The Rays bull pen failed to hold the Phillies at bay in the bottom of the 9^th inning during Game 3 of the World Series.  The Rays fought back to tie the Phils in the top of the 8^th thanks to BJ Upton tying a World Series record.  BJ led off the inning with an infield single, stole 2^nd, stole 3^rd and scored on a throwing error by Phillie catcher Ruiz.  The only other player in World Series history to do this was Honus Wagner in 1909 – nice company to keep!  Overall BJ swiped 3 bags in this game and Carl Crawford added a steal of his own.  The Rays are having a great deal of success on the base path.  Great to see they have gone back to the “small ball” game since their bats have been held relatively silent so far in this World Series.

The Rays are losing the match up of bull pens however.  The bottom of the 9^th began in an ominous manner.  JP Howell hit PH Bruntlett sending the winning run to 1^st base with no effort on his part.  Next in, Grant Balfour.  Balfour was facing Shane Victarino with a runner on 1^st and 0 out when he threw the ball to the back stop.  Bruntlett easily advanced to 2^nd then took 3^rd on the throw from Dioner Navarro that sailed into CF.  Now Balfour is facing the winning run standing just 90 ft away and still having made no effort on his part.  We gave him a free pass all the way to 3^rd base.  After intentionally walking the bases loaded catcher Carlos Ruiz hit a bouncing infield ball down the 3^rd base line.  Evan Longoria charged it but was unable to make the play allowing the walk off run to score.   

So the bull pen failed to hold the Phillies down BUT the starter did not help much either.  Matt Garza did not show us the “Garzilla” form we’ve all come to know and love.  He gave up 4 ER – 3 by solo HR!  Garza lasted only 6 innings which, by his standards, is a short outing. 

The offense was ridiculous against Phils SP Moyer.  They all looked off balance at the plate.  They looked tired and like they had no idea what Moyer could possibly be throwing at them.  I mean really – Moyer is like 152 yrs old, he’s been in this league for about 100 of those years.  This team has seen pitchers that pitch with little to no speed – name Wakefield sound familiar?  No excuse for this poor performance at the plate.  Our 3 & 4 hitters have been non-existent in this series so far.  Evan looks lost at the plate and Carlos Pena looks like he is not seeing the ball again.   

So, this is what I see tonight.  The Rays have placed themselves in a must win situation.  The reason Game 4 has now become a must win – Cole Hamels will pitch Game 5.  The offense must gain a win and some confidence tonight against Phils starter Joe Blanton.  The offense MUST get on track – period.  I expect Andy Sonnanstine to come out of the gate with a good game plan.   We’ll watch him execute his pitches and watch the offense to come out fired up!  I expect a victory tonight!

Go Rays!!! 

WOW!!! The Tampa Bay Rays series has been filled with lots of WOW but this……WOW…. The Rays had 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th inning and a lead of 7-0 when the bullpen, our salvation all year long, imploded. Scott Kazmir put on a pitching display we haven’t seen form him all season long. He was awesome. He pitched 6 innings only allowing 2 hits and 0 runs. The game appeared over. Our bullpen was coming in and they have been virtually untouchable in the postseason, heck they have been untouchable just about all season long. Why/how could anyone see what was about to happen?

Joe Maddon marched Grant Balfour, Dan Wheeler and JP Howell out to close this game. That did not happen. They didn’t even come close. The three aces of our bullpen, if you can have 3 aces, allowed 9 hits and 8 runs in 3 innings! They gave up home runs to Big Papi and JD Drew. Evan Longoria chipped in with a throwing error that allowed Kevin Youkilis to 2nd base and eventually score the walk off run. It was clear to me from the get go that there may be problems. Balfour threw nothing but fastballs pitch after pitch. Sorry Grant, but in the majors they will catch up with a fastball eventually. You need to find another pitch or two to compliment your fastball. I know you have a slider – ¬use it! Wheels had control issues pitch after pitch. He could not find any consistency. Howell actually pitched well. Had it not been for the Longo error the inning would have been over and we would have gone to extras once again.

This was definitely a tale of 2 games within the 9 innings. The first 61/2 innings were all Rays! BJ Upton, Longo and Carlos Pena added 3 more home runs to the Rays amazing postseason total. Upton also added a 2 run double of Papelbon late in the game giving him a total of 4 RBIs for the game. The Rays were thieves on the base path – Gabe Gross and Jason Bartlett each had one and Akinori Iwamura swiped two.

The Ray offense beat up Red Sox starter Dice-K while Ray starter Kaz pitched his best game all season long. Shame he didn’t get that win – he deserved it! Now the series travels back to St Pete and The Trop where the Rays have been more successful than any other team in MLB this season. The Rays are still in the driver’s set leading the series 3-2. I don’t anticipate the rays dwelling too much on this loss on their day off Friday. They have been resilient all season long and I expect to see even more focus and determination coming out of the box Saturday as Big Game James Shields takes on Josh Beckett.

I anticipate the Rays closing this out Sat and the dome glowing orange as we drive down 275! See you at The Trop!

Go Rays!

Rays Win!  Rays Win!  Rays Win!  I never get tired of hearing that called out across the airwaves! 

The Tampa Bay Rays shone a bright Ray of Sunshine over the Chicago black out as they defeated the Chicago White Sox and ended the ALDS series, 6-2.  The Rays played excellent baseball on all sides of the ball, offense, defense and pitching!  The Rays out homered the MLB team leader in homeruns as well showing off their power.

SP Andy Sonnanstine did an OUTSTANDING job for the Rays in this important game 4.  Sonny had all his pitches working and his location was spot on.  Sonny pitched a very effective 5 2/3 innings allowing 3 hits, 2 ER, 1 free pass and 4 strike outs.  The bullpen followed and allowed only 1 hit in the remainder of the game!  This was a GREAT pitching performance starting with Andy.  JP Howell and Grant Balfour followed his lead and kept the Chicago bats and fans silent.  Great job!

Offensively the Rays were just as effective.  They knocked out Chicago’s best pitcher, Gavin Floyd, in 3 innings.  BJ Upton blasted 2 solo shots in his first 2 at bats!  Great time for BJ to get hot!  The Rays totaled 10 hits in all, 5 of which were for extra bases.  Carlos Pena had a big day at the plate going 3 for 4 with 1 free pass and 2 RBIs.  Carlos also swiped 2 bags along with Carl Crawford.  

This was a great all around performance led by GREAT starting pitching from Sonny!  If the Rays continue to play complete ball like this they will be playing in the World Series!

Our next opponent will be our division rival Boston Red Sox.  I think this really says a lot about the AL East division.  The Rays and Red Sox came down to the final weekend to determine the division winner now they are both playing in the ALCS.  This is by far the most difficult division in baseball.  This is going to be a nail biter series!  Go buy your ROLAIDS, TUMS or whichever antacid you fancy because you’ll need it!!

Go Rays!!

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!!

Wow, what an amazing game!  Evan Longoria once again showed the nation why he deserves to be Rookie of the Year.  He was a stud at the plate!  Longo ended his day going 3 for 3 with 2 Home Runs, a single, a BB with 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs and a stolen base!  Yes, that’s right, 2 Home Runs!  Only the second time in postseason history a player has belted 2 home runs in his first 2 postseason at bats, the first by a rookie!  Ironically the only other player to do this is Rays AAA hitting Coach Gary Gaetti.  Longo approached the dish each at bat and looked like he had about 10 years experience.  Clearly the postseason is not going to rattle him or his teammates.                                           

James Shields did an outstanding job of limiting the White Sox big play offense.  He did give up a 3 run blast to Dewayne Wise but aside from that the Sox bats were ineffective against him.  He went a strong 6.1 innings, scattering 5 hits and compiling 4 K’s along the way.  \

The huge play in this game came in the 7^th inning with bases loaded.  Grant Balfour replaced Shields with 1 out.  The Aussie struck out Uribe for the 2^nd out.  Next to the plate Orlando Cabrera.  The first pitch to him was outside and apparently Cabrera wanted something better — he kicked dirt in the direction of Balfour.  Well the Thunder from Down Under did not appreciate that and a war of words broke out.  Grant Balfour eventually strode to back to the top of the hill and proceeded to blow to hard fastballs right by Cabrera for the huge K!  On his way to the dugout Balfour pointed at Cabrera and told him to sit down!   It was awesome!  I was at The Trop and the crowd exploded!  The energy in that dome was amazing!  From that point you felt like the game was over.   

The Rays have shown the rest of MLB that they will no longer be a door mat for anyone.  That began with Elliot Johnson running over the Yankee catcher in spring training.  It has not stopped.  The Rays are confident in the fact they can beat anyone, they’ve done it all season.  They fear no team!

Can’t wait to get back to The Trop!

The Tampa Bay Rays and the LA Angels battled 9 hard innings.  The Rays were going for their second sweep of the Angels in The Trop.  The Rays fell a bit short but still won this series and the season series form the Angels in a potential match up of playoff teams.

Matt Garza looked good his first few innings but ran into a hurdle in the 3^rd.  Garza allowed 4 runs in the 4^th inning with a combination of walks and hits.  He remained poised on the mound and didn’t allow another run.  Garza pitched 6 2/3 giving up a total of 7 hits and recording 7 K’s.  Garza did not figure in the decision as Grant Balfour ended up with the loss.

The Rays offense was up and down all game long.  They posted a 3 spot on the board in the 2^nd inning and were held silent until the 8^th when Carlos Pena doubled in the tying run.  Gabe Gross had some impressive at bats during this game.  Gross was 2 for 2 with 2 BB, 1 RBI and 1 run scored.   

The Rays hit the road to open a 3 game series with the Chicago White Sox.  Everyone keeps talking about the fact the Rays are going to spend a great deal of time on the road the next month.  They are not mentioning that the Rays have the best record in MLB since the All Star break – many of those victories were on the road!  They have yet to lose a series since the All Star break as well. I don’t see the Rays letting their intensity falter – they are hungry!  They are out to prove the world wrong! 

See you in Chicago!  Go Rays! 

Yes, you read correct!  With bases loaded in the bottom of the 9^th and MLB RBI king Josh Hamilton stepping to the plate Joe Maddon signaled for 4, 4 pitches outside to intentionally walk in run #3.  The move paid big dividends as Dan Wheeler recorded a K on Marlon Byrd for the save right after the walk.  Nice move Joe!!

Scott Kazmir recorded his 9^th victory this season.  He pitched a solid 6 innings holding the potent Ranger offense virtually silent.  Although he again had a high pitch count, 114, he only allowed 2 ER on 4 hits while giving up 4 free passes.  Kaz also racked u p 7 strike outs.  He said he felt much better after this start so hopefully this means he’ll pull it altogether just in time for the stretch run and on into the playoffs.

The offensive burst came in the form of extra base hits.  Out of 10 total hits for the Rays 6 were for extra bases.  Carlos Pena belted a 3-run shot and BJ Upton knocked a 2-run shot.  Adding to the extra base parade were 2Bs by Upton, Eric Hinske, Gabe Gross and Willy Aybar. 

The bullpen was a bit of a concern.  Juan Salas appeared for the first time and promptly gave up 2 ER on 1 hit and 1 BB.  Grant Balfour followed him and gave up 3 BB in just a third of an inning.   Balfour really needs to find a second pitch.  His fastball is lights out but when that’s all he’s throwing these professional hitters are going to catch up to it.  Last night his control was clearly not good with the fastball.  It would be nice to see him add something else to his arsenal.  

The Rays finally go home with a very successful 7-3 road trip.  Yes, these weren’t the best teams in the league they faced but isn’t that the point, beat the teams you should?  Well, they did.  They also improved their road record to 30-31, best in the Al East at this point.   The Rays are home for a possible 3 (depends upon TS Fay) game set against LAA.  Then back to the road for 3 against the CWS.  These 6 games will say a lot about the current state of this team.  Now they are playing the best the league has to offer.  This is where the affect of injuries will show themselves or not…..up to the guys playing between the lines.

The Tampa Bay Rays took the series from the Oakland A’s in 12 innings taking this road trip’s record to 5-2 so far. They begin the last leg of this 10 game trip tonight in Texas. I’m not really sure how to characterize this victory. Was it a great victory in that the Rays kept grinding? Was it a lucky victory in that the Rays made a ton of mistakes? Was it a bad victory because we should have put this team away easily? Well…..I guess none of that really matters as WE WON!

The Bad: James Shields struggled through his 5 innings of work mightily. He allowed 5 hits, 5 free passes, 1 HR and 4 ER. Clearly James’ road woes haunted him in this game. BJ Upton was doubled off of first base on a fly ball that took the A’s RF to the wall. Upton forgot to retag 2nd base on his way back – are you kidding me with this??!! Troy Percival thought that cutting in front of Carlos Pena to field a late inning bunt then running down the runner rather than tossing it to first base was a good idea. WRONG — yes, we got the out, only because the runner ran out of the baseline, but Perci is probably going to join CC and Longo on the DL for his 3rd time this season with a sprained knee. Perci – you’re old dude, let the young guys take care of the details! Grant Balfour earned his first blown save of the season by giving up a game tying single to Frank Thomas.

The Better: The Ray offense banged out 13 hits and accumulated 7 free passes. Rocco Baldelli played 6 innings and made an outstanding diving catch in RF. Jason Bartlett returned to the game as a late inning replacement at SS.

The Best: Willy Aybar had a nice day at the plate going 2 for 5 with a 2B, 3B, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs and 1 BB. Cliff Floyd showed his great eye for the K zone by going 1 for 2 with 4 free passes, 2B, 4 runs scored. Carlos Pena broke the 5-5 tie in the 12th by crushing his 23rd HR of the season. But most importantly – WE WON!

Concerns for today’s game: The Rays used every pitcher in their bull pen in this game. If Garza cannot go deep we may have to use a few tired arms against a very potent Ranger offense. Rocco played hard and ran a lot in this game so he’s probably not available for the opening game in Texas.

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!!!

The Tampa Bay Rays climb back into the top spot in the AL East with a victory over the Royals Friday evening.  That victory coupled with a rare home loss by the Red Legs propels the Rays to sole possession of first place in the AL East.

Edwin Jackson looked like an entirely different pitcher on the mound as compared to his last outing.  He pitched 5 innings, with deuces wild on his line, giving up 2 ER, 2 HR, 2 hits, 2 walks and 2 K’s.  The bullpen came in a shut the door other than a solo blast given up by none other than…..who?….. you know it…..Troy Percival.  Why he is still closing games and Grant Balfour is not is a mystery to me!  Balfour pitched a perfect 1.2 innings other than giving up 1 BB while striking out 3.  

I remember at the beginning of the season when a lot of fans were hammering Jason Bartlett for his sloppy play and non existent offense.  What do you think now?   His defense is stellar.  Having him back on the field makes such a huge difference defensively to this team.  Both he and Evan Longoria were both flashing leather last night.  Bartlett opened the game with a leaping catch of a line drive and was in the middle of 2 double plays and Longo stabbed a potential run scoring line drive on a GREAT diving effort to record and out. 

Our offensive effort was average.  The big shot was a 2 run blast in the 9^th by Carlos Pena to just about put the game out of reach.  Pena looked to be swinging a bat that was a little more level last night so hopefully taking the pressure of him by sliding him down will pay dividends.  We did manage to bang out 9 hits and garner 3 walks.  However, we left 10 runners on base and at one time were 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.  The hits came they were just not necessarily timely hits.  But, if the offense continues to put the wood on the bat the hits will come.    

The one play I do want to mention, because it just really ticked me off, is BJ Upton’s lack of hustle running down the first base line.  Let me set the stage –  Aki on first and BJ hits a slow roller up the middle.  The Grudzielanek gloves it and flips to Aviles who is too far from 2^nd to get the out.  Aviles then throws to first to get BJ.  OK – replays clearly show BJ NOT hustling down the first base line until he realizes he may make it.  He then tries to turn it up a notch but it is too late.  This play cost the Rays a run!  If I was managing that team Upton would have found his ass riding the pine!   Bobby Cox did it to Andrew Jones and Charlie Manuel has done it twice this season to Jimmy Rollins.  Look — you need to teach these kids a lesson and send a message to the rest of the team!  That should NEVER be acceptable!  I think it’s about time for some of the veteran’s on this team to have a closed door session with this kid.  It seems painfully obvious to me that his personal performance is much more important to him rather than the team’s performance together.  Someone needs to give the guy the definition of TEAM – no ‘I’ in TEAM!

Every good team goes through these periods.  Hopefully Friday night was a step toward returning to our first half performance.  The bats looked more alive, the pitching was excellent and the leather was flashing all over the place.  We need to win the games we are supposed to during the “soft” sections of our schedule because September will be brutal.   

Go Rays!