The Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays met on Tuesday for the first time since 2013, when the Dodgers swept a three-game home home series. This year’s Interleague series is the first meeting between the two clubs at Tropicana Field since 2007.
Matt Moore, who entering his start had at least five strikeouts in each of his five outings this season, came out firing. He struck out Kiké Hernandez and Yasiel Puig, then got in on Adrian Gonzalez’s hands to induce a grounder to complete a quick first inning.
Scott Kazmir struck out Logan Forsythe looking to start the bottom of the first, then hit Brandon Guyer with a pitch. Evan Longoria drove Guyer in with a double to left field. Kazmir limited the damage by getting out of the inning on a grounder and strikeout.
The Dodgers quickly went to work on erasing their early deficit, starting with a Howie Kendrick one-out single to center. Trayce Thompson followed with a towering two-run home run to left-center field to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
The home run was the fifth Moore has allowed in six starts this season. Moore’s home run woes continued as Joc Pederson clubbed a solo shot before the lefty managed to get out of the inning. Kevin Kiermaier caught Pederson sleeping with two outs in the bottom of the second and turned a single into a double.
He was stranded, however, as Kazmir hit the inside corner for called strike three on Curt Casali.
CONTINUE READING: Howie Kendrick breaks out of slump, Scott Kazmir battles, Yasiel Puig adds to lead
