Pete Fairbanks’ ‘all-encompassing type of suck’ foils Rays’ late rally

ST. PETERSBURG — Pete Fairbanks had a few words, most of them not printable, in trying to explain how he turned what would have been a second straight inspiring Rays win into a frustrating 5-4 loss on Wednesday.

Trailing 3-2 with two outs in the eighth inning, the Rays stunningly took the lead when Isaac Paredes singled and Amed Rosario, who delivered the walkoff winner in the 13th inning Tuesday, looked to be the star again by hitting a two-run, go-ahead homer.

The Rays summoned Fairbanks, their veteran closer who had been somewhat more consistent over his last three outings after a shaky start to the season, to get the final three outs.

But Fairbanks failed miserably after getting one out, then allowing five straight Angels to reach and two to score.

“I thought it generally sucked,” Fairbanks said. “I didn’t think it was a specific suck. I thought it was like an all-encompassing type of suck. So we’re going to try to rectify that.”

Fairbanks allowed a one-out single on a 2-2 pitch to No. 8 hitter Nolan Schanuel, who came into the game hitting .093. He walked Zach Neto on four pitches. Pinch-runner Jo Adell stole third and Neto second uncontested. Fairbanks gave up a full count single to Anthony Rendon that initially scored two, but a replay challenge showed Randy Arozarena’s throw home got Neto.

Given a reprieve with the score tied, Fairbanks intentionally walked Rays beater Mike Trout, but gave up the go-ahead run on the next pitch as Taylor Ward hit a soft single to shallow right.

Fairbanks wasn’t sure what exactly was wrong.

“Not throwing two-strike pitches in 2-0 counts and just not doing what I’m good at,” he said. “Then you just compound that, and that’s when you get beat by the one that flips over the infield.”

Nor is he sure what to do, such as watching video or tweaking mechanics as a reporter suggested.

“You tell me,” Fairbanks said. “I’ve tried that. If you’ve got an answer, I’d love to hear it. Just not going to let it beat me up for — I’ll maybe give it ‘til 10. It’s 9:44 right now. We’ll give it 16 minutes of sulk, and then we’ll get back on the bump and figure it out.”

In seven innings over eight games he has allowed eight runs (seven earned, one on a wild pitch), eight hits and eight walks, and he sports a 9.00 ERA. Of the 36 batters he has faced, 16 have reached base.

Manager Kevin Cash said Fairbanks’ pitches and velocity looked good, and the problem seems to be an inability to throw it where he wants to.

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“Command is not as crisp as when he’s right,” Cash said. “It’s just not coming out and finding the zone as many times as it probably should.”

Cash also said they will continue to support and use Fairbanks, as well as the other veteran relievers who have had some issues as the pen collectively has a majors-worst 6.23 ERA.

“Without a doubt,” Cash said. “This group is too good, too talented to stay at this inconsistent pace that we’re at. I mean, we really believe — I really believe — in this group, and for good reason. They’ve got a track record of being really successful. It’s just not happening right now.”

There was some good for the Rays, such as starter Zack Littell limiting the Angels to three runs over 5 2/3 innings while throwing a career-high 107 pitches, Yandy Diaz having his first multi-hit game in nearly two weeks, Arozarena driving in his third April run, and Rosario delivering another clutch hit.

But there also were some issues, including a lapse of attention from Littell and several infielders after a pop out to first base that allowed Schanuel to move up to second during a fifth-inning sequence and eventually score a run.

As thrilled as the Rays (10-9) were to come back four times and beat the Angels on Tuesday, they seemed as stunned to have blown it on Wednesday.

“It’s one of those games where you can’t keep your head down,” said Rosario, via team interpreter Manny Navarro. “And (you have to) stay positive.”

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