Making history is generally considered a good thing. But as the Rays proved on Monday night, that is not always the case.
In an astonishing sequence of events, four Rays relievers failed to record the final three outs of what should have been a comfortable victory, allowing seven runs in the bottom of the ninth to author the biggest collapse in franchise history. Victor Martinez's sharp single up the middle off Jason Isringhausen brought home the final two runs in a stunning 11-10 triumph for Cleveland. Ouch!
It all seemed so unlikely when the Rays led 10-0 going to the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Indians somehow rallied for their 14th consecutive home victory against Tampa Bay. In doing so the Indians became the first team to make up a 10-run deficit and win since the Texas Rangers rallied to beat the Detroit Tigers 16-15 on May 8, 2004.
Ryan Garko's two-run homer off David Price in the fourth started the comeback. His three-run shot in the ninth off Grant Balfour made it 10-7.
The rest is history. Unfortunately for the Rays, it's all bad.
Tuesday 26 May 2009
Friday 22 May 2009
Pinch-hitter deluxe
Ben Zobrist is fast becoming the pinch-hitter's pinch hitter.
The 27-year-old came off the bench and tied the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, before Carl Crawford won it for the Rays with an RBI single for a 6-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
"He's turning into a cult figure," Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Zobrist, who is 4 of 12 with three homers and nine RBIs as a pinch hitter this season.
"For me sometimes, it's freeing to know that you've got one shot and might as well take your hacks," Zobrist said. "It's pretty easy not to get a hit in the situation. It's a tough situation. I kind of tell myself I've got nothing to lose. Go up there and look for something hard to hit, and if it's in the zone just try to put a good swing on it."
After Dioner Navarro doubled and B.J. Upton walked against Brad Ziegler (0-1), Crawford lined the game-winning single to center.
Tampa's Matt Garza allowed two runs and seven hits in six 2-3 innings, while Oakland left-hander Dallas Braden gave up three runs and six hits over seven innings.
Just for the record, the AL best for pinch-hit homers in a season is five, set by Boston's Joe Cronin in 1943. Who would bet against Zobrist going some better?
The 27-year-old came off the bench and tied the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, before Carl Crawford won it for the Rays with an RBI single for a 6-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
"He's turning into a cult figure," Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Zobrist, who is 4 of 12 with three homers and nine RBIs as a pinch hitter this season.
"For me sometimes, it's freeing to know that you've got one shot and might as well take your hacks," Zobrist said. "It's pretty easy not to get a hit in the situation. It's a tough situation. I kind of tell myself I've got nothing to lose. Go up there and look for something hard to hit, and if it's in the zone just try to put a good swing on it."
After Dioner Navarro doubled and B.J. Upton walked against Brad Ziegler (0-1), Crawford lined the game-winning single to center.
Tampa's Matt Garza allowed two runs and seven hits in six 2-3 innings, while Oakland left-hander Dallas Braden gave up three runs and six hits over seven innings.
Just for the record, the AL best for pinch-hit homers in a season is five, set by Boston's Joe Cronin in 1943. Who would bet against Zobrist going some better?
Tuesday 19 May 2009
Gruden going national
Is Jon Gruden to be the next John Madden? The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach might be some way off yet, but he's well on the way to making his mark behind the mic as an analyst on ESPN 'Monday Night Football'.
Gruden replaces Washington Post sports columnist and 'Pardon The Interruption' co-host Tony Kornheiser as the third man in the booth alongside play-by-play man Mike Tirico and fellow analyst Ron Jaworski for what will be the 40th season of national prime-time Monday broadcasts.
"Today's a new beginning for me, a change of life," Gruden said. "Whether it's me being critical or me being myself, I'll do the preparation and do everything I can to do a good job."
Gruden will make his debut when ESPN begins its fourth season of Monday Night shows with an August 13 pre-season match between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gruden might just have the right stuff to make his mark on the small screen, but Madden is still the king - he's even been on Letterman.
Or has he....
Gruden replaces Washington Post sports columnist and 'Pardon The Interruption' co-host Tony Kornheiser as the third man in the booth alongside play-by-play man Mike Tirico and fellow analyst Ron Jaworski for what will be the 40th season of national prime-time Monday broadcasts.
"Today's a new beginning for me, a change of life," Gruden said. "Whether it's me being critical or me being myself, I'll do the preparation and do everything I can to do a good job."
Gruden will make his debut when ESPN begins its fourth season of Monday Night shows with an August 13 pre-season match between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gruden might just have the right stuff to make his mark on the small screen, but Madden is still the king - he's even been on Letterman.
Or has he....
Sunday 10 May 2009
Rays roll Sox over
Evan Longoria homered and drove in five runs as the Rays swaggered to a 14-5 win over the Red Sox on Saturday. It sent the young third-baseman out to a total of 44 RBIs, the best in the major league.
"I feel good," said Longoria, last year's AL Rookie of the Year. "My swing is right where I want it to be and the guys have been getting on a lot. That helps a lot. It seems like when I come to the plate somebody is in scoring position."
Pat Burrell, Carlos Pena, Ben Zobrist and Akinori Iwamura each drove in two runs for Tampa, which has won seven of 10. The Rays, who lost Friday night's series opener 7-3, also have won six of nine against Boston this season.
Longoria's homer off Jon Lester hit the top of the center-field wall and bounced over after Carl Crawford walked, making it 2-0 three batters into the game. It was his 11th of the season and fifth against the Red Sox.
Rocco Baldelli and Julio Lugo hit solo homers for Boston, which lost for just the fourth time in 16 games in Fenway Park this season. Three of those losses have come against the Rays, who once upon a time could not have bought a win in Bean Town.
"I feel good," said Longoria, last year's AL Rookie of the Year. "My swing is right where I want it to be and the guys have been getting on a lot. That helps a lot. It seems like when I come to the plate somebody is in scoring position."
Pat Burrell, Carlos Pena, Ben Zobrist and Akinori Iwamura each drove in two runs for Tampa, which has won seven of 10. The Rays, who lost Friday night's series opener 7-3, also have won six of nine against Boston this season.
Longoria's homer off Jon Lester hit the top of the center-field wall and bounced over after Carl Crawford walked, making it 2-0 three batters into the game. It was his 11th of the season and fifth against the Red Sox.
Rocco Baldelli and Julio Lugo hit solo homers for Boston, which lost for just the fourth time in 16 games in Fenway Park this season. Three of those losses have come against the Rays, who once upon a time could not have bought a win in Bean Town.
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