SUCH a shame.
Like Felix before him, Kuma pitched his heart out, just to have it ripped out. Sure, it would have been nice for the bats to scratch across a couple more runs (could have save a few last night!) but, Price isn’t exactly chopped liver. And, Nando should have been able to shut them down and, likely he’ll get the brunt of the blame. It just wasn’t his night (heck, even Mo Rivera blew a few saves now and then) it just sucks especially bad when it comes after such a stellar starting performance.
ON THE MOUND
Kuma was SPECTACULAR!
- first THREE ball count didn’t come until the second batter in the 7th inning
- retired the side in order FIVE times (striking out the side once)
- at one point retired TWELVE straight
- TWENTY-FOUR consecutive scoreless innings at The Safe
- only time he had a bit of adversity was the 1st when he gave up a ONE out double and in the 5th when he gave up back-to-back singles with TWO outs
Only 97 pitches (impressive considering it’s only his THIRD start this season – with NO spring training, about FOUR bullpens, ONE SIM game and ONE rehab start!)
EIGHT innings ~ FOUR hits ~ ZERO runs ~ ZERO walks ~ FIVE strikeouts
} oooooh, Nando 😦 Lead-off homer tied it 1-1 and then THREE straight singles with TWO out gave the Rays the 2-1 lead and eventual victory,
AT THE PLATE
~ At ONE point, the M’s had only FOUR hits but, ALL were doubles (James, Dustin, Robbie and Mike)
~ Dustin and Robbie added a couple singles but, ‘t was too little, too late
~ 0-10 w/RISP
IN THE FIELD
Kuma flashing some leather . . .
he made a great snare on a bounced come-backer for the first out of the 6th and then a grounder that went in and out of his glove and he was able to pick and shovel it to Justin for the second out of the 6th
No DP’s, no errors, just lots of solid fielding
tweets of the game . . .
https://twitter.com/SteveSandmeyer/status/466427969763037184
https://twitter.com/SteveSandmeyer/status/466432597485449216
Compass Rosy 