September 2: vs Minnesota 7-6 W. WP-Maton (4-4). S-Fairbanks (23). Starter-Bradley (4 4 3 3 3 4). HR-Caminero (13).
Parker Meadows had a nice game, going 2-3 with a walk, two steals, and two RBI including the winner in the 7th.
September 3: vs Minnesota 6-1 W. WP-Rasmussen (2-2, 6 4 1 1 3 7). S-Maton (2). HR-Caminero (14), Siri (9), Pinto (12). Junior had himself a game, going 3-4 with a couple of RBI including his second homer in as many games. Unfortunately
Josh Lowe broke his thumb and will be out 3-4 weeks.
Transaction: J.Lowe goes on the IL and
Jonny DeLuca comes back up from Durham.
September 4: vs Minnesota 3-1 W. WP-Contreras (4-0). S-Fairbanks (24). Starter-Pepiot (5 3 1 1 1 9).
Jonny DeLuca was the hero in his first game back, hitting a bases-clearing double in the 8th to provide the margin of victory.
September 5: vs Minnesota 9-2 W. WP-Littell (7-8, 5.2 5 2 2 0 5). DeLuca had a double and two more RBI and Parker Meadows broke it open with a bases-clearing double as the Rays actually swept a series! Certainly for the first time since I took over in May and perhaps all season.
September 6: at Baltimore 6-5 W. WP-Springs (1-4, 6 3 2 2 3 7). S-Fairbanks (25). HR-Paredes (34), Aranda (5). Jeffrey Springs picked up his first win in 17 months while Aranda was 3-4 with a homer and 2 RBI as the Rays have an honest-to-goodness win streak going at 5 and have taken 8 of 9 overall. A bit too little, too late but enjoyable nonetheless.
September 7: at Baltimore 9-4 W. WP-Enright (1-0). S-K.Kelly (1). Starter-Bradley (4.1 5 4 2 1 4). HR-Campusano (4/6), B.Lowe (16), Caminero (15). That's 6 straight for Tampa Bay as Caminero has stayed red-hot since his recall with 3 hits and his 3rd homer of the week and Diaz, Aranda and B.Lowe each drove in a pair.
September 8: at Baltimore 6-10 L. LP-Rasmussen (2-3, 3 8 6 6 1 3). HR-Caminero (16). Ras and the pen just didn't have it today as the Rays missed out on a perfect week and saw their 6-game win streak snapped. Caminero did complete a 4-homer week though.
Record: 68-75. No shot at the playoffs, but if they stay hot they can make a run at. 500. Next week: They'll have to get it done on the road with 3 in Philly followed by 4 in Cleveland.
Players of the Week:
AL: This guy:
NL: Marcell Ozuna (ATL), 8-21, 5 HR, 6 RBI. Ozuna's ridiculous season continues as he has 56 HR and 149 RBI with three weeks still to go.