Tampa Bay Rays extend lead over New York Yankees
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The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Seattle Mariners 9-1 last evening, extending their winning streak to four games and extending their A.L. East lead over the Yankees to 1.5 games. I can’t believe I am typing this, but I’ve suddenly become a Boston Red Sox fan, as the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees again last night, as the reeling Yankees dropped their fourth consecutive game.The Texas Rangers secured a playoff berth for the first time since 1999 with their win last evening.
Rays starting pitcher Matt Garza collected his career high 15th win and pitched an exceptional game, allowing 8 hits in 7 innings one earned run and striking out 5.
Tampa’s offense continued rolling, managing 12 hits last evening. The 26,247 fans at the Trop last evening were able to see home runs from Matt Joyce and B.J. Upton. Upton also contributed a triple.
Tampa’s magic number to secure at least a wildcard berth is now down to 2 games. Any Combination of Tampa Bay Rays wins or Boston Red Sox losses which add up to two, means the Rays will see post season play for just the second time in their short career.
Sunday afternoon will be the final game of the season against the Seattle Mariners. The question is, will there be more folks at the Trop or over in Raymond James Stadium? At least one Bay area team is going to the playoffs this season.
Luke French (4-6 4.23) will be on the mound for the Seattle Mariners against James “You never know What you’ll Get” Shields (13-13 4.96) This certainly has been a very disappointing season for Shields and he is coming off two losses and two no decisions in his last four starts.
Tampa Bay Rays add a new mascot
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It looks like Raymond, the Tampa Bay Rays mascot is going to have to take a backseat during the run towards the playoffs. According to The Last Angry Fan blog, Raymond is getting replaced. The rays are rolling out DJ Kitty, and this cat has mad skills. In the spirit of Toonces the driving cat from Saturday Night Live, this cat spins the vinyl.
Now I have a cat, and she quite simply doesn’t show team spirit or have the initiative that DJ Kitty has. I couldn’t get my cat to wear the hat, let alone operate equipment, all she does is sleep. Now if DJ Kitty could add some more cow bell, we’d be all set. Here we come playoffs. Check DJ Kitty out below.
Rays Price against Yankees Sabathia rematch back on
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Well Tampa Bay Rays fans, if you thought this weeks game which featured Rays pitcher David Price going up against New York Yankee ace C.C. Sabathia was epic, get ready for some more of that action. The Tampa Bay Rays have shuffled their pitching lineup in order to see David Price face C.C. Sabathia next week when the two teams face off in New York. Tampa Bay and new York have adjusted their line up and on Thursday, September 23rd, the two pitchers will square off once again in what will likely be another epic matchup.
Both teams wanted to throw out their best pitcher in the high stakes 4 game series next week. For the Rays, they adjusted this weekend’s lineup, with Jeff Niemann moving back a day to face former Ray, Scott Kazmir when the LA Angels come to town.
The New York Yankees made the move in order to have Andy Pettitte rejoin the pitching rotation. Either way, this is going to be another great pitching matchup and a definite must see tv event if you are a baseball fan.
Rays go long to down Yankees
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Finally. A Tampa Bay Rays New York Yankees game which was finished in 9 innings. Tampa Bay won 4-3 on the strength of two long balls from Dan Johnson. Tampa Bay finished the three game series with the Yankees by taking two of three from the Bronx Bombers. This has been an incredible series between the best two teams in baseball. After last night’s game, the Tampa Bay Rays are now holds a 1/2 game lead over the New York Yankees and has the best record in baseball at 88-57.
James Shields pitched for the Rays last night, and with Shields, you simply never know what you are going to get from him lately. However, he has pitched very well against the New York Yankees this season. He pitched into the 7th inning surrender 8 hits and a earned run.
The Rays offense came from DH Dan Johnson. Johnson hit two home runs, one in the fifth and one in the seventh off Yankees starter Phil Hughes. Johnson has now hit 5 home runs since being recalled from AAA Durham last month. You’ll remember that Johnson led the International league in home runs this season, hitting 30 and driving in 95.
Somebody give Derek Jeter an Academy Award. In the top of the 7th inning, Rays reliever Chad Qualls threw his first pitch which was inside to Jeter. Jeter leaned back to avoid getting hit but the ball ran inside. As the pitch reached the plate, the ball struck the handle of Jeter’s bat. He fell away from the plate and started holding his wrist as if he was struck by the pitch. Replays confirmed that Jeter was not struck at all and he acted his way on to first base. Maybe Jeter can find a role on Broadway after he decides to retire from baseball.
Tampa Bay gets a much deserved day off today before the LA Angels come to town for a weekend series.
If you thought that was a close series, just look at how evenly matched these two teams are. So far this season they have played 14 games. Tampa leads the series so far 8 games to 6. Tampa has scored 71 runs, New York 69. Both teams have had 121 hits in the series and both teams have hit 19 home runs off each other. There is a 4 game series remaining between these two clubs starting next Monday in New York. I expect more of the same between these two as the AL division lead will go down to the wire.
Yankees down Rays, can I get some sleep? please?
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The New York Yankees defeated the Tampa Bay Rays last night in another extra innings game, do you think we could wrap these games up in 9 innings so I can get some sleep, please? Wow, what a difference a day makes. Matt Garza versus Ivan Nova was the complete opposite of the David Price and C.C. Sabathia matchup. Both starting pitchers lasted only 4.2 innings after surrendering 6 earned runs each.
The New York Yankees got out to a 6-0 lead and then the Tampa Bay Rays put 7 on the board in the bottom of the 5th inning with the help of Willy Aybar hitting his 6th home run of the season.The Yankees won it on the strength of a 400 foot homer from Jorge Posada in the 10th off Dan Wheeler.
Tonight’s matchup appears to be a lopsided one in favor of the New York Yankees. Phil Hughes (16-7 4.26) will be taking the mound for New York and James Shields (13-12 4.98) is pitching for the Rays. Shields has been streaky this season and has been susceptible to surrendering the long ball. Shields has given up 32 homers in 180.1 innings pitched, the most in the American League this season. However, Shields is 4-1 with a 2.76 ERA in his last 5 starts at Tropicana Field and is 2-0 versus the Yankees this season.
Hughes has been just as streaky. He was 11-2 before the All-Star break and 5-5 after the break. In his last three starts, he is 1-2 with a 7.98 ERA.
Guys, do you think we can wrap tonight’s game up in under 4 hours? Please?
