HER RAYS!

Well I really didn’t expect the Rays to pull off a win against CC Sabathia, but he was a bit off and they definitely had their chances.  What did they do with these chances?  They squandered them!

The Rays picked away at CC and came up with three runs.  Shields was cruising, only giving up one.  Kapler made a great catch at the wall to save his butt.  Then it all went awry.  James gave up two home runs and the lead.  Bummer but the Rays still had their chances.

In the seventh one of my favorite things happened.  BJ got on base in front of Carl and soon after they were on second and third with no outs.  Can I have more of this please?  The Rays only got one run out of it, but that could have been a game winner. 

Balfour handled the seventh.  So the Rays have a one run lead going into the eighth.  I’m thinking no problem.  Benoit for the eighth and Soriano for the ninth.  Well Benoit was a little off.  I knew he wasn’t going to be perfect, but he picks now to be a little off!  He gave up a home run to Nick Frickin Swisher.  Plus he was super scary getting out of the inning, but he did keep the game tied.

Girardi makes the call to Mo Rivera to come in and shut down the Rays so the Yankees have a chance to win it.  BJ miraculously gets a broken bat single.  However he kills the rally himself by getting picked off first for the gazillionth time.  Not even close.

Maddon does not make the call to his closer and give the Rays a chance to win the game.  Instead he goes to Choate the lefty specialist.  The lefty specialist who let the two lefties he faced get on base.  I think specialist is the wrong term.  I have another term but we try to be nice around here.  Wheeler was then brought in with the daunting task of sitting Derek Jeter down in a clutch situation.  It took him four strikes but he did it. 

So who does Maddon bring in to face Swisher with two outs in the ninth of a tie game.  Lance Cormier.  Wait what?  I like Lance, but he has been struggling this year.  This game must not be as important as I think is?  Yankees win.  Rays fans go home totally confused.  After Mariano Rivera the Yankees bullpen is shaky.  The Rays would have had a chance if they could have gotten that far.  I know it’s not a save situation, but it’s a win situation.  Where was Soriano?

Time to turn it around tomorrow.  Go Rays!

Jeff Niemann, the big solid oak tree, brought the Rays back to the winners circle.  He had a couple of walks in the second that scared the bejesus out of me, but he got out of it and only really made one mistake all night.  I’m telling you the dude is solid.  Embrace him people.

Carl Crawford soothed the whole fan base with his first inning home run.  This was really good considering it wasn’t until the fifth that the Rays could get anything going again and it was Carl who drove in that run too.

Remember when everyone was choosing between Sean Rodriguez and Reid Brignac?  I was happy when Sean got hit by a pitch tonight, because he didn’t seem hurt and that actually put him on base.  Reid on the other hand I want in the line-up every day.  Sean did get lucky on a gutsy/dumb play taking third base, and he eventually scored.  This doesn’t really change how I feel about him vs. BJ.  As painful as it is to watch BJ at bat right now, I would much rather see him in center field.  Besides offensively they’re about the same.

I have the same problem with Pena.  He is the master at first base.  Does his defense make up for his sucking at the plate?

Longo homered in the sixth.  I cheered and then found myself wondering if he really manscapes.  Ugh. 

Hank Blalock drove in some much needed insurance runs.  I have more warm fuzzies for him than Burrell.

Choate gave up a hit, but Wheeler saved the day.

See they just needed to change their Sox.  Let’s hope David Price can find his groove again tomorrow.  Go Rays!

Do we honestly need to worry that every time the Rays face a left-hander, not only will they lose but that there’s a good chance they might get no-hit?!  This is troubling indeed.  Jon Lester is the only lefty they’ve seemed to figure out.  Do you know who pitches tomorrow?  Mark Buerhle.  Anybody have any Rolaids?

Thank goodness Carl Crawford was in the building or this would have been downright ugly. 

A couple of relay throws made me wonder if the Red Sox defensive woes were contagious.  However no defense was going to matter tonight since the Rays couldn’t hit the ball or even work a walk.  You have to tip your hat to Danks, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is troubling.

David Price didn’t seem comfortable all night.  Maybe it’s because he knew in order to get a win he’d have to shut down the White Sox.  He gave up three runs, two of them homeruns.  He threw 95 pitches in six innings and he still looked pissed when Mr. Maddon came to get him.  I think Maddon just realized that if the Rays wanted a chance to win this game they needed to keep it close, and Alex Rios had put good wood on one earlier in the game.  

I think Zorilla needs bananas.  He seems to be missing something, and not just the ball.

Balfour was really good for two innings.  I hope to be able to type that sentence a lot more this season.

Wheeler fell prey to Konerko but I’m pretty sure Cy Young would have been gobbled up by Konerko tonight.

So what’s the plan for tomorrow evening?  I think they need to shake up the line-up.  Bring in the kids.  See how Reid can do against a lefty and give Jaso a shot too.  Wade Davis definitely needs to be careful against those big boppers.  The plan is simple though.  HIT THE BALL.  Go Rays!

Close, yet so far away.

I got home late tonight, so I didn’t see the first five innings.  The last four innings were pretty eventful though.

Top of 6th – Shields was cruising along but hit a road block when Longo biffed a throw.  He was able to get two outs, but he also walked two.  Result – bases loaded two outs.

Lance Cormier was brought in to take care of business.  Result – grand slam, aka four runs.  This was especially painful for me because Lance is one of my favorites.  That’s impressive because as a Rays fan my favorites don’t tend to come from the bullpen.

Bottom 6th – Barty starts it off with a base hit.  I loved him last year, but I really love him now that he’s all hitty.  Longo doubled.  Love him too.  Then BennyZ hits a three run homer!  The Rays are right back in it.

Top 7th – Cormier walks the first two batters.  I’m a little worried about him.  I hope it’s just an off night.  Springer is brought in for relief, but alas it’s not to be had.  Three runs are what’s to be had, and the Rays are right back out of it.  Grrrr.

Bottom 7th – The Rays go down one, two, three.  Not good.

Top 8th – Choate doesn’t choke.

Bottom 8th – Crawford singles.  Longo grounds into a double play…except Wiggy booted it.  Oh sweet justice.  Pat the Bat singles and moves the runners.  Gross ground in one run, and Pena doubles in two more to make it 8-7.  I thought Zaun and his mighty mullet might tie it up but not tonight.

Top 9th – Choate and Wheels sit them down.

Bottom 9th – BJ, BJ, BJ what the hell was that, and was it your own idea?  He pop bunted to the pitcher.  Bartlett singled, then stole second.  Crawford grounded out and moved him over.  Man on third, Evan Longoria in to save the day.  Not this time folks.  It’s crazy that it was even this close of a game what with the handing out of homeruns with runners on.

Now it’s time to make up that game with a few games of Texas hold’em.  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!

I have to be honest though, that gave me a freakin heart attack.  James Shields was great.  He was like a security blanket, making me feel all warm and fuzzy.  Matter of fact I was so comfortable that I had a tantrum when Mr. Maddon came to take him away.  I’m terrified of the bullpen after that traumatic trip to Cleveland.

Luckily JP came in and held the Twins.  (hee hee TWSS)  It wasn’t pretty but he got the job done.  As did Wheeler, whom I have no confidence in.  C’mon, admit it, when he walked that batter you were preparing yourself for the worst.  If you weren’t you are a better man than me.

How annoying is Joe Mauer with all the hitting and stuff.  What must it be like to have a catcher that hits?

Longo’s error was fugly, but we’ll let it slide since he drove in three runs.  Plus we love him. 

We love them all tonight.  Rays win! 

The Rays must have been out to impress the chicks tonight.  You know since chicks dig the long ball.  They hit 6 dingers, two off of Mr. Rivera.  Obviously the new Yankees Stadium is some bizarro world of opposites.

Barty, who chicks dig anyway, got it started right off the bat.  Get it, right off the bat.  I crack myself up.  Sorry I get goofy when I’m tired. 

Pena was next to join the party.  Longo hit two.  He’s a bit of a show off.  Zobrist’s was the most impressive.  Carl Crawford’s was pivotal.  I declared my love for him quite loudly.

Pat the Bat deserves some credit too, he drove in a much needed run.  Also the defense was pretty solid all around.

This was a great win, especially heading into Boston.  However the pitching was scarier than Norman Bates or 2007.  Pick your poison.  Every time the Rays got a lead the pitching handed it back.  When are Davis or Price going to be ready?  Sonny was very good last night so hopefully he’s fixed, but Niemann is frightening.  I know he had his moments at the beginning of the season, but maybe the scouting reports are a factor now?  Will the Rays make a move, or am I doomed to be seriously stressed every fifth start?

At least Howell looked much better and a little fired up.  It’s weird that Wheeler kind of blew it, but then ended up with the win?  Whatever.

Time to take it to the Sox again.  Go Rays, keep climbing!

editors note* – Apparently the official scorer later awarded the win to Nelson.  Much better.

 
(photo ESPN.com)

and the winning is way more fun than the losing.

Someone needs to put it into writing.

The Tampa Bay Rays acknowledge that Benny Boo Boo Zobrist is the team’s official good luck charm.  With his new reddish beard, he even resembles an overgrown leprechaun.  He has a way of righting the ship.  Therefore as long as he doesn’t start sucking real bad he must remain with the team at all costs.  Management will review his good luck charm status on a regular basis.  Getting picked off of first is generally frowned upon, however due to the nature of the grand slam we will let him off with a warning this time.

Troy Percival and Dan Wheeler will be required to sit next to Ben in the dugout, listening to his wife’s music on their ipods, until they are needed in the bullpen.  The Gabe’s will be required to come up with a plethora of minor ailments so that Zobrist gets more starts.

Let’s ride this wave for all it’s worth.

Go Rays!!

Nothing funny about tonight’s game, that sucked.  Garza pitched a good game.  He gave up two runs but most nights his offense should be able to help him out with that. 

AJ Burnett was nasty.  It wasn’t until the 7th inning that the Rays were able to scrape together some hits.  They fought hard the whole game and finally tied the score at two.

However it was all for not.  JP Howell came in and gave up a run, and Wheeler came in a gave up four runs.  No relief at all.  The opposite of Advil.

I was actually surprised that the Rays were able to get to Burnett.  Halfway through the game I figured he was going to pitch a complete game shutout.  I guess that’s why I was so bummed that the bullpen did the opposite of their job.

My mind kept going back to one thing tonight though.  Rays Index had a great piece a while back about situational pitching.  If you have time you should give it a read.  Anyway I guess I’m just wondering why JP pitched the whole 8th, and Wheeler pitched the whole 9th, instead of switching things up for certain situations.  I know the Yankees have quite a few switch hitters, so that screws things up but…
I’m tired, it could just be crazy talk.

Let’s hope Andy, Sonnanstine that is, can pick up the Rays tomorrow and they can win this series.  Go Rays!!

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