Optimism is a wonderful thing. And any Rays fans who still think we can get back to the World Series this season might have to do some wishful thinking on an industrial scale right now.
Last night's 11-4 home loss to the Yankees felt just like a return to the bad old days. Admittedly the Yankees had a pitcher, in A.J. Burnett, who simply dominated the Rays' hitters all night, limiting them to a pair of hits and a lone unearned run in his seven innings.
But it was the lack of resistance, especially late on, which will most concern those who have recently learned to think happy thoughts about the Rays.
B.J. Upton's single in the third was the only hit the Rays recorded against Burnett in his first five innings. Their second hit brought the first run in the sixth. When Longoria grounded into a double play, allowing Upton to trot home and trim the deficit to 5-1, it looked like a fight back, but was actually as close as the Rays got all night.
"I think the hyperbole is really not necessary," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "Just go after it, daily. We did a nice job with that last year as a front-runner and I think we can do the same thing trying to catch up."
Let's hope they can. Otherwise this is going to be a very long series against an old foe looking like returning to former glories.
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Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Rays leave it too late this time
The Rays may not always bring home to runs, but they sure know how to make a game interesting, as the 4-3 loss to Chicago Monday night again showed.
The White Sox maintained their cool following a three-run homer from Paul Konerko, even though the Rays were at it again in the late innings after rallying to win each of their previous three games. This time, however, the Rays came up short.
Tampa, looked on course for another late steal but they failed to score in the eighth and then loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth against Bobby Jenks before Jason Bartlett struck out to end the game.
Konerko's three-run drive in the third gave the White Sox a 4-1 lead, but solo homers from Ben Zobrist and Evan Longoria went deep and Carl Crawford had an inside-the-park homer to bring the Rays back to 4-3. Crawford's inside-the-park homer was the first at U.S. Cellular Field since Chris Singleton hit one for Chicago against Kansas City on Sept. 29, 2000. But it was in vain.
The tension mounted when Bartlett worked the count to 3-2 in the ninth before fouling off a pitch. The crowd chanted ''Bobby! Bobby!'' as fast-baller Jenks got him on a slider to end it.
Sure, Rays fans love the way their team makes life fun, but sometimes just batting in those spare runners would be nice too. You don't always have to score off homers - in or out the park - to win you know...
The White Sox maintained their cool following a three-run homer from Paul Konerko, even though the Rays were at it again in the late innings after rallying to win each of their previous three games. This time, however, the Rays came up short.
Tampa, looked on course for another late steal but they failed to score in the eighth and then loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth against Bobby Jenks before Jason Bartlett struck out to end the game.
Konerko's three-run drive in the third gave the White Sox a 4-1 lead, but solo homers from Ben Zobrist and Evan Longoria went deep and Carl Crawford had an inside-the-park homer to bring the Rays back to 4-3. Crawford's inside-the-park homer was the first at U.S. Cellular Field since Chris Singleton hit one for Chicago against Kansas City on Sept. 29, 2000. But it was in vain.
The tension mounted when Bartlett worked the count to 3-2 in the ninth before fouling off a pitch. The crowd chanted ''Bobby! Bobby!'' as fast-baller Jenks got him on a slider to end it.
Sure, Rays fans love the way their team makes life fun, but sometimes just batting in those spare runners would be nice too. You don't always have to score off homers - in or out the park - to win you know...
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Pena strikes out as Prince rules
Tampa Bay's Carlos Pena was knocked out early in the 2009 Home Run Derby at Busch Stadium, St. Louis, but Prince Fielder was a king among men in the annual slugfest.
With home big-hitters Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard eliminated early, Fielder won baseball's slugging crown on Monday night in relative comfort - and hit one huge drive estimated to have been 503ft.
The Milwaukee Brewers' first baseman outslugged Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz 6-5 in the final before acknowledging how the home fans must have felt seeing their hometown heroes miss out.
"It's what I expected. This is Albert's stadium and Ryan is from here," Fielder said. "I was just happy I was able to put on a show, and I'm glad I won."
Pujols, the Cardinals' big first baseman, and Howard, who grew up in St. Louis, were knocked out in the second round.
With three outs remaining in the final round, Fielder smacked a drive on to the grassy hill in center field to clinch the crown. He posed for a moment with his bat held high, then embraced Brewers teammate Ryan Braun near home plate.
Pena, Minnesota's Joe Mauer and Pujols each hit five home runs in the first round. In a five-swing tiebreaker, Pena hit one homer and Mauer was shut out and Pujols homered twice to move on.
None of the participants were able to match Josh Hamilton's performance last year at Yankee Stadium, where he hit a record 28 homers in the first round — including 13 on the bounce.
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With home big-hitters Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard eliminated early, Fielder won baseball's slugging crown on Monday night in relative comfort - and hit one huge drive estimated to have been 503ft.
The Milwaukee Brewers' first baseman outslugged Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz 6-5 in the final before acknowledging how the home fans must have felt seeing their hometown heroes miss out.
"It's what I expected. This is Albert's stadium and Ryan is from here," Fielder said. "I was just happy I was able to put on a show, and I'm glad I won."
Pujols, the Cardinals' big first baseman, and Howard, who grew up in St. Louis, were knocked out in the second round.
With three outs remaining in the final round, Fielder smacked a drive on to the grassy hill in center field to clinch the crown. He posed for a moment with his bat held high, then embraced Brewers teammate Ryan Braun near home plate.
Pena, Minnesota's Joe Mauer and Pujols each hit five home runs in the first round. In a five-swing tiebreaker, Pena hit one homer and Mauer was shut out and Pujols homered twice to move on.
None of the participants were able to match Josh Hamilton's performance last year at Yankee Stadium, where he hit a record 28 homers in the first round — including 13 on the bounce.
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Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Four Rays seeing stars
Tampa Bay fans have got used to only seeing one of their beloved players in the All-Star game.
Nine times in the first 10 years, the then-Devil Rays had only one player picked for the Midsummer Classic - and in those days it would have been hard to justify including any more.
But times have changed and this year there will be at least four Rays players representing the American League under manager Joe Maddon in the July 14 game in St. Louis. That three of those were chosen by either fans around the country or their peers makes it all the sweeter.
And third-baseman Evan Longoria will be the first Tampa Bay player to start an All-Star Game after winning the fan vote. Jason Bartlett and Carl Crawford made the team as reserves, voted in by their fellow players. And Ben Zobrist was one of Maddon's picks to fill out the roster.
In addition, Carlos Pena is one of five players vying for the final spot on the AL team in fan voting.
Longoria was an easy selection at third, with his impressive .925 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) and 63 RBIs making him an All-Star for the second time in as many big-league seasons.
"Obviously, with the caliber of third basemen that there are in the American League, to be the leading vote-getter is just a tremendous honor," he said.
Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield made his first All-Star roster in his 17th season, one of a major league-high six Red Sox headed to Busch Stadium for the big game. The 42-year-old right-hander is tied for the big league lead with 10 wins.
Cardinals firstbasman Albert Pujols was the leading vote-getter by a long way. The NL MVP is well on his way to another amazing year, leading the majors with 31 homers and 82 RBIs. He collected 5,397,374 votes to finish with the second-highest total in major league history, trailing only Ken Griffey Jr.'s six million votes in 1994.
The AL starting lineup: Teixeira at first, Pedroia at second, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, outfielders Bay, Josh Hamilton of Texas and Ichiro Suzuki of Seattle, and Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer.
Starting for the NL: Albert Pujols at first, Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez, Wright at third, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and Carlos Beltran, Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and Philadelphia's Raul Ibanez in the outfield. Ibanez has been sidelined by a groin injury and could sit out.
Should be a special occasion...
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Nine times in the first 10 years, the then-Devil Rays had only one player picked for the Midsummer Classic - and in those days it would have been hard to justify including any more.
But times have changed and this year there will be at least four Rays players representing the American League under manager Joe Maddon in the July 14 game in St. Louis. That three of those were chosen by either fans around the country or their peers makes it all the sweeter.
And third-baseman Evan Longoria will be the first Tampa Bay player to start an All-Star Game after winning the fan vote. Jason Bartlett and Carl Crawford made the team as reserves, voted in by their fellow players. And Ben Zobrist was one of Maddon's picks to fill out the roster.
In addition, Carlos Pena is one of five players vying for the final spot on the AL team in fan voting.
Longoria was an easy selection at third, with his impressive .925 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) and 63 RBIs making him an All-Star for the second time in as many big-league seasons.
"Obviously, with the caliber of third basemen that there are in the American League, to be the leading vote-getter is just a tremendous honor," he said.
Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield made his first All-Star roster in his 17th season, one of a major league-high six Red Sox headed to Busch Stadium for the big game. The 42-year-old right-hander is tied for the big league lead with 10 wins.
Cardinals firstbasman Albert Pujols was the leading vote-getter by a long way. The NL MVP is well on his way to another amazing year, leading the majors with 31 homers and 82 RBIs. He collected 5,397,374 votes to finish with the second-highest total in major league history, trailing only Ken Griffey Jr.'s six million votes in 1994.
The AL starting lineup: Teixeira at first, Pedroia at second, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, outfielders Bay, Josh Hamilton of Texas and Ichiro Suzuki of Seattle, and Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer.
Starting for the NL: Albert Pujols at first, Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez, Wright at third, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and Carlos Beltran, Milwaukee's Ryan Braun and Philadelphia's Raul Ibanez in the outfield. Ibanez has been sidelined by a groin injury and could sit out.
Should be a special occasion...
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Monday, 29 June 2009
Rays' triple double delight
We know the Rays are quick right? But this quick! This is a whole new level.
The Rays made Major League history Sunday with B.J. Upton's third-inning home in a series-sweeping 5-2 victory against the Marlins. Thanks to that hit Tampa Bay reached triple digits in home runs and stolen bases earlier than any team before.
The Rays have done it in 77 games (100 home runs, 118 stolen bases), seven games earlier than the 1994 Indians and 1977 Reds, to become only the fifth team to reach 100/100 before the All-Star break.
In front of 29,459 witnesses at Tropicana Field, the Rays won their fifth straight and finished 5-1 during a home stretch against the World Series winning Phillies and a Marlins team that had won nine of 12.
They also passed the Blue Jays to move into third place in the American League East for the first time this season.
Things are certainly looking up for the Rays, but for how long remains to be seen. Tampa Bay is scheduled to face Toronto ace Roy Halladay (10-1) Monday night. The right-hander, who has been out with a groin injury, is set to be reinstated from the 15-day disabled list to make the start. "I'm looking forward to that like a root canal," said Rays manager Joe Maddon.
The Rays made Major League history Sunday with B.J. Upton's third-inning home in a series-sweeping 5-2 victory against the Marlins. Thanks to that hit Tampa Bay reached triple digits in home runs and stolen bases earlier than any team before.
The Rays have done it in 77 games (100 home runs, 118 stolen bases), seven games earlier than the 1994 Indians and 1977 Reds, to become only the fifth team to reach 100/100 before the All-Star break.
In front of 29,459 witnesses at Tropicana Field, the Rays won their fifth straight and finished 5-1 during a home stretch against the World Series winning Phillies and a Marlins team that had won nine of 12.
They also passed the Blue Jays to move into third place in the American League East for the first time this season.
Things are certainly looking up for the Rays, but for how long remains to be seen. Tampa Bay is scheduled to face Toronto ace Roy Halladay (10-1) Monday night. The right-hander, who has been out with a groin injury, is set to be reinstated from the 15-day disabled list to make the start. "I'm looking forward to that like a root canal," said Rays manager Joe Maddon.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Bartlett streaking away
Jason Bartlett set a new Bays club record by extending his hit streak to 19 games in Thursday night's 10-4 victory over the Phillies with a single in the fifth inning.
The hit broke the Rays' previous record of 18 games, set by Quinton McCracken in 1998.
"I'm happy about it, but I'd rather not think about it," Bartlett said. "It's not that I'm putting pressure on myself, but it's in my head and I'd rather it not be."
It's now the longest active streak in the Major Leagues, after the Cubs' Derrek Lee failed to connect Thursday against the Tigers to curtail his streak to 21 games.
Bartlett is hitting .384 with 21 RBIs over the stretch, which began on May 15 and was interrupted by his 19-game stay on the disabled list with a sprained left ankle.
He also ranks second among all shortstops in stolen bases (14) and RBIs (35).
He's having quite a season, but thankfully doesn't plan on taking the souvenir game ball tossed into the dugout after his fifth-inning single. "I don't plan on stopping," he said.
The hit broke the Rays' previous record of 18 games, set by Quinton McCracken in 1998.
"I'm happy about it, but I'd rather not think about it," Bartlett said. "It's not that I'm putting pressure on myself, but it's in my head and I'd rather it not be."
It's now the longest active streak in the Major Leagues, after the Cubs' Derrek Lee failed to connect Thursday against the Tigers to curtail his streak to 21 games.
Bartlett is hitting .384 with 21 RBIs over the stretch, which began on May 15 and was interrupted by his 19-game stay on the disabled list with a sprained left ankle.
He also ranks second among all shortstops in stolen bases (14) and RBIs (35).
He's having quite a season, but thankfully doesn't plan on taking the souvenir game ball tossed into the dugout after his fifth-inning single. "I don't plan on stopping," he said.
Monday, 22 June 2009
Mets left high and dry in the rain
The skies are looking clearer for the road-weary Rays who awoke from an offensive slumber Sunday with a 10-6 victory over the New York Mets at Citi Field. In a series twice interrupted by rain B.J. Upton homered and matched a career high with four RBIs, while Carl Crawford drove in a pair of runs to give the Rays a hard-fought 2-1 win.
"When B.J. gets going, it gives guys a little more confidence," said Evan Longoria, who, like Upton, had four hits. "It was just one of those days where we felt pretty locked in."
The highest-scoring team in the majors managed only three runs in each of its last four games, but got four in the fifth inning and four more in the seventh, when Upton's two-run shot off Bobby Parnell (2-3) helped the Rays regain a lead they'd squandered an inning earlier.
Joe Nelson (2-0) won despite allowing a run for the first time in his last nine appearances, while the New York bullpen dropped to 1-7 in June.
The top three spots in the Rays order combined to go 11 for 16 with seven RBIs. A little further down, Jason Bartlett had a pair of hits and Gabe Kapler drove in two runs.
On Saturday Carlos Pena hit a tiebreaking homer off Johan Santana in the seventh inning for a rain-soaked 3-1 victory. Starter James Shields allowed three hits in seven innings and retired his final 14 batters.
Keep it up lads, you've got your chance for revenge over the Phillies at home soon enough...
"When B.J. gets going, it gives guys a little more confidence," said Evan Longoria, who, like Upton, had four hits. "It was just one of those days where we felt pretty locked in."
The highest-scoring team in the majors managed only three runs in each of its last four games, but got four in the fifth inning and four more in the seventh, when Upton's two-run shot off Bobby Parnell (2-3) helped the Rays regain a lead they'd squandered an inning earlier.
Joe Nelson (2-0) won despite allowing a run for the first time in his last nine appearances, while the New York bullpen dropped to 1-7 in June.
The top three spots in the Rays order combined to go 11 for 16 with seven RBIs. A little further down, Jason Bartlett had a pair of hits and Gabe Kapler drove in two runs.
On Saturday Carlos Pena hit a tiebreaking homer off Johan Santana in the seventh inning for a rain-soaked 3-1 victory. Starter James Shields allowed three hits in seven innings and retired his final 14 batters.
Keep it up lads, you've got your chance for revenge over the Phillies at home soon enough...
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