HER RAYS!

Yeah so I’m a little lost now that the season is over.  I’m not finding much on TV.  I find myself thinking about things that aren’t really crucial but enter my mind anyway.  Like what the heck am I going to do with my hair?  It needs an upgrade.

When the Rays were in the hunt for October this kind of thing never even bothered me.  I mean following baseball is pretty time consuming if you put your mind to it.  So now I look around and think “Holy crap I really need to get some stuff done.”

The off season is also a bit nerve racking in that the team could look quite different when spring training rolls around again.  Last year I wasn’t sad to see certain guys move on, but this year is quite different.  I really love most of these guys and I don’t want anyone taking them away. 

Today the Rays declined options on Clifford and Trevor Miller, and since I’m a chick this affects me differently.  I know both are probably good decisions by the team, but these guys are pieces of the whole you know.  They played pivotal roles this season.

I really like Cliff Floyd, and he had some great moments for the Rays this year.  I love his earring and his smile and his big brother ways in the dugout.  It’s too bad he isn’t a good fit for the Mets, since Metsgrrl loves him.  Maybe he could be an advisor for some lucky team?

When I think of Trevor Miller I immediately think of his family, well that and his rockin mohawk.  I’m sure they loved him being here in Tampa with them.  I’m sure he will find a spot somewhere, but it won’t be as comfortable for him.  He got to be a part of the amazing turn around season though, maybe he’ll decide to retire now?  Either way I wish him the best.

Ugh, first I’m missing the Rays and now I’m saying goodbye to some of them.  How many days until spring training? 

Don’t worry I’ll make it through.  I’m updating my Netflix queue.  I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.  As for the blog, I’ll probably cut back to weekly posts if nothing is going on.  Don’t forget to rock the vote.

Because that was exhausting!  The post season is supposed to be all about pitching right?  Not last night.  It was like a study in opposites compared to the first game.

Kazmir had a painful start, giving up two runs in the first.  Not the tone the Rays wanted to set, but you can’t count the Rays out that early in the game.

In the bottom of the 1st.  Pena doubled and the Longo hit a two run homerun to get right back into it.  That was huge against Beckett.  Longo looked more like himself.  Could have been the pep talk he got from Maddon, or maybe my idea worked.  IBT* squad to the rescue.

Both pitchers got through the 2nd inning.  Then Kazmir gives up a homerun to Pedroia.  Ugh.  3-2 Boston.

In the bottom of the 3rd BJ homers right back to tie it.  Longo doubles and Crawford singles to score him.  This game is officially wacked at this point.  4-3 Rays.

Floyd hits a bomb to center in the 4th inning.  5-3 Rays.  Rock on!

Top of the 5th.  Kazmir gives up another homerun to Pedroia.  Two homeruns to mighty mouse!  Yes, I yelled at the TV.  Then he follows that up with another long ball to Youkilis.  Aaaaagh!  Maddon’s seen enough.  Balfour is in.  He promptly serves one up to Jason Bay!  Can no pitcher hold the game tonight?!  Balfour even walked the next two, and JP had to come in to end the inning.  6-5 Boston.  Dammit.

Bottom 5th.  Upton walks and then steals 2nd.  Pena singles and BJ scores.  Unfreakingbelievable.  Tie game.  Longo doubles and scores Pena.  7-6 Rays.  Pitching smitching.  CC singles and scores Longo.  8-6 Rays.  Can they keep it that way?

Top of 6th.  Howell walks Pedroia.  Maddon comes to the mound and says “focus dude, if you only do one thing for me today, strike this mofo out!”  JP strikes out Ortiz.  Bradford comes in and gives up a single to score that pesky Pedroia.  Just like that, the lead is cut to one.

The pitchers actually hold in the seventh.  Totally amazing at this point.

Top of the 8th.  Pedroia singles off of Bradford.  The kid is everywhere, it seems like he’s up to bat every inning.  Miller comes in and walks the only guy he’s asked to get out, Ortiz.  Maybe Maddon should have given him the focus speech.  Wheeler comes in and gets Youkilis to ground into a double play!  Sweet, except now Pedroia is on third.  Then came the wild pitch that was heard around the world.  Pedroia scores.  Tie game, again.  I can’t handle much more of this.

Wheeler actually did a great job except for that wild pitch.  He pitched the Rays into the 11th inning, where he was rescued by Mr. Price.  Price came in with one out and a man on first.  He walked Drew, but then regained his composure and got out of the inning.  You know he had to be so nervous.  Great job chosen one.

Bottom of the 11th.  The Rays face Mike Timlin.  Navi walks and Perez comes in to run for him.  Zobrist walked.  Barty had a timely chopper down to third and moved the runners over.  They walked Aki, and the bases were loaded with one out.  BJ hits a short sac fly to right.  No problem for Speedy McSpeedster, Perez scores.  Rays win!  Rays win game two!

In this case 9>8!  Go Rays!

Get some rest today people.

*itty bitty titty

Oh how my heart has LONGed for thee!

Sometimes you don’t realize how much you miss something until you get it back.  That’s not to say that Willy Aybar hasn’t filled in admirably because he has.  It’s just that Longo is the man you know.  He didn’t have many problems with runners in scoring position and he made some great plays in the field.  Basically he’s still even keeled, and it was like he never left.  I don’t envy Maddon the problem of how to keep Aybar busy.

Kudos to James Shields too.  Why?  He only shut down the New York Yankees.  Too bad Trevor Miller couldn’t follow suit, but he only gave up one run.  So one down, one to go tonight.  Maybe Garza will try to one up Shields with a complete game shutout.  Go Rays!!

(photo ESPN.com)

Closers or Openers??

The Rays won a doozy this afternoon in extra innings.  Final score Detroit 5 – Tampa 6.  Some thoughts on the game…

When I turned on the TV there was some bizarro cartoon involving the Rays and an ice cream lady.  I came into it in the middle so I was a little confused.  Was it funny?  My reaction was basically “What the heck was that?”

In the second inning Joe Magrane was talking about how Polanco is a gold glove second baseman.  Then he called him a very heady player.  I almost spit out my soda.  If you’ve ever taken a good look at Polanco, he is indeed very heady!

Longo legs out a single on a ground ball to third.  He actually looked swift.  Let that be a lesson to all the slackers out there.

In the third the Rays had a pop up problem.  A ball was hit to shallow right, Aki made his way out there and Hinske was coming in, but neither caught the ball.  I have no idea whose ball it was, but that runner ended up scoring later in the inning which is frustrating.  Barty made a nice line drive catch and doubled off Guillen to stop the madness.

In the fifth Polanco doubled and Ordonez drove him in.  2-0 Tigers.

Polanco doubled again in the seventh and that was the end of Shields day.  Which was a very good day by the way.

Bottom of the 7th BJ ground rule doubled.  Total bummer since he was diggin for three.  Yes he was hustlin.  Love it.  Pena drove him in.  2-1 Tigers.

Balfour finished the 7th and then came out for the 8th.  I think he gets a little too pumped up.  Sheffield got himself into a full count, and Grant was getting more and more into it, at which point he pitched it hard but it was right over the middle of the plate.  He’s not going to be able to blow it by everybody.  Had he kept that ball down he would have struck him out, instead Sheffield crushed it out of the stratosphere.  3-1 Tigers.

Bottom 8th – Hinske gets one right back.  Home-run! 3-2 Tigers.  Barty strikes out, it happens.  Aki singles.  BJ Upton hit a two run homer to give the Rays the lead.  So awesome.  He’s heating up.  3-4 Rays.

Percy comes out in the 9th with a one run lead, so what does he do?  He gives up a first pitch home-run to Granderson.  So deflating.  Tie ball game. 

Nothing doin in the bottom of the 9th, and I mean nothin.  I think Jonny Gomes struck out with out even swinging the bat.  That’s not going to get ya the walk-off celebration.  On to the 10th.

Percy out to work again.  He lays one in there for Miguel Cabrera and Crawford watches it fly.  No shit, he gave up another home-run.  5-4 Tigers.  He then managed to get a fly out, but followed it with two walks.  Miller came in to save his behind, and actually did just that.

Bottom of the tenth, better known as wack a Ray.  Aybar walked.  Bartlett tried to pull back from a bunt attempt, but took it off his index finger.  On his right hand.  Not good people, Barty has a boo boo.  It looked pretty nasty when he removed his batting glove.  Everyone send him good vibes tonight.  Last time this team was without Barty, they went into a downward spiral, and I was sad since I love him. 

Maddon brings Riggans in to pinch hit for Bartlett.  Next thing ya know, Riggy’s layin on the ground.  He took a pitch to the chest.  It was actually really scary.   You have to love him too, he just tried to catch his breath, shook it off and went to first base.  Aki comes up and lays down the perfect sac bunt and moves the boys over.  Sweet two guys in scoring position, one out.  BJ draws a walk, a questionable walk, but a walk is a walk.  Walk much?  Bases loaded.  Crawford singles, run Rays run.  Aybar scores, but Riggy has to stop at third since he didn’t get a good jump.  Tie ball game. 

Bases loaded again, only 1 out.  Longo strikes out.  Two outs.  Oh and I really want the game to be over since I hate sitting there for so long during the day.  It’s all up to Pena, and he delivers.  The walk off walk!  Rays sweep.  Detroit 5 – Tampa 6.

Once again Percy blows the save but the Rays still win?  He’s a lucky SOB. 

Tomorrow night it’s time to rock Cleveland.  Let’s hope Garza can out-duel Lee, he seems to like a challenge.  Go Rays!!

photo from yahoo sports

Staats and Magrane storm forecasters on sucky pitcher night.

It was the top of the 4th when the Rays announcers predicted a storm and warned the fans.  Even though it was Sonny, baseballs were being left up in the zone.  They warned us that technically the A’s weren’t power surges, but if something didn’t change, severe weather was ahead.  Sure enough a couple of pitches later the storm hit, in the form of a three run home-run.  Take cover.

Sonny pitched seven innings and gave up three runs.  Rays fans accept that, knowing it could have been much worse.  If the offense would stop sprinkling the hits and put more of them together, three runs is chump change.  Then Maddon decides to make it sucky pitcher night.  Has anyone else ever noticed that he does this?  The non-sucky pitchers like Howell, Balfour and sometime Percival seemed to be grouped together.  Maddon used them when he wants to shut down his opponents.  But tonight his thinking was more like this…

Sonnanstine 7IP, 5H, 3ER  3-1 A’s.
Okay great, Sonny made it through seven.  We’re down by two.  I usually only go with the non-sucky pitchers when we have a lead or a tie.  Let’s throw a sucky guy in there and see how he does.  Miller’s been real sucky lately, maybe he’ll try to prove his worth.

Miller walks the first batter of the 8th. 
Shit, he walked the guy.  Next batter is a righty.  Hmmm.  Let’s leave him in.  He has to get better at some point.

Wild pitch, runner moseys on into scoring position.
That was unfortunate.

Suzuki doubles, runner scores.  4-1 A’s
(slapping forehead)When will I ever learn.  He is super sucky against right handers.

Miller walks the next batter.
Wow, he’s got issues.  Now we’re down by even more, with runners on.  Time to take a stroll to the mound.  I’m not wasting one of my non sucky guys.  Bring in Reyes.

The next batter fouls out to Navarro.
Excellent an out.  Seems like it’s been a while.  Maybe I’ll have some time for wine tonight after all.

Reyes walks the next batter to load the bases.
Eureka, the sucky guys are really suckin tonight.  They’re like Hoovers.

The next batter hits a sac fly and the runner scores.  5-1 A’s.
Well at least there are two outs now.  Let’s see if he can get the third.

The next batter singles scoring a run, and Zobrist can’t catch(but the error goes to CC?) so another run scores.  7-1 A’s.
You got yourself into this mess, you get yourself out!

Reyes gets a strike out to end the inning.
About frickin time.

Top of the 9th, 7-1 A’s.
Perfect time to give Hammel some playing time.

Zobrist biffs two balls hit to short, resulting in a run scoring.
Note to self:  add Zobrist to the sucky list.

Go Rays!!

Wow, good one boys!

Baseball is a game that you can sink into your couch and soak up every detail, but it is also a game that you can multi-task through and still keep up on your favorite team.  There is one thing I can’t do though,  I can’t read and watch baseball.  I’m guilty of that tonight.  I sort of watched the game, but I didn’t appreciate it because I got sucked into a story.

It was a solid game all around.  Excellent pitching and hitting, plus no fielding errors.  They even hit off of a left handed pitcher and even with two outs.

Kazmir, Balfour and Howell combined to pitch a shut out.  How would you like to face them for nine innings?

Kazmir pitched seven innings.  I know, right?

Longo continues to astound.  He’s really smart, and makes a lot of in game adjustments.  That’s hot.

Willy and Aki both drove in runs.  Although I missed Aki’s.  Sorry, it’s a really good book.

I think someone in the Upton camp reads this blog.  BJ was definitely playing with more oompf tonight.  He had two hits, two stolen bases and he scored a run.  Great to see.  Maybe I should give Trevor Miller a pep talk next?

Let’s hope they can pick up another one tomorrow night.  Sonny didn’t have very much fun last time he pitched against Oakland.  He’ll do better at home!  Go Rays!!

Rays win round one!

Boston 4 – Tampa 5!  Rock on.

BJ Upton started it all with a first pitch homer.  So should he be a lead off hitter or a clean up hitter!

Lowell drove in a run in the fourth to tie it up, but Gabe Gross turned around and crushed a two run homer in the bottom half of the inning.  It was a no doubter.  Like Gwen Stefani.  I crack myself up.  Gross sure seems to have big games when the Rays need it.  He was showing his socks tonight, does it makes him look faster.

Navi threw a beauty to get Moss stealing in the fifth.

Pena hit a double and Aybar scored all the way from first to make it 1-4 Rays.

In the top of the 6th I thought Shields had Drew struck out, but he didn’t get the call.  I had a feeling…then Drew hit one to the seats in right.  Mother Scratchin Umpire.  2-4 Rays.

Shields gave up a basehit to the Lowell, who was on tonight, and a walk in the 7th, so that ended his night.  His night was stellar by the way.  Miller came in and gave up a walk.  Then Balfour finished out the inning.

Aybar had a pretty sac bunt in the 7th to move CC over.   Pena and Longo both walked.  Could we get that pitcher again tomorrow please?  He walked three and almost threw it away on the bunt attempt.  So bases are loaded, one out.  Maddon decides to bring in Gomes instead of Hinske.  Gomes hits a double play ball, but hustles it out, and the run scores.  2-5 Rays.

They bring Wheeler in for the 8th.  I was surprised Balfour didn’t pitch some more, but what do I know really.  Wheeler got three quick fly outs.

Percy takes the ball in the 9th because this gamed needed some more drama right?  First batter, Manny Ramirez.  No problem, he strikes himout.  Then Lowell, did I mention he’s hot tonight, doubles.  Youkilis hits a hard grounder to third.  Longo dives and knocks it down, but there’s no play.  Moss then hits a fly ball to right, but it hits a rafter or something in the roof and becomes a double which scores a run.  3-5 Rays.

So now there are men on 2nd and 3rd with one out.  Varitek steps up and hits a sac fly to right.  Gross is actually able to catch this one.  Another run scores 4-5 Rays.

To add to the drama, Percy is hopping around like his hamstring is grabbing?  Maddon comes out to check on him.  Percy wants to go.  Maddon says “I don’t like it.”  Percy says GFD.  Yeah he’s pissed.  Thankfully Maddon is reasonable and doesn’t let him stay in.  Matter of fact he had to tell him “that’s enough.”  I for one am thrilled because I’m not comfortable with Percival in one run games.  It’s purely emotional, but other guys make it easier on my guts.

Howell gets to come in with the tying run on third.  Fabio Lugo up to bat.  He of course had to take it to a full count, at which point I told JP that all my love for him would be gone if he walked Julio freakin Lugo.  He got him to line out to short!  Rays win!  I love JP Howell!

Let’s hope for a repeat performance tomorrow, from the first place Rays.  That’s pretty cool to type.  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.

Excuse the Rays, they just squeaked one out!

But they got the win.  Final score 5-4.

Sonny honey, you only gave up two runs but you scared the hell out of me.  Also what’s with the beard?

Longo doubled, then Gross hit a homerun to score two.  Yes, Gabe Gross.

Did you see the dude fall over the wall onto the ball girl? Bugs and Cranks has the video. He took her out, then he lays there and she and another guy come to his aid.  I was waiting for one of those big beer cans to fall from the sky and take him out.  Be a man. 

Like Milton Bradley.  He can break a bat over his leg.  That always amazes me.  Do you know anyone who can do that?!

I need to show JP Howell some love.  He has been so awesome for the Rays.  He pitched another two scoreless innings.  Fist bump.

Aybar hit a huge double in the eighth to score two go ahead runs.  Way to go Willy.

I thought Miller was a loogy.  What’s up with him pitching whole innings?  He let Milton Bradley avoid breaking another bat.  He hit one out to make it 4-3 Rays.

The ninth inning was the Jason Bartlett show.  I love that show!  He singled, then stole second, then stole third, then scored on a wild pitch.  This turned out to be huge.

So I’ve said it before Dan Wheeler is a drama king.  He doesn’t like to go out there and just get three outs, he likes to make it interesting.  What’s more dramatic than bases loaded, one out and Josh Hamilton up to bat?  He gets him to ground out, but a run scores making it 5-4 Rays.  Then he gets Milton Bradley to ground out to second.  Show off.  Rays win!

Garza for the sweep?  Too much to ask?  Go Rays!!

I’m a Little Miffed!

I’m lookin to get out to a Rays game soon.  I thought about going tonight, but I’m extremely allergic to country music, and you can’t convince me that they weren’t going to play any country music during the game.  I also have no desire to own a Rays trucker hat.  So I’ll wait for a better day, but that doesn’t change the fact that I really would’ve liked to watch this game on TV!!!  I’m not the only one either.  I overheard several people mention it today.  Scott Kazmir on the mound, sold out crowd, c’mon!  What?  I have to get a life?  Read a book?  It just ends up driving me to drink!

So in between beers and chapters, I checked the score, and after the game I read through the play by play.  This just irked me even further.  There are so many things I would like to have seen.  Not to mention all the stuff that looks basic but could have been stellar.  Here’s my list.

CC and Upton double steal with error?
CC double
BJ’s RBI
Clifford’s homerun
Pena’s double
Fielders choice to SS, but Pena’s out at third.  Why did he run?
Kazmir 7IP, 3H, 0runs
Howell’s two strikeouts
Miller’s battle to get Pierzynski to fly out.
Balfour closing it out.
The crowd.
Rays win!  Chicago 0 – Tampa 2

And you know what’s going to cause me to get really drunk?  There’s a freakin local telethon on NBC here instead of the Stanley Cup finals!

Sonny better have gotten cleaned up so he can bring it tomorrow, and the Rays can pick up another series.  Go Rays!!