Transaction: Luis Contreras is activated from his rehab assignment and
Nic Enright is optioned to Durham as we do some bullpen shuffling.
April 29: at Toronto 13-4 W. WP-Littell (2-1, 6 4 3 3 2 4). HR-Yanier Diaz (2), T.Hernandez (7). After scoring one run over the previous two games the offense broke out in a big way with 13 runs on 16 hits and everyone in the lineup getting at least one.
Josh Lowe and
Yanier Diaz led the way with 3 RBI each.
April 30: at Toronto 4-10 L. LP-McClanahan (4-2, 4 6 6 6 3 2). HR-T.Hernandez (8). Jays returned the favor of the rout, scoring 5 in the first off McClanahan.
May 1: at Toronto 6-4 W. WP-Maldonado (4-2). S-Fairbanks (7). Starter-Springs (6.1 6 3 3 2 6). HR-T.Hernandez (9). Jonathan Aranda's pinch-RBI double in the 8th broke a 4-4 tie as the Rays picked up the win. Teoscar homered for the third straight game in his old ballpark with tonight's a grand slam.
May 2: at Toronto 5-7 L (10). LP-Fairbanks (0-3). Starter-Bradley (4 4 3 3 4 2). HR-Caminero (7). A tough one as Fairbanks blew a 5-4 lead in the 9th and then gave up a 2-run walk-off homer in the 10th to Davis Schneider. Caminero knocked in 3 including a 2-run homer.
May 3: vs Kansas City 2-0 W. WP-Cleavinger (1-0). S-Maldonado (3). Starter-Rasmussen (6 4 0 0 3 6).
Josh Lowe tripled in a run in the 7th and score on Kjerstad's single, all the offense they'd need thanks to Ras and the bullpen.
May 4: vs Kansas City 5-8 L. LP-Littell (2-2, 5.1 8 6 6 1 3, 4 HR). HR-Campusano (2), Caminero (8). Rays pitching gave up 6(!) homers to KC, putting them in a 7-0 hole before they made a game of it but still lost.
May 5: vs Kansas City 6-4 W. WP-Adam (2-1). S-Fairbanks (8). Starter-McClanahan (7 4 4 4 1 9). HR-Paredes (7). Rays took the series thanks to Paredes' 2-run homer in the 8th which erased a 4-3 Royals lead.
Team record: 23-13. Our division lead is down to 1 1/2 games over the red-hot Orioles, winners of 7 straight games. Next week: A day off then Seattle visits for 3 before we head to Fenway for 3 against Boston.
Players of the Week:
AL: Davis Schneider (TOR), 8-22, 4 HR, 6 RBI
NL: Patrick Wisdom (CHI), 12-23, 6 HR, 10 RBI, including a 3-homer game
Players of the Month (April):
AL Batter: Tyler O'Neill (BOS), .320-11-21
NL Batter: Elly De La Cruz (CIN), .294-9-17
AL Pitcher:
Taj Bradley (TB), 4-1, 1.65, 40K in 32.2 IP
NL Pitcher: Kirk McCarty (COL), 5-1, 1.77, 41K in 40.2 IP
AL Rookie: Luis De Avila (TOR), 3-1, 2.70, 29K in 30 IP
NL Rookie: James Wood (WAS), .307-6-15
On the farm:
I am seriously considering calling up Isaac to play LF as
Heston Kjerstad has slumped after a good start, hitting 226/291/366, and we need a boost on offense. We'd sacrifice some defense as Isaac is a below-average defender in LF and is really our heir apparent to Yandy at 1B.