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Art Deco · 02-13-2024, 09:15 AM

Game 1: The Rays scored early and often in routing the Cubs 12-1 to open up their 3-game set at Publix Park. Nesty de la Rosa and Luis Barela both went 3 for 3, with Nesty homering (#15) and driving in 2 while Barela cleared the bases with a double as part of a 4-RBI day. Also going yard were Alex Brown (#7), Cameron Holly (#1) and Jesus Avalos (#29). Coasting with the support was Manny Cervantes, now with two wins in two starts since coming over in a trade after an excellent 6 6 1 1 1 9 outing.

Game 2: The bullpen and the bats let Tampa Bay down in the middle game as a 2-1 lead after 6 turned into a 5-3 loss to Chicago. Randy Mastropietro was sharp at 6 5 1 1 0 6 and gave way to Chris Hetzel (1-1) in the 7th, who proceeded to allow 4 runs (all unearned due to a Dantel Chinchilla error but still). Jesus Avalos had a 3-hit game but that was about it on offense.

Game 3: The Rays blew another late lead thanks to shaky bullpen work, forcing them to play 6 additional innings before Jesus Avalos' second 2-run homer of the day let them walk off a 7-5 win in 15 to take the series from the Cubs. Avalos' first 2-run shot and a 2-run tater from Josh Abney, his first as a Ray and 5th overall, staked them to a 5-1 lead with Ben Hilton in cruise control. The righty couldn't quite pull off his 4th straight double-digit strikeout start but came close at 7.1 5 2 2 0 9 and was deprived of a win when Mario Berumen gave up a grand slam in the 8th to let Chicago tie it up. We went on and on from there with the Cubs having the best chances to score in extras but failing and finally Avalos stepped up and solidified his MVP credentials with his walk-off blast (#31). The third-year CF leads MLB with a 1.035 OPS and has an AL-best 6.0 WAR to date. Steve Cleland (2-0) picked up the relief win.

Team record: 64-45, now 6 up on LA for the first wild card and seemingly spending the next couple of months preparing for a 1-game winner-take-all wild card game. Next up: A day off to make the longest road trip in MLB to Seattle for 3 games.

02-13-2024, 09:15 AM	#2646
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,692	August 3-5, 2024: vs Chicago Cubs (3) Game 1: The Rays scored early and often in routing the Cubs 12-1 to open up their 3-game set at Publix Park. Nesty de la Rosa and Luis Barela both went 3 for 3, with Nesty homering (#15) and driving in 2 while Barela cleared the bases with a double as part of a 4-RBI day. Also going yard were Alex Brown (#7), Cameron Holly (#1) and Jesus Avalos (#29). Coasting with the support was Manny Cervantes, now with two wins in two starts since coming over in a trade after an excellent 6 6 1 1 1 9 outing. Game 2: The bullpen and the bats let Tampa Bay down in the middle game as a 2-1 lead after 6 turned into a 5-3 loss to Chicago. Randy Mastropietro was sharp at 6 5 1 1 0 6 and gave way to Chris Hetzel (1-1) in the 7th, who proceeded to allow 4 runs (all unearned due to a Dantel Chinchilla error but still). Jesus Avalos had a 3-hit game but that was about it on offense. Game 3: The Rays blew another late lead thanks to shaky bullpen work, forcing them to play 6 additional innings before Jesus Avalos' second 2-run homer of the day let them walk off a 7-5 win in 15 to take the series from the Cubs. Avalos' first 2-run shot and a 2-run tater from Josh Abney, his first as a Ray and 5th overall, staked them to a 5-1 lead with Ben Hilton in cruise control. The righty couldn't quite pull off his 4th straight double-digit strikeout start but came close at 7.1 5 2 2 0 9 and was deprived of a win when Mario Berumen gave up a grand slam in the 8th to let Chicago tie it up. We went on and on from there with the Cubs having the best chances to score in extras but failing and finally Avalos stepped up and solidified his MVP credentials with his walk-off blast (#31). The third-year CF leads MLB with a 1.035 OPS and has an AL-best 6.0 WAR to date. Steve Cleland (2-0) picked up the relief win. Team record: 64-45, now 6 up on LA for the first wild card and seemingly spending the next couple of months preparing for a 1-game winner-take-all wild card game. Next up: A day off to make the longest road trip in MLB to Seattle for 3 games.