Moore struggles, Rays fall to Dodgers 10-5
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay's Matt Moore understandably was disappointed.
The left-hander allowed seven runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings, one of his worst performances since returning from Tommy John surgery last season, in a 10-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.
It was the most runs allowed by a Rays pitcher since Chris Archer gave up nine last Sept. 26 at Toronto. And, it was the most earned runs Moore (1-3) had allowed since yielding a career high-tying eight against Baltimore in June 2013.
Trayce Thompson and Joc Pederson homered off the Rays starter in the second inning, and Howie Kendrick's two-run double snapped a 3-3 tie in the fifth.
"The home runs in the second inning, those were poorly located," Moore said. "I've got to be better in those situations."
Kendrick had four hits to help ex-Ray Scott Kazmir (2-2) get his 100th win. The RBIs were the first of the season for Kendrick, coming in his 59th at-bat.
Only Tampa Bay's Logan Morrison has more at-bats (64) this season without driving in a run.
Thompson added a two-run single off Moore to finish a four-run fifth. Yasiel Puig added a three-run homer off Ryan Webb in the ninth.
Kazmir allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings against his former team. Curt Casali and Steve Pearce homered off the Dodgers starter, and Evan Longoria had a RBI double.
"He's deceptive," Casali said of Kazmir. "He throws a lot of fastballs. It moves a little bit. It misses barrels. He didn't make a lot of mistakes."
The Dodgers entered their first appearance at Tropicana Field since 2007 coming off a homestand in which they lost six of seven games while only scoring 12 runs. Clayton Kershaw shut out San Diego 1-0 for the lone victory.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: With all five games of this trip being played on artificial turf (two against Tampa Bay, three in Toronto), manager Dave Roberts said former Ray Carl Crawford (who pinch hit in the ninth inning) will not start either game at Tropicana Field but expected to play in all three against the Blue Jays this weekend. 3B Justin Turner started Tuesday, but may DH on Wednesday. 1B Adrian Gonzalez probably will DH on Sunday, the final game in Toronto.
Rays: Closer Brad Boxberger (adductor surgery) will throw batting practice Friday and Monday, and could start a minor league assignment next week.
RARE VISIT
This only for the fourth series between the Dodgers and Rays. The teams last met in 2013, when Los Angeles swept a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. The team also met at Tropicana Field in 2002, with the Dodgers winning of two of three games, and 2007, when Tampa Bay took two of three. The Rays make just their second visit to Dodger Stadium for a two-game set July 26-27.
VIDEO TRIBUTE
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was the architect of the Tampa Bay teams that appeared in the 2008 World Series and earned four playoff berths in a span of six seasons. The Rays paid tribute to him between the first and second innings with a video presentation ending with the message: "Thanks for the memories Andrew." Friedman joined the Rays in 2006 and moved to Los Angeles after the 20014 season.
UP NEXT
A lefty mound matchup for the second straight night, with Alex Wood (1-2, 4.82) starting for the Dodgers and Drew Smyly (1-3, 2.60) going for the Rays.