Rays win, despite terrible performance
The Tampa Bay Rays recorded their 54th win of the season and won their 3rd series in a row despite failing badly at the plate Sunday. SP Jeff Niemann departed after 5 innings with a back sprain, something which is going to bear some watching, but once again, Tampa was horrible with runners in scoring position.
On Sunday, Tampa left 15 men on base, as was 4-13 w/RISP. This is not the way a championship team is born. They won 3 of 4 against a very weak Cleveland Indians team and swept a wounded Boston Red Sox squad, they went 6-1 at the home stand which is what they needed to do. I can’t ever remember being so upset about a 6-1 homestand, but major problems are lying ahead for the Rays if they can’t start scoring these runners on base. Bases loaded with no outs and no runs? The key hits seem to be coming helter-skelter for the Rays recently but consistency needs to be the key in the second half if this team is going to move forward and drive into the playoffs.
During the All-Star break, I’ll be issuing my mid season report on the Rays and a very interesting article about a new stadium and what that would mean to the Tampa area.
Rays poised for Series Win
The Tampa Bay Rays are set to take the field this afternoon seeking their 3rd consecutive series victory, today over the Cleveland Indians.
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Jeff Niemann (7-2 2.65) will be on the mound for the good guys this afternoon. The Indians are sending out Justin Masterson (3-8 5.22) Masterson lost his last start after surrendering 7 earned runs in just over 5 innings and received the loss. Niemann recorded a win in last Tuesday’s start against the Boston Red Sox.
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Speaking of pitching, how many Rays fans were disappointed lat season when the Rays shipped LHP Scott Kazmir to the LA Angels? Once Kazmir arrived in LA, he made 6 starts and recorded a 2-2 record, posting an ERA of 1.73. Many thought that Kazmir’s woes were behind him, well, they’re not. Heading into last night’s game, Kamir was a pedistrian 7-8 with an ERA just under 6.00. Kaz was ROCKED last night, ROCKED is a gentle work for what happened last night. Kazmir set a record for surrending the most runs in a single game by an Angles pitcher when he gave up 13, YES 13 earned runs in 5 innings. I took Kazmir on my fantasy baseball team early on this year but dumped him in May, thankfully.
Manager Joe Maddon announced that the starting rotation will be changed after the All-Star game in order to give maximum rest to the starting 5. James Shields will remain in the top spot, Jeff Niemann moves into second, AL win leader David Price moves into third. Wade Davis will be fourth and Matt Garza will slide into the number 5 spot in the rotation. Garza pitched twice this week and made a relief appearance. Shields, Niemann and Price will square off against the Yankees after the All-Star break while Davis and Garza will be set to take on Baltimore.
This afternoon is the Futures All-Star game. It will be broadcast on ESPN 2 at 6pm EST. You’ll be able to see Rays prospects, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, LHP Alex Torres and OF Desmond Jennings.
Garza Great, Rays Rebound
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After perhaps his worst start of the season, Tampa Bay Rays P Matt Garza turned in perhaps his best. Garza was dominant. Pitching 6 complete innings, only throwing 88 pitches (64 strikes) and he only allowed 1 hit to the Indians. Garza appeared fluid and in control on the mound tonight, the best this blogger has seen him look since April. Garza is now the second Ray pitcher to reach double digit wins for the season as he improved his record to 10-5 and the Rays rolled over Cleveland 4-0.
The bullpen was fantastic again with an inning pitched by each Grant Balfour and Joaquin Benoit.
A couple key hits, especially a 2 out hit from Gabe Kapler allowed the Rays to come away with another win tonight. Manager Joe Maddon decided to shake up the lineup by first moving BJ Upton to the leadoff position. Willie Aybar was batting clean up and 1st base with Carlos Pena getting some rest tonight against the Indians Laffey. Pena did make an appearance late in the game though drawing a walk. Kelly Shoppach was the receiver behind the plate tonight and Gabe Kapler played left while Carl Crawford played as the DH. The Rays benefitted from some very timely hitting tonight, but one issue that continues to be a lagging number with the Rays is the hitting with RISP, they were 3-11 tonight.
Sundays game kicks off at 1pm, be sure to check in with me in the morning for the latest news and notes regarding the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa looks to rebound against Indians
The Tampa Bay Rays are looking to rebound tonight after a dismal outing against the Cleveland Indians on Friday night. Tampa was beaten by the Indians 9-3. It is safe to say now that James Shields is officially in a slump. Shields, who has not won a game at home since April 28th and has dropped 8 of his last 9 starts is struggling mightily.
Shields last one out into the 7th inning Friday night, and while he did strike out 9, he allowed 4 earned runs on 106 pitches. He threw 31 pitches alone in the 2nd inning. Manager Joe Maddon said after Friday nights game that the Rays were going to have to adjust the rotation after the All-Star break to account for David Prices’ workload. Perhaps a shift out of the #1 spot in the rotation might help Shields.
The Rays once again did little with RISP, going 1-8. Pena did hit his 18th home run of the season, his second in as many nights. Carl Crawford logged his 30th stolen base of the year.
Tonight’s matchup sees the Indians send Aaron Laffey (1-2 5.18) to the mound to face off against Matt Garza (9-5 4.28) Garza is coming off his first ever relief appearance on Wednsday night. His last start though, Garza was shelled lasting only 3 innings against the Red Sox surrendering 4 earned runs.
Rays win 6th in a row
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The Tampa Bay Rays are loving the month of July having won 7 of their last 8. Now if we could just do something about the damn Yankees.
Wade Davis is inconsistent again, to his credit he did settle down after the second inning but you’ve got to hold your breath to watch this kid pitch. He did record the win and lasted 7 innings but he made 112 pitches and only 63 went for strikes. Jeremy Hellickson has got to be weighing on the mind of manager Joe Maddon though. Hellickson will be pitching in the XM Futures All-Star game this coming Sunday, I don’t know what time it is broadcast yet though, but it will be on. Another Rays player that will be showcased in the game is Desmond Jennings who will most likely be with the club next season when he replaces Carl Crawford.
Speaking of Crawford, he had another stellar night, hitting 2 home runs and driving in 4 runs. Crawford’s blast in the 3rd was an epic shot to right, 446 feet. Crawford demonstrates why he will command so much on the free agency market after this season. Crawford has hit .405 with 3 homers and 10 RBI’s in the month of July. He really is a legitimate 5 tool player.
Tonight’s piching match-up will feature James Shields (7-8 4.83) against Fausto Carmona (7-7 3.69) for the Tribe. Shields finally recorded a win in his last outing after a prolonged slump in June but is winless in his career against Cleveland. Carmona is the Indian’s lone representative on the All-Star team and suffered a loss in his last start against Oakland.
