May 2-4, 2050: at NY Yankees (3)
 

Game 1: Nicola Grieco gave up a homer to the first man he faced as a Ray but allowed nothing after that as he pitched the Rays to a 4-1 win in a big early-season game at Yankee Stadium in his debut. Not only did he pitch well but he gave them length at 8 6 1 1 2 3 and Steve Talbott took the 9th for save #5. The offense did all its scoring in the first 3 innings with Ruben Ramirez going deep for the 3rd time and Luis Barela and Beau Bonczek delivering RBI singles.

Game 2: The Rays pounded the Yankees 13-5 to pull within 1/2 game of the division lead, breaking a close game open in the final 3 innings. It was a costly win though as ace Greg Bookhart had to leave with what turned out to be a herniated disc after going 3.1 6 4 3 1 3 and will miss the better part of two months. Willie Briones picked up the win in his Rays debut after 1 1/3 not terribly effective innings with Steve Morris, who will take Bookhart's place in the rotation, contributing 2 2/3 scoreless. But it was the offense which stole the show today with homers from Mario Saro (#13, a 3-run shot in the 2nd ), Luis Barela (#12, solo), Jon Morales (#6, with a man on) and Beau Bonczek (#4, solo). 8 of the 9 Rays in the lineup drove in at least one run with Juan Davila (2-5) the only exception.

May 4: Placed SP Greg Bookhart on the 15-day IL with a herniated disc, recalled IF/OF Tony Olivo from AAA Durham.

Olivo went down for an extra pitcher last week so we're back to where we should be.

Game 3: I guess we're going to be playing games like this throughout the season now, kind of fitting this was the game that put us back into first:

https://i.imgur.com/BqP9Luw.png

43 hits and 16 walks between the teams, thank goodness for Chris Hetzel or we might still be playing.

Team record: 20-12. Next up: An off-day to rest from all that basepath action then home for 3 vs Minnesota.

May 6-8, 2050: vs Minnesota (3)
 

Game 1: After giving up 13 and winning their previous game the Rays gave up 13 runs again and suffered the more likely result as they were trounced by the Twins 13-4. Melvin Delgado (3-3) suffered the brunt of the Minnesota attack, going 3.1 9 9 9 0 2 and allowing 3 homers. Beau Bonczek's solo homer (#5) was the lone bit of excitement for Tampa Bay fans.

Game 2: Dave Rose to the rescue as the righty gave the Rays just what they needed: a well-pitched game. He was a dominant 8 3 0 0 1 13 to improve to 2-3 as they beat the Twins 4-0 at Publix Park. All the scoring came in the 2nd, an inning which saw Alex Duran lead off the inning with a homer (#8) and Juan Viatoro drill an RBI double as its highlights.

Game 3: Tampa Bay took the rubber game of the series 6-4 as Nicola Grieco made it two wins in two starts with the club. The lefty gave up a couple of homers but turned in a quality start at 6 6 3 3 2 5 with Steve Talbott closing it out for save #6. A 3-run 6th broke open a 3-2 game with Juan Viatoro delivering a 2-run single. Juan Davila doubled twice and drove in a run as well.

Team record: 22-13, still 1/2 up on the Yankees who also took 2 of 3. Next up: Boston visits for 4 games.

May 9-12, 2050: vs Boston (4)
 

Game 1: Monday's game was rained out so we played a Tuesday doubleheader, and of course we played one of those games again, outslugging the Sox 12-9. Steve Morris was not up to the task in his first start replacing the injured Greg Bookhart in the rotation, putting us behind 3-0 and 5-4 early and finishing 3.2 8 6 6 1 3. Joe Clark (1-1) followed and got the win despite allowing 2 runs in his 1 2/3 of work but eventually Steve Talbott finished for save #7. Plenty of offense of course with Juan Davila's 2-run HR (#6) breaking a 7-7 tie in the 5th with Yuji Morioka (#2) and Ruben Ramirez (#4) also going deep while Mario Saro and Tony Olivo each had a double and drove in 3.

Game 2: Rays pitching was battered again in the nightcap and this time the offense wasn't there to rescue them in a 14-1 Boston rout. Another of our replacement starters Mike Bertram (2-1) failed miserably and I mean miserably as he was hit to the tune of 2.2 9 10 10 2 0 for a Game Score of -6.

Game 3: This year's team is seemingly incapable of playing a normal 4-2 or 5-3 game and today they were the routers instead of routees as they pummeled Boston 15-2. Alex Duran was 3-4 with HR #9 and 4 RBI while Mario Saro moved into a tie for the MLB HR lead with 15 and took over the MLB RBI lead with 38 after a 2-homer, 3-RBI game. Juan Viatoro and Ismael Morales each had 3 hits and an RBI while Chris Kidd doubled and tripled. Melvin Delgado (4-3) was pretty good at 6 9 2 1 1 7 and Chad Gardner of all people went the final 3 for a save, fanning 6.

Game 4: Now it was Boston's turn for a rout and they had one going up 10-1 in the 8th before a furious but doomed pair of rallies made the final score 10-8 Sox. Dave Rose (2-4) was not sharp today with a stuffed 5 5 5 5 5 7 line and Jose Morales gave up 5 runs in the 8th including a grand slam. The Rays did answer with getting those 5 back in the bottom of the inning and then in the 9th Jon Morales (#7) and Luis Barela (#14) homered to start the frame to pull within 2 but three fly balls ended another exhausting game.

Team record: 24-15, now 2nd on percentage points behind the Yankees who took 2 of 3. Next up: 3 games in Detroit.

May 13-15, 2050: at Detroit (3)
 

May 13: Activated P Bob Riley from the 15-day IL, designated P Willie Briones for assignment.

Game 1: The Rays brought the lumber to Detroit as they routed the Tigers 13-4 in the opener at Comerica Park. Alex Duran led the charge, going 4-5 with a 2-run double and a bases-clearing double while Luis Barela was 2-4 with a 2-run HR (#15) and 4 runs scored and Juan Viatoro was 3-5 with a 2-run double. Unfortunately Duran was injured on his bases-clearing double and will miss six weeks after tearing ligaments in his ankle. Bob Riley (3-1) made a successful return from the IL, going 5.2 7 4 2 1 5.

May 14: Placed OF Alex Duran on the 10-day IL with torn ankle ligaments, recalled OF C.J. Yamaguchi from AAA Durham.

Yamaguchi was acquired the winter before last but ended up missing just about all of 2049 with a torn back muscle after playing only 15 games at Durham. He has a serious bat with 70 contact and 60 power and was hitting 333/406/544 with the Bulls this year, but is an atrocious fielder. He'll take some of Duran's DH at-bats with Yuji Morioka getting back into the lineup some as well. Speaking of Morioka, OSA downgraded his SS rating to 20(!) while our scout still has him at a poor 35 which is really unplayable at the position. Ismael Morales has already pretty much taken over as the full-time SS.

Game 2: Nelson Bocardo had one of the best games of his career, getting 5 hits including the winning homer in the 11th (#3) to lead the Rays to a 6-5 win over the Tigers. Bocardo's RBI single had given them a 5-4 lead in the 6th before Detroit equalized against Nicola Greico, who finished 6 7 5 5 1 4. Steve Talbott (2-1) put in a 3-inning outing and saved his own win, allowing only one hit and fanning 3.

Game 3: The Rays couldn't pull off the sweep as after they came back from being down 3-0 to tie it up, Detroit answered back and took a 6-3 win. Steve Morris (0-1) struggled again in his second start in the rotation at 5 9 5 4 0 0. Mario Saro was 2-4 with an RBI as the only hitter of note.

Team record: 26-16. With the Yankees sweeping Oklahoma City the Rays have dropped outright in the 2nd, a game back and two in the loss column. Next up: Back home for 3 against the White Sox.

May 16-18, 2050: vs Chicago White Sox (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays fell just short in the opener, coming back from 4-0 down but losing 5-4 to the White Sox at Publix Park. Melvin Delgado (4-4) had a rough start going 4 6 4 4 2 2 but it was an unearned run off Willie Navarro in the 9th that proved the difference. Jon Morales was 3-5 with 2 RBI to lead the offense, which had the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the 9th but couldn't get him home.

Game 2: Another one of those games again as the Rays once more won by a football score, 16-9 over Chicago. Dave Rose was hit hard (4 7 6 6 3 2) and they trailed 6-3, but 7 runs in the 5th and 6th put them ahead for good. Nelson Bocardo, not far removed from a 5-hit game, was the star again today driving in 6 on a grand slam (#4) and a pair of singles, Luis Barela had a 3-run shot (#16) and Beau Bonczek was 3-4 with a double and 2 RBI. They also got homers from CJ Yamaguchi in his MLB debut, Juan Davila (#7) and Chris Kidd (#3). Joe Clark (2-1) got the win with two innings of scoreless relief and Steve Talbott actually picked up save #8 as he came in during the 8th when it was only 10-9.

Game 3: Another early deficit, another comeback and another high-scoring triumph as the Rays took the series with a 10-8 win. Bob Riley gave up a pair of 2-run homers in the 1st and finished a rough 4.2 8 6 6 2 1 as we got three terrible starts in this series. Jon Morales' 3-run homer (#8) was the big hit as it put the Rays up 9-7 in the 6th. Mario Saro had 4 hits including a pair of doubles and an RBI, CJ Yamaguchi impressed again going 3-5 with a double and 2 RBI as did Juan Viatoro. Mel Mejia (2-0) was the winner and Kevin Leonard recorded his 1st Rays save despite allowing a solo homer in the 9th.

Team record: 28-17. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay the Yankees swept a 4-game series with Toronto to open up a 2 1/2-game lead in the division. Next up: Those slumping Jays will visit for 3 games. Expect plenty of runs.

May 20-22, 2050: vs Toronto (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays kept up their winning ways by trouncing Toronto 10-2 in the opener at Publix Park. The red-hot Juan Viatoro led the way, going 3-4 with a grand slam (#5) while Beau Bonczek and Jon Morales contributed 2-run singles. They got some good pitching for a change from former Jay Nicola Grieco (3-0), who was 5 2 0 0 4 6.

Game 2: The second game was an exercise in frustration for the Rays as they left a ridiculous 18 men on base, blew the lead in both the 8th and 9th innings, yet still ended up winning 6-5 in 11. Steve Morris pitched by far his best game since joining the rotation and took a 3-0 lead into the 8th and left after putting on a man with one out. Chris Hetzel, who had been very reliable this year, put another on and then gave up a 3-run homer to let Toronto tie and Morris finished 7.1 3 1 1 2 4. But Jon Morales singled in a run in the bottom of the frame to put the Rays back up, only for Steve Talbott to then blow the save again in the 9th (and allow Toronto to take the lead) before Juan Viatoro tied it up with a solo shot (#6) in the bottom of the 9th and on to extras we went. Finally in the 11th Nelson Bocardo delivered a game-winning single, making a winner of Willie Navarro (1-0). The Rays had 28 baserunners but it took them 11 innings to score 6.

Game 3: The Rays completed their second straight series sweep with another bludgeoning of the Blue Jays 14-2. Juan Viatoro completed a monster weekend by going 3-5 with HR #7 and 3 RBI, giving him a homer in each game going 9-14 with 8 RBI total. Plenty other of his teammates joined in homer parade with Luis Barela hitting a 2-run shot (#17) in the first and then CJ Yamaguchi (now 8-17 since being recalled with 2 HR) and Mario Saro (#16) going deep in the second. Beau Bonczek was also 3-5 with a 2-run dinger (#6). Another former Jay got the win as Melvin Delgado (5-4) was a solid 6.2 9 2 2 2 2.

Team record: 31-17. We finally gained some ground but it took the Yankees finally losing on Sunday after winning 11 straight to allow us back within 1 1/2 games. Next up: Some interleague action with 3 games in Philadelphia.

In the least surprising awards news:

https://i.imgur.com/SlvBSZQ.png

May 23-25, 2050: at Philadelphia (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays came back from 5-1 down to even things up with the Phillies before succumbing in the end 9-5. Tampa Bay pitching was brutal with Dave Rose going 3.1 8 5 5 1 2 and Philadelphia getting 18 hits in total. Mike Bertram (2-2) took the loss. CJ Yamaguhi's 3-run in the 6th (#3) was the temporary equalizer and Jon Morales homered (#9) and drove in the other two runs.

Game 2: What happens when you marry a low-strikeout staff with the league's worst defense? 13 more runs and 17 more hits against in a 13-1 loss to the Phillies. Today it was the soft-tossing Bob Riley (3-2) who was thrown to the wolves and went 4 9 7 6 2 1. Philly's Javy Peco was 5-5 with 5 RBI and reigning NL MVP Zach Wells was 3-5 with 5 RBI.

May 25: Placed P Joe Clark on the 15-day IL with elbow tendinitis, recalled P Bill Ruiz from AAA Durham.

Clark will miss close to two months.

Game 3: The Rays did get some decent pitching for a change and salvaged the finale from the Phillies 10-3. Nicola Grieco has been their most consistent starter of late and he improved to 4-0 in 5 starts since coming over from Toronto, today going 5 6 3 3 3 2. Juan Davila had 2 doubles and a solo homer (#9) while Nelson Bocardo was 2-5 with a 3-run shot (#5) and Mario Saro stayed tied for the AL homer lead with a 3-run blast of his own (#17) to put the Rays ahead for good.

Team record: 32-19. The Yankees took 2 of 3 from Columbus so the Rays are 2 1/2 back now. Next up: An off-day then 3 games at Coors Field and it will be a small miracle if anyone scores in single digits in any of the games.

May 27-29, 2050: at Colorado (3)
 

Game 1: Your typical back-and-forth Coors Field affair with the Rays going up 3-0, falling behind 6-3, coming back to tie at 7 before finally losing 8-7 to the Rockies in the opener. Steve Morris looked good for 3 shutout innings before the wheels came off in the 4th, allowing 6 runs to finish 4 6 6 6 4 3. But homers from Jon Morales (#10) and Nelson Bocardo (#6) got Tampa Bay back in it and Ismael Morales' RBI single in the 8th tied it at 7 only for Chris Hetzel (1-2) to give up the winner in the bottom of the inning.

Game 2: Somehow this offense managed to get shut out at Coors Field as the Rockies romped 6-0. They did get 9 hits but couldn't string enough of them together, and once Colorado broke through against Melvin Delgado (5-5) with 4 in the 5th it was all over. Delgado went 4.1 7 6 6 4 3.

Game 3: Like the series in Philly the Rays managed to salvage the finale after losing the first two, overcoming a blown 6-1 lead to win 8-6. They put 6 on the board in the 5th on a 3-run Juan Davila shot (#9) and a 2-run Mario Saro single, but after Dave Rose left having thrown 110 pitches to go 5 4 1 1 4 5 the pen made a mess. Chris Hetzel gave up 3 runs and then Mel Mejia (3-0) gave up a 2-run homer in the 7th to let the Rockies equalize. But CJ Yamaguchi came off the bench and to the rescue with a 2-run single in the top of the 8th and we didn't fool around, having closer Steve Talbott go the final 2 innings for save #9.

Team record: 33-21. The Yankees took 2 of 3 again so we've dropped 3 1/2 out. Next up: After this tough road trip it'll be good to return for home cooking with 3 against the Cubs in a rematch of last year's World Series.

May 30-June 1, 2050: vs Chicago Cubs (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays were glad to be back at Publix Park and their performance showed it as the clubbed the Cubs 11-5, a game not even that close as Chicago scored 3 times in the 9th. Juan Davila was 3-3 with HR #10 and 4 runs scored, CJ Yamaguchi won't stop hitting as he was 4-5 with 2 RBI and Beau Bonczek had a double, 2-run single and 2-run homer (#7). Bob Riley (4-2) got back on the beam with a very Bob Riley-like 6 8 2 2 1 3 performance.

Game 2: Nikola Grieco continues to prove he was an inspired addition via trade as he pitched the Rays to another blowout win over the Cubs 9-1. Grieco had to pitch around a 62-minute rain delay which sapped his stamina a bit but he still went a dominating 7 2 1 1 0 9 on 74 pitches to improve to 5-0 as a Ray. Beau Bonczek had the big hit of the game, a grand slam (#8) to make it 6-0, and Mario Saro was 4-5 with HR #18 and 2 RBI.

We made a trade!

https://i.imgur.com/pkqBkYE.png

Despite a couple of good games we had to do something about the team's historically bad defense (and historically bad by the standards of my saves as well, which is saying something). To that end we simply went out and traded for the best defensive SS in the game in San Francisco's Henry Murillo. Despite being 36, he was leading MLB in ZR at the position with 11.4 already through two months and had a 24.4 ZR last season. The catch with him of course is that he can't hit worth a damn, he was at 162/238/269 this season and is a career 211/268/292 hitter. But with all the bats we have and the offense we generate we can afford to sacrifice a lineup spot. And the best part of it was that we able to move Yuji Morioka, who was brilliant for us over the previous 4 season since he came over from Japan (averaging 3.7 and 24 HR while playing excellent defense at 2B/SS) but cratered worse than perhaps any player I've ever seen who didn't have a serious injury, dropping to a 20(!) at SS and also seeing his contact tool drop to 40. Thankfully his track record gave him some trade value here but he was a liability I didn't even want to regularly play at DH. Martellini is a 30-year-old 1B at Durham who isn't bad and could be a second-division starter at the position but we have 1B out the wazoo.

Game 3: The bats went quiet and the Cubs took the finale 3-2 in Henry Murillo's debut at SS for the Rays. Steve Morris pitched well with better defense behind him (5.2 4 2 2 2 6) with the only runs allowed no defense could stop as they left the yard and then Chris Hetzel (1-3) allowed a solo shot in the 7th which proved to be the winner. Mario Saro's 2-run single in the 5th was the extent of the offense. Murillo was predictably 0-2, but he did draw a walk to keep the rally going in the 5th when both runs were scored and was pinch-hit for in the 9th with Beau Bonczek fanning to end the game.

Team record: 35-22. Unfortunately the Yankees are showing no signs of slowing down, taking 2 of 3 from Cincinnati and then winning on our off day Thursday to put their lead at 4 games. Next up: We head to Toronto for 3 games.

The league took note of Grieco:

https://i.imgur.com/vuWaqnq.png

June 3-5, 2050: at Toronto (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays opened their series in Toronto by shutting out the Jays 7-0. Melvin Delgado (6-5) wasn't overpowering but got the job done at 7 7 0 0 4 3 and had the benefit of 5 double plays behind him. Mario Saro was 3-5 including a homer (#19) to lead off the game while Henry Murillo, acquired for his glove, hit a solo shot for his first Rays homer. Meanwhile CJ Yamaguchi was 2-4 with a ribbie and is hitting .476 since being recalled.

Game 2: What is this new devilry? The Rays turned in their second straight shutout over the Jays 3-0 and it was a two-man effort. On the mound Dave Rose (3-4) was an excellent 8 5 0 0 1 6 and Steve Talbott took care of the 9th for save #10. And the offense was a one-man affair with Luis Barela going deep twice and driving in all 3 runs on a solo shot in the 4th and a 2-run blast in the 8th (#19) to give them some breathing room.

Game 3: It should have been a sweep but Steve Talbott couldn't hold a 7-4 lead in the 9th, loading the bases with nobody out and then giving up a walk-off grand slam to let Toronto take an 8-7 win. The Rays were up 6-1 after 3 led by Luis Barela's 2-run homer (#20) and #4 for CJ Yamaguchi (hitting a cool 468/510/787 in 47 AB). After Bob Riley who finished 7 8 4 1 1 1 left, Nelson Bocardo added an apparent insurance run with his solo homer (#7) in the 8th, his 3rd hit and 2nd RBI of the game. But Talbott's implosion meant they'd only take 2 of 3.

Team record: 37-23. The Yankees also took 2 of 3 so the division deficit remains at 4. Next up: 3 games in Oakland.

The 2050 Amateur Draft
 

https://i.imgur.com/6xMczXD.png

de Oca:

https://i.imgur.com/PiUmBcp.png

We have an organizational need for a SS as seen by our desperation move to acquire 36-year-old Henry Murillo after Yuji Morioka aged faster than the guy at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Now we have drafted Tony Loera and Nelson Corona high the last couple of years so there are some SS prospects in the pipeline but I couldn't pass up de Oca, who looks like the complete package and as a college guy may not be that far away. His defensive potential exceeds the other two, who are above-average defensively to start with, and even if the bat ends up 55/45 instead of 65/55 he'll be quite valuable.

Hendricks:

https://i.imgur.com/sS3Wfu2.png

Nominally a catcher, Hendricks' best position appears to be "bat". But that's quite a potential bat, and if he can fake it at catcher he could be useful backing up the position while playing mostly 1B/DH. It worked for Carlos Delgado.

Fennell:

https://i.imgur.com/qz4cqcl.png

Hendricks aside, we're drafting with an eye on defense and the polished college product Fennell looks like an excellent OF who can play CF and has a broad-based offensive skill set as well.

Bush:

https://i.imgur.com/7Q501ZO.png

Luis Barela (35) isn't going to be around forever, so we'll need to have a replacement lined up. Perhaps it will be de Oca or one of the other SS/3B types we've drafted recently but potentially Bush could be a replacement bat-wise for Barela based on those ratings above. It will be a while though as he's only 18.

Granqvist:

https://i.imgur.com/asLMgXX.png

He seems like a nice pull in the 5th round as he'd be a perennial All-Star if he maxed out those ratings. Odds are I'll get a player development report next year with those potential ratings decreasing, but in case I don't Granqvist could be a steal.

June 6-8, 2050: at Oakland (3)
 

Game 1: Nicola Grieco continued his run of brilliance as the Rays handled the A's 6-1 at Oakland Coliseum. The lefty went to 6-0 with Tampa Bay and 9-0 overall after a 7 3 1 1 0 7 gem and he was amply supported, with Beau Bonczek drilling a 2-run homer (#9) and Nelson Bocardo and Juan Davila each contributing 2 hits and an RBI.

Game 2: Pitching was the name of the game again in Oakland as the Rays edged the A's 2-1 behind a fine Steve Morris start. The converted reliever improved to 1-1 thanks to a 7 3 0 0 3 5 outing. Mel Mejia coughed up a run in the 8th but Steve Talbott pitched around a leadoff double in the 9th to secure save #11. It wasn't exactly the offense's finest hour but they did enough to score twice on a wild pitch and a bases-loaded HBP.

Game 3: The Rays dropped the finale when they let a 2-2 game get away from them in the 7th as Oakland prevailed 6-2. They trailed 2-0 before Beau Bonczek bashed a 2-run shot (#10) in the 5th but Melvin Delgado (6-6) ran out of gas in the 7th, allowing 3 runs to finish 6.2 7 5 5 1 2.

Team record: 39-24. Despite winning the series against Oakland the Rays dropped farther behind the Yankees as New York swept Boston and is now 44-19, 5 games up. Next up: An off-day then we head east to Houston for 3 games.

June 9-11, 2050: at Houston (3)
 

Game 1: The bats were held to 3 hits as the Rays dropped the opener to the Astros 4-1 at Minute Maid Park. Beau Bonczek's solo homer (#11) in the 8th averted a shutout, but that was about it. Dave Rose (3-5) was let down by his defense (3 errors behind him) and went 5 5 4 2 3 5.

Game 2: Houston pitching once again stifled the Rays offense as they beat Tampa Bay 3-2. Solo homers from Jon Morales (#11) and Ruben Ramirez (#5) had them at 2-2 through 7, but the Astros broke through against Mel Mejia (3-1) in the 8th for the winner after Bob Riley was a solid 6 10 2 2 0 2. It was an exercise in frustration as the Rays loaded the bases with nobody out in the 9th against their former closer Steve Falcon, but a force at the plate and two strikeouts meant they were losers again.

Game 3: A lost weekend in Texas as Houston took the finale 5-2 and Nikola Grieco's cloak of invincibility was breached. The lefty lost his first game of the season in his poorest performance (3.2 6 4 4 4 2) and once again the offense wasn't there to pick him up with Ruben Ramirez's 6th homer the only highlight of the day. Coupled with a Yankee sweep of Baltimore the Rays are now a whopping 8 games off the division lead as their 28-year run as AL East champions is in serious danger of ending as I'm hard-pressed to recall them being this far out at any time in that period.

Team record: 39-27. The good news is that they're in the first wild card spot, 4 games up on the third place team. The bad news is that we're still playing under the pre-2022 rules of a single wild card game. Next up: Back home for 3 vs Boston.

June 13-15, 2050: vs Boston (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays edged Boston 3-2 on a trio of solo homers and a fine Steve Morris outing to get back in the win column. Mario Saro led off the game with HR #20 and Jon Morales followed a couple of batters later, and after the Sox tied it at 2 Morales went deep again for #13 in the 6th for the winner. Morris (2-1) was 7 4 2 2 0 4 and Steve Talbott had a perfect 9th for his 12th save.

Game 2: Tampa Bay pulled off a classic Publix Park rout, scoring 4 times in the first on their way to an 11-1 blasting of Boston. Ruben Ramirez's 3-run shot (#7) highlighted that first inning and Jon Morales capped a 3-hit, 4-RBI with a solo shot (#14), his third homer in two games while Mario Saro tripled and drove in a pair. Melvin Delgado (7-6) was in his rocking chair all game, going 7 4 1 1 4 5 for the win.

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep, scoring 8 times with 2 out in the 6th to erase an early deficit and win 8-4. They began the decisive inning by loading the bases with nobody out but the next two batters hit shallow fly balls which couldn't bring anyone home. Then Ismael Morales, getting a start for Henry Murillo and his .136 bat, lined a 2-run single, Mario Saro singled home the equalizer, Nelson Bocardo hit another 2-run single to put them ahead and then Luis Barela put the cherry on top with a 3-run homer, his AL-best 21st. The inning turned Dave Rose (4-5) from loser to winner as he finished 7 5 4 4 1 9.

Team record: 42-27. So what did the Rays' sweep get them in terms of the standings? Nothing, nada, zilch as the Yankees made it 11 straight wins by sweeping Toronto and staying 8 games up. Next up: We finally get to do something about the division deficit as those Yankees visit for 3 games and even though it's mid-June a sweep might be necessary. No pressure, guys.

June 17-19, 2050: vs NY Yankees (3)
 

Game 1: The opener summed up 2050 so far as the Yankees easily handled the Rays 7-2 at Publix Park to open up a 9-game division lead. Tampa Bay pitching was battered for 18 hits including 5 from Alex Barnes, leading MLB at .392. Bob Riley (4-3) was 5 8 5 5 0 5 to lead a parade of hit-yielding hurlers and Luis Barela's 4th-inning solo homer (#22) was the lone highlight.

Game 2: The Rays got even with New York thanks to a 5-2 win. Nikola Greico has become the de facto ace of the staff, going an excellent 6 5 2 2 3 9 although he didn't get the win as it wasn't until Mario Saro's solo homer in the bottom of the 7th (#21) that the Rays went up 3-2. They tacked on two more in the 8th and Willie Navarro (1-0) picked up the win with Steve Talbott notching a 2-inning save (#13) showing the importance of the game. Jon Morales had HR #15 in the first inning.

Game 3: A back-and-forth affair in a typical Publix Park slugfest saw the Rays come out on top 12-7 to at least shave a game off the Yankee lead at the end of the weekend. Steve Morris pitched decently (5 6 3 3 1 6) and Tampa Bay held a 5-3 lead after 6 before Chris Hetzel and Mel Mejia let it get away in the top of the 7th as New York scored 4 to go up 7-5. But the offense came through in the bottom of the 8th, scoring 7 times including 5 runs before the Yankees recorded an out. Mario Saro's 2-run double broke the 7-7 tie while Beau Bonczek, Luis Barela and Henry Murillo also each knocked in a pair with Barela's coming on a 2-run homer (#23) to cap that 8th. Bill Ruiz (1-0) got the pen out of a jam in the top of the 8th and stayed on for the win.

Team record: 44-28. Next up: Baltimore visits for 4 games.

June 20-23, 2050: vs Baltimore (4)
 

Game 1: The Rays put 5 on the board in the first 3 innings and coasted to a 7-3 win over the Orioles in their series opener at Publix Park. C.J. Yamaguchi (hitting a cool .431) broke the game open with a 3-run homer (#5) in the 3rd and Beau Bonczek drove in a pair including a solo homer (#12). Melvin Delgado (8-6) was solid in the win, going 6.2 2 3 3 3 7 and Kevin Leonard went the final 2 1/3 for his 2nd save.

Game 2: A tough loss for the Rays as they blew the lead in the 9th, tied it in the bottom of the inning but ended up losing in the 12th 6-5 to Baltimore. The defense and pitching was poor as they allowed 19 hits in the 12 innings and they only had 8 hits of their own, although 2 of them were homers including a 3-run Luis Barela shot (#23) in the 1st and a Juan Davila solo blast (#11). Dave Rose was a decent 6.2 9 3 3 2 8 and they look a 4-3 lead into the 9th but Steve Talbott blew it with help of a Juan Davila error before they tied the score on a wild pitch in the 9th but failed to get another man home from 2nd with 1 out in the inning. Willie Navarro (2-1) was then nicked for a run in the 12th and in the bottom of the inning Juan Viatoro was thrown out at the plate to end the game.

Game 3: The Rays turned the tables on Baltimore, coming from behind late to take a 6-5 win. After Henry Murillo tied the game at 5 with an RBI single in the 6th, Mario Saro singled in the winner in the bottom of the 8th. Nelson Bocardo and Jon Morales each had 3 hits and an RBI with Bocardo hitting HR #8 and although Bob Riley had a rough outing at 5 9 5 4 0 4 the bullpen was great over the final 4 innings with Mel Mejia (4-1) getting the win after going the final 2 1/3.

June 23: Optioned P Bill Ruiz to AAA Durham, activated P Tim James from his rehab assignment; sent P Greg Bookhart on a rehab assignment to AAA Durham.

Ruiz pitched well in his stint but James' rehab time was up, and it will nice to get Bookhart back after 2-3 rehab starts.

Game 4: Nikola Grieco was dazzling once again and the Rays hung on to take 3 of 4 in the series with a 5-4 win. The lefty improved to 7-1 with the Rays and 10-1 overall after a 7 3 0 0 1 4 outing and after Willie Navarro pitched a clean 8th and the lead expanded to 5-0, Tim James was given a chance and he promptly loaded the bases with Steve Talbott brought on. Talbott gave up a fielder's choice to score a run and then a 3-run homer that cut the lead to 1 but he got the final out for a shaky save #14. Beau Bonczek had a 2-run double and Jon Morales doubled, tripled and drove in a run.

Team record: 47-29. The Yankees took 2 of 3 and had an off-day so the Rays picked up 1/2 game and trail in the division by 6 1/2. Next up: 3 games in Toronto.

June 24-26, 2050: at Toronto (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays broke open a 5-4 game with a 5-run 6th and went on easily handle the Jays 11-4 in their opener at Rogers Centre. C.J. Yamaguchi remains a sensation, going 4-4 with a 2-run homer (#6) to start the scoring in that 5th inning and he's now 437/495/701 with 1.5 WAR earned in only 97 AB. Beau Bonczek followed with a 3-run shot (#13, and what a signing he's been with 2.7 WAR already earned about halfway through the year). Mario Saro's MVP-style season also continued apace as he homered twice, including to lead off the game, and drove in 3 to give him 23 and 64 which are near the league lead. His 64 RBI are remarkable considering he usually leads off. And Luis Barela took over the MLB lead with his 25th homer. Steve Morris (3-1) struggled early but got into a groove, going 7 8 4 4 2 1 for the win.

Game 2: Another comfortable win for the Rays as they got the better of Toronto again 7-1. Melvin Delgado (9-6) owned his former team to the tune of 7 7 1 1 1 3 today and a trio of homers provided the Tampa Bay scoring. Mario Saro made it 3 in 2 games with a 3-run jack (#24), Ruben Ramirez also went yard with a pair on for #8, and Juan Viatoro added a solo shot (#8).

Game 3: The Rays fell short in their attempt to sweep the Jays, losing the finale 5-4. All the scoring took place in the first four innings with Dave Rose (4-6) being roughed up a bit and not helped by his defense with 3 unearned runs allowed in a 6 8 5 2 0 9 outing. Beau Bonczek had a 3-run homer (#14) and Jon Morales added a solo shot (#16) as homers accounted for all the Rays scoring for the second straight day but they needed at least one more.

Team record: 49-30. The Yankees also took 2 of 3 so the Rays remain 6 1/2 behind. Next up: Off to the south side of Chicago for 3 against the White Sox. The perennial contending Pale Hose find themselves struggling this year at 40-39, third in the Central.

June 27-29, 2050: at Chicago White Sox (3)
 

Game 1: The Rays were held to 2 hits until the 9th inning and lost 5-2 to the White Sox in the opener. Luis Barela's 2-run homer (#26) averted a shutout and Bob Riley (4-4) wasn't very good at 5.1 7 4 4 2 1.

Game 2: Another loss to the White Sox, this time 6-3. Even Nikola Grieco (7-2) couldn't get it done at 4 8 5 5 1 6.

Game 3: Groundhog day in Chicago as the White Sox won by 3 runs to sweep the series 7-4. A rough ride for Steve Morris (3-2) at 3.2 6 5 5 3 3 with 3 homers allowed as he should be departing the rotation for Greg Bookhart next turn. Luis Barela was 3-3 with a double and 2 RBI.

Team record: 49-33. This 3-day period will likely mark the time when the division was truly lost, as the Yankees swept Toronto and opened up a 9 1/2 game lead as we reach the halfway mark of the season.

2050 Midseason Review
 

Now is the summer of our discontent as this is shaping up to be the worst Rays team in this save in many years. The last squad not to win 110 games was the 2040 edition at 108, and the last not to win 100 games (we're on pace for 98) was the 2025 team at 96, although they won the Series. And of course the 28-year division-winning streak is all but over with the Yankees up 9 1/2 games. We're still in good shape for a wild card but even that's not guaranteed at the moment, and we're still playing by the 2020 rules of a single-game wild card playoff.

https://i.imgur.com/S4naQim.png

https://i.imgur.com/zDFdFvx.png

The offense is great as usual (although it seems to go AWOL at times on the road, hence our losing record there), but man oh man the pitching and defense. Truly the worst we've had and the reason why we're 9 1/2 out (that, and the Yankees are unconscious). The big problem is this is not a high-strikeout staff and that combined with a lousy defense is a prescription for disaster. In years previous our pitchers got enough whiffs to overcome the bad D but this year way too many balls are being put into play. The Henry Murillo acquisition hasn't helped that much as Murillo has not been the wizard he was in SF (1.1 ZR in 25 games since joining us after 11.2 in 53 games there) and combined with his noodle of a bat he has -0.2 WAR.

https://i.imgur.com/Nvy2Wel.png

Not much to complain about here, although Jon Morales has taken quite a step back from his MVP rookie season last year, on pace for 4 WAR but that's about half of what he earned in 2049.

https://i.imgur.com/vob8Djr.png

Ugh, those BABIPs and hits allowed. It'll be good to get Greg Bookhart back and I'll try and make some trades but this offseason I'm going to have to take a hard look at which hitters with poor gloves should be moved.

July 1-3, 2050: vs Boston (3)
 

A trade!

https://i.imgur.com/YA76V68.png

McInerney is a well-traveled lefty and the Rays will be his sixth club since 2047 after he spent the early part of his career in Cincinnati. He's a decent (55/65/50) rated pitcher and will get a chance to start here, although at whose expense remains to be seen as Greg Bookhart's return is imminent. Ackerman isn't much of a prospect.

July 1: Designated P Chad Gardner for assignment, optioned OF/IF Tony Olivo to AAA Durham, activated OF Alex Duran from his rehab assignment.

Game 1: The Rays scored three times in the first and it looked like it would be the usual home cooking at Publix Park, but that turned out to be all they'd get and when you're going bad, you're going bad and they eventually lost 5-3 to Boston in 12 innings to make it 5 straight losses. Melvin Delgado was pretty good in his start (6 9 1 1 0 4) but Steve Talbott blew the 3-1 lead by giving up 2 runs on 4 hits in the 9th. Then in the 12th with the bases loaded and one out for Boston, a shallow fly ball which wouldn't have scored a run was dropped by Beau Bonczek and Boston added another sac fly with Kevin Leonard (0-1) taking the loss.

Game 2: Tampa Bay finally snapped out of it and snapped its losing streak by beating Boston 9-4. Mario Saro led the hit parade by going 4-5 with HR #25 and 3 RBI, Juan Viatoro added a 3-run shot (#9) and three other Rays homered: Jon Morales (#17), Alex Duran (#10) and Beau Bonczek (#15). Dave Rose (5-6) was a solid 7 6 3 3 1 4 and Jose Morales picked up his first save of the year by going the final two innings.

Game 3: Alec McInerney won his Rays debut as Tampa Bay took the series with an 8-4 triumph in the finale. The lefty was an impressive 5.2 5 1 1 3 6 and had ample support as Luis Barela was 3-4 with HR #27 and Jon Morales had a 2-run shot for the second straight day (#18). Even the light-hitting Henry Murillo was 2-2 with a walk and a sac fly.

Team record: 51-34. The Yankees actually lost a game so no divisional ground lost but the deficit is still a daunting 9 1/2 games although we're 6 1/2 up in the first wild card.