The Rays staged a late inning rally to earn a split in the short 2 game series with the Orioles Tuesday at The Trop. Key hits provided by season long quiet bats provided the spark need to back another nice pitching performance from Matt Garza. Garza went a very strong 8 complete innings giving up only 4 hits, 2 BB and 3 ER while striking out 2. Unfortunately for Matt 2 of the 3 hits were HRs providing all the scoring for the O’s. Matt had a few location issues early, hence the HRs, but recovered nicely to shut down the O’s.
The silent but deadly bats I referred to are those of Dioner Navarro and BJ Upton. Needless to say these guys have not been performing up to expectations to this point in the season. But, today when they were called upon to get the big hit they came through! Navi kept a rally going by knocking out a 2B creating a 2nd and 3rd situation and would score 2 runs. BJ laced a 2 out, 2 strike pitch to LF for a 2B and an RBI and would eventually score on Evan Longoria’s bases loaded single. Yes, Longo is keeping his hot hitting going in the early part of May by going 2 for 4 with a 2B and 3 RBIs to add to his MLB lead.
This was a nice game to watch. Seeing the Rays go down early and to watch them come back little at a time against an Oriole pitcher who was spot on was great. The O’s SP Uehara threw 92 pitches, 72 for strikes – that is an amazing ratio. But, the Rays remained patient and made him work in the later innings. They eventually got pitches to hit and they took advantage. This game could go a long way in the contest Wednesday in NY facing AJ Burnett. Burnett can be that dominating as well but with patience he can be had as evidenced by a 5.40 ERA.
So, off to the new Yankee stadium for a short 2 game series with the Bronx Bombers. This is, in my humble opinion, a very important series. I’d say to start making any noise in this AL East we need to walk away with nothing less than a split in NY and a series victory in Boston. We’ll see…
See you in NY!
Go Rays!!!!!!!!!!!
