Meadows' RBI single in 10th lifts Tampa Bay past Braves 7-6
Austin Meadows’ 10th-inning single drove in Brett Phillips from second base with the tiebreaking run and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6JULY 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MICHAEL WACHA #52 - PITCHER - KANSAS CITY ROYALS
13-8 W-L •
1.19 WHIP •
3.35 ERA
13-8 W-L
1.19 WHIP
3.35 ERA
Wacha expected to start for the Rays against Braves
The Braves are expected to send Charlie Morton to the mound Friday and the Rays plan to give Michael Wacha the startJULY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Shines in win Wacha (2-2) allowed one run on four hits in six innings, striking out one batter and earning the win in Wednesday's 8-1, Game 1 victory over Cleveland.
Impact The righty put forth his second quality start of 2021 and his first since April 16, with the only blemish being a Franmil Reyes homer in the second inning. Inconsistency has marred Wacha's season, especially of late, as he's five runs in two of his last four appearances. That being said, he's mixed in enough effective outings like Wednesday's to keep his ERA at a respectable 4.87 through 57.1 innings. Injuries to Rays' starters, namely Tyler Glasnow (elbow), figure to keep Wacha in the rotation going forward, but he'll have to wait until after the All-Star break to make his next start.
JULY 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
5 Rays pitchers no-hit Indians for doubleheader sweep
Five Tampa Bay pitchers combined for seven hitless innings, and the Rays beat the Indians 4-0 for a doubleheader sweepJULY 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wacha expected to start as Tampa Bay hosts Cleveland
The Rays are expected to send Michael Wacha to the mound Wednesday and the Indians plan to give J.CJULY 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Set to start Game 1 on Wednesday Wacha will start Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Wacha's scheduled Tuesday start was postponed due to Tropical Storm Elsa. The right-hander will instead take the ball for the first of two games Wednesday, when he'll be looking to bounce back from a shaky five-run outing in his most recent appearance. The Rays have not confirmed a starter for Game 2, but Josh Fleming (calf) is expected to come off the IL to provide multiple innings in some form.
JULY 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Mejia expected to start for the Indians against Rays
The Indians will start J.CJULY 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lowe hits slam, Rays rally with 2 in 9th to beat Indians 9-8
Brandon Lowe hit his first career grand slam in the second inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied with two runs in the ninth to beat the Cleveland Indians 9-8JULY 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday's start postponed Wacha won't start Tuesday against Cleveland after the game was postponed due to Tropical Storm Elsa.
Impact Tuesday's game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Wednesday, and Wacha could start one of the games in the twin bill. The right-hander allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five in three innings against the Nationals in his last outing.
JULY 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Roughed up by Washington Wacha allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks while tossing three relief innings during Wednesday's loss to the Nationals. He struck out five and did not factor in the decisi...
Impact Tampa Bay opted to use Drew Rasmussen as an opener ahead of Wacha despite the right-hander coming off a strong start in his previous outing against Boston. Wacha entered in the bottom of the fourth trailing 6-5 and Washington didn't take long to extend its lead following his entrance. Solo homers in the fourth and fifth extended the Nationals' lead to 8-5 before Wacha yielded three more runs in the sixth. Wacha now holds a 5.26 ERA following the shaky outing, but he still figures to take the ball in some form during next week's series against Cleveland.
JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Birthday boy Turner ties mark with 3rd cycle, Nats top Rays
Trea Turner completed his record-tying third career cycle by hitting a sixth-inning triple for the Washington Nationals, accomplishing the feat on his 28th birthday in a 15-6 victo...JUNE 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Take three! Nats' Turner ties MLB record, hits for 3rd cycle
Trea Turner has completed his record-tying third career cycle by hitting a sixth-inning triple for the Washington NationalsJUNE 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Working behind opener Wacha is scheduled to serve as the Rays' primary pitcher Wednesday against the Nationals, entering the game after opener Drew Rasmussen, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Wacha has started in each of his last four outings, posting a 4.73 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB in 13.1 innings over that stretch. The Rays will hope to coax better results out of Wacha by having him follow Rasmussen, and the setup should also increase Wacha's chances of factoring into any decision. Wacha's record sits at 1-2 on the season despite the fact that he's made 13 appearances.
JUNE 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Stellar in no-decision Wacha tossed five innings of one-hit ball, walking two with seven strikeouts in Thursday's 1-0 win over Boston. He did not factor into the decision.
Impact Wacha went head-to-head with Nick Pivetta in a terrific pitching duel, holding the Rays without a hit until Christian Vazquez singled with two out in the fifth inning. Wacha struck out Bobby Dalbec one batter later to end the inning and departed in a scoreless tie. It was a nice bounce-back effort for Wacha, who was rocked by Seattle for 11 hits and five earned runs over 3.2 innings in his previous start. Through 13 outings (11 starts) this season, Wacha is 1-2 with a 4.66 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB in 48.1 innings.
JUNE 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Kiermaier ends combined no-hit bid, Rays top Red Sox 1-0
Kevin Kiermaier broke up a combined no-hit bid by the Boston Red Sox with a one-out double in the eighth inning and Manuel Margot scored on a wild pitch in the ninth to give the Ta...JUNE 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Red Sox bid for combined no-hitter vs Rays ends in 8th
Kevin Kiermaier doubled off reliever Darwinzon Hernández with one out in the eighth inning for Tampa Bay’s first hit against the Boston Red SoxJUNE 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Remains in rotation Wacha will make a second consecutive turn through the Tampa Bay rotation in Thursday's game against the Red Sox.
Impact Wacha moved back into the rotation last weekend in Seattle following Tyler Glasnow's (elbow) move to the injured list. The right-hander struggled mightily in the outing, lasting only 3.2 innings while giving up five runs on 11 hits and a walk. Though he'll maintain his spot in the rotation while Glasnow remains out indefinitely, Wacha may need to deliver better results versus Boston to ensure he sticks in a starting role on a more permanent basis.
JUNE 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Martinez takes 12-game hit streak into matchup with Rays
Boston's Martinez puts 12-game hit streak on the line against RaysJUNE 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rays stop 7-game skid, beat AL East-leading Red Sox 8-2
Austin Meadows, Mike Zunino and Brandon Lowe homered to help the Tampa Bay Rays stop a seven-game losing streak by beating the the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox 8-2JUNE 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Struggles against Seattle Wacha (1-2) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Mariners after giving up five runs on 11 hits and a walk while fanning two across 3.2 innings.
Impact As expected, Wacha was unable to go deep into the game and while he tossed 77 pitches, he couldn't even complete the fourth inning. The veteran is likely to remain in the rotation due to the fact that Tyler Glasnow is out with an elbow injury, but the results just haven't been there for him of late, as he owns a 6.92 ERA over his last five appearances. Wacha is slated to make his next start at home against the Red Sox next week.
JUNE 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Mariners face the Rays after Kikuchi's strong outing
Seattle looks to follow up a dominant performance by Friday starter Yusei KikuchiJUNE 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kikuchi strikes out six, Mariners drop Rays 5-1
Yusei Kikuchi threw four-hit ball over seven innings, Seattle batted around during a four-run first inning and the Mariners beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1JUNE 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mariners score 2 in 9th to rally past Rays 6-5
Shed Long Jr. hit a tying double in the bottom of the ninth inning and pinch-hitter Kyle Seager singled home the winning run to rally the Seattle Mariners past the Tampa Bay Rays 6...JUNE 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Not fully stretched out Wacha is not fully stretched out for his anticipated start Friday against the Mariners, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.
Impact Wacha is set to rejoin the rotation in place of Tyler Glasnow (elbow), though he may not be able to work deep into the game. Though he has served as a starter at various points in the season, Wacha has not completed more than three innings in any of his last six outings. He did manage to throw 25-30 pitches in an extended bullpen session, but will likely remain limited Friday.
JUNE 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Grandal's single in 10th gives White Sox 8-7 win over Rays
Yasmani Grandal hit a game-ending RBI single in the 10th inning and the Chicago White Sox beat Tampa Bay 8-7, taking two of three from the Rays in a matchup of division leadersJUNE 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
