Robbie Ray tosses quality start in win vs. Rockies

14 hard-hit balls with just two strikeouts would typically make for a miserable day on the mound, but Robbie Ray channeled Kirk Reuter and made it work today. Most of the hardest contact against him came in the form of grounders, and he got a bunch of routine flies. He ended up allowing just four hits: three singles and a double. This makes four really strong outings in the six starts since Ray started turning to a sinker. He threw it a season-high 38 percent of the time today, and while he gave up all four hits on the pitch, it’s helping him turn in some of the longest outings of his career of late. He’ll probably go to it even more in Coors Field next weekend.

Ray held the A’s off the board through two innings, then gave up an unearned run on a base hit following an error in the third. He settled in nicely, shutting down the A’s over five more scoreless frames. He scattered only two hits and walked four while striking out six. The 34-year-old left-hander will take a 3.70 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and an 80/42 K/BB ratio across 87 2/3 innings into a start against the Braves in San Francisco on Sunday.

Tuesday’s game was suspended with the Giants up 3-2 after 1 1/2 innings. Ray had been scheduled to start Wednesday’s regular scheduled game, but the Giants had him come into this one in the bottom of the second for what was technically his fifth career relief appearance. It turned into maybe his best outing of the year; it’s the third time this season he’s gone without allowing a run, and his eight strikeouts were a season high. Ray will take a 5-6 record and a 4.07 ERA into his next start Tuesday against the Athletics.

Olney adds that Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray are also obvious trade candidates. All indications are that Logan Webb is one of the few untouchables for San Francisco as they pivot towards more of a long-term build. The Giants sit at 29–43, nine games out of a playoff spot. Nothing appears imminent, but barring a dramatic turnaround, San Francisco is shaping up to be a seller ahead of the trade deadline in early August.

Ray struck out three and didn’t walk anyone, increasing his ERA to 4.42. It was a tough matchup against the offense that entered the day ranked third in runs per game this season. The veteran left-hander is a strong candidate to be shopped at this summer’s trade deadline. He has another difficult test next time out with a road start in Atlanta.

Ray needed 97 pitches to get through five due to his command struggles -- he only had nine called strikes all game -- but luckily the Giants poured on enough runs that the outcome of the game was no longer in doubt when he was removed. Ray figures to be usable against the Nationals next week, though they have been feistier than preseason expectations might have had you believe.

Ray’s double-error on a comebacker he threw into right field cost him two runs in the fourth. The initial error there was kind of tough, though, considering he had a broken bat flying in his general direction while moving to pick up the ball. Ray struck out six today. His real problem was that it took him 96 pitches to get his 12 outs, costing him what should have been an easy win. But if there was any chance of the Giants sending him back out for the fifth, it disappeared as the offense scored seven runs in a long top of the inning. Ray will take on the Cubs next weekend.

Ray allowed a leadoff homer to Chase Meidroth, and he never settled in, struggling badly with his control. The 34-year-old southpaw managed to limit the homers last season, but the issue has resurfaced in 2026. He’ll carry a 4.60 ERA into a road trip to Coors Field next time out.

Ray was awful from the get, and gave up a grand slam to Nolan Arenado in the first inning. His four-seam fastball averaged 93.3 mph — right around his season average — and he didn’t fool the Diamondbacks at all as seen in that run total and just four swings-and-misses generated. Ray has now allowed 12 homers on the year, and his ERA has jumped up to 4.28 on the campaign after giving up 13 runs in his last nine innings. He faces the powerful White Sox lineup next weekend. Something to keep an eye on.

Ray’s velocity was down about one mph from his season average tonight, and he finished with just two strikeouts and a 19 percent CSW. With Santiago Espinal and Mookie Betts taking him deep, he’s now allowed 10 homers in 50 1/3 innings, a significant rate increase from last year’s 22 in 182 1/3 innings. His catching situation got a big downgrade and he’s not likely to be particularly well supported offensively or defensively going forward, so his mixed-league value should be pretty limited. Maybe, though, it could pick up again if he’s involved in a deadline deal.