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Good morning. Last night was the kind of loss that makes you realize there's still way too much of this season to go.
Calvin Watkins provided the Rapid Reaction to the Rangers' 7-0 shutout loss to the Tampa Bay Rays to open a homestand on a pretty pathetic foot.
T.R. Sullivan's game story focuses on Colby Lewis' poor outing that followed his shutout in Chicago in his last start. In addition to getting hit, Lewis blamed himself for a couple of fielding miscues as well.
Evan Grant writes that the Rays handed the Rangers season loss No. 72 for the second consecutive season. Of course, this loss No. 72 came about a month and a half before last year's.
Watkins blogs that the Rangers had no answers for Rays starter Drew Smyly as Smyly picked up his first win for Tampa Bay after being traded for David Price.
Anthony Andro writes that if you squint hard enough you'll notice there were some positives in Rangerland on Monday but when I squint that hard it gives me a headache.
Jeff Wilson opines that Mike Maddux should return as pitching coach next season even though he's on the last year of his contract and the Rangers have been terrible. That said, it's hard to blame Maddux when dudes like Nate Adcock get innings.
Sullivan's Notebook covers Shawn Tolleson's improved pitch efficiency, an update on Alex Rios' ankle, and Neftali Feliz's rebound.
Stefan Stevenson has notes on Rios' status, Nick Tepesch looking for a third straight quality start, and a brief update on Mike Carp's groin injury.
EG writes that even though Rios is day-to-day, and should be back in the lineup as early as tonight, his injury might have killed any chance the Rangers had of trading him.
Lastly, David Adler of MLB.com previews tonight's game between the Rays and Rangers with Tepesch taking the mound against Jeremy Hellickson.
