Have the Rays used up their pennant-race mulligans?

ST. PETERSBURG — About that game Sunday:

Everyone deserves a mulligan during a playoff chase, but the Rays have used theirs up. Sunday’s 7-4 loss was filled with mistakes and lethargy. Bad day, except maybe for Brendan McKay’s pinch-hit homer in the ninth.

Make it consecutive shaky starts for Ryan Yarbrough, who gave up four runs, three on a home run, and six hits in the first inning to set the tone. The Rays will be counting on Yarbrough next weekend in Toronto.

Good to see rookie All-Star Brandon Lowe back in the lineup for the first time since July 2. Lowe singled in his first at-bat. Every little bit could help this at times sleepy Rays offense. Cleanup man Ji-Man Choi struck out four times Sunday.

Contact Martin Fennelly at mfennelly@tampabay.com. Follow @mjfennelly.