The opening day box...
Ugh. The more things change, as they say. The new-and-improved run prevention was nothing of the sort as the bullpen blew not one, not two, but three leads from the 9th inning onward to lose the season opener in Baltimore. Just like last year, Dave Rose couldn't keep the ball in the park. Just like last year, Steve Talbott couldn't have a save situation he didn't blow, and just like last year the pitching and defense gave up a ton of hits (17 in 12 innings). The new guys weren't the problem: David Morales doubled twice including the go-ahead run in the 8th, Jon McGovern had a steal and an RBI, and Dantel Chinchilla hit a 2-run homer in the 12th to give us a 10-8 lead. No, instead it was same old culprits that led to the loss.
Transaction: Brad Mabe was claimed on waivers by Minnesota. Sadly we lost the one guy I was afraid of losing from the batch we put on waivers.
Game 2: The Rays nabbed their first win of 2051, holding on to beat Baltimore 6-5. Juan Davila hit his first two homers of the year, driving in 3, Beau Bonczek had a solo shot and Luis Barela smashed a 2-run blast to supply the runs. Rex Bransington (1-0) wasn't spectacular, but good enough at 5 5 3 3 3 4 and Steve Talbott got the save this time but not without allowing a homer in the 9th.
Game 3: Unbelievable. Chad Winger made an impressive Rays debut by going 7 5 1 1 3 3 and surely the bullpen could protect a 4-1 lead after 7, right? Right? Nope. Mel Mejia gave up 2 runs in the 8th and with Steve Talbott unavailable Willie Navarro (0-1) did his best Talbott impersonation and gave up a 3-run homer to let Baltimore walk off a 6-4 win. Before the meltdown Juan Davila led the offense with a 2-run homer, his third in two games.
Game 4: No bullpen problems in the finale and that's because the Rays were blown out 8-0 by Baltimore. Steve Morris (0-1) was rocked at 2.2 9 6 4 0 1 and the bats were held to a mere three hits.
Team record: 1-3. And we're already 3 games behind the Yankees, who swept their 4-game series with Boston including a beatdown of former Rays ace Greg Bookhart in his Red Sox debut. Next up: Off to Toronto for 3 games.