TAMPA -- The Rays came out of the All-Star break knowing that every game would be important, especially in the lead-up to next week’s Trade Deadline. Every win feels significant. Every loss is magnified.
That was part of the reason the Rays decided to option starter Taj Bradley to Triple-A Durham after his rough outing set the tone for an 11-9 defeat to the White Sox on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Given a four-run lead in the first inning, Bradley immediately allowed the White Sox to tie it up in the second. He recorded only five outs in the second-shortest start of his career, gave up four hits and three walks, didn’t record a strikeout for the first time in a start in his career and grinded through nine batters in the second.
It was the Rays’ fifth loss of the season after leading by four runs or more -- and a frustrating finish to an inconsistent four-month stretch in Tampa Bay’s rotation for Bradley. Now, he’ll get a chance to reset and refine his arsenal in the Minors.
“Tough decision, certainly, but felt like it's best for him to get down there right now,” manager Kevin Cash said. “He's got to get to work.”
Specifically, the Rays want Bradley to work on his splitter. That pitch was a huge part of his success last summer, when he put together a dominant two-month stretch. But as this season has gone on, he’s effectively become a two-pitch pitcher, hurling more four-seam fastballs and cutters than his other offerings.
“I know I need that third … to get back to where it was last year,” he said. “I'll just take it as it is and go down there, get back to work, just keep going.”
Bradley’s splitter usage has declined each month, from 22.5% in April to 6.8% in July entering Wednesday’s series finale. Of the 55 pitches he threw against the White Sox, only seven were splitters, compared to 25 four-seam fastballs, 20 cutters and three curveballs.
Bradley was effective with mostly those two offerings in a scoreless six-inning start against the Orioles last Friday, but the White Sox were ready for his more predictable arsenal. They whiffed on only two of their 25 swings against him, which shouldn’t be the case when you have a four-seam fastball like Bradley possesses.
“There's no doubt in my mind that he belongs here. He's gonna pitch in the big leagues for a really long time,” right fielder Josh Lowe said. “I think everybody in this clubhouse, everybody in the front office has full belief in him. He's gonna go down there and figure it out, and he'll be back and helping us win ballgames.”
After 21 starts this season, Bradley has a 4.61 ERA. Rather than make him work on his arsenal while pitching in high-pressure situations and critical games, the Rays will give him time and space -- and the help of both Triple-A pitching coach Brian Reith along with Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder.
“It’s probably a better environment for him to work rather than compete every single pitch,” Cash said. “But know that Taj Bradley is massive to our success, and we need to get him back to the form that we know what he's capable of.”
Cash commended Bradley for handling the demotion “like a pro,” noting he was “very accountable” despite his frustration. Standing in front of his locker after the game, Bradley chose to take a positive perspective.
“Just kind of take a breath out of the nature of the standings as it is,” Bradley said. “Just knowing that I can go down there, work on some stuff. … It's just like a breath of fresh air.”
The Rays did not immediately say who will replace Bradley in their rotation, but the obvious candidate is Joe Boyle. The hard-throwing right-hander moved to the bullpen recently, but club officials made it clear they still viewed him as a starter who could step into the rotation if needed. Boyle gave up a solo homer to Kyle Teel on Wednesday night, but that was all he allowed while breezing through three innings on 39 pitches out of the bullpen.
The Rays led by two runs after seven innings, but reliever Kevin Kelly gave up six runs (five earned) in an ugly eighth. The defeat capped a 3-3 homestand against a pair of last-place teams and dropped the Rays’ record to 7-15 since June 27.
They are 7 1/2 games behind the American League East-leading Blue Jays and 1 1/2 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot with the July 31 Trade Deadline quickly approaching.
“We've got to find a way to start winning some series and go on a little bit more consistent run of winning,” Cash said.