ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays understand they have a limited margin for error, and for the second time in three games, one of their defensive stalwarts endured a rough day in the field.
On Wednesday, the Rays survived a three-run misplay by Gold Glove center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and still edged the Tigers, but on Friday against the Houston Astros, third baseman Evan Longoria couldn't come up with a routine play that allowed the winning run to score.
With the bases loaded and no outs in a 3-3 game in the seventh, Longoria fielded a ground ball from George Springer and looked to throw home for the out there, but bobbled the ball and had to take the out at third, allowing the run to score.