The Raysaissance continues as Tampa Bay went into Yankee Stadium and swept New York to grab a share of first place and make it 8 straight wins.
Luis Berumen supplied the offense and
Joe Scheu pitched his best game of 2037 as the Rays topped the Yanks 3-1 in the opener. Berumen accounted for all three runs with a 2-run homer in the 4th and then added a solo shot (#10) in the 8th after New York pulled within a run. Scheu meanwhile was excellent at 6 5 0 0 1 3 to improve to 3-1 while
Jadon Smith also looked like his old self by fanning 3 in a scoreless 9th for save #9.
The Rays romped in the second game, handling the Yankees 8-2.
Tony Fisher's grand slam (#11) keyed a 5-run 3rd which broke it open, and
Joe Marlette (4-4) was back in fine form at 7 5 1 1 2 8. Fisher had 3 hits and
Agustin Lopez was 2-4 with a ribbie.
The one constant through this key series with the Yankees was excellent starting pitching from the Rays and
Mario Urizar was sharp as they completed the sweep with a 3-2 triumph. The offense was largely held in check managing only five hits, but two of them were homers: a 2-run
Tony Fisher shot (#12) and a solo blast from
Justin Blackwell (#6). That was enough for Urizar (4-4), who went 6.1 7 1 1 1 3 to help Tampa Bay to its 8th straight win.
Jadon Smith was shaky in the 9th, allowing a run and stranding two men, but held on for his 10th save.
Team record: 28-23, tied with Toronto atop the AL East, 1/2 game up on the Yankees and 1 up on Baltimore. Next up: A return home to play 3 against Boston, the poor sister of the division so far.
Not much doubt about this award:
