The Tampa Bay Rays have continued their dominance of visiting teams at The Trop by pounding the Chicago White Sox 6-2 in the second game of the ALDS.  The Rays combined all components of the game – hitting, pitching and defense – to take a convincing 2-0 lead in the series.

Scott Kazmir pitched as he has all season long, early trouble, a lot of pitches and early exit.  Kaz had allowed the Sox to load the bases with 0 outs in the first inning. He showed a great deal of poise and resilience while limiting the damage to 2 runs.  His line ended at 5.1 innings, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 free passes and 4 K’s.  More importantly his postseason record stands at 1-0!  Enough cannot be said of the Rays bull pen.  Grant Balfour, JP Howell and Chad Bradford followed Kaz and stifled the mighty White Sox bats!  These guys have been outstanding in any and all situations you send them into.  They fear no situation and more often than not are successful!  The turn around in that BP is by far the biggest reason, in my opinion, for the Rays consistent success this season. 

The offense was potent in racking up 12 hits.  The big bat was provided by Akinori Iwamura in the 5^th inning.  With Jason Bartlett standing on first base and the Rays down 2-1 Aki hit a bomb into the LC field seats!  The Trop exploded!  Aki smack placed the Rays on top to stay.  The Rays added 3 insurance runs in the bottom of the 8^th to secure the game!  Aki’s hit was even more exciting because SP Buehrle had made Aki look sick up to that point.  Aki’s concentration and focus when his team needed him most exemplifies the Rays success all season long.  Key hits, key plays, key pitches at the most important times all season long, that’s the Ray’s game.

I have to tell you, I’m exhausted!  LOL – having gone to the first 2 playoff games in Tampa Bay Rays history is in my top 5 of most exciting things I’ve ever done (not sure what kind of statement that makes about my life but..).  The atmosphere is amazing in and around The Trop!  The restaurants in and around The Trop will find people from all walks of life sitting together at tables cajoling about our Rays!  I have met more people just trying to get a bite to eat than I have met in a long time.  The tie that binds is our Rays!  Even though the ALDS is far from over it has been a very eye opening experience for me. Around the nation the Ray’s fan base has been knocked continually for not being absent.   But, trust me, they are there.  Next year The Trop will have a much bigger fan base and more seats will be filled.  From what I’ve seen and heard I’d just about guarantee it! 

Go Rays!!

The Tampa Bay Rays inched a bit closer to their first ever AL East Division crown with a 4-2 victory Monday night over the Baltimore Orioles.  That coupled with Boston’s loss to Cleveland takes the magic number down to 4 games!  How exciting is this Ray fans?! 

David Price made his first career start Monday night pitching 5 1/3 innings.  He showed great poise on the mound.  He did run himself into trouble in a few innings by allowing 4 hits and 3 free passes.  The defense did not help his cause by committing an error and allowing a run to score.  Evan Longoria committed the fielding error giving him 12 for the season and 3 in his last 2 games.  Longo may be still trying to regain his feet after his stint on the DL.  Price gave up 2 runs – 1 ER – and garnered a no decision.  The good news is that Price showed great command of his pitches at key points in the game.  He also pitched ahead in the count to almost all of the hitters he faced.  He really gave us a glimpse of what he will bring to the starting rotation in the very near future. 

This game was very quiet and unemotional.  The offensive push came from Jason Bartlett who was 2 for 3 with 2 doubles.  He knocked in the go ahead run with a double in the 7^th.  The other 2 runs were generated off the bat of Akinori Iwamura.  The Rays looked sluggish again offensively.  They only managed 3 hits in this game off a very poor pitching staff.  The bright side to the lackluster offensive performance was the Rays had some quality at bats and showed patience at the dish.  This patience translated into 8 free passes by Baltimore pitching.

Tuesday will have the Rays in a doubleheader against these Orioles.  Mitch Talbot will toe the rubber for his first MLB start in the 2^nd game as James Shields will go in the first game.  It will be nice to see the Rays turn up the offense in support of these great SP! 

Go Rays!

It was an old fashioned butt kicking by the Boston Red Sox on Monday night. In the first game of a huge three game series against the Red Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays did not come to play and were hammered by the score of 13-5. This is not the way the Rays wanted to kick off the big series.

Starting pitcher Scott Kazmir was rocked as gave up four home runs, six hits, and nine runs in just three innings of action. It was one of those outings that Kazmir will just have to forget as it was simply bad. Mitch Talbot wasn’t much better after he came in for Kazmit. Talbot gave up two more runs and and four runs. In total the Red Sox hit six home runs off of the Rays pitching staff.

The Rays hit home runs of their own, however it was just three compared to the Red Sox six. Justin Ruggiano and Dan Johnson both hit two-run home runs late in the game while Akinori Iwamura hit a solo home run in the third inning. There just wasn’t any other offense besides those three home runs.

The Rays now need to bounce back and pick up a victory on Tuesday to regain their lead in the division.

Rays Blog

Edwin Jackson pitched a strong 7 innings giving up 6 hits and 1 ER to earn his 11^th victory for the Rays this season.  The Rays did what they have done all season long and took another series!   Dan Wheeler notched his 10^th save of the season as well.

The story of this game was the long ball and awesome defense.  The Rays collected 10 hits in total, half of which were for extra bases.  Akinori Iwamura smacked 2 doubles, Gabe Gross chipped in with a stand up triple, while Cliff Floyd and Willy Aybar blasted solo bombs!    

Eric Hinske laid out for an extra base saving catch in the top of the first inning!  Hinske still has some giddy up in those legs.  And for the second night in a row a Ray defender made Sportscenter’s 10 Top Plays.  Great job!

Today I purchased my postseason tickets!  I’m so excited!  This is going to be awesome!  The Rays are hosting the Baltimore Orioles this Labor Day weekend while the Red Sox will be hosting the Chicago White Sox.  We may look to pick up and additional game or 2 in the standings!   

Get to The Trop and enjoy a GREAT family experience together!  If you haven’t been top The Trop lately the new Rays front office has improved the family friendly atmosphere tremendously since they have taken over. 

Cheer on your Rays! 

The Tampa Bay Rays convincingly took game one of the 3 game set with the Chicago White Sox using outstanding pitching and offense.  Edwin Jackson gave a very strong 6 inning performance giving up only 2 runs to the powerful White Sox lineup.  E-Jax scattered 7 hits and 5 free passes within his 6 innings.  Clearly he ran into trouble more than once during his time on the bump, the impressive thing was he did not break.  He managed to get the outs when he needed them including 5 Ks.  E-Jax had some help from the bench and his catcher, Dioner Navarro. The bench called for 2 pitch outs that led to outs at 2^nd base. It was as if Joe Maddon knew something the rest of us did not.   Nice job!

The offense came alive in this game in bug fashion!  The Rays banged out a total of 14 hits – 9 of them for extra bases!  The home run parade included Carlos Pena (26), Ben Zobrist (6) and Rocco Baldelli (1).  That’s right folks!  Rocco’s first dinger since May 3, 2007!  Congrats Rocco!  The hit parade did not stop here.  Akinori Iwamura banged out a run scoring 3B to put the Rays ahead.  And the 2B were many – Willy Aybar had 2 doubles.   Dioner Navarro, Jason Bartlett and Pena also added to the 2B total.   

The only negative in this game was the top of 2^nd inning.  There were 2 major base running mistakes that ended in 2 outs at home plate – never a good idea.  Rocco decided to run on a dribbler in front of the plate – there were runners on 1^st and 3^rd with no outs at this point.  It was clear it was his own decision and was not sent by Foley, but – bad idea.  The SP Danks grabbed the ball and barely tagged Rocco out but he did.  The next flub came with 1 out and runners on 2^nd and 3^rd.  On a short line drive to LF Willy opted to tag and attempt to score.  Once again, not a good idea.  Willy was thrown out by a mile. 

Aside from our mistakes in the 2^nd inning this was a well played game on all sides of the ball.  The pitching showed great poise and determination on the mound.  The offense was patient and picked good pitches to hit and did so!  The defense was exceptional as always!  Nice way to begin this tough series.   

Today the Rays get some much deserved national attention as the FOX game of the week!  Scott Kazmir rides the bump and should show continued improvement on previous starts.  Go Rays!    

It is the only word that can adequately start to describe the Rays and their amazing comeback today!  The Rays take the series from the Tribe in walk off fashion!  WOW…..I still can’t catch my breath!

The offense was clicking on all cylinders in the bottom of the 9^th inning!  Going into the bottom of the 9^th the Rays were down 7-4.  Up steps our DH Jason Bartlett – yes, this is not a typo.  JB was not able to throw the ball due to his injured finger but was able to hit.   JB lines a shot to the wall in left for his second 2B of the game.  Next comes Eric Hinske.  Hinske struggled this series going hitless to this point.  BUT, he comes through when it counts drilling a ball fair right over the first base bag for a 2B scoring JB, score 7-5.   Then comes Mr. Clutch, Gabe Gross.  For as many clutch, late game hits this guy has produced for us could he possibly do it again?  One swing of the bat answered that with a resounding smash of the ball off the scoreboard in right field!  Game Tied, 7-7!  OMGoodness, can you believe this?! Still no outs have been recorded! 

The top of the order, Akinori Iwamura, strides to the plate.  He hits a ground ball to the 1^st baseman forcing the pitcher to cover.  Aki hustles down the line and is SAFE!  WOW – could it be?  Batting 2^nd is out CF, Ben Zobrist – again not a typo; Upton was benched for not hustling in last night’s game.  Zobi works the Indian reliever for a BB.  Batting 3^rd for us 1^st baseman Carlos Pena with 0 outs and the winning run standing on 2nd.  With one swing of his mighty bat it is over!!  A LONG BLAST over the CF fence ends the game!  Rays win, the Rays win, 10-7! WOW!!!!  The celebration begins at the plate and all over the Tampa Bay area!

This game brought to light how well this team plays as a TEAM, no superstars.  SP Scott Kazmir struggled once again allowing 5 ER in 4 1/3 innings.  The BP did a good job holding the Indians at bay for the rest of the game and keeping the Rays within striking distance.  The lineup was questioned by a lot of you (based on reading the message board).  A lot of people playing out of position and one of your better players in Upton benched.  Every one of these guys has had their good days and their bad days.  The TEAM mentality of the Rays allows the guys who are having a good day (Barlett, Navi, Gross, Pena) to pick up those that are having a bad day (Kaz).   

This was another amazing win in an amazing season!  As a fan I cannot express my thanks to this team for giving us the amazing play they give us day in and day out.  This is a magical season.  We will see playing time in Oct!!!

Go Rays!  

OK, you’ve all heard the saying the good pitching beats good hitting….let me assure you however that bad pitching makes the game interesting! WOW! I am still emotionally spent from that game yesterday, it was amazing!! The Trop was packed and most stayed to see the walk off win!

This game really didn’t get “started” until the bottom of the 8th inning. Armando Gallaraga had the Rays shut down for 7 innings allowing only 4 hits and 1 ER. James Shields did not pitch his best, allowing 9 hits and 2 ER in 6.1 innings. Shields left the game behind 2-1. Grant Balfour followed Shields and gave up a monster blast to Tampa native Gary Sheffield to run the score to 3-1.

The Tigers then brought in newly acquired Kyle Farnsworth in the bottom of the 8th and this is when the game got interesting. Eric Hinske led off the 8th facing the 98 mph fireballer Farnsworth. Hinske promptly deposited a Farnsworth fastball over the right centerfield wall to move the Rays to within 1 run, 3-2. Bartlett was over matched by Farnsworth for the first out of the inning. Akinori Iwamura sauntered to the plate and drove a firm single to centerfield. BJ Upton walked to the plate with the tying run standing on 1st and only 1 out. BJ launched a 3-1 fast ball to over the centerfield fence to put the Rays up 4-3 in the bottom of the 9th!

The Rays bring in Troy Percival to collect his 25th save – NOT!! Curtis Granderson deposited the first Perci pitch he saw into the RCF seats to tie the game in the top of the 9th at 4-4. Uggggg………… The Tigers and Rays then went down quietly into the top of the 10th inning. Once again we run Perci out to toe the rubber and try to keep the Tiger bats quiet. Perci faces Miguel Cabrera with a bad outcome – you guessed it – another home run! Now the Tigers are up 5-4 in the top of the 10th. Finally Perci had thrown his last pitch. Trever Miller came in to close the door.

Now I have been watching baseball for many years and cannot remember a time when I’ve seen such dramatics in the potential last at bat of a game. Willy Aybar, PH for Gross, walked to start the bottom of the 10th. Jason Bartlett squared to bunt and took a pitch right on the tip of his finger splitting open the nail and causing a lot of bleeding. This and I’m sure the intense pain he was feeling, sent him to the showers with a 0-1 count. Off the bench to PH for him was our last remaining position player — Shawn Riggans. Fernando Rodney throws as hard as anyone, mid to high 90’s. Riggans turned to swing and was hit directly in the middle of his sternum by a 93 mph Rodney fastball running in on him – the crowd went silent as Riggans hit the dirt! All 33,000 + stood and watched with anticipation for Riggans to get up under his own power. I think we all stopped breathing for a few seconds or so! After a few minutes of clear agony Riggo regained his breathe and walked ever so slowly to first base.

Next Ray to go against Rodney was Aki. Aki laid down a beautiful sac bunt to advance the runners to 2nd and 3rd with only 1 out. Carl Crawford came to the plate and deposited a single past the drawn in infield to score Aybar with the tying run! The crowd went mad!!!! With runners on 3rd and 1st Upton walked to load the bases. Longo stepped to the plate to become a hero once again. But, it was not to be this time as Rodney clearly overpowered our beloved rookie and struck him out.

So, here we go fans!!! Bases loaded, bottom of the 10th, tie score, 2 outs …. Up steps Carlos Pena. Carlos hung tough fouling off several pitches and bringing his count to 3-2. Now, isn’t this every young boys dream??!! Bases loaded, bottom of the 10th inning, 3-2 count, 2 out??!! WOW – the stage is set for tonight’s hero. Pena takes ball 4 and, appropriately, it is Riggans who jogs in from 3rd with the winning run!

WOW – I’m worn out just by reliving the excitement! What a game and what a series!! The Rays appear to have found that intensity they had lost for a bit. They looked great this weekend. Even when the chips were down they picked each other up and played hard as a team! Great to see!

Get some rest fans! We owe the Indians a sweep! Go Rays!!!

Andy Sonnanstine pitched a nice 6 innings and was backed by his offense to notch his team leading 11^th victory.  Sonny scattered 7 hits, 1 BB, 2 ER and 6 K’s in a complete 6 innings of work.  Al Reyes and Jason Hammel finished the game for him and, be it for a blip by Reyes allowing 1 ER, pitched effective and kept the powerful Tiger bats quiet.

The big story of this game was the offensive explosion from the Rays!  They looked like the Rays we came to know and love from the first half of the season.  The offense banged out 11 hits – 5 of which were for extra bases.  Evan Longoria was the offense spark plug going 3 for 4 including his 2^nd HR in as many days, a 2B, 3 RBI, 1 run and a stolen base.  The other Rays to add the 2B hit parade were BJ Upton, Jason Bartlett, Shawn Riggans and Akinori Iwamura.   

The impressive thing about the offense was watching them work.  The intensity was higher than I’ve seen it in, oh, about a month.  They worked the counts for walks (7) and really looked like they were energized.  It made the lethargic and less than stellar month of July vanish into past.  It made the future for the Rays look like October was again a reality! 

Go out today and support the team as they go for the sweep of the Detroit Tigers!  See you there!!  

Hey Rays fans!!  The Rays bats looked a bit livelier last night!  Good news on the horizon maybe????    The Rays banged out 9 hits in last night’s Tiger whoopin’, 6 of those hits were for extra bases!   That was great to see.  A lot of hustle around the base path, turning singles into doubles, swiping bags and even a bunt attempt put the pressure on the Tigers and they retreated to the safety of the den.

Carl Crawford led off the hit parade with his 5^th triple in his last week or so.  Jason Bartlett added another triple.  Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria belted solo blasts.  Akinori Iwamura and Cliff Floyd laced doubles.  The aggressors on the base path included BJ Upton, Eric Hinske and CC, and let me tell you, these guys had such good jumps it wasn’t even close!  Great to see these guys put the pressure on the defense.  It was clear they were in the head of the battery.  Keep it going! 

The pitching wasn’t as great but it was sufficient to hold the hard hitting Tigers to just 2 runs and preserve the victory.  Scott Kazmir struggled with his control mightily!  I really can’t remember the last time he pitched so poorly…that being said he get s break from me.  He has been our staff ace and through several years the only SP this team could count on.  He is having an off year (by his own comparison) but he’s a smart guy and I believe he’ll have it all figured out just in time for our PLAYOFF RUN!      

The bullpen faired well except for a couple of minor bumps.  Troy Percival somehow seems to keep getting it done.  He earned his 24^th save last night.  Overall this was the line of the pitching staff: 9 innings, 4 hits, 2 ER, 9 BB and 11 K’s.  They only negative in that line is the 9 BB – but 6 were by Kaz, that shows how much he struggled. 

This was a GREAT TEAM effort!  It seems like not making a deal by the deadline rejuvenated the Rays.  It showed them the confidence the RFO has in the players they have.  They certainly looked like a different team from that team of the past month.  It will be interesting to see if they come out with that same intensity tonight.   

See you at The Trop! 

The Tampa Bay Rays banged out 10 hits, including 2 HRs, and scored 6 runs Saturday night en route to a series victory over the Toronto Blue Jays!  The Rays sleeping beast – their offense – appears to have come out of hibernation.  Evan Longoria led the charge blasting his first career GRAND SLAM in the 6th inning.  Cliff Floyd added another HR to dead centerfield on the first pitch he saw in the 8^th.      

Until the 6^th inning the game was locked in a pitchers duel between Matt Garza and Roy Halladay.  Garza pitched an almost flawless game.  The only marks against him were 2 hits in 7.2 innings which included 6 K’s!  He was outstanding against a tough hitting Toronto team.   

The ineffective bullpen made the game interesting allowing the Jays 4 runs on 5 hits in the 9^th inning!  The Rays ended up using 3 pitchers in the 9^th inning alone.  Trever Miller, Al Reyes and Dan Wheeler were off the hook when Wheeler eventually managed to shut the door.

Great to see the bats come alive!  The Rays also put a lot of pressure on the defense by lying down several bunts. Akinori Iwamura and Dioner Navarro took the defense by surprise and beat out bunts for base hits. Adding the bunt to the Rays offense is going to put a ton of pressure on opposing defenses and they need to KEEP DOING IT!   

Great game and looking forward to another today!  Get out to The Trop!  See you there!