HER RAYS!

Throw back game or throw away game?

Ever feel like you’re watching an experiment?  Or a test maybe?  Like Joe Maddon sent Glover and Hammel in to see if they could hang?  Glover could.  Hammel not so much.

Don’t get me wrong, the bats deserve some of the blame for this game, but it just felt curious at the end.

Anyway the Rays lost late at night after 13 innings.  Watching the other team celebrate the walk-off.  Something that we haven’t become accustom to this year.

Let’s hope they can pick up the series today.  Don’t let down guys!  Go Rays!!

The Astros were due to win one.

The Rays had a little bit of a post Cubs let down, and the Astros had to win one sometime.  That’s how baseball rolls.  Or it could be that I’m over analyzing things and justify the loss.  Astros 4 – Rays 3.

Speaking of over-analyzing and justifying, according to the Tampa Tribune Matt Garza is seeing a well-known baseball psychologist.  Oh, to be a fly on that wall.

Baseball Guru:  So what seems to be the problem son?
Garza:  I get a little too amped up on the mound.
Baseball Guru:  Do you drink the Amp.
Garza: um, no
Baseball Guru:  Oh right, that’s my other client the race car driver.  Do you eat the Mounds?
Garza:  No, I don’t like coconut.  I thought you were a baseball guru?
Baseball Guru:  Baseball, racing, it’s all just left turns.
Garza:  Um, okay.
Baseball Guru:  So you just need to channel all that energy and concentrate.  My recommendation is to meditate and find your focus point.  Just don’t get too zen or you’ll end up like Barry Zito.  Have you seeked the advice of your peers?
Garza:  A few.
Baseball Guru:  And what gems did they have for you.
Garza:  Josh Beckett said I should just execute pitches.
Baseball Guru:  Not a surprise, that’s his answer for everything.
Garza:  Jonny Gomes said it made him feel better to punch Coco Crisp.
Baseball Guru:  Yes that would be good therapy for anyone.
Garza:  Carl Pavano told me to fake a glutes injury, but Derek Jeter gave me a boring and politically correct speech, so I didn’t.
Baseball Guru:  Yeah, the Yankees have their own issues to deal with.
Garza:  Jim Leyland told me to get it together or I’d be takin a ride on the D-train.
Baseball Guru:  Jimmy always did know how to cut the crap.  Did you consult A-Rod?
Garza:  Yep, he gave me a long list of people to ask for advice.  He seemed really honored that someone was asking him.
Baseball Guru:  I could see that.  We’ve spent a lot of time together.  So why do you get so emotional out there?
Garza:  It pisses me off when they hit my pitches.
Baseball Guru:  What does your catcher say?
Garza:  I can’t understand him, he doesn’t take his mask off.  I just say I got you, I got you.
Baseball Guru:  A couple of pitchers on your team have baseball themed names.  You know like Glover and Balfour.  Maybe that would work for you.  They could call you Mitt Garza.
Garza:  Do you get paid for this shit?
Baseball Guru:  Yep, isn’t that awesome.
Garza:  So what am I supposed to do?
Baseball Guru:  Quit over-analyzing everything.  Pitch it exactly where Navi tells you to and if they hit it, so what.  You have a great team.  They’ll pick you up.  Besides, you’re a major league baseball player, how cool is that?  Have some fun.
Garza:  Can I go now?
Baseball Guru:  Sure.  That will give me more time with Eric Gagne.

Go Rays!!

Can I just say, “Wow!”

Musical positions + dueling starters + off duty relievers + superhero grand slam = sweep??  Wow.  Chicago 3 – Tampa 8.

Jason Bartlett was scratched from the lineup, which led everyone to believe his wife was having a baby, but evidently he bruised his foot during batting practice.  Hope it’s nothing serious.  That led to the musical positions.  Aybar at third, Longo at short and Hinske at first.  Seemed to work tonight, but there was a fly ball to short left that I’m pretty sure Barty would have caught.  Come back soon, Longo doesn’t look comfortable filling your shoes.

Shields and Gallagher duked it out for six innings.  Not like Coco Crisp duking it out.  Just pitchers bringing it.  Thank goodness because Percy and Howell were off duty.  Miller gave up a run, but then Balfour shut them down.  I dig him.  Glover closed it out.  I don’t dig him as much.

Carl Crawford aka Super Man whipped a ball to the seats in right field for a grand slam!  Seriously could have been a promo shot for the new Will Smith movie Hancock.  So awesome.  I squealed out loud.

The Rays put up seven in the bottom of the seventh.  Just when I thought they were playing like it was get away day.

Sweep!  Gosh I love this team.  Good times.  Let’s hope they keep it going.  Go Rays!!

 PS – Am I the only one who finds it very annoying that ESPN’s Baseball Tonight can’t show Rays’ highlights with out making comments about how the fans need to come out.  It’s really getting old.  The fans are there and more are coming!  Enough already find a new schtick.

I was there!  Edwin’s best stuff was not.

Well it was not one of the Rays better games, but it was great to finally get out to the Trop.  I even got a little choked up when the boys first ran out onto the field.  I love baseball.  It’s a game for the senses.

SIGHTS - A diving catch.  An outfielder gunning out a runner.  A nasty breaking ball.  A stolen base.  An awesome throw.  A guy with his sunglasses on the back of head sitting in front of me. (I don’t get this.)

SOUNDS – The crack of the bat.  The pop of the mitt.  The cowbells.  The cheer after a homerun.  The cheer after a dropped fly ball.  The songs the batters come in to.  The annoying lady behind me who thought she was the first one to come up with the BallFour joke, and the Uggla joke.  Brilliant!

TASTES – Hot dogs way better than anywhere else.  Draft beer.  Soggy nachos.  Good stuff.

TOUCH – High-fiving Raymond.  Clapping to the beat of the bells.  Everybody that has to walk in front of you to get to their seats.

SMELL – The food.  I don’t sit close enough to smell the dirt or sweaty boys.  The cologne the man behind me decided to bathe in.

Would have been nice to have more to cheer about, but I still had fun.  Edwin had no control, he must have given it to Nolasco.  BJ struggled too.  He missed a ball in right center, and struck out three times.  He know he’s the constant right?  C’mon Bossman Jr. keep driving this team.  Balfour looked great.  Glover and Hammel looked not great.

Don’t want to dwell on this one.  They won the series.  Now it’s time to take on the Cubs.  Go Rays!! 

Gettin away from Garza.

Everything was getting away from Matt Garza tonight.  His pitches were getting away, and since they were comin up and in the batters started getting away, and then in the sixth the game got away from him.  Did he have onions at dinner? 

The Rays lost one tonight even though they didn’t play bad.  I’m still waiting for the night that offense clicks from top to bottom though.  Final score Tampa 4 – Boston 7.

Aki started it off on a high note with a home run.

Speaking of notes, has anyone else noticed that Garza seems to be singing to himself in between pitches?  I noticed it on his last start.  I wonder if he’s trying to keep himself loose?  What do you think he’s singing?

Pedroia’s beard is scraggly.  Ick.

In the bottom of the second I thought it was over.  Garza gave up a hit, home run, and a double with no outs.  Apparently he listened to me, since I was pleading with him “Settle down!”

He was dodging the bullet all night.  In the third he was in trouble but miraculously got Manny to ground into a double play.

Masterson buzzed BJ, and BJ was like, oh no you didn’t, and responded with a double.  Pena copied him and the Rays tied the game.

Nancy Drew should change his name to Rob, since he robbed the Rays a couple of times tonight.

Then to make matters worse he creamed one off of Garza.  2-3 Sox.

In the sixth BJ singles, steals second and then Pena hits one out.  Mmm Mmm good.  4-3 Rays.

That fuzzy feeling didn’t last though.  It all unravelled in the bottom of the sixth.  Garza hits Youkilis.  Then Manny hits a ground ball to short that Bartlett can’t handle.  Lowell fouls out.  Then Drew walks.  So bases loaded 1 out.  Varitek singles up the middle, scores 1.  Tie game.  So do you take Garza out?  My thought was no since he’s got the 8 and 9 hitters coming up.  I was wrong, Crisp hits a double that Hinske misplays.  4-6 Sox.

So Balfour comes in to relieve, and promptly walks Lugo.  Lugo.  You’ve got to make Lugo hit the ball.  Were they trying to set up the double play?  If so I don’t agree since Ellsbury is on deck.  He ends up hitting a sac fly, 4-7 Sox.  Balfour gets a strike out to stop the bleeding.

You better sit down for this news.  Glover pitched two scoreless innings.  No shit.

Why don’t they show the fan running on the field?  That’s must see TV.

The Rays never ending list of outfielders came in handy tonight when Maddon was playing bait and switch with Terry Francona. 

I get bummed when the Rays lose now, even when I knew it would be tough to win at Fenway.  Longo was robbed by Drew, and drew a walk but he also looked awful at the plate a couple of times.  Barty had an error at a bad time and was 0 for 4.  I still love you guys.

Let’s hope the Rays can shake it off, and come out swinging and pitching tomorrow.  Go Rays!! 

What do you mean?  The Rays aren’t invincible?

They have been flat out awesome lately, but tonight they just couldn’t pull it off.  Sonny was pitching batting practice and the score was 7-0 when the second inning was done.  For a moment it looked like they might make a comeback, but they couldn’t hold off those Rangers.  Final score Texas 12 – Tampa 6. 

Seriously analyzing this game would be painful so here are some wacky observations from tonights game.

Aki’s hair issues are contagious.  Sonny needs a good cut and shave, and he’ll be back to his shut out self.

Padilla reminds me of someone.  He’s like a cross between Jimmy Smits and George Lopez.

Pena is looking to win the longest at bat title this year.  Bobby Abreu better watch his back.  It’s annoying Carl Crawford when he wants to steal bases though, and they need him to fly.

Did anybody see the shot of Howell after the top of the 7th?  He totally smacked himself and rattled off some choice words.  They didn’t show him after he gave up a grand slam in the 8th, hope he’s alright.

Hinske laid out for a fly ball but missed it.  Here’s the thing, does Gabe Gross make that play easily?  Doesn’t matter, Hinske hits lots of homeruns.

Two things I found unbelievable.  That Sonny came out to pitch after the second.  That Glover was the go to guy.  Even before the grand slam, Glover was the guy getting ready?  Why?  I’m obviously missing something.

BJ was cranky all night.  Didn’t like the strike calls, and was pissed when no one was covering second when he thought he had a play. 

Let’s hope Sonny goes to the barber and comes back fresh, because his last two starts were nothing to brag about.

Another series win would rock.  Go Rays!!

Great Scott What a Memorable Memorial Day!

The great Mr. Hinske once said “We’re just havin fun and ridin the wave.”  So are your fans sir, so are your fans.  The Rays took the first game of the series from the Rangers tonight.  Texas 3 – Tampa 7.

Scott Kazmir was phenomenal.  He pitched seven innings and struck out ten.  He only gave up three hits and one run.  He just kept sitting them down.

The Rays offense on the other hand annoyed the Rangers pitchers all night.  They scored seven runs, but they also left 15 on base. 

The horns annoyed me all night!  It was like kids learning to play the trombone.  I’m getting a tick in my eye just thinking about it.

Bottom 1st – Aki walks, but CC hits into a fielders choice.  BJ basehit followed by Pena base hit scores Crawford.  0-1 Rays.

Bottom 4th – Bartlett bunted out.  Aki base hit to left.  CC ground out but moves Aki over.  BJ hits another base hit.  Aki scores.  0-2 Rays.

Bottom 5th – Clifford had an infield single.  You had to see it to believe it.  Navi walked.  Hinske hits a three run shot!  This is where you pump your fist and say YES!  0-5 Rays.

Top 6th – They actually got to Kazmir a little bit.  A single, double and sac fly later it’s 1-5 Rays.  Two nice plays this inning.  One great catch by our resident superhero Crawford, and a nice throw down to third by Navi to get the little bugger trying to steal.

Bottom 6th – Longo basehit.  Love him.  Navi doubles and Longo scores from first.  1-6 Rays.

Bottom 7th – Bartlett and Aki walk.  CC hits one of his yucky choppers, but beats out the double play.  BJ hits a sac fly to make it 1-7 Rays.

Reyes got them in order in the eighth.

Glover in the 9th.  No comment.  He is the only player that routinely gives me flash backs to last year.  Okay I guess that’s a comment.  He promptly gives up a double and a homerun.  WTF?  Is he on the hotseat with Willie Randolph now?   3-7 Rays.  Miller came in to save the day, and the Rays now have the best record in baseball.  Did you hear that…the best.  Unbelievable.

Let’s hope the Rays can keep ridin the wave tomorrow.  Go Rays!!

Side note – A nice way to remember our troops is to pick up a flat rate box at the post office.  I usually grab an $8 one.  You can fill it with whatever you want.  I filled it with candy last time because it’s cheap and fun.  Then you can go to anysoldier.com and pick a soldier to send it to.  It’s a little thing, but it goes a long way to showing that we care. 

Not on TV!!!

This is a game I wish I could have seen!  Even if it was a bit like batting practice for the Rays.  What do Staats and Magrane do on these nights?  They wouldn’t want to miss the Commodores.

Evan Longoria is way hotter than Eva.  The fact that I’m not a switch hitter might have something to do with it but…  Evan hit two homeruns tonight.  In the first two innings.  Love him.  He drove in six runs.  Six.  That’s hot!

The super cool BJ Upton went 4 for 4 with two doubles.  Smooth.

Pena was rockin too.  Was he just a homerun shy of the cycle?

Can’t comment on any of the defensive plays, because the freakin game wasn’t on TV!

E. Jackson finally gets a win.  Although he pitched five innings and gave up three runs.  I’m going to venture a guess that he was struggling with control.  I’m not a professional, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Howell did good in relief once again.

Glover did not good in relief once again.

Reyes finished it.  Oh and the Rays won big.  Baltimore 4 – Tampa 11!

Hope they saved some bat power for a sweep tomorrow!  Go Rays!!

Walk this way….

The Rays lost another tough one today in the bottom of the ninth.  Tampa 4 – St. Louis 5.  So they couldn’t take advantage of this series and they are now one game behind Boston.  That’s not a very uplifting sentence, is it.  I guess it’s such a bummer because the Cardinals didn’t beat the Rays the Rays did.  They walked nine Cardinal batters.  NINE. 

Maybe the pitchers didn’t feel comfortable in their practice jerseys.  Why were they wearing those? 

Jackson actually had a pretty good day.  He worked himself out of trouble several times.  When he left the game in the 6th the Cardinals didn’t have any runs, although he was charged with one earned run later.

The Rays scored in the second when Longo doubled, and then Hinske doubled to bring him in.  One minor detail though, Hinske was thrown out trying to stretch that to a double, which sucks because Navi doubled too and Hinske would have scored.  Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda!

Longo looked kinda humorous when he lost a fly ball in the sun.  Still love him though, even if that really called for another Alex Rodriguez comparison.  Did I tell you guys that I saw Alex at Clearwater Beach last weekend.  He walked right by me.  Seriously.

The Rays scored again in the third when Aki Locked and Loaded doubled, Crawford moved him over to 3rd and BJ doubled him home.  2-0 Rays.

Top of 5th – Zobrist doubles, steals third and then scores on the over throw.  His wife is really cute too.  3-0 Rays.

Bottom of 5th – Jackson had a couple of walks, but worked through a bases loaded jam. 

Top of 6th – Jackson has a couple more walks.  Then gets a fly out.  Howell in relief walks another.  Bases loaded.  Base hit scores one.  3-1 Rays.  Bases still loaded.  Big strike out.  Then in steps Albert Pujols, but he grounds out to the pitcher.  Major catastrophe avoided right there.

In the bottom of the 7th Wheeler came in and gave up a first pitch homerun!  To Ludwick!  The same guy who hit the walk-off homerun last night.  Oy Vey.  3-2 Rays.

Top 8th – Carl Crawford goes yard.  Groovy.  4-2 Rays.

Bottom 8th – Wheeler comes back in and walks one.  Miller comes in and walks one.  Sac bunt moves runners.  Base hit scores 2.  Tie ball game folks.  Reyes gets a nice out on Pujols.  Intentional walk Ludwick.  Unintentional walk.  Bases loaded.  Duncan flied out.  Ugh, another catastrophe avoided.

Bottom 9th – I can’t even imagine the comments on the message boards when Glover comes in to pitch the ninth.  He walks the first batter.  Again not recommended.  Strikes out the pitcher trying to bunt.  Base hit that Longo makes a great stop on.  1st and 2nd one out.  Fly ball deep to left, Carl can’t make the play.  Ballgame.   Glover not a closer, shocker.

Okay time for the boys to regroup.  I think someone already mentioned this but it’s kind of cool that we even worry about losing two games now.  Let’s hope they can get back to winning series.  Go Rays!!

Riggan a series win! 

The Rays win AGAIN.  Cool beans.  New York 2 – Tampa 5. 

Some of my thoughts from the game:

Longo makes a great diving stop to start the game.  Love him.

Aki hit a lead off homerun!  That new do is serving him well.

Riggy gets a nice base hit in the 3rd.  Zobrist is hit by a pitch.  Not on the thumb.  Aki walks and the bases are loaded with no outs.  Crawford hits a sac fly and Damon’s throw literally rolled to the plate.  I laughed out loud.

In the top of the 4th Kazmir picked off Melky Cabrera.  Except he didn’t get the call.  Dammit he was out!  Maddon should have pulled a Pinella on that one.

Bottom of the 4th Hinske cracks a double, and then Riggy absolutley crushes a ball to left.  Did he lose the Mr. T necklace?  I didn’t notice it today.

Scott Kazmir walked Morgan Ensberg twice.  C’mon man that should be an easy out.  Kazmir still didn’t look back to normal but he pitched another 6 shut-out innings so I’m not going to bitch about it.

Rays scored again in the 6th when Aki started it off with a double.  So great when the lead-off hitter gets on.  Crawford moved him over with a sac fly.  He was the sac man today.  That sounds kind of funny in my dirty mind.  BJ hit a sac fly too and Aki scored the Rays 5th run.

Glover in to pitch in the 7th.  Glover hit their bats instead of the glove.  He gave up two runs.

Question – There were a few balls up the middle today.  Would Bartlett have gotten to those balls?

Pena kinda blew today, and as much as I love Longo he didn’t look so great at the plate either.

Wheeler and Percy shut those Yankees down, and sent them to last place in the east.

So now it’s off to inter-league play.  Should be interesting.  Can’t wait to see Sonny go yard!  Go Rays!!