The Rays flew into Seattle looking to be very close to the top of the wild card race. Well, they are technically only 1.5 games out BUT we could have jumped right to the top as the Red Sox were swept in 4. Now the Red Sox and Rangers are tied atop the wild card, we’re 1.5 games out and we gave away 2 games to a team that is also chasing a wild card berth allowing Seattle to creep to within 3 games from us.
Game 1 story – pitching was bad. We gave up 2 leads and allowed a 2 out, 2 strike, 2 run walk off home run. Yes, that’s bad!
Game 2 story – we rock! Rays cruise to victory behind the right arm of SP James Shields and the big bats of Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and Jason Bartlett with 2 RBIs each. This is Shields first victory since June 20th! Are you kidding me?!
Game 3 story – pitching was bad AGAIN! SP Scott Kazmir didn’t last 5 complete once again giving up runs early and often. The bull pen wasn’t much help as RP Jeff Bennett gave up a grand slam to former Ray, Russell Branyan. If you look there is a deeper story here. The Rays have lost 13 out of the last 17 series finale games. Look guys, if you cannot win the last game you better start winning the first 2!
Now, on top of all this, BJ Upton is now whining publically about being moved to the bottom of the line up. Hey BJ – have you looked at your numbers the past 2 years?! Oh yeah, last year was because of a bad shoulder. What’s your excuse this year?! You should be absolutely thrilled your ass isn’t sitting in Durham! Stop crying about it and fix it! You have no one but yourself and your lack of performance to blame! Earn it back and stop crying! No one feels bad for you!
Geez…..what kind of a distraction may this lead to in the locker room? One of the vets needs to pull this kid aside and tell him to stop acting like a punk. The Rays are entrenched in an incredible playoff race and he stands around feeling sorry for himself. Ugggg………
Hey Rays turn this around in SoCal. This is your last 3 games on the left coast this year (excluding the possibility of playoffs) so win them all! Be greedy and go get’em!
