Tampa Bay Rays in Search of Power in 2-1 Loss to Detroit Tigers

Tropicana Field had no juice.

A power outage just minutes prior to the start of Tuesday's game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Detroit Tigers was a sign of things to come.

The two teams combined for 19 hits, but only three combined runs would come across the plate as the Tigers defeated the Rays, 2-1.

David Price gave the Rays enough pitching to win, but he continues to be plagued by a lack of run support. Tuesday night marked the eighth time the Rays offense scored one run or less with Price on the mound, and the 12 time they scored three runs or less.

The team, like the dome at the beginning of the night, is in desperate need of power.

Casey Kotchman has been a bright spot in the team’s lineup thus far this season. Although he has a .326 batting average he has only hit eight home runs.

The main power source of late for the struggling Rays has been Evan Longoria.  He came into the night with 10 home runs in his last 30 games. However, with the bases loaded he has failed to bring anyone home and is 0-for-7 on the year.

“We’ve been doing a pretty good job of getting the hits when we need to,” Longoria said following the game. “Tonight was just not one of those nights. We squandered a few opportunities and obviously you’re frustrated after something like that.”

It’s hard to find a solution or scapegoat for the lack of offense on a team based on pitching and defense.

“It’s the same guys that are having a hard time driving in runs that are preventing runs with the great defense too,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “So there’s that tradeoff, we just have to be able to somehow figure that out.”

If the Rays continue to play without power, home plate and the postseason will both be just out of reach.

Jamal Wilburg is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes obtained Firsthand.

You can follow him on Twitter @JWilburg