The 2020 (and beyond) Tampa Bay Rays

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Luis Barela awoke from his season-long slumber to back the fine pitching of Ben Moses in a 7-2 Rays win in the series opener at Yankee Stadium. Barela came into the game hitting a pedestrian 245/349/392, beyond disappointing for a guy who's won the MVP the last four seasons and recently got the largest contract in team history. Today he snapped out of it, going 3-4 with a double and 3 RBI while Mario Saro (#14) and Yuji Morioka (#11) added solo homers. Moses meanwhile was excellent against his former team, improving to 7-2 after an 8 4 2 2 2 6 outing on only 93 pitches.

Game 2: The Rays got another fine pitching performance as Greg Bookhart went to 8-0 in a 5-1 win over the Yankees. Bookhart was 6 3 1 1 4 6 and lowered his ERA to 2.96. Luis Barela continued to perk up with another 3-hit game, driving in a run, while Alex Duran hit a solo shot (#5).

Game 3: Tampa Bay made it 3 straight over the Bombers with a tight 3-2 win at Yankee Stadium. Marc Gibson did his pitch-to-contact thing, which for a change isn't a bad thing with this club as the Rays are #3 in defensive efficiency, a sea change for this historically bad fielding franchise. Gibson (9-1) was 6 5 1 1 3 1 and Willie Minier finished up for save #14. And for the third straight game Luis Barela was in the middle of things, driving in a pair with an RBI double and a sac fly and walking twice. Jose Castillo added his 10th homer with the bases empty in the 1st.

Game 4: The Rays completed the sweep with a 7-2 win over New York and much as it was the first three games, the story was pitching and Luis Barela. Gordie Ager is having a Cy Young-caliber season and today was no exception as he went to 7-2, 2.99 with a 7 4 1 1 0 4 gem. Barela meanwhile blasted a 477-foot homer to dead center (#10) to start the scoring in the 2nd and Jose Castillo added a 2-run blast (#11) in the 7th to put the game away.

Team record: 50-21. Next up: We head deep into the heart of Texas to play 3 games in Houston.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Jim Brophy was great and the Rays' recent pitching turnaround continued in a 5-0 shutout of Houston at Minute Maid Park in their series opener. Brophy, whose stuff was downgraded again by the scouts to 40, laughed them off by going 7 3 0 0 3 2 to improve to 6-5. Brophy's been a roll lately, allowing only 6 ER in his last 5 starts with 4 of the 6 runs coming in one of them. Tomas Laboy was 2-4 with a 2-run homer (#4) to lead the offense.

Game 2: It looked like the Rays were going to roll again, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and with Ben Moses dominating through the first 3 innings. But it all went wrong in the 4th with Moses allowing 8 runs and that was enough for Houston to beat Tampa Bay 8-5. Moses couldn't hardly get anyone out in that 4th but a Yuji Morioka error kept the inning alive and 5 more runs scored as Moses (7-3) finished 3.2 8 8 3 0 3. Before the levee broke the Rays grabbed the 5-0 lead on a 2-run Morioka homer and a 3-run Jose Castillo shot, the 12th of the year for both.

Game 3: Greg Bookhart was masterful as he twirled a 4-hit shutout to beat the Astros 3-0 and give the Rays the series. Bookhart pitched a "Maddux", needing only 97 pitches with 1 walk and 6 whiffs to go to 9-0, 2.63. It was the first shutout and first complete game of his MLB career as in the end the Rays shut Houston out in 26 of the 27 innings this series (of course the Astros scored 8 in the one inning they weren't blanked). All the offense once again came via the longball with solo shots from Dan Gregory (#7), Yuji Morioka (#13) and Doug Johns (#15).

Team record: 52-22. Next up: An off-day then we return home for 3 with the Yankees on the weekend.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays dropped a seesaw affair to the Yankees in their series opener at Publix Park 8-5 in 11 innings. Tampa Bay went up 3-0 on a 2-run Dan Gregory single, fell behind 5-3, tied it at 5 in the 8th on a 2-run Alex Duran pinch-double and then lost it in the 11th when Sean Forbes (1-2) saw his 2046 struggles continue when he allowed a 3-run homer. Marc Gibson struggled at 4.2 7 4 4 2 7 with only the unusually high # of whiffs a bright spot.

Game 2: Tampa Bay rode a 7-run 4th to a 13-4 blowout of the Yankees. Luis Barela drove in 4 with a bases-clearing double and an RBI triple while Nelson Bocardo also plated 4 with his 3 hits including a 2-run double to pace the offense. Meanwhile on the mound Gordie Ager was brilliant yet again, improving to 8-2, 2.87 after going 7 4 1 1 0 7. In the 9th Sean Forbes was given another shot to try and get some confidence with the score 13-1 and instead gave up another 3-run homer.

Game 3: The Rays coasted again in the finale, winning 9-5 with 3 of the Yankee runs coming in the 9th when Tristan Goulet did his Sean Forbes imitation and gave up a 3-run homer himself. Before that though Mario Saro had a huge game, going 3-4 with a double, 3 runs scored and 2 RBI as well as stolen base #32 while Jose Castillo hit a mammoth 479-foot 2-run homer (#13) in the 6th. Jim Brophy (7-5) kept doing his thing with another impressive start, going 6.2 7 2 2 0 6.

Team record: 54-23. Next up: Washington comes back to town for the first time since Game 7 of last year's World Series for a pair of games.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Nationals finally prevailed against the Rays after dropping 2 in Washington by taking a 4-3 win at Publix Park. Ben Moses (7-4) struggled at 4.2 6 3 3 3 2 while on the other side All-Star James Bligen improved to 11-1 by holding the Rays in check, allowing only one earned run. Seth Williams was 3-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI as the only one who really represented on offense.

Game 2: It looked for all the world like Washington would sweep the 2-game series as they took a 6-1 lead into the bottom of the 8th but the Rays exploded for 5 runs and went on to take a 7-6 win in 10 innings to salvage a split. Greg Bookhart had a rough start, allowing 3 in the first inning and finishing 5.1 7 4 4 4 6 and Tristan Goulet followed him by allowing 2 runs on 5 hits in one inning of work. But the offense came to life in the 8th after being held in check by former Ray Jeff Brockman through 6. Mario Saro brought parity with his 2nd homer of the game and 16th of the year, a 3-run blast which also gave him the team lead at 55 RBI despite hitting out of the leadoff spot. Of course Dave Frick hitting .400 in the 8-hole has provided him with plenty of RBI opportunities. Seth Williams then singled in the winner in the 10th with his 3rd hit of the day and made a winner of Satoshi Sato (2-2).

Team record: 55-24. Next up: A rare Wednesday off-day followed by Houston visiting for 4 games.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays opened up their 4-game set at Publix Park vs Houston with a 4-1 win behind some fine pitching from Marc Gibson and Josh Grote. Gibson went 5.1 7 0 0 1 8 and left with the game 0-0 while Grote (3-0) won and went the final 3 2/3 only allowing a solo homer in the 9th to lose the team shutout. Jose Castillo got the Rays on the board in the bottom of the 6th with HR #14 and Seth Williams put it away with a 3-run shot in the 7th (#11).

Game 2: Tampa Bay scored 4 in the first and held on for a 6-5 win over Houston in the second game of the series. Dan Gregory's 2-run blast (#7) capped that 4-run first, Luis Barela drove in a pair and Juan Davila was 3-4 with a steal to lead the offense. Gordie Ager (9-2) wasn't his best but good enough at 5 6 3 3 1 3 and after Satoshi Sato gave up a couple of runs in the 8th to let the Astros within one, Willie Minier shut the door by striking out the side in the 9th for save #15.

Game 3: Jim Brophy came back to Earth and the Rays' comeback fell short in a 5-4 loss to Houston. Brophy (7-6) was 4 8 5 5 2 1 after a great run of starts and although the bullpen shut out Houston the rest of the way the bats couldn't get over the hump. Jose Castillo did hit HR #15 and Yuji Morioka was 3-4 with an RBI but it wasn't enough.

Game 4: Another close loss for the Rays as Jimmy Sporleder's 300th career homer broke open the game in the 6th for Houston and the Astros held on to beat the Rays 4-3. Ben Moses (7-5) started and pitched well through 5, allowing only one run, but ran out of gas in the 6th and gave up 3 runs including Sporleder's milestone to finish 5.1 8 4 4 0 5. For the most of the game the Rays were stymied by Houston ace Elias Gomez but Luis Barela blasted a 2-run shot (#11) off him in the 6th and Yuji Morioka hit his 15th in the 8th to get within one, but a subsequent rally fell short and the teams split the series.

Team record: 57-26. Next up: 3 games in Columbus. We passed the halfway mark of the season halfway through this series so we'll have a midseason review coming up.

MLB News: In addition to Sporleder's milestone an even bigger one took place when the Mets' Alex Padilla banged out his 3000th career hit on Sunday.

[Art Deco]

The standings:



The Rays are coasting their way to another division title and 100+ win season, so no issues there. A look under the hood:



Somehow we've become a bad baserunning team despite leading the league in steals; perhaps we're not taking the extra base enough or something since the CS don't seem out of whack and we're not getting guys thrown out left and right. Our defense has been pretty good by the standards in this save although it was even better a week or two ago before a recent slump. And the bullpen has had its struggles with Willie Minier the only guy I can truly count on as even Satoshi Sato has had his issues. I will note that guys like Josh Grote and B.J. Turner have pitched better lately, as has Mel Mejia. The individual hitting stats:



What an incredible half-season from Dave Frick. He dropped below. 400 last week, went back as high at .405 during this last series before a couple of 0-fers sent him back below. Yuji Morioka has been a revelation and plays 70 D at 2B; my only regret is that I signed him to a mere 1-year contract and now he wants a 9-year extension which I ain't giving a 31-year-old. But the one skunk at the party has been Luis Barela, who just can't seem to get hot and has a very pedestrian half-season 1.4 WAR which is almost unimaginable for a guy who's been the MVP the last 4 years running. Guess giving him that team-record $37M/year contract extension is going to bite me. The pitching stats:



Gordie Ager is having a Cy Young-caliber season and Greg Bookhart isn't far behind him, but after that it's been solid but not spectacular among the Rays starters and as mentioned earlier the bullpen has been something of an adventure. A lot of Satoshi Sato's problems stem from that .406 BABIP which is even more of an outlier given how overall well the defense has played so far. This staff is certainly good to get us through the regular season but I worry about them come playoff time. I might still feel better trading for a solid starter or shutdown reliever over the next month.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays romped in Columbus tonight, scoring 4 times in the first and 9 times by the 4th to take a 10-2 win over the Lightning. Five homers did the trick with Mario Saro (#17) leading off the game, Luis Barela drilling a 3-run shot (#12), Jose Castillo adding a 2-run jack (#16), Alex Duran going solo (#6) and Seth Williams hitting one with a man on (#12). Greg Bookhart went to 10-0 with all the support after a 6.1 3 2 2 3 2 outing.

Game 2: Tonight was a little tougher but the Rays still prevailed 4-1 behind Marc Gibson's best start of the season. The righty joined teammate Greg Bookhart in the 10-win club with an outstanding 7 4 0 0 1 5 performance and after Satoshi Sato gave up a run in the 8th Willie Minier had a 1-2-3 seven-pitch 9th for save #16. Juan Davila got a start at 2B today and made the most of it, going 4-5 with 2 RBI to lead the way while Mario Saro was 2-4 with an RBI.

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep of Columbus with another rout, taking a 9-2 decision at Nationwide Ballpark. Like his teammates Greg Bookhart and Marc Gibson before him the last two nights, Gordie Ager recorded win #10 with a fine outing, going 7 5 2 2 2 5 and recovering after allowing a 2-run homer in the first. The red-hot Jose Castillo set the tone in the first inning with a 2-run shot (#17) and Mario Saro re-took the team HR lead with #18 in the 2nd. Nelson Bocardo also drove in 3 with a pair of hits. Dave Frick, in a deep 0-18 and 2-26 slump which has seen his >.400 average drop to .376, strained a rib cage muscle. Although it's minimal it's a 2-week injury so we'll probably IL him to be on the safe side.

Team record: 60-26. Next up: An off-day then our interleague road trip continues with three at CitiField against the Mets.

Also some July 2 signing news as we inked this guy for the $5M max:



As usual these guys always give you something to dream on, but we'll check in with him in a few years to see if he's living up to the hype.

[Art Deco]

July 6: Placed SS Dave Frick on the 10-day IL with a strained rib cage muscle, recalled 1B Alex Maas from AAA Durham.

Game 1: Jim Brophy continues to thrive despite having only 40 stuff this year as he and the Rays shut out the Mets 4-0 in their series opener at CitiField. Brophy (8-6) went 6.2 5 0 0 1 3 in the gem and got most of his support from Mario Saro who was 3-5 with 3 RBI.

Game 2: New York's Randy Anderson, one of the top pitchers in baseball, no-hit the Rays for 8 innings before Juan Davila led off the 9th with a double and came around to score to tie the game at 1. Unfortunately though a Yuji Morioka error also came around to score in the bottom of the 10th and the Rays dropped a 2-1 decision. Ben Moses pitched well in a no-decision at 6 4 1 1 3 7 before Willie Minier (2-2) took the loss in the 10th after giving up a 2-out double to score the runner who had reached via error.

Game 3: The Rays snapped out of their mild offensive funk (5 runs in the first 2 games) by erupting for 10 runs in the 4th inning of the finale to take the series with a 15-1 win. Doug Johns led the hit parade, 4-5 with HR #16 and 5 RBI, Yuji Morioka atoned for yesterday's costly error by going 3-3 with a walk, HBP and 2-run homer (#15), Jose Castillo was 3-5 with 2 RBI and Tomas Laboy knocked in 3 including a 2-run double to open the scoring. Greg Bookhart went to 11-0, 2.80 without breaking a sweat, finishing 6 6 1 1 1 7.

Team record: 62-27. Next up: We return home for 3 vs Detroit.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays scored in every inning from the 2nd through the 7th and destroyed Detroit 14-4 in their series opener at Publix Park. Doug Johns and Mario Saro were each 3-5 with a homer and 3 RBI, Saro's 19th and Johns' 17th. Seth Williams was 3-4 with a 2-run homer (#13) and Yuji Morioka was 2-4 with 2 RBI. Marc Gibson went to 11-2 with a 6 6 3 3 3 2 outing.

Game 2: Different day, same blowout, as the Rays romped again over the Tigers 16-2, giving them 45 runs in their last three games after being nearly no-hit over the weekend. Today's sluggers were once again Doug Johns (2-4, HR #18, 3 RBI) and Mario Saro (2-run HR, #20) and they were joined by Alex Duran, 2-4 with HR #7 and RBI and Yuji Morioka, 2-4 with HR #16 and 2 RBI. Juan Davila also drove in 3 with a double and a triple. Today's well-supported pitcher was Gordie Ager, who usually doesn't need all of it and he improved to 11-2 after going 6 7 2 2 0 6. Caleb Ramos went the final 3 for his 1st save.

Game 3: The Rays hit double digits for the fourth straight game as they swept Detroit, but this time they needed most of their runs as they won 12-7. Dan Gregory had a massive game, going 4-5 with 5 RBI including a 3-run homer (#9) and a run-scoring triple. Yuji Morioka concluded a big series by hitting a 3-run homer (#17) to cap a 5-run first and Nelson Bocardo drove in a pair. Jim Brophy went to 9-6 but he had a rough outing at 5.1 8 6 5 2 1.

Team record: 65-27. Next up: 4 games in Minnesota before we hit the All-Star break.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Jose Castillo's solo homer (#18) in the top of the 7th gave the Rays a 6-5 win over the Twins in the opener of their 4-game series at Target Field. Yuji Morioka had given the Rays a 5-3 lead in the 6th with a 2-run shot (#18) of his own but Ben Moses, who had a rough start at 5 9 5 5 0 3 gave back the lead in the bottom of the frame. The win went to Chris O'Brien (2-1) and the save to Willie Minier (#17). Seth Williams earlier had a solo shot (#17) for Tampa Bay.

Game 2: The Rays were dominated by Minnesota's Josh Gosa and Greg Bookhart suffered his first defeat of the year in a tough 2-1 loss. Gosa fanned 11 Rays over 8 innings allowing only 6 hits, four of which came off the bat of Dan Gregory. Bookhart (11-1) deserved a better fate having gone 6 5 2 2 2 5.

Game 3: Tampa Bay had to go 10 innings to take a 4-3 win over Minnesota as Jose Castillo's two-out RBI single brought home the game-winner. The Rays scored 3 times in the 1st thanks in large part to a Twins error but Marc Gibson couldn't hold the early lead despite a season-high 9 strikeouts in a busy 5 7 3 3 4 9 outing. Satoshi Sato (3-2) got the win with a scoreless 9th and Willie Minier finished up for save #18.

Game 4: It was Gordie Ager's turn in the rotation today but as the Rays ace was named to start the All-Star Game on Tuesday we gave him the day off so he could take the honor. Instead Caleb Ramos got a spot start against his old team and pitched well in an 8-3 Tampa Bay win. Ramos (2-1) went 5 6 2 1 1 6 on 84 pitches and was well-supported early as the Rays raced out to a 7-1 lead by the 4th inning. Luis Barela knocked in 3 with a 2-run single and sac fly and Doug Johns added HR #19 with a man on to lead the way.

Team record: 68-28. Next up: The All-Star break, after which we host Columbus for 3 games.

Other news: Dan Gregory was named AL Player of the Week as he was 13 for 20 with a homer and 5 RBI.

[Art Deco]

The AL squad is once again dominated by Rays, with 8 players selected and 7 of them starting: SP-Gordie Ager (his 5th selection), C-Tony Cordova (1st), 2B-Yuji Morioka (1st), SS-Dave Frick (2nd), 3B-Luis Barela (7th), LF-Mario Saro (1st), RF-Doug Johns (3rd). Greg Bookhart (2nd) was also selected.





Former Rays named All-Stars include Josh Beckett (TOR), Chris Fox (KC), Jaiden Hardaway (HOU) and Ed Pretty (ATL). J-Hard is still going strong at age 40.

The Home Run Derby:



No Rays in this year's competition and the totals were anemic especially considering the game is in Coors Field this year. Seems to be an OOTP23 thing.

The game itself:



The AL mounted an impressive rally in the 9th but that just set the stage for hometown hero Kevin Erickson to single in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th for the NL to take the win at Coors Field. Rays players were a mixed bag with Doug Johns and Luis Barela homering but Gordie Ager and Greg Bookhart each allowing a run in their inning. Mario Saro would have scored on Johns' homer but was thrown out attempting to steal after he had singled.

[Art Deco]

July 20: Activated SS Dave Frick from the 10-day IL, optioned 1B Alex Maas to AAA Durham.

Game 1: The Rays returned from the All-Star Break to take a 7-4 win over Columbus at Publix Park. Jim Brophy (10-6) was solid once again at 6 6 1 1 3 2, and they took a 7-1 lead into the 9th before it took 3 relievers to get through the 9th with Tristan Goulet allowing 3 runs without recording an out before Willie Minier finally had to close the door for save #19. Before that the Rays got homers from Yuji Morioka (#19) and Juan Davila (#4) along with a 3-double game from Seth Williams, who knocked in a pair.

July 21: Optioned P Tristan Goulet to AAA Durham, recalled P Dave Rose from AAA Durham.

Time to get a look at Rose, who served as Durham's closer after being acquired from San Francisco in the offseason while the inconsistent Goulet will get to stretch out in Durham's rotation.

Game 2: The Rays squandered a 6-3 lead thanks to same bad bullpen work and fell 9-7 to the Lightning in the second game. Yuji Morioka homered again with a man on (#20) and Mario Saro had a huge game at 4-5 with 2 stolen bases and 2 RBI but Ben Moses ran into trouble in the 6th (finishing 5.1 7 5 5 1 5) and then Chris O'Brien (2-2) and BJ Turner conspired to allow 4 runs in the 8th to allow Columbus to win it. Dave Rose made his MLB debut in the 9th and was impressive with a six-pitch 1-2-3 inning including a whiff.

Game 3: The Rays took the series with a 6-4 win behind big games from Alex Duran and Mario Saro. Duran homered (#8) and doubled among his 3 hits and Saro was 2-3 with a double, homer (#21) and 3 runs scored as well as his 40th steal of the year. Marc Gibson (12-2) took over the team wins lead with a 5.1 4 3 3 2 2 start. Satoshi Sato was shaky again allowing a run in the 8th but Willie Minier shut the door with a perfect 9th for save #20.

Team record: 70-29. Next up: The Yankees visit for 3.

A couple of more noteworthy items: Mario Saro was named player of the "week" (really 3 days with the break) by the AL, and we made this trade:



This was, believe it or not, a deal actually offered to us by the AI Phillies GM. Connell is a decent middle reliever who was once a Rays property, coming over in a deal from Washington 15 years ago in which we sent the Nats Joe Barker and Marc Wagner (remember them?). Vitek is the intriguing part of the deal, a power-hitting B- prospect. Meanwhile Maas is a free agent at year's end and seems more of quadruple-A type. We'll probably send Dave Rose back to Durham to make room for Connell.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays sent the Yankees to their 10th straight defeat in the opener of their series at Publix Park 6-3. Gordie Ager came off his All-Star start in All-Star form, going 7 4 1 1 0 5 to improve to 12-2, 2.87 and Satoshi Sato went the final two innings for save #8. Luis Barela went 4-4 with a double and 3 runs scored and Tony Cordova was 2-4 with a double and 3 RBI to lead the offense.

Game 2: Tampa Bay scored 5 times in the 2nd and coasted to a 7-1 win over the Yankees behind their other All-Star starter, Greg Bookhart. The lefty was dominating at 6 5 0 0 1 9 and is now 12-1, 2.66. Luis Barela was 2-4 with a 2-run homer (#13), Doug Johns drove in a pair and Chris Parham was 2-4 with an RBI double.

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep and made it 12 straight losses for New York with a 4-2 win. Jim Brophy (11-6) rediscovered his strikeout pitch if just for a day, going 5 7 1 1 1 6 and Willie Minier notched save #21 despite allowing a solo homer in the 9th. Mario Saro led off the game with a homer (#22) as part of a 3-hit day and Tony Cordova was 2-4 with a double and RBI.

Team record: 73-29. Next up: 4 games in Baltimore.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Former Ray Tim Gates held his old team in check as Baltimore took the opener of the 4-game series at Camden Yards 5-2. Gates threw 7 shutout innings for the win while Ben Moses (7-6) was hit to the tune of 6 8 5 4 0 3. A couple of runs in the 9th kept them from being shut out.

July 27: Activated P Bobby Connell, optioned P Dave Rose to AAA Durham.

Rose was impressive with 4 shutout innings over 3 appearances and will probably join the team when rosters expand in September, if not sooner.

Game 2: Tony Cordova had a big day and the Rays came back to even the series with a 7-4 win. The All-Star catcher was 3-4 with a 2-run double and a solo homer (#6) while another vet, Dan Gregory, contributed his own 3-hit, 3-RBI game. Their performances helped overcome a poor start from Marc Gibson (4 6 4 4 4 2) with the win going to Chris O'Brien (3-2) who struck out the side after inheriting a couple of Gibson's runners in the 5th and the save going to Willie Minier (#22). Bobby Connell was impressive in his Rays debut, getting a double play to get out of the 6th and retiring the side in order in the 7th.

Game 3: A 2-2 game got away from the Rays in the 6th and although they had a valiant 9th-inning rally they fell short in the end, losing 7-6 to Baltimore. Gordie Ager started and pitched well until the 6th, putting a a man on and Bobby Connell didn't succeed this time, giving up a 2-run double to score Ager's runner and one of his own. Ager (12-3) still was pretty good at 5.1 5 3 3 0 9. Mel Mejia let it get out of hand with 3 runs in the 8th and that proved significant when Dave Frick cleared the bases with a triple in the 9th but couldn't be brought home.

Game 4: It turned out to be a miserable series for the Rays as they dropped 3 of 4 in Baltimore after an 8-2 blowout in the finale. Greg Bookhart (12-2) wasn't very sharp at 5.1 6 4 4 3 2 and Sean Forbes' miserable season continued when he gave up 4 runs on 5 hits in relief of Bookhart.

Team record: 74-32. Next up: An off-day then the Angels visit Publix Park for 3 games. The trade deadline beckons but we'll probably stand pat even though we explored dealing Tomas Laboy. That will be probably wait until the offseason.

We did make one minor trade, sending Durham OF Jared Richardson, who was up briefly this year and impressed in an extended run with us last season but is 32 and deserves his freedom, to Minnesota for minor-league reliever Chris Winkler, who has 75 stuff, 55 movement and 45 control and looks to be a potential contributor in the near future.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays took a 3-1 win over the Angels in their series opener at Publix Park. Jim Brophy started and went 4.1 3 0 0 1 1 before leaving with a back strain which will not keep him from his next start and Bobby Connell took over and picked up his first Rays win. Willie Minier gave up a solo homer in the 9th to lose the team shutout but picked up save #23. Luis Barela's 2-run homer (#14) was the game's big hit.

Game 2: High drama at Publix Park as Doug Johns launched a grand slam (#20) in the bottom of the 8th to turn a potential 6-3 loss into a 7-6 win. Ben Moses had his usual mixed-bag start at 6 6 4 3 1 6 and former Angel BJ Turner did not help, giving up 2 runs in the 7th. But Johns' heroics made a winner of Sean Forbes (2-2), who turned in a rare scoreless inning in the 8th, and Satoshi Sato finished for save #9.

Game 3: Maybe I should have traded for an impact reliever before the deadline as today the bullpen imploded in a 12-5 loss to the Angels. The Rays were up 5-0 through 6 and 5-4 going into the 9th before Willie Minier struggled mightily and BJ Turner poured gasoline on the fire as LA scored 8 times in the 9th. Things began with our second starter in three games having to leave early as Marc Gibson departed in the 2nd with a shoulder strain which will send him to the IL for a couple of weeks. Caleb Ramos took over and threw 4 1/3 scoreless but things went south from there as Bobby Connell gave up 4 in the 7th although it would have been 0 if not for a Dave Frick error. Doug Johns had a solo homer (#21) and Tomas Laboy a 2-run shot (#5) while Frick had 3 more hits and has his average back up to .372.

Team record: 76-33. Next up: The AL Central-leading White Sox visit for 3 games.

[Art Deco]

August 3: Placed P Marc Gibson on the 15-day IL, recalled P Dave Rose from AAA Durham.

I said Rose would be back, but I didn't think it'd be this soon.

Game 1: The opener of the 3-game set with the White Sox at Publix Park saw a premium pitching matchup between Cy Young contenders Gordie Ager for the Rays and Juan Espinoza for Chicago who came in 15-1, 2.66. And it was Ager who came out on top as the Rays blanked the Sox 4-0 as he went to 13-3, 2.81 with a 7 5 0 0 0 4 outing. Satoshi Sato went the final 1 1/3 for his 10th save. Luis Barela (#15) and Yuji Morioka (#21) blasted solo homers in the 2nd, all the offense Ager would need.

Game 2: It was a patented Publix Park comeback for the Rays as they scored 5 times in the 7th and 8th to overcome a 6-2 deficit and win 7-6. Mario Saro's 2-run homer (#23) in the 8th was the game-winner and that followed a 3-run 7th which saw Juan Davila hit a 2-run homer (#5) and Luis Barela add a solo shot (#16). Greg Bookhart started and was OK at 5.1 6 3 3 2 5 but three relievers each allowed a run before Dave Rose settled things down and went 1 2/3 scoreless for his first MLB win. Satoshi Sato had a 1-2-3 9th for his 11th save. Dan Gregory and Dave Frick suffered injuries, Gregory with an intercostal strain and Frick with a hand contusion. Both are headed to the IL but should be good to return when eligible.

August 5: Placed SS Dave Frick and OF Dan Gregory on the 10-day IL, recalled OF/P Josh Schwartzlow from AAA Durham and purchased the contract of SS Josh Sprouse from AAA Durham.

Schwartzlow's been up before. Sprouse was our #1 pick two years ago and is a defensive wizard at SS (20.3 ZR this year!) but can't hit a lick (.206 at AA Montgomery before just getting promoted to Durham). We didn't have another middle infielder on the 42-man roster so we had to add him (we had three open slots).

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep with a 5-1 win over Chicago behind another fine start from Jim Brophy, who seems to get better the worse his stuff gets; after the game he was downgraded to 35 stuff and his velocity is down to 90-92. Still he went 6.2 6 1 1 2 4 and improved to 12-6, 3.60. Willie Minier got the final out for his 24th save. Alex Duran had a huge game, going 3-3 with a pair of solo homers (#9 & 10) while Juan Davila added a 2-run triple to key the offense.

Team record: 79-33. Next up: A day off before Baltimore visits for 3 games.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Mario Saro missed the cycle by a single as he led the Rays to a 6-3 win over Baltimore in the opener of their 3-game set at Publix Park. Saro nearly pulled the reverse cycle by homering in the 1st (#24) off former Ray Tim Gates, tripling in the 3rd and hitting a 2-run double in the 6th. Seth Williams also contributed, going 3-5 with a double and 2 RBI. Ben Moses (8-6) was solid, going 5 5 1 1 3 5 on 103 pitches and Dave Rose hurled 3 scoreless innings.

Game 2: The Rays jumped out to a 10-0 lead after 3 innings and it looked like a cakewalk at the ballpark but Baltimore fought back and Tampa Bay had to hold onto an 11-8 win. Grand slams from Jose Castillo (his second HR of the day and #20) and Mario Saro (#25) earned them the big lead but Caleb Ramos, after no-hitting Baltimore through the first 3, ran into trouble in the 4th allowing 5 runs. He got through the inning and had a clean 5th, then put 2 more on in the 6th which went on to score, giving him his 3rd win despite an ugly 5 6 7 7 3 3 line. With the score 11-7 Sean Forbes got a crack at the 9th but as usual couldn't handle it, giving up a run and putting 2 on with only one out, so Willie Minier had to finish up for save #25.

Game 3: Baltimore put an end to the Rays' mini 5-game win streak with a 4-2 win in the series finale. Gordie Ager (13-4) pitched well at 5 6 2 2 1 8 but took the loss. Alex Duran provided the lone offensive highlights with a double on which he scored and a solo homer (#11) in the 9th.

Team record: 81-34. Next up: 3 games in Toronto. The Jays are currently in the 2nd wild card spot looking to hold off Oakland.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays scored early and often, taking an 8-3 win at Rogers Centre over the Blue Jays in the series opener. Doug Johns (#22) and Luis Barela (#17) blasted 2-run homers to lead the way on offense, and Greg Bookhart went to 13-2 after a 6.2 7 3 3 1 3 outing.

Game 2: The inconsistent bullpen let the Rays down as they lost a game they led 7-2 as Josh Grote gave up a pair of 2-run homers in the 8th to see Toronto take an 8-7 win. Seth Williams had a big day (4-5 with 3 RBI) and Alex Duran added HR #12 as things seemed in order. But the Jays got to Jim Brophy for 2 in the 6th and he finished 5.1 9 4 4 1 2. Still a 7-4 lead going into the 8th should have been safe but thanks to Grote (3-1) it wasn't.

Game 3: Tampa Bay salvaged the series with a 6-5 win but not without more bullpen issues. The Rays fielded a makeshift "Sunday lineup" but it produced 6 runs - all on homers - with a 2-run Tomas Laboy blast (#6), a solo shot from Yuji Morioka (#22) and a 3-run clout from Nelson Bocardo (#5). Ben Moses (9-6) was solid at 7 4 2 1 1 5 and Dave Rose had a 1-2-3 five-pitch 8th (he's unscored upon in 12 innings over 7 appearances). But closer Willie Minier, given the ball with a 4-run lead, put the first two men on in the 9th and then gave up a 3-run homer. He recovered to strike out the next three batters to end the game, but I can't help but think our shaky pen is going to be a liability come playoff time.

Team record: 83-35. Next up: An off-day then 3 games at Yankee Stadium. The Bombers are a dreadful 49-69.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays played a rare 1-0 game and won it at Yankee Stadium thanks to a brilliant outing from Caleb Ramos. Ramos (4-1) went 7 4 0 0 1 6, making up for his disastrous start last time out (although one he still won). Satoshi Sato had a 1-2-3 9th for save #12 and the only run of the game came on a Luis Barela RBI single in the 8th.

August 15: Activated SS Dave Frick and CF Dan Gregory from the 10-day IL, optioned SS Josh Sprouse and OF/P Josh Schwartzlow to AAA Durham.

Game 2: Tampa Bay broke open a 1-1 game with a 5-run 6th and took a 7-2 win over the Yankees in New York in the second game. Jose Castillo's RBI double broke the tie, Dan Gregory added a 2-run triple in his first game back off the IL, and Yuji Morioka blasted a 2-run homer (#23) to cap the inning. The outburst made a winner of Gordie Ager (14-4), excellent again at 7 4 2 2 0 6.

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep by breaking open another close game late, this time scoring five times in the final two innings to take another 7-2 win over New York. Greg Bookhart bookended Gordie Ager's fine performance yesterday with one of his own, going to 14-2, 2.85 with a 7 5 0 0 0 5 gem. Mel Mejia got Josh Grote out of a jam in the 8th (after giving up a pair of homers his last time out, Grote gave up another one) and stayed on in the 9th to secure his first Rays save. The offense came via the homer today with Alex Duran bashing a pair (#12 & 13) and driving in 3 along with solo shots from Luis Barela (#18), Jose Castillo (#21) and Yuji Morioka (#24).

Team record: 86-35. Next up: 3 games in Boston as our AL East road trip continues.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Sooner or later Jim Brophy's continually diminishing stuff was going to catch up with him, and tonight was that night as Boston hit him hard in a 6-2 loss. Brophy (12-7), now down to 35 stuff with 90 MPH velocity, gave up 4 runs before retiring a batter and went 3.2 8 6 6 2 1. It's been a nice story how he's done with lesser stuff this year but I don't foresee giving him a playoff start. Mario Saro's RBI triple was the highlight on offense.

Game 2: Seth Williams and Luis Barela swung the big sticks today in an 8-1 rout of Boston at Fenway Park. Both were 4-4 with a homer and 3 RBI with Williams adding two doubles and Barela one. Williams' homer was his 15th and Barela his 19th as perhaps the 4-time MVP is ready to snap out of his season-long funk. Doug Johns was also 3-4 with an RBI double. Ben Moses (10-6) was excellent for the win at 6.2 5 1 1 1 3.

Game 3: The Rays lost a series for the first time in three weeks as they were beaten 7-1 by Boston in the finale. They were single-handedly done in by a former farmhand, Francis Moranchel, who hit a 2-run homer off Caleb Ramos (4-2) in the first inning and then blasted a grand slam off Dave Rose, the first runs the rookie reliever has allowed in MLB. Ramos ended 4.2 4 4 4 2 7. There wasn't much to report on offense but the lone run came on Luis Barela's 20th round-tripper of the year and he managed to win AL Player of the Week.

Team record: 87-37. Next up: Back home for 4 vs Kansas City.