Someone warn Cody Anderson.
Eventually, major league hitters will be tougher than the Tampa Bay Rays‘ lineup.
The Rays struggled offensively again Monday night, again being shut down by Cleveland Indians’ 24-year-old rookie Anderson, who firted with a perfect game into the seventh. In all, Tampa Bay wound up with only three hits — only two off Anderson — in the defeat.
The Rays have been shut out twice during the streak, and scored Monday night only when Grady Sizemore hit a home run. Aside from that, it was a sloppy night for Tampa Bay, one where catcher Rene Rivera dropped a popup transferring the ball to his throwing hand, and one in which pitcher Ronald Belisario threw a ball to the backstop while trying to intentionally walk a batter. Rivera was also doubled off second base in the ninth inning on a line drive.
“Our offense will get out of this funk,” said manager Kevin Cash.
For the Rays, Nathan Karns admittedly did not have his best stuff, but he still left the game trailing only 3-1.
The Rays’ pitching did get some good news. Matt Moore will return to the rotation for Thursday afternoon’s game, and Jake Odorizzi will return the following Wednesday.
