Taj Bradley delivered a masterclass on the mound, spinning seven innings of two-run ball against the Colorado Rockies while punching out seven batters. The right-hander allowed just four hits and two walks while keeping the Rockies’ lineup in check, showcasing the ace-level stuff that has defined his 2024 season. Yet when the final out was recorded, Bradley found himself in the dugout with a no-decision, the latest Tampa Bay Rays starter to suffer from an offense that simply wouldn’t wake up.
The Rays managed just three hits as a team, with no player recording more than one hit in the game. Wander Franco’s single in the third was the only notable offensive spark, as Tampa Bay stranded runners in scoring position repeatedly. The Rockies, meanwhile, scratched out two runs in the second on a groundout and an RBI single, then tacked on an insurance run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly.
The bullpen held firm after Bradley’s exit, but the damage was done: a dominant outing erased by an offense that couldn’t muster more than a single run of support. 0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO. The strikeout total tied a season high and marked the third time in his last five starts he’s fanned at least seven.
Yet the lack of run support has become a familiar refrain. 90 ERA, but he’s only earned a decision in two of his last eight starts, both losses. The Rays’ rotation has now tossed 12 quality starts this season without a win for the starter, the worst mark in baseball.
The systemic mismatch between Tampa Bay’s pitching and hitting isn’t just a recent blip—it’s a season-long trend with deeper implications. 689). 630 OPS, the fifth-worst mark in the majors.
Pitching staffs like this typically thrive when the lineup delivers timely hits, but the Rays have turned run prevention into a double-edged sword: elite arms keep games close, but the lack of timely hitting forces starters to absorb losses they don’t deserve. The personnel issues run deeper than just production. The Rays entered the season with high hopes for a revamped lineup featuring offseason additions like slugger Randy Arozarena and infielders Isaac Paredes and Jose Caballero, yet those moves haven’t translated to run production.
Arozarena, in particular, has struggled to replicate his power numbers from previous seasons, while Caballero’s speed hasn’t offset the lack of contact. The team’s reliance on small-ball tactics—bunting, stolen bases, and manufactured runs—has only compounded the problem, as opponents have adjusted by playing deeper and eliminating easy outs. Rays manager Kevin Cash acknowledged the frustration but defended the lineup’s effort.
“Taj was lights-out tonight. We just didn’t do enough with runners in scoring position. That’s on us.
We’ve got to find a way to manufacture runs when it matters,” Cash said after the game. The skipper’s comments underscored a season-long trend: Tampa Bay’s pitching has been among the best in the game, but the offense ranks 26th in runs scored and 25th in batting average with runners in scoring position. What’s next: Bradley is slated to face the Seattle Mariners on the road next Friday, a matchup that could again test the Rays’ ability to support their ace.
2 strikeouts per nine—will continue to go to waste, and the Rays’ playoff push will hinge on solving an offensive drought that shows no signs of easing. The broader context reveals a franchise at a crossroads. The Rays’ pitching-first identity, once a model of efficiency, now risks becoming a crutch.
While opponents exploit the lack of timely hitting, Tampa Bay’s front office faces pressure to either retool the lineup mid-season or confront the possibility that their current approach may not be enough to sustain a postseason push. The Bradley no-decision is just the latest symptom of a deeper imbalance that could define the franchise’s trajectory for the rest of 2024 and beyond. Historically, teams with elite rotations but anemic offenses often rely on bullpen heroics or late-season trades to mask their deficiencies.
The Rays, however, have prided themselves on player development and resourcefulness. If their current trajectory holds, the organization may need to revisit its long-term offensive philosophy—whether through in-season adjustments, prospect promotions, or even a rare mid-season trade for a proven run producer—before the pitching staff’s brilliance becomes a liability rather than an asset. Read at ClearSports
Why this matters
Bradley’s performance underscores a widening gap between Tampa Bay’s pitching and hitting. While the rotation ranks among baseball’s best in ERA and strikeouts, the offense’s inability to capitalize on quality starts is squandering wins and threatening the Rays’ playoff hopes. The trend highlights a systemic issue: elite pitching alone cannot carry a contender, and until the lineup finds consistency, Bradley’s ace-level outings will continue to result in no-decisions rather than victories. The personnel misfires and tactical rigidity have turned what should be a strength into a liability, forcing the front office to confront whether their current approach can sustain a postseason push.
Frequently asked
How many strikeouts did Taj Bradley record against the Rockies?
Bradley struck out seven Rockies batters over seven innings, tying a season high and marking his third outing with at least seven strikeouts in his last five starts.
What was Bradley’s line in the game?
Bradley allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks while fanning seven over seven innings, posting a 2.57 ERA in the process.
Did the Rays win the game?
No. The Rays lost 3–1, with Bradley earning a no-decision despite his dominant outing as the offense managed just three hits.
How many quality starts have the Rays had this season without a win for the starter?
The Rays have recorded 12 quality starts this season in which the starting pitcher did not earn a decision, the most in baseball.
Who did the Rays lose to in this game?
Tampa Bay lost 3–1 to the Colorado Rockies, with the Rockies’ runs coming in the second and seventh innings.
What’s the Rays’ rank in runs scored and batting average with runners in scoring position?
The Rays rank 26th in runs scored and 25th in batting average with runners in scoring position, underscoring their offensive struggles.
