James Shields led the Rays to victory in the first game of the double header by pitching 7 innings allowing only 2 ER and 1 free pass while collecting 8 K’s.  Shieldsy looked ok the first few innings but settled in nicely to go the 7 complete.  The only real blip for him was a 2^nd inning 2 run HR.  After that he was lights out!  You could see how angry he was at himself as the Oriole runners rounded the base path. You just knew that was going to be the end of the scoring!

The offense blasted out 13 hits altogether!  The majority of the production came from the bottom of the line up, 6-9.  Dioner Navarro was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored, Jason Bartlett was 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI and Fernando Perez was 3 for 3 with 1 run scored and 2 RBIs.  This was a great offensive for the Rays who have been lackluster at the plate the last 2 games.  Great recovery

How do you hit 5 HR, score 8 runs and lose a game in MLB? I’ll tell you how – bad pitching! The Tampa Bay Rays gave the Twins the first game of this 4 game set by letting them off the hook in the 9th inning. But, we really should start at the beginning with our SP James Shields. Shieldsy was not sharp and pitched into and out of trouble through 6 1/3 innings. He gave up 8 hits, one of which was a first inning 3-run bomb, and 2 free passes that equated 6 ER. David Price made his second appearance of the season giving up a 2 run single to Joe Mauer before striking out the final 2 batters to complete the 7th inning. Troy Percival looked good in his return to the bump by pitching a solid 8th inning.

The big hurt came in the 9th inning when Dan Wheeler gave up a 2 run blast to tie the game at 8. Wheels then allowed the next 2 runners on base while garnering no outs. Those runs eventually came around to score giving the Twins a total of 5 runs scored in the 9th inning for a well earned victory. This is what the Rays usually do – it has not been done to us!

Evan Longoria lit up the Twins pitching staff blasting 3, that’s right 3, home runs! He clearly has recovered the eye he had before his stint on the DL and that was GREAT to see! Dioner Navarro and Carlos Pena chipped in with taters of their own giving the Rays a total of 5 for the game. As a matter of fact, the Rays were swinging the bats really well! They added doubles by Ben Zobrist and Gabe Gross to give them a total of 7 extra base hits out of their 9 hit total!

Great offense was derailed by poor pitching in this game. It is a bit of a concern that bad pitching has found its way to The Trop for the 2nd time this week. The first game of the Boston series being the other bad pitching performance this week. I have to also question the Price move. Here are the facts. Price is LHP, Mauer hits better off LHP and the pitch called was thrown right into an optimal location for Mauer to take full advantage, which he did by hitting a 2 run single and breaking the tie in the 9th. It is clear this was a questionable decision to bring Price into the game. Even if Price had elicited an out from Mauer the move must be questioned. Wonder who was reading what charts? Why would Navi call for a pitch right in his wheel house?

Oh well, a loss, no matter how painful to watch, is still a mere loss to this team. They will come out firing on all cylinders tonight. Edwin Jackson is due for an outstanding performance and tonight is the night!

See you at The Trop!

Wahoo, what an awesome come from behind win for the Tampa Bay Rays as they scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4. After giving up two runs in the bottom of the eighth, the Rays came back with a solo home run from Dan Johnson to tie the game, and then Dioner Navarro doubled in the go ahead and winning run. The Rays are now up 1.5 games on the Red Sox in the division.

Starting pitcher Scott Kazmir didn’t last very long as he pitched six innings and gave up five hits and two runs. Kazmir ended up with the no decision while Dan Wheeler grabbed the win to improve his record to 4-5. Wheeler did blow the save but was lucky enough to get the win. Troy Percival pitched the ninth inning to record his 28th save of the season as he shut down the Red Sox in the ninth inning.

The Rays and Red Sox will play once again on Wednesday night as the Rays look to take two out of three on the road against the Sox. They will then be off on Thursday before heading to New York for a weekend series with the Yankees. Let’s go get em Rays!

WOW!   What a devastating loss!  The Tampa Bay Rays fought all the way back in the 9^th inning to tie the game then take the lead in the top of the 13^th.  That lead was painfully erased as Troy Percival loaded the bases and with 2 outs gave up a grand slam to backup catcher Greg Zaun. Unbelievable!

I have not made this declaration so far this year but here goes…….This loss sits squarely on the shoulders of our fearless leader Joe Maddon.  It was clear that Percival was struggling and he opted to leave him out there.  Bad move Joe!  It would have still been a bad move had Percival gotten Zaun out!  Percival served up 2 home runs to the Yankees his last outing as well!    

The Rays showed a lot of determination scoring 3 runs, 2 off a 2^nd level blast by PH Rocco Baldelli, in the 9^th inning of Blue Jay closer BJ Ryan.  Fernando Perez has made his name known as well on the base path.  Perez was entered as a PR for Willy Aybar in the top of the 9^th.   Perez promptly stole 2^nd base and scored on a line shot by Dioner Navarro that skipped through the wickets of BJ 2^nd baseman Joe Inglett.  In the top of the 13^th inning Perez reached base on a FC.  He then stole 2^nd and 3^rd scored the go ahead run on a 2 out single by Navi.  Outstanding come back!   

Maddon needs to address several issues this team is having.  The first issue would be his own “loyalty” issue.  Maddon has openly stated that he is a very loyal guy.  Although loyalty is a great character trait it cannot get in the way of winning.  This team has come a long way in 1 season, these players have fought hard.  There is no reason to allow Percival to remain in that game last night when he was struggling as he clearly was.  That needs to stop Joe!  The second issue is our “closer” situation.  Clearly Percival is no longer an MLB closer.  Yeah, I know….last night was his first blown save.  He has saved 27 out of 31.  But, how many of those saves were 1-2-3 outs and involved little to no 9^th inning drama.  My answer — FEW OF THEM!  Our “closer” now has an ERA of 4.91!  Something needs to change and change fast.   

All this being said, the Rays still maintain a 2.5 game lead in the AL East (thank you Rangers!) and still have the best record in MLB!  So, watch today’s game for a series turn around to begin!

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!    

Andy Sonnanstine pitched masterfully (aside from a 4^th inning bump) to earn his 12^th victory to lead the Rays staff.  Sonny pitched 6 complete scattering 6 hits, allowing 2 ER and 1 free pass while collecting 6 K’s.  Sonny hit a bump in the 4^th inning and allowed the 2 ER but did a fabulous job in damage control!  Nice job Sonny – that was a much needed pitching performance!

The Rays faced the Al Leader in ERA, Justin Duchscherer.  I expected a great pitching matchup and that’s exactly what we got.  The Rays touched the Oakland ace for 2 HR early – Carlos Pena and Eric Hinske.  He then settled in and held the Ray bats silent until the 7^th inning when Ben Zobrist doubled in the go ahead run.  The bull pen did a nice job, albeit Perci gave up 2 BB in the 9^th – NOT GOOD.  Dioner Navarro threw a strike to 2^nd base to catch Rajah Davis trying to swipe the bag.  With Navi’s help Perci notched his 27^th save. 

Great game and a great win!  Keep it going Rays!

The story of game 2 between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Indians were the Ray bats. The offense banged out some timely hits and some long blasts to help Edwin Jackson earn his 8th victory.

Several Rays had big offensive days! Dioner Navarro lead the pack with a key 2-out, 2 run game tying single and blasted a solo shot to right field. Navi finished the day going 2 for 3, 2 runs, 3 RBIs and 1 BB. Impressively all 3 of Navi’s RBIs were collected with 2 out. Navi wasn’t the only Ray to go long! In the same inning Evan Longoria hit a monster blast to left and Cliff Floyd went deep over the center field fence. Among the other extra base hits the Rays collected Aki and Gabe Gross each hit triples and Carlos Pena had 2 doubles. Over all the Rays collected 10 hits, scored 8 runs and had 7 extra base hits – great day at the dish!! The Rays collected their 5th back to back HR game when Floyd and Navi did it in the 7th.

The pitching staff was not stellar; from the starter to the BP they all ran into issues. But they came up with big outs when they needed them and had a nice overall day!

It was a great game to watch as a Ray fan! You can definitely see the Rays pulling it all together again after a poor July! They look confident and relaxed at the dish and their defense has been outstanding. Today the Rays go for the series victory early (get away day) with first pitch at 12:40 – IT’S ON FSN!

Go Rays!!

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!

Congratulations go out to Scott Kazmir and Dioner Navarro for being named to the 2008 All Star team!  Kaz began the year on the DL with a left elbow strain and has come barnstorming back!  He has compiled a 7-3 record with a 2.63 ERA and 75 K’s on 72 innings pitched.  This will be his 2^nd All Star selection.

 Dioner Navarro will be making his first appearance in the mid season classic.  Navi has done a masterful job calling games and catching the young and talented Rays pitching staff.  He has consistently been showing off his gun behind the plate throwing out 38% of runners attempting to steal.  He came into this season with a mission to improve his offense over last year’s dismal first half performance.  Mission accomplished!  Navi is batting .318 and getting the key hits when the team needs him. 

Evan Longoria has made the ballot to be the Final Vote!  Longo has hit .281 with 16 HR and 52 RBIs in the first few months of his major league career.  He flashes the leather at 3^rd base and draws comparisons to some of the greats.  YOU CAN HELP GET LONGO VOTED ONTO THE 2008 ALL STAR TEAM!  Vote for Evan on MLB.com or you can vote via text message to “36197” (standard text message rates apply). 

Step up Ray’s fans and vote, vote, vote! 

Congratulations to our All Stars!

Going into the series finally the big story was ace vs. ace…Kazmir vs. Matsuzaka. Funny thing is neither figured in the decision. The story turned from pitching to offense with a few incredible plays mixed in.

The story was the 7th inning….period. The game until that point was all about Dustin Pedroia. He had a HR, 2B and multiple RBIs. The Rays offense stole the headline from him beginning with one swing of Jason Bartlett’s bat. Bartlett led off the bottom of the 7th with a 2B down the right field line. He then promptly stole 3rd, and that wasn’t even close. Akinori Iwamura then hit a little squibber to 1st base but the BoSox pitcher failed to get off the mound and Aki beat him to 1st. Bartlett scored to cut the lead to 4-2. The flood gates then opened as the BoSox bullpen imploded. The BoSox bullpen allowed 6 ER in the bottom of the 7th. Dan Wheeler made sure that was all the Rays needed.

Evan Longoria was 3 for 4 with a huge 2B in that amazing 7th inning, 1 run scored and 3 RBI’s. Jason Bartlett was equally impressive at the dish going 2 for 4 with two huge 2 RBI’s, a run scored and a stolen base in that 7th inning. Carl Crawford added 3 hits and a run scored to the hit parade.

Two GREAT plays in the top of the 9th helped seal the victory. With runners on 1st and 3rd and the Sox down by 2 Kevin Youkilis drilled a pitch to dead center field. It clearly looked like the Sox were about to tie the game with a shot to the wall. BJ Upton made a Willie Mays type over the shoulder catch to secure the first out of the inning! It was amazing! Mike Lowell remained at first as the score was now 7-6 with 1 out. For some reason the BoSox thought a hit and run would be a good idea at this point. Let me set the stage properly – on 1st base is the less than speedy Lowell and at the dish is the .216 batting Varitek. Dioner Navarro threw a STRIKE to 2nd base to nail Lowell – I mean he was out before he even reached the bag! Wheeler then threw a beautiful pitch that Varitek watched for the 3rd strike! The Trop erupted!

What an amazing series! I’m exhausted for cheering so hard – good thing today is an off day! The Rays are now 20 GAMES ABOVE .500! They are 3.5 GAMES ABOVE THE RED SOX IN FIRST PLACE IN THE AL EAST! Good things come to those who wait and this is GREAT!

The Rays will welcome the KC Royals to the The Trop for a 4 game series beginning Friday evening (5:10 start). Go Rays!!!