the game close following an underwhelming performance from the rotation. And for the umpteenth time, they accomplished their goal. Five Angels relievers combined to shut out the Rays over the final 6⅔ innings, lowering the bullpen’s ERA on the season to 2.68.

The Rays bullpen did their best to give things up, but held on in the end.

Game Flow

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Looks a lot like the Angels’ playoff chances this season.

Angel Antagonist

It’s not Ramsus’ fault he was pressed into a starting role he’s not primed for, but that doesn’t excuse four runs in 2⅓.