Game 1: Dave Rose was it again and the offense banged out 13 hits in a 6-3 win over the Orioles at Publix Park. Baltimore is in a dogfight for a wild card and the already-clinched Rays got to play spoiler. Rose closes out his regular season at 15-8, 3.62 after a tidy 6 4 2 2 1 9 outing and set a career high in WAR at 5.7. He's been remarkably consistent over the last six seasons, steadily increasing his WAR each year and aging like a fine wine:
The strikeout totals the last five seasons are remarkably consistent. We have him signed for two more seasons so here's hoping for more of the same. As for today's game he was supported by Dantel Chinchilla, who was 2-3 with 3 RBI, now giving him 95 with a chance to reach 100 while batting almost exclusively from the 9-hole this year.
Game 2: The Rays got another fine start, this time from Steve Swords, and handled Baltimore again 5-1 for win #100 of the year. Swords, who will probably get the ball for Game 2 of the ALDS, went 6.1 5 1 1 0 4 to likely finish his first regular season in Tampa Bay 15-4, 3.59. Jose Lozada was 4-4 with a walk, three doubles and an RBI while Jose Machado delivered a tie-breaking 2-run single in a 3-run 5th.
Game 3: Tampa Bay dealt a blow to Baltimore's wild card hopes by completing the sweep with a come-from-behind 5-3 win, but thanks to the White Sox also being swept not quite as grievous a blow. Randy Mastropietro started and went a solid 6 7 1 1 2 3 but left trailing 1-0 before Victor Boria gave up 2 more in the top of the 7th. But in the bottom of the inning the Rays pulled even thanks to a Jesus Avalos solo homer (#31) and Dantel Chinchilla's 96th RBI on a single. And in the bottom of the 8th Jose Machado delivered a tie-breaking RBI triple and scored on Vinny Colon's single. Dave Flores (6-3) got the relief win and Mario Berumen bounced back from blowing his last save opportunity by getting a pair of Ks in a 1-2-3 9th for his 27th.
Team record: 101-58. Next up: After a day off we conclude the regular season with 3 games at Publix Park against the Yankees.
Pennant Race Update: Baltimore won on our off-Thursday while the White Sox dropped their fourth straight so the Orioles have moved a game ahead for WC2. The Pale Hose also trail the Twins by 2 in the AL Central but are playing Minnesota this weekend so they still can win the division by sweeping them. In the NL the Dodgers remain one ahead of the Rockies while Colorado is tied with the Phillies for the two wild cards with both one ahead of the Mets.