HER RAYS!

When was the last time you were truly disconnected from the world?  I mean no Internet, no TV, no Rays? 

IT SUCKS!  It is unbelievable that I survived, for four days.  Some would argue that it was good for me, that I should relish the slower pace and learn to enjoy things more.  To them I would say “rubbish.”  I like my computer.  I like having so much information at my finger tips.  I luuuv my shiny new TV, and I can freely admit that it has ruined me forever.  I don’t care.  Give me HD or give me death.

The Rays did just fine in my absence.  They didn’t win the world series, but they won the mid-season inter-league series against the Phillies.   Is that worth something?  Then they swept the Marlins, and tonight they beat the Blue Jays.  Sounds like good times, wish I could have been there.

So I’m reconnecting just in time to let you know that I’m taking off for my annual summer vacation.  I live in Florida, we have to wait until the rest of the country warms up before we go on vacation.  Luckily this vacation I will still be connected to the world, but I won’t be in Rays country anymore.  Think of this as my all-star break. 

I hope to see the Rays continue to climb the standings, and don’t worry I’ll pop in once in a while.  Go Rays!

So Rays, you got that out of your system right?  I mean if you’re gonna suck, might as well all suck on the same night. 

From the beginning this game was extremely painful.  Longo made an errant throw and Jimmy Rollins ended up on 2nd.  Then Price walked Victorino.  That’s when the hitting started, and I wasn’t sure if it would ever stop.  The Rays were staring at six runs before they even got up to bat!  So painful.  Especially since I don’t like to be reminded that David Price is human.

Could it get any worse.  By golly George it could.  The fourth inning started off with another error. (you can decide who it belongs to)  Deja vu.  Four more runs for the Phils.  Agony.

Oh and just for good measure the home team only drove in one run.  Thanks to Barty.

I’ve got a way for the Rays to make it up to us.  They just made us sit through a stinker.  Well most of a stinker, I started watching the CWS after a while.  Anyway I think they owe us a super fun viewing experience.  There should be good pitching.  Preferably making all-star hitters look silly.  There should also be many Rays hitting, stealing bases and making fine defensive plays.  If they’d like to really make it up to us they would provide some entertainment from the dugout too.  You know like dancing, thumb wrestling, or anything else that strikes them.  Well not foul balls, we don’t want those striking them.

In closing I would like you to ponder one thing.  I have been watching a lot of That 70’s Show reruns, and I’ve gotta say I bet Matt Garza could do a mean Fez.  Just sayin.  Go Rays!

Since it was a day game with a rain delay, I did a kind of drive by viewing.  However after the final pitch I let out a girly “Yay!”  That’s what it’s come to in close games this year.  It’s sort of suprising when the Rays find a way to win.

Know who I cheered the most for today?  Mother Nature.  When they pulled out the tarp, I was just hoping it would keep raining.  That’s called avoidance but today I was okay with that.

Wasn’t it nice to see a Rays starter not have a shitter inning where they walk people and then give up a home run.  Thank you James Shields.  You were excellent today.  Please share the secret of your success with the others.

Plus the offense was able to score against Santana.  Johan Santana.   What a treat, like pie and coffee.

Oh and Wheeler and JP finished the Mets off nicely.  All in all a good game that ended with a W for the good guys.  Let’s hope they can keep it going tomorrow.  Go Rays!

The last two starting pitchers for the Rays seem to have come down with a case of long balls.  Not to be confused with blue balls.  This is very serious, for pitchers long balls can be fatal.

David Price had a mild case on Wednesday.  This was unsettling as it was presumed that he was immune.  However at the end of the game his pitch count was so good his prognosis is upbeat.

Unfortunately Matt Garza’s case was a little more serious.  He only gave up five hits.  Three of them were long balls.  Not good.  Especially since he wasn’t able to come up with a long ball when he was up to bat with bases loaded.  Even an infield squibber would have been welcome there.

Immediately following the game he was given plenty of fluids, since he seems to lose so much during the game.  The miracle cure would have been increased offense, but his guys couldn’t come through for him.  So the treatment plan is to try to transfer the ailment to the position players.  Positive vs. Negative long balls.  You see long balls can be very beneficial for them.  Especially right now when they are fighting a case of LOB.

Don’t worry all other pitchers will be quarantined.  Extra special care will be taken with Sonny since he is particularly suseptible to long balls.

Take Care Rays.  May all your long balls be positive.

The Rays didn’t seem to have any problems with the altitude.  Everybody was hitting and they easily put a stop to the Rockies hot streak.  If someone could beat the stinkin Red Sox, the Rays might finally gain some ground!

Anyway that was a fun game, in that it seemed like a sure thing.  What do you suppose was the source of Rays power?  I believe Mr. Maddon gets the credit once again.  You see he required Western wear for the road trip.

Yep, those are your Tampa Bay Rays.  That is genius!  The Heater has a better look at the picture, and for more individual looks check out FSflorida’s facebook page.

A few comments:
I don’t know why I’m surprised, but BJ even makes western look good.  Mmmm.
James Shield’s belt buckle is ginormous.  I feel like maybe he’s trying to compensate for something since Joe Nelson entered the locker room.
Todd Kalas should win an award.  I think he stole his jacket from Anne Hathaway’s character in Brokeback Mountain.
Sonny looks like a dangerous cowboy.  The Duke!
Gabe Gross seems like he just pulled that flag shirt out of his closet.  It suits him.
It’s funny how a couple of the guys have matching shirts.
Matt Garza starring in Hollywood Cowboy.
Where in the hell did they find huge and enormous chaps for Niemann?  I have to admit, I’m a little frightened.
Who’s wearing the 15 gallon hat?

Let’s hope they can harness this power and take down the Rockies again tonight.  Go Rays!

Thanks Karen!

That’ll do.

Can you feel it?

Longo hit one out to straight away center.  Welcome back O great one.

Pena is finding his way.  Driving in four is hot!

Navi made some solid contact.  Promising.

Brignac even got in on the action.

The bullpen didn’t allow a run.  Did you hear that?  The bullpen didn’t allow a run.  Wahoo.

Pat the Bat is on his way back.

Barty is close.  Did you see the video of him running the bases.  Warmed my heart.

Time for BJ to join in the comeback!

There is some sad news though.  Matt Joyce, my future boyfriend, got sent back to Durham.  I guess I understand the reasoning, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.  All I have to say is Gabe freakin Kapler better perform or he will rue the day.  He will rue it!

This weekend seems like a great time to make up sound ground.  Go Rays!

but we’ll take it.  Rays win!

There were a few positives:

Niemann did work his way out of trouble a couple of times, although 3.2 innings is the opposite of stellar.
The bullpen actually did what they are paid to do.  Shocker, I know. 
Carlos Pena looked way better.  He even hit a home run to the opposite field.  Keep it up big guy.
Zobrist, Gross, and Aybar were raking.
Navi did something the Rays have not been great at.  Situational Hitting.  Hallelujah, thank you ‘lil Pudge.  Now spread the word.
BJ had a nice hit and a stolen base.  I’ll try not to focus on him striking out looking with runners on, or throwing home with no chance instead of preventing the other runner from getting into scoring position.
Longo still looks gimpy, but his last fly ball to right center was promising.

Definitley something to build on.  Let’s hope Price can shut those Angels down tonight.  Go Rays!!

Not only could the Rays use a win, but their fans could really use one.  I don’t know about you but I’m getting all negative.  I don’t like being negative.  It’s against my nature.

So tonight I’ll try to focus on the positive.  I’ll let you know what I find.  Hopefully I won’t have to dig my way to China to find something.  Yep that’s a little bit of the negativity seeping through again, sorry.

When is the key to the winning ways coming back?  I’m talking to you Jason Bartlett.  I don’t enjoy being lied to.  First it was a little sprain and a trip to the DL was doubtful.  Now you’ve been on the DL for longer than planned.  What gives?  Are the Rays being extra cautious?  The Rays should realize that they have trouble winning games when you are gone.  Speedy recovery please, for all that is holy!

So I’ll be watching tonight, and not like last night being forced to switch between hockey, basketball, baseball, and the draft.  Show me what you got boys!  Go Rays!

All in all a split with the Yankees is not so bad right now.  The Rays aren’t necessarily fielding their star players.  You could even be pretty stoked about them beating CC Sabathia.

I can’t lie though, I am on edge watching the later part of these games.  The bullpen is severely lowering the comfort level.  I have no confidence in them what so ever, and I really don’t want to be that fan again.

What is the plan going forward?  Do they need to see the team shrink?  Do the Rays seek replacements?  Do they just keep going to these guys even if they can’t get the job done?  I mean the Rays are fielding their B team and they are getting the job done, until the bullpen comes in and blows it.  Saturday the offense had to beat Mo Rivera in order for the Rays to get the win!

A good friend of mine thinks they should be fired.  For him it’s simple, they are getting paid to do a job and they are flat out not getting it done.  Give them a couple of chances and then find someone else.  Why not? Sometimes, like this weekend, it is easy to get on board that train of thought.

One thing is for sure.  If the Rays want to compete in this division the bullpen needs to step up their game.  Stop the sucking!

I hope tonights game is a little more comfortable to watch.  I know, don’t hold my breath Sonny’s pitching, and the relief corps will be deployed. 

Please for my sanity let Longo play!  Go Rays!