Yes, Rays were going to lose again. Now, the task is to stay focused

TAMPA — Technically, the Rays lost a few things on Tuesday.

Their six-game winning streak, longest in nearly a year, was snapped in the 4-2 defeat to the Twins.

Their climb above .500 for the first time since the opening week of the season lasted only a day.

Their seven-game stretch of squeaky-clean games ended with second baseman Brandon Lowe’s costly throwing error in the sixth inning.

Their 44-inning run of not trailing in a game was gone four batters into the game.

But what they shouldn’t lose is the good vibes, the positive feelings and the confidence in their clubhouse that had been building before and through the six-game streak.

“At some point,” infielder/outfielder Jose Caballero said, “we were going to lose.”

What’s key, veteran infielder Brandon Lowe said, is not to let Tuesday’s defeat be any bigger than it was — the 54th game of a 162-game season that evened their record at 27-27.

“We’ve just won six straight and playing really good baseball,” Lowe said. “Don’t get down on yourselves. Don’t freak out over a loss here. Show up (Wednesday morning). Keep doing what we’ve been doing, let’s go play baseball (Wednesday) and things will take care of themselves.”

Rays starter Taj Bradley throws during the first inning. The right-hander worked a career-high tying seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk, striking out six. [ JASON BEHNKEN | AP ]

Despite some plays not going their way, being held to six hits by Twins starter Joe Ryan (the prime prospect they gave up in the 2021 Nelson Cruz trade) and three relievers, Lowe’s error that led to the decisive run and whatever else went wrong, the Rays still were in the game until Caballero’s bid for a game-tying homer with two outs in the ninth was caught in deep leftfield.

“We need to understand that we’re playing a very good team in Minnesota, and even with some miscues on defense that was a very close game that we were definitely in reach of,” Lowe said.

Manager Kevin Cash seemed confident the players understood the assignment.

“You know what, I’m pretty pleased with the way we’re playing,” he said. “I mean, sometimes you’ve got to — the other team, give them credit. They got some timely hits when they needed to. Joe Ryan’s a very good pitcher, kept us quiet.

“But I’m guessing with the momentum that we’ve kind of created, we’ll bounce back and have a good game (Wednesday).”

There were some things that could go better (besides the Lowe foul ball that struck assistant hitting coach Brady North in the dugout and left him with a bruised and swollen eye).

The Rays had a run taken off the board on a replay reversal in the first inning that resulted in a double play with the call overturned and Junior Caminero ruled out at first.

“That’s what happens in today’s game,” Lowe said. “Cami was busting down the line to get there, and it sucks that got overturned.”

Rays third baseman Junior Caminero throws out the Minnesota Twins' Ty France (not pictured) during the fourth inning. [ JASON BEHNKEN | AP ]

Jonathan Aranda, who never had tried to steal a base in the majors (and rarely ran at Triple A) was nabbed at home by shortstop Carlos Correa while trying to score as part of a double steal with Kameron Misner breaking for second.

“That’s a designed play. That’s 100% on me,” Cash said. “We’re trying to steal a run right there. It just didn’t work.”

Though Taj Bradley pitched well in working a career-high tying seven innings, he did put the Rays in an early hole, allowing solo runs in the first and second.

“I fought hard after those two innings and I was able to get to the seventh,” Bradley said, “so I’m proud of myself.”

Despite wasting several early opportunities, the Rays were within one in the sixth when Lowe made what he said were a couple of mistakes on a Correa grounder that led to the third run.

First, trying for the inning-ending double play despite knowing there was a fast runner and an odd high hop that threw off the rhythm of the play. Then, tossing the ball over Caballero’s head.

“I don’t know if you call it a little bit of overconfidence and trying to make sure that we turn the double play instead of understanding the situation,” Lowe said. “The runner at the plate, he’s out in front on a splitter, he’s getting out of the box, and it takes a funky hop straight up that slows everything down. Got to make sure that we get one out there and just get another out on the board. I say we, and I mean me.”

Most importantly, the Rays need to show they can keep playing the way they were.

“I think we’ve been doing well,” Bradley said. ‘It’s a tough loss like this, but come back (Wednesday), same energy we’ve been having, and we’re gonna have a lot of success."

“Just understand that we weren’t going to win out,” Lowe said. “That’s illogical thinking in that aspect. We’re going to lose some ball games here and there. If we lose to the Twins, they’re a good team who played a very solid game. Wipe it and show up (Wednesday) morning.”

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