Game 1: The Rays overcame an early 4-1 deficit and raced past the Tigers 9-6 today at Publix Park. Jeff Brockman gave up a string of hits in the 2nd which led to 4 Detroit runs, but he settled in and the offense struck back. Four homers did the trick, with Seth Williams (#15, solo) in the 1st, Jose Mendez (#10, a 3-run job) in the 3rd, Mike Willis (#8, solo) in the 4th and Jimmy Leonard (#19, solo) in the 5th leading the offense. Brockman was fine after the 2nd until the 6th, when he gave up two more runs and finished 5.2 9 6 6 0 4 but still improved to 18-3. Kikuo Kawase picked up save #26 without much difficulty.
Game 2: It was the Pat Moyer show as the Rays trounced the Tigers 15-5:
It was a reverse "natural cycle". In addition to Moyer's heroics, Seth Williams (#16) and Jose Mendez (#11) homered for the second straight day, Doug Johns was 3-5 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI and Jeff Baez was 4-5 with 2 RBI. Brad Jackson joined Jeff Brockman at 18-3 despite a shaky start like Brockman's yesterday, going 5 8 4 4 2 9 and allowing a couple of homers.
Game 3: After their offensive orgy of the last two days the Rays were held in check by Detroit's Pat Hurtado, who along with a reliever held them to one run on four hits in a 3-1 loss. Seth Williams' RBI infield single in the 8th averted a shutout. The encouraging takeaway from the game was a fine start from Jordan Perez, rejoining the rotation in Vinny Willard's place. Perez went 5 4 1 0 2 5 on 98 pitches and was the hard luck loser. Willard meanwhile had a nice outing in relief, retiring all 5 men he faced with a pair of whiffs.
Team record: 88-36. Next up: 3 at home vs Seattle.