Game 1: It looked like the typical Publix Park Rays game - fall behind by multiple runs early then storm back for a win - except the bullpen didn't get the memo and allowed 7 runs in the final two innings to turn a 7-3 win into a 10-7 loss to the Twins. First in the 8th it was Jose Morales, who had been very good this year, failing to retire anyone and allowing three runs and then Abelaldo Gray gave up the tying run. Then Willie Minier (1-2) gave up an RBI triple to former Ray Josh Richardson and a 2-run homer and the defeat was complete. Before all that the Rays overcame the early deficit on a bases-clearing double by the insanely hot Alex Duran and went ahead a Yuji Morioka grand slam (#8). Bob Riley started and went 5.2 7 3 3 0 5, giving up a rare 3-run homer in the 1st.
Game 2: The Rays avenged yesterday's loss with a 9-2 shellacking of Minnesota, keyed by a 5-run 4th. Alex Duran (who else?) had an RBI double and then Akio Suzuki picked a good time for his first MLB homer, poking a 3-run shot to LF. We also had another Crater Tater from Kevin (#18) and Duran ended up with a 3-hit day. Gordie Ager (6-2) was decent against his old club, going 5.1 8 2 2 0 6 for the win and Chris O'Brien went an impressive 3 1 0 0 0 6 to finish the game for his first save.
Game 3: Tampa Bay laid the lumber on Minnesota once again in a 10-5 win at Publix Park. Seth Williams had a massive day, leading off the game with a double and then adding a 3-run inside-the-park homer in the 2nd (#9) and finished with a 4-5, 4-RBI game. Three other Rays homered: Luis Barela (#12), a 2-run shot, Yuji Morioka (#9), also with a man on, and a solo homer from Kevin Crater (#19). Doug Johns snapped out of a mini-slump, going 4-5 with an RBI as well. Caleb Ramos also got to start against his old team, and was barely adequate once again, improving to 6-3 with a lousy 5 9 5 5 1 1 outing.
Game 4: The bullpen faltered yet again in the finale but this time the Rays were able to overcome it in a 6-4 walk-off win in 10 innings to take 3 of 4 from the Twins. Satoshi Sato's sudden penchant for giving up homers is concerning as he surrendered a 2-run blast in the 8th to let Minnesota tie the game at 4 and he's coughed up 5 homers over his last 10 appearances covering only 7 innings. He may get shifted back to middle relief and Jose Morales could replace him as the late-inning lefty until Sato straightens himself out. Josh Schwartzlow was the hero today with his 2-run shot in the 10th to win it, his first homer since being recalled. Before that Greg Bookhart turned in a fine start (6 4 2 1 1 5) but Sato cost him the win. Luis Barela had a 3-run homer (#13) in the first.
Team record: 42-15. Next up: An off-day then we head to Cleveland for 3 games. The Amateur Draft is also on Tuesday the 4th.
Not only was Alex Duran named Player of the Week for this past seven days, he was named this:
Also earning monthly honors:
Rodriguez was up last September and may contend for the 1B job next year when Seth Williams departs for free agency.