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 9th inning! Going into the bottom of the 9th 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 1st baseman forcing the pitcher to cover. Aki hustles down the line and is SAFE! WOW – could it be? Batting 2nd 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 3rd for us 1st 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!
