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