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Art Deco · 10-08-2021, 08:42 AM

Game 1: The Rays continue to struggle down the stretch with their bullpen as a 4-3 lead in the 7th became a 10-7 loss. Today's culprit was Jeff Reece, who allowed 7 runs in the 7th (he was left in a bit longer given the mostly tired pen) and has now allowed 12 runs in his last 4 outings. The meltdown offset a fine game from Jaiden Hardaway, who homered to lead off the game and then homered again in the 7th with a man on to put the Rays briefly ahead, giving him 28 HR, 93 RBI, a .381 BA and 11.2 WAR on the season. Jon Jimenez had a 3-run HR in the 9th (#28) to bring the Rays a bit closer. Danny Romero had a decent start, going 6 7 3 2 2 5 and finishes the year 21-3, 3.55. We'll see him next in Game 1 of the ALDS against either this team or Toronto.

Playoff race update: The Rockies lost but so did the Padres, so now Colorado is 2 up with 2 games left. Also pretty much decided is the wild card, as the Phillies were shut out by the Mets. That coupled with Milwaukee's win over the Rockies clinches the Brewers a wild card, and the Reds are 2 up on Philly with 2 games left as well. What I didn't notice is that the Cubs have lost 5 straight, so after assuming they won the Central they're only 2 up on Milwaukee with 2 games left.

Notable retirements: Gleyber Torres, 4th on the all-time HR list with 724, retired after failing to catch on with a big-league club this season. The Yankees will retire #25 in his honor. Kumar Rocker and Druw Jones, who had notable careers, also both hung up the cleats.

Game 2: The Rays' malaise continues as they were whupped 8-2 by Texas, their fourth straight loss. They've now allowed 40 runs in their last 4 games as their pitching has seemed to tire down the stretch, not a good sign going into the playoffs. Josh Carsello cruised through the first 4 with a 1-0 lead but the wheels came off in the 5th as Texas put 6 on the board, so his 4.1 6 6 5 4 4 line means he finishes with a 13-7, 4.34 in his final regular season with the Rays as he's a free agent this winter. Several reserves dotted the lineup, and as a result the Rays only managed 3 hits with all of them coming from Daniel Vasquez, one of which was his 30th HR. In fact Vasquez was such a one-man offense that only two other Rays even reached: Daniel Malone with a walk and Kevin Morley on an HBP.

Playoff race update: The Rockies backed into the NL West title, losing 16-12 at Coors to Milwaukee while the Padres lost as well. Cincinnati clinched the second wild card with a win, but the surprise race still alive is in the NL Central as the Cubs dropped their 6th straight. With the Brewers' win, Milwaukee is suddenly only one game behind with one to go, so a playoff for the division could be forced.

Game 3: The bullpen faltered once again and the Rays fell 4-3 to Texas in the regular season finale, dropping their fifth straight game going into the playoffs. Bo Angeac's homer in the top of the 8th (#25) gave the Rays a 3-2 lead but Mike Wherry's woes continued as he gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the inning to give the Rangers the win. Jim Gebers closed out his great regular season with a 2-run HR (#34) in the 6th to get Tampa Bay on the board, and Jose Mendoza had his usual wild ride going 5 2 2 2 6 5 with one of the hits a costly 2-run homer to baseball's best hitter not playing for the Rays, Edgar Medina. It was encouraging to see scoreless innings from Chris Toombs and Ken Burgess though.

Final Regular Season Record: 119-43. Next up: The ALDS against either these Rangers or the Blue Jays, both of whom are tough matchups thanks to their predominantly righty-hitting lineups and our lefty-heavy rotation. The Ron Adams and Nate Thompson injuries could prove critical.

Playoff race update: Unlike the Rays, the Cubs arrested their season-ending slide with an extra-inning win over Cincinnati to secure the NL Central at the last possible moment.

10-08-2021, 08:42 AM	#1349
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,421	October 1-3, 2038: at Texas (3) Game 1: The Rays continue to struggle down the stretch with their bullpen as a 4-3 lead in the 7th became a 10-7 loss. Today's culprit was Jeff Reece, who allowed 7 runs in the 7th (he was left in a bit longer given the mostly tired pen) and has now allowed 12 runs in his last 4 outings. The meltdown offset a fine game from Jaiden Hardaway, who homered to lead off the game and then homered again in the 7th with a man on to put the Rays briefly ahead, giving him 28 HR, 93 RBI, a .381 BA and 11.2 WAR on the season. Jon Jimenez had a 3-run HR in the 9th (#28) to bring the Rays a bit closer. Danny Romero had a decent start, going 6 7 3 2 2 5 and finishes the year 21-3, 3.55. We'll see him next in Game 1 of the ALDS against either this team or Toronto. Playoff race update: The Rockies lost but so did the Padres, so now Colorado is 2 up with 2 games left. Also pretty much decided is the wild card, as the Phillies were shut out by the Mets. That coupled with Milwaukee's win over the Rockies clinches the Brewers a wild card, and the Reds are 2 up on Philly with 2 games left as well. What I didn't notice is that the Cubs have lost 5 straight, so after assuming they won the Central they're only 2 up on Milwaukee with 2 games left. Notable retirements: Gleyber Torres, 4th on the all-time HR list with 724, retired after failing to catch on with a big-league club this season. The Yankees will retire #25 in his honor. Kumar Rocker and Druw Jones, who had notable careers, also both hung up the cleats. Game 2: The Rays' malaise continues as they were whupped 8-2 by Texas, their fourth straight loss. They've now allowed 40 runs in their last 4 games as their pitching has seemed to tire down the stretch, not a good sign going into the playoffs. Josh Carsello cruised through the first 4 with a 1-0 lead but the wheels came off in the 5th as Texas put 6 on the board, so his 4.1 6 6 5 4 4 line means he finishes with a 13-7, 4.34 in his final regular season with the Rays as he's a free agent this winter. Several reserves dotted the lineup, and as a result the Rays only managed 3 hits with all of them coming from Daniel Vasquez, one of which was his 30th HR. In fact Vasquez was such a one-man offense that only two other Rays even reached: Daniel Malone with a walk and Kevin Morley on an HBP. Playoff race update: The Rockies backed into the NL West title, losing 16-12 at Coors to Milwaukee while the Padres lost as well. Cincinnati clinched the second wild card with a win, but the surprise race still alive is in the NL Central as the Cubs dropped their 6th straight. With the Brewers' win, Milwaukee is suddenly only one game behind with one to go, so a playoff for the division could be forced. Game 3: The bullpen faltered once again and the Rays fell 4-3 to Texas in the regular season finale, dropping their fifth straight game going into the playoffs. Bo Angeac's homer in the top of the 8th (#25) gave the Rays a 3-2 lead but Mike Wherry's woes continued as he gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the inning to give the Rangers the win. Jim Gebers closed out his great regular season with a 2-run HR (#34) in the 6th to get Tampa Bay on the board, and Jose Mendoza had his usual wild ride going 5 2 2 2 6 5 with one of the hits a costly 2-run homer to baseball's best hitter not playing for the Rays, Edgar Medina. It was encouraging to see scoreless innings from Chris Toombs and Ken Burgess though. Final Regular Season Record: 119-43. Next up: The ALDS against either these Rangers or the Blue Jays, both of whom are tough matchups thanks to their predominantly righty-hitting lineups and our lefty-heavy rotation. The Ron Adams and Nate Thompson injuries could prove critical. Playoff race update: Unlike the Rays, the Cubs arrested their season-ending slide with an extra-inning win over Cincinnati to secure the NL Central at the last possible moment. Last edited by Art Deco; 10-08-2021 at 11:54 AM.