by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/19/2013) Rays starter Matt Moore kept the Baltimore offense down all afternoon Sunday from Camden Yards. Getting minimal support against Chris Tillman and the Orioles, Moore still pulled the victory to move to 8-0 on the year.
Moore, 23, became the youngest left-handed starter to improve to 8-0 for a season since Babe Ruth accomplished the feat in 1917 for the Red Sox.
Tampa's burgeoning ace gave up just one earned run on five hits and a walk over seven innings and 106 pitches in the win. The lone run he gave up may have been avoidable as his fielder's nearly collided on Manny Machado's triple in the fourth. Moore struck out three and his ERA is at 2.29.
Moore had been unable to go deeper than six innings in four straight starts before going seven Sunday. Otherwise, he's been dominant for Tampa Bay with 54 Ks over 55 innings. His next scheduled start comes Saturday against the Yankees.
Matt Moore improves to 7-0
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/14/2013) Rays starter Matt Moore wasn't at his best on Tuesday night at home against Boston. He still managed to earn his seventh victory of the season compared to zero defeats.
Moore mowed down eight Boston batters over six innings and left with a 5-3 lead to improve to 7-0 with a 2.44 ERA. He gave up three earned runs on just three hits and two walks with the eight Ks over his six frames and 100 pitches. Moore was only hurt by a David Ortiz three-run homer in the first inning.
The 23-year-old Tampa burgeoning ace allowed more than two earned runs Tuesday for just the second time all season. He's been terrific and will look to keep it up in his next start scheduled for Sunday at Baltimore.
Matt Moore improves to 6-0
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Rays starter Matt Moore had another solid outing Wednesday at home against the Blue Jays. With Ricky Romero lasting just one out before being pulled, Moore cruised to victory.
Moore, who is 6-0 on the year, gave up just two earned runs on six hits and four walks with 104 pitches thrown over five innings. He struck out two and was hurt by an Edwin Encarnacion two-run homer in the first inning. Otherwise, Moore was not scored upon.
Owner of a 2.14 ERA on the year after seven starts, Moore rebounded from failing to win his last time out in Colorado. He's recorded winning decisions in six of his seven starts on the year with 43 Ks over 42 innings. He's been sensational and he'll look to continue that trend Tuesday against Boston.
Matt Moore knocked around in no-decision
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) Rays starter Matt Moore was knocked around but did not factor into the decision during Friday's contest against the Rockies at Coors Field.
Moore, who made his sixth start of the season, surrendered a two-run home run to Michael Cuddyer in the opening frame and a solo shot to Josh Rutledge in the second. The left-hander was charged with four runs and seven hits in five innings of work in a 7-4 victory. He walked four and struck out three in 101 pitches, 53 strikes.
Moore has allowed five home runs in his last four starts. He is 3-0 with a 2.80 ERA over that span.
The 23-year-old is scheduled to start Wednesday at home against Toronto. He went 1-1 with a 3.26 ERA in four starts last season against the Blue Jays.
Rays pitchers, umpires fined for actions
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/2/2013) Rays pitchers David Price, Matt Moore and Jeremy Hellickson, as well as umpire Tom Hallion were fined for their roles in Sunday's incident at U.S. Cellular Field, according to The Tampa Tribune. Price said he was fined $1,000 and believes all parties were fined the same amount.
The players were fined for violating MLB's social media policy, which prohibits players from using Twitter to criticize, denigrate or question the integrity of an umpire. Hallion was fined for his reaction to Price's claim the umpire used a cuss word during an unprovoked comment to Price as the pitcher walked off the field after the seventh inning.
Matt Moore joins rare club of youngsters
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore finished the month of April with a historically great 5-0 record, becoming just the sixth major league pitcher since 1916 to do so before the age of 24. Moore is tied for the major-league lead in wins and ranks second in ERA at 1.13.
Matt Moore runs record to 5-0
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/27/2013) Rays starter Matt Moore won his fifth-consecutive start Saturday night against the White Sox. He allowed a run on three hits over six innings in the 10-4 victory. The left-hander also struck out nine and walked one.
Moore (5-0) surrendered a solo home run to Adam Dunn in the fourth inning and has given up four earned runs through five starts.
His next outing is Friday at the Rockies. Moore has gone 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts on the road.
Matt Moore building more experience
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) In Matt Moore's first three starts this season, the Rays noticed the young pitcher had failed to piece together an all-around dominant performance despite permitting just two combined runs. But that long-awaited showing came Monday against the lumbering Yankees' lineup when the left-hander allowed just two hits -- both to Robinson Cano -- over a season-high eight innings with nine strikeouts to improve to 4-0.
"The thing that I saw was that he has built off of the first three (starts)," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said of Moore. "The first couple starts, he got through some moments, was not really sharp. But today he was sharp. [Monday] was the first night I thought he put everything together since the beginning of the season. Matt was really the story."
Matt Moore dominates for fourth win
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/22/2013) Rays starter Matt Moore improved to 4-0 with another stellar outing Monday night at home against the Yankees. Moore sent CC Sabathia to defeat by dominating the Yankees offense.
The young, burgeoning ace allowed just two base hits while striking out nine over eight impressive innings. He threw 117 pitches, a career-high, and tied his career-high with the eight frames.
Moore gave up one run on a Robinson Cano homer in the fourth inning, but was otherwise untouchable. He walked three and his ERA actually grew from 1.00 to 1.04.
The 23-year-old has yet to give up more than two runs in any outing and he's already mowed down 29 hitters over his first 26 innings. His WHIP is outstanding at 0.92. Moore will look to win his fifth game to start the season when he next takes the mound Saturday in Chicago.
Matt Moore scoreless streak snapped in win
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/17/2013) Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore managed to go 14 innings to begin the season without allowing an earned run. While that streak came to an end Wednesday night in Baltimore, Moore still earned the victory to move to 3-0.
The Tampa Bay starter finally gave up a run in the third inning Wednesday when Adam Jones connected for a two-run blast to tie the score. The Rays took another lead, however, and Moore finished strong for the win.
He allowed two earned runs on five base hits and three walks over 6 2/3 innings. Moore struck out seven batters and threw 104 pitches, with 67 going for strikes.
With an ERA of just 1.00 after three starts with 20 Ks over 18 innings, the 23-year-old has been sensational to begin the year for Tampa. He'll look to move to 4-0 when he next takes the hill Monday versus the Yankees.
Matt Moore braves cold, rain for second win
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) Rays starter Matt Moore braved an hour and 34 minute rain delay and one of the coldest days in the history of the Ballpark at Arlington to beat the Rangers Wednesday. Moore was wild in the wet weather, but he got the job done.
The 23-year-old Floridian flirted with a no-hitter but had his pitch count up way too high as he allowed just one hit over 5 1/3 innings with six walks. He managed to keep the Rangers off the board, however, in the 2-0 shutout win.
Moore (2-0) struck out five batters over 106 pitches as he's yet to give up a run this season over 11 1/3 innings with 13 strikeouts. The only downside to Moore's production to this point is the eight walks, but his 0.97 WHIP has been outstanding.
The young starter will look to move to 3-0 in his first three starts when he next takes the hill on Tuesday at Baltimore.
Matt Moore dominant in season debut
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/5/2013) Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore turned in a dominant performance as he picked up the win in Friday's series opener against the Indians.
Moore (0-1), who made his first start of the season, pitched six scoreless innings of two-hit ball in a 4-0 victory. He also struck out eight and walked two on 100 pitches.
"It's really just a matter of keeping that tempo where it was in that exhibition game against Detroit. I felt like it was right there," Moore said. "Just by the results of that outing, it felt like something picked up. For me, it was my tempo. That cleaned up everything."
Moore will take the mound again Wednesday at Texas. He has yet to face the Rangers in his career and went 4-6 with a 4.14 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP in 14 starts on the road last season.
Matt Moore settles down after iffy start
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/30/2013) It may have taken him the entire spring, but Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore finally produced an encouraging performance. Moore yielded just one hit -- a single -- over four scoreless innings during Tampa Bay's Grapefruit League outing against Detroit on Saturday.
Most importantly, Moore also walked just one batter and struck out five as he trimmed his ERA under four for the first time in exhibition play (3.80). He needed 25 pitches to complete the first inning before firing 29 the rest of the game.
The left-hander had issued at least two walks in each of his previous five Grapefruit League appearances and finished with 14 total walks over 21 1/3 innings.
"That's what he's supposed to look like, that's what he can look like," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "As he regains his confidence, you'll see that on a more consistent basis."
Moore is slated to start the Rays' third game of the season Thursday against Baltimore. He was 2-2 with a 1.83 ERA in four starts versus the Orioles last year.
No need to fuss over Matt Moore's walk rate
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013) I'm like all Fantasy owners when it comes to Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore. Because of his past as an elite pitching prospect and his promise as a Fantasy option, to see him struggle in the spring is concerning. He's walked 13 batters in 17 1/3 innings, which certainly stands out. But after hearing manager Joe Maddon call Moore a "notoriously slow starter," I'm at ease.
Sure, it could be just coach speak to cover up a glaring problem, but looking at Moore's past numbers (five walks in 10 spring innings in 2012), I can buy into Maddon's reasoning. Though, let's not forget Moore carried his spring struggles last year into the regular season. He walked 28 batters in his first nine starts and had a 5.07 ERA in that span. Luckily, Moore settled down and posted a 3.31 ERA in his final 22 starts and struck out 127 batters in 127 2/3 innings in that span.
Despite the alarms going off in my head, I'm not putting much stock in Moore's spring numbers. I will take perhaps a few bad starts at the beginning of the season knowing Moore's upside. He has just 32 major-league starts under his belt and not every elite pitching prospect begins their career like a Jered Weaver. In fact, if you recall, both Tim Lincecum and Clayton Kershaw had ERAs above 4.00 in their first full MLB season before turning into elite Fantasy pitchers. Moore's ERA was slightly under 4.00 last season, so to me he seems right on track.
Matt Moore walking on wild side
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013) Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore yielded two runs and six hits over 4 2/3 laborious innings of a 6-2 victory over Pittsburgh in Grapefruit League action Monday night. Moore's command continues to be erratic this spring as he walked five against three strikeouts. In five appearances, he has finished with more strikeouts than walks only once and has 15 total strikeouts to 13 walks over 17 1/3 innings.
"I've always been told he's a notoriously slow starter, and that happens with some guys," manager Joe Maddon said about Moore. "You've just got to be patient. He's a young man and he's got a really, really bright future."
Matt Moore throws day after rainout
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore threw 60 pitches in a simulated game Thursday after missing his turn through the rotation as a result of Wednesday's rainout. Moore is 0-2 with a 4.97 ERA and 1.58 WHIP through four spring outings (three starts). He has struck out 12 and walked eight in 12 2/3 innings.
Rays, Twins rained out Wednesday
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/20/2013) A minor-league game between the Rays and Twins scheduled for Wednesday has been rained out.
Matt Moore, who was scheduled to start for the Rays Wednesday, will pitch in a minor-league game Thursday instead. Roberto Hernandez will remain the Rays' starter for Thursday's matchup with the Blue Jays.
Matt Moore displays better control
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/15/2013) Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore allowed an unearned run and three hits over five strong innings during Tampa Bay's 3-1 win over Philadelphia in a Grapefruit League contest Friday.
Moore, who has been fighting his command throughout the spring, fanned seven batters while walking a pair.
His only run allowed came after his errant pick-off throw in the second inning as he lowered his spring ERA from 8.22 to 4.97 after his fourth outing.
"It was better. It's still not the finished product," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "He was better, but there is still another level of him like we've seen in the past."
Spring issues continue for Moore
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/10/2013) Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore was tagged for three runs -- all on a homer by David Ross in the fourth inning -- and four hits in 3 2/3 innings during Tampa Bay's Grapefruit League contest against Boston on Sunday. Moore finished with two walks and two strikeouts as his spring ERA ballooned to 8.22 after three starts. He has now walked two batters in each of his Grapefruit appearances while completing just 7 2/3 innings. "I felt like I was able to stay on top of my fastball much better," Moore said. "Pitched down in the zone. ... Felt like I made a good adjustment with my offspeed pitches in the middle of the at-bat, which felt nice."
Frustration mounting for Moore
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/5/2013) Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore surrendered two runs and two hits in less than three innings during Tampa Bay's 8-5 win over Minnesota in Grapefruit League action Tuesday. Moore, making his second start of the spring, also finished with two walks and a pair of strikeouts. He has now permitted two runs and two walks in each of his outings this spring as his earned-run average currently sits at 9.00.
Moore capable of more?
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/13/2013) MLB.com reports Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey is confident his pitching staff will be able to make up for the innings lost when the Rays traded James Shields, who surpassed 200-plus innings in each of the last six seasons. Hickey is counting on Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Moore and Alex Cobb to help pick up the slack. "Moore, Cobb and Hellickson are all ready to pitch that 200 innings," Hickey said. "And it's not so much the need to, it's their performance warrants throwing 200 innings. You want to keep them out there for 200 innings. There are a lot of guys who are capable of pitching 200 innings but never make it to that plateau, because you choose to remove them from the game. Hopefully that won't be the case here."
