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:
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.