The 2020 (and beyond) Tampa Bay Rays

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Bob Riley wasn't sharp and neither were the bats in a 7-3 loss at San Francisco, the first time in many a year the Rays have visited this city in the "other" bay area. Riley (12-4) was hit for three runs in the 1st and two more by the 3rd before settling in to finish 6 8 5 5 1 1. The offense only had a Juan Viatoro solo homer (#8) to show until they scored twice in the 9th with the game out of hand including Jon Morales' 37th homer.

Game 2: The Rays couldn't score much again and lost a 2-1 squeaker to the Giants. Steve Morris (4-4) turned in his second solid outing in as many starts since joining the rotation at 5 5 2 2 2 4 but didn't get any support. A rally in the 9th saw them bring home their lone run but men were left on 2nd and 3rd to end the game.

Game 3: The bats finally arrived in San Fran and the Rays salvaged the finale 8-5. Luis Barela's 3-run homer (#26) keyed a 4-run first, and Nelson Bocardo's 2-run blast in the 4th (#8) made it 6-0. Dave Rose (10-4) was 8 5 3 3 1 7 in a solid outing before Mel Mejia gave up a pair in the 9th to make the final score look close. Chris Parham was 3-4 with a pair of doubles, a steal and an RBI.

Team record: 78-29. Next up: Back home for 3 vs second-year squad the Indianapolis Comets.

We let the trade deadline go by without making a deal as there's nothing wrong in standing pat at 78-29. Another starter would have been nice and we kicked a few tires with the closest being a deal for a #3 starter type that would have cost us top pitching prospect Randy Mastropietro (#49 overall and our 2nd round pick in 2046) before deciding to pass.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: As is their wont the Rays overcame an early 3-0 deficit and won going away over the Comets 8-3 at Publix Park to begin their 3-game series. Alex Duran had a massive game, following Luis Barela's 2-run single in the 3rd with a 2-run double to give the Rays the lead for good, and then made things comfortable with a 3-run homer (#13) in the 5th. Angel Roig didn't look long for the game after giving up those three runs in the 1st but settled in to go 7-0 after finishing 5 6 3 3 1 2.

Game 2: Luis Barela came through big to back the pitching of Greg Bookhart and the Rays beat Indy again 4-2. With Tampa Bay trailing 2-1 in the 6th Barela stepped up and clubbed a 2-run homer (#26) to put them ahead to stay while Juan Davila singled in another run later in the inning. Corey Herring got a rare start and tripled in the first run. Bookhart improved to 13-5 after a solid 6.2 6 2 2 0 5 performance and Steve Falcon recorded save #29 despite walking the bases loaded in the 9th.

Game 3: Alex Duran followed his 5-RBI in the series opener by driving in 5 more today including a 3-run walk-off homer, his second of the game, to win it 6-5 in the 9th and give the Rays a sweep. Duran's first homer, a solo shot, tied the game at 2 but Indy went up 4-2 off Bob Riley in the 7th as the lefty ended up 6 7 4 4 2 2. Duran then singled in a run in the bottom of the 7th to cut the lead to 4-3 and after Indy scored in the top of the 9th off Willie Navarro (4-2) to make it 5-3, Duran hit HR #15 with two men on to give Tampa Bay a dramatic victory.

Team record: 81-29. Next up: An off-day then Seattle visits for 3 games.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays came back late to tie but Seattle scored in the 10th to take a 6-5 win at Publix Park. Mel Mejia (2-3) took the loss after surrendering that 10th-inning Seattle run after Juan Viatoro's 8th-inning pinch-homer (#7) sent us to extras. Steve Morris struggled for the first time since joining the rotation, going 4.1 5 5 5 2 5 and allowing a couple of homers. The Rays wasted a huge game from rookie sensation Jon Morales, who was 5-5 with 3 doubles and a steal.

Game 2: Tampa Bay got instant revenge for yesterday's tough loss by mauling the Mariners 14-6 (only even that close thanks to 4 runs off Tony Pasillas in the 8th). Juan Davila had a big game, going 4-5 with a steal and 4 RBI including a 3-run shot (#22), Alex Duran drove in 3 including a 2-run homer (#16) and Yuji Morioka found the seats too (#25). Dave Rose (11-4) was outstanding at 6 4 2 2 2 8, troubled only by a pair of solo homers.

Game 3: The Rays suffered a rare series loss at Publix Park as Seattle got the best of them in a 6-3 defeat. Angel Roig's struggles in the rotation continued although he lost for the first time in eight decisions after going 4 8 5 5 2 1. Several reserves played which may have held the Rays' run total down but one starter who played was Luis Barela and he homered (#28) while Corey Herring shone in his chance to start by hitting a 2-run shot (#1), singling and walking.

Team record: 82-31. Next up: We conclude the homestand with 3 against Toronto.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: For a change runs were scarce at Publix Park but the Rays managed two of the three in the game as they edged the Jays. Greg Bookhart (14-5) was brilliant once again at 7 6 1 1 1 6 and Steve Falcon earned his 30th save with a two-whiff 1-2-3 9th. RBI singles from Tomas Laboy in the 2nd and Chris Parham in the 6th were just enough offense.

Game 2: It was another day of limited offense between these teams and once again only three men crossed the plate. All of them wore "Rays" on their chests as Bob Riley was excellent again his old team in a 3-0 win. The crafty lefty improved to 13-4 after going 7 5 0 0 0 7 and Steve Falcon saved again with a perfect 9th for his 31st. All three runs came in the 4th on RBI singles from Luis Barela, Yuji Morioka and Chris Parham.

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep with a few more runs this time as they downed the Jays 6-2. Back-to-back homers are fun but how often do you see back-to-back triples? That's what Jon Morales and Alex Duran did in the first to get Tampa Bay on the board and after Duran scored on a Juan Viatoro single they broke the game open with 4 in the 2nd including a 2-run shot from Morales, his MLB-best 38th yet first since July 30th (and only second since July 16th). Alas Steve Morris couldn't take advantage of the early support and had to leave in the 4th after going 3.2 7 2 2 2 6 on 83 pitches. Joe Clark (2-1) instead got the win after going 2 1/3 scoreless and Mel Mejia picked up his 3rd save after getting out of an 8th-inning jam and finishing the game.

Team record: 85-31. Next up: An off-day then 3 games in Baltimore.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Rays bats were silenced and the bullpen let the game slip away in a 4-1 loss in the opener at Oriole Park. B.J. Staehle and three relievers held Tampa Bay to only 4 hits with the lone run coming on Yuji Morioka's solo shot (#26) in the 6th. Dave Rose was decent (5 8 1 1 0 8) but Willie Navarro (4-3) gave up a 2-run homer in the 7th and Tim James allowed another in the 8th.

Game 2: The Rays erased a 3-0 deficit and tied the game in the 6th but the Orioles walked it off in the 9th against Mel Mejia and took a 4-3 decision. Luis Barela singled in a run and Alex Duran followed with a 2-run blast (#17) to equalize after Angel Roig had another lousy start (4 4 3 3 3 0) and is now officially out of the rotation. We stayed at 3-3 until Mejia (2-4) loaded the bases in the 9th and Steve Falcon gave up a walk-off single.

Game 3: Having scored a total of 3 runs in the first 2 games of the series the Rays offense we've come to know and love showed up in the finale as they won a 10-6 slugfest after blowing a 6-3 lead. Jon Morales' 2nd RBI hit of the day broke a 6-6 tie in the 7th and two batters later Alex Duran launched a 3-run shot (#18) for the final margin of victory. Earlier they got homers from Corey Herring (#2) and Ismael Morales, his first of the year and first with the club. Greg Bookhart started and should have had a win after going 5 8 3 2 1 6 but Tim James gave up a 3-run homer to former Ray Vinny Rodriguez to let Baltimore tie it up. James though still got his first MLB win in the ugliest fashion after the 4-run outburst in the 7th. Steve Falcon had to get the final out after the Orioles put a couple on in the 9th for save #32.

Team record: 86-33. Next up: A return home to face the Austin Dukes three times.

[Art Deco]

August 16: Optioned P Chris O'Brien to AAA Durham, recalled P Brad Mabe from AAA Durham.

O'Brien wasn't very good since coming back up and Mabe has pitched well both in relief and the rotation. We're going to give him a shot as a starter with Angel Roig moving back to the pen.

Game 1: The Rays took an early 5-0 lead and held on to beat Austin 5-4 at Publix Park. Yuji Morioka led the way with 3 RBI, on an RBI single in the 2nd and a 2-run knock in the 3rd while Bob Riley held the Dukes off the board until giving up a 2-run homer to his former catcher Akio Suzuki in the 7th. Riley (14-4) finished a solid 7 7 2 2 0 4. With Steve Falcon tired, Willie Navarro got the ball with a 5-2 lead in the 9th and gave up a 2-run shot to make it close but still notched his 3rd save.

August 17: Activated OF Mario Saro from the 10-day IL, optioned OF Corey Herring to AAA Durham.

Game 2: Tuesday's scheduled second game was rained out so we played a Wednesday doublehader and the Rays dropped the matinee 12-9 after trailing 11-2 in the 7th. Steve Morris (4-5) was hit hard at 3.1 8 7 4 0 4 and then Angel Roig gave up 4 runs in the 7th to create the huge deficit. But Tampa Bay stormed back with help from Juan Davila, who had two doubles, a 2-run homer (#23) and 3 RBI and Alex Duran, who drove in a pair including a solo shot (#19) yet still fell short.

Game 3: The Rays took the nightcap and the series with a convincing 11-4 win over Austin. Mario Saro returned to the lineup today and after driving in a pair in the first game went 4-5 with 2 more RBI in the second while Juan Davila drove in 4 including his second homer of the day (#24), a 3-run blast while Chris Kidd and Ismael Morales were each 3-4 with an RBI. Dave Rose (12-4) still gets it done despite giving up two more homer, going 6.2 7 4 2 2 6 for the win.

Team record: 88-34. Next up: An off-day then Cleveland visits for 3.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays' bullpen turned a rout into a game that needed saving but they still prevailed 10-7 in the opener at Publix Park. It was the Alex Duran show on offense as the DH cranked out three homers, becoming one of very many who share the team record and driving in six runs on the day. He went deep in the 4th, 6th and 7th in consecutive at-bats and he was supported by Luis Barela who was 2-4 with 2 RBI. Unfortunately though Barela had to leave with a pulled abdominal muscle legging out an infield hit and will go on the 10-day IL with a short-term "moderate" injury. Greg Bookhart (15-5) was good at 5 5 2 1 2 3 but the pen wasn't as Tim James gave up a pair of runs and Tony Pasillas, who's just been putrid this year, allowed 3, both times with big leads. Mel Mejia also made things interesting in the 9th allowing a couple of hits, so Steve Falcon had to come in and end the nonsense with his 33rd save.

August 21: Placed 3B Luis Barela on the 10-day IL with an abdominal strain, recalled 3B Steve Holt from AAA Durham.

It's the major league debut for Holt, once a prized prospect whose shine has come off but still is a decent hitter (but a mediocre fielder). Barela will be back when the 10 days are up and if we didn't have such a huge lead he wouldn't have even gone on the IL.

Game 2: A rarity today at Publix Park as Steve Falcon blew his first save of the year and the Rays lost a tough one 4-3 to Cleveland. Ruben Ramirez homered with two men on in the first (#16) to give the Rays an early lead which stood up into the 9th when Falcon was touched for 3 hits and a walk as two Guardians scored. The offense went quiet after that first which didn't help. Steve Holt made his MLB debut and singled in his first at-bat, finishing 1-3 before being lifted for Alex Duran in the 9th who grounded out to end the game.

Game 3: Rinse and repeat as the Rays' inability to score or protect a lead cost them in a 5-2 defeat. Bob Riley was in fine form but only given a 1-0 lead through 6 before Cleveland got to him for a pair in the 7th as he finished 7 5 2 2 1 7. Tomas Laboy hit his 8th homer in the bottom of the inning to tie it up but Willie Navarro (4-4) gave up the go-ahead run in the 8th and Jose Morales was tagged for two more in the 9th. Jon Morales' MLB-leading 39th homer of the year accounted for the first Rays run.

Team record: 89-36. Our mediocre form of late has us down to #2 in the power rankings behind the 82-43 White Sox, who have won 6 straight. Not that it matters. Next up: Boston visits for 3.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays opened their series with Boston at Publix Park with a tidy 4-2 win. Mario Saro had the big hit, a 3-run homer (#20) in the 4th which put Tampa Bay ahead to stay. Nelson Bocardo also went deep with his 9th. Steve Morris (5-5) picked up the win, going 5 4 2 2 2 3 and Steve Falcon handled the 9th for save #34.

Game 2: A good old-fashioned Publix Park pummeling as the Rays routed the Sox 12-3. Chris Parham got things going early against his former team with an RBI single and 2-run double and then Juan Davila took over with a 3-run homer (#25) and an RBI single as part of his 3-hit day while Mario Saro homered for the second straight day (#21), with a man on. Dave Rose (13-4) gave up his customary homer(s), allowing a pair but still going 6 6 3 3 3 6.

Game 3: The Rays had to win the finale twice with Nelson Bocardo's RBI single walking off a 5-4 win in the bottom of the 9th. This was after Steve Falcon suffered his second blown save in three outings, losing a 4-3 lead in the top of the inning. Chris Parham's 2-run double in the 4th gave them that lead, which held up until the 9th, and Tomas Laboy added a solo shot (#9). Greg Bookhart should have had the win after a good 6 5 3 3 2 4 start but in the end Falcon (4-2) vultured it and the Rays had a sweep.

Team record: 92-36. Next up: An off-day then we travel to Oklahoma City to play 3 against the Sunbirds.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Alex Duran had another massive game and the Rays rolled to an 8-1 win in Oklahoma City. Duran, who had games of 3 HR and 6 RBI and 2 HR and 5 RBI earlier this month, did the latter again by homering twice including a grand slam in a 5-run 3rd and upping his HR total to 24. Mario Saro stayed hot as well, going 2-5 with a 2-run shot (#22), his third homer in four games. All of this offense was plenty for Brad Mabe, who impressed with a 6.1 6 1 1 1 5 outing and notched his first win as Ray and his second quality start in as many outings since being recalled.

Game 2: A key error and a lack of offense sent the Rays to defeat as they fell 4-2 to the Sunbirds. Yuji Morioka's error in the 7th led to a pair of unearned runs which broke a 2-2 tie and made a hard-luck loser of Bob Riley (14-5), who went all the way in an 8 4 4 2 1 1 performance. Tomas Laboy's RBI double was the lone offensive highlight.

Game 3: The Rays bounced back to take the series over Oklahoma City with a 5-0 shutout in the finale. Dave Rose (14-4) went 5 3 0 0 3 7 and he and four relievers combined on the blanking. Nelson Bocardo swung the big bat, going 3-4 with a 2-run homer (#9) and an RBI single. Jon Morales, who has cooled off considerably in August, finally hit the 40-HR mark with a solo shot, only his third of the month.

Team record: 94-37. Next up: Back home for 3 vs the Yankees.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: A 5-run 6th broke open a 2-2 game and the Rays went on to a comfortable 8-2 win over the Yankees at Publix Park. A bases-loaded walk to Chris Parham broke the tie and then Mario Saro gave them some breathing room with a 2-run double after hitting an RBI triple earlier in the game. Greg Bookhart continued his quest to win 20 for the first time by improving to 16-5 with a 6 7 2 2 1 4 outing.

Game 2: Melvin Delgado was rusty in his return to the rotation and the bullpen wasn't much better either in a 10-5 loss to New York. Alex Duran capped a great month with a 3-run homer (#26) which gave the Rays a 4-2 lead after 3 but that was the high point for Tampa Bay as the Yankees got to Delgado (7-4) to the tune of 4.2 6 6 6 3 2 and three relievers combined to allow four more runs. Juan Davila had a solo shot (#26).

September 1: Recalled IF/OF Tony Olivo and P Tim James from AAA Durham.

Game 3: The Rays suffered a rare home series loss as the Yankees got the better of them in the finale 4-2. They banged out 13 hits but could only get two to cross the plate and one of those was a pinch-homer from Alex Duran (#27) in the 9th. Juan Davila had 4 hits and Nelson Bocardo 3 but spent their time stranded on the bases. Brad Mabe (1-1) was adequate at 5 7 3 3 2 6 but can't exactly be called a hard-luck loser.

Team record: 95-39. Next up: An off-day then 3 games in Toronto.

The team was honored with several monthly awards:







It was a very pedestrian month for Morales, which tells me he doesn't have a lot of rookie competition in the AL.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays were quiet at the plate in a 4-1 loss at Rogers Centre to Toronto in the opener. Only Mario Saro, 3-4 with the lone run scored, distinguished himself with the bat and Bob Riley (14-6) was treated rudely by his former teammates at 4.1 8 4 4 1 2.

Game 2: Runs were at a premium in the second game and it took 10 innings before one was scored and it was by Tampa Bay in a 1-0 win. Mario Saro singled with two out in the top of the 10th, stole his 20th base, and scored on a Nelson Bocardo single. Dave Rose went 7 8 0 0 0 11 in an at-times dominating outing, Mel Mejia (3-4) got the win and Steve Falcon picked up save #35.

Game 3: The finale was the polar opposite of the previous day as the Rays won a 13-8 slugfest over Toronto to take the series. Luis Barela drove in 5 runs, 4 of them on a 3rd-inning grand slam (#29) which put the Rays up 4-2 and for good. Juan Viatoro added a 2-run blast (#8) and Alex Duran stayed toasty with a 3-run shot (#27). Juan Davila had 4 hits including 3 doubles and scored 3 times. Greg Bookhart's run at 20 wins continued apace as he improved to 17-5 despite a mediocre 5.2 9 4 4 2 4 performance before the bullpen gave up 4 late runs to make the margin for Toronto look less bad.

Team record: 97-40. Next up: Back home for 3 against the Yankees.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays ended up on the wrong end of a rare low-scoring affair at Publix Park as they were edged 2-1 by the Yankees. Steve Falcon (4-3) gave up a solo homer in the 9th for the New York winner after Melvin Delgado was an excellent 7 6 1 1 0 6. Backup catcher Alvaro Alejandre was the Rays offense, going 2-2 with a pair of walks and a pair of doubles, one of which drove in the lone run. He's hitting a cool 354/439/515 in limited action, surprising given his 45 contact rating.

Game 2: The offense found itself again today and then some in a 16-4 rout of New York. Mario Saro led the way, going 3-4 with 2 HR (#23 & 24) and 5 RBI, Jon Morales with 3-5 with HR #41, and Nelson Bocardo was 4-6 with an RBI as they rapped out 21 hits. Brad Mabe (2-1) continued his fine run going 6 5 1 1 2 2.

Game 3: Bob Riley was hit hard the Rays fell behind 6-1, only to come all the way back to tie at 7, and it looked like another patented Publix Park comeback win was in the cards. But the Yankees had the last laugh, homering off Mel Mejia (3-5) in the 9th and taking an 8-7 win along with the series. Riley was tuned up to the tune of 4 10 6 5 1 2 with a pair of homers allowed but Luis Barela blasted a pair of homers, driving in 3 and giving him 31 and 120 on the season while Jon Morales might be heating up again as he homered for the 2nd straight day (#42) and reached the 100-RBI mark and Mario Saro homered for the third time in two games (#25) with a man on. But it wasn't quite enough.

Team record: 98-42. The win in the second game officially clinched the AL East for the 28th straight year and 30th time in club history. Next up: a day off then 3 games in Detroit.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Dave Rose was dazzling and the red-hot Alex Duran came through with another big hit as the Rays took the opener at Comerica from the Tigers 6-1. Rose (15-4) went 7 2 1 1 2 5 and barely broke a sweat while Duran delivered a bases-clearing double in the 8th which turned a 3-1 game into a 6-1 affair. Juan Davila had the big early hit, a 2-run homer (#27) in a 3-run 3rd inning.

Game 2: Greg Bookhart's march to 20 wins continued apace as he went to 18-5 in a 5-2 Rays win over Detroit, their 100th of the season. The lefty managed to get his 5.1 6 0 0 0 4 outing in before a 57-minute rain delay in the 6th and after Steve Morris gave up a couple of runs afterwards, Steve Falcon finished it out for save #36. And who else but Alex Duran had the key hit as he drilled a 2-run homer (#28) in the 4th to expand the Tampa Bay lead to 3-0. Also homering were Juan Viatoro (#9, solo) and for the second straight day Juan Davila (#28, also solo).

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep of a good Detroit team (78-62 coming in) in their own park with a wild 14-8 triumph in the finale. The Rays scored all 14 runs in only 4 innings, getting 4 in the 1st and 6th and 3 in the 4th and 9th as they banged out 19 hits. Juan Viatoro capped a big series by going 4-6 with two doubles, HR #10 and 3 RBI; Alex Duran (again) drove in 5 including a bases-clearing double to put him over the 100-RBI plateau; and Chris Parham was 4-5 with an RBI double. Melvin Delgado was staked an early 4-0 lead but couldn't handle it, getting knocked out in the third after going 2.1 7 5 5 2 2. Joe Clark (3-1) nabbed the win with 2 2/3 scoreless.

Team record: 101-42. Next up: The road trip continues with 3 in Minnesota.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Brad Mabe continued to impress and the Rays scored early and often in a 7-4 win over the Twins at Target Field. The veteran lefty won for the third time in four starts after going 6 4 3 2 2 4 and is 3-1, 2.76 in 5 starts since being called up from Durham. Juan Davila's bases-clearing double in the 1st put them up 3-0, and Mario Saro had a 2-run single to cap a 4-run 4th to lead the attack. Steve Falcon had a rare 2-inning save (#37) to close it out.

Game 2: While Brad Mabe has been hot, Bob Riley has been not. The lefty (14-7) was hit hard for the third straight start in a 9-4 loss to the Twins, going 5.1 6 5 5 3 4 with 3 homers allowed and has yielded 14 earned runs and 6 homers in 13.2 IP over his last three starts. Alex Duran's 2-run homer (#29) was the highlight on offense.

Game 3: The story of this series was Rays starters being either hot or cold and most decidedly hot is Dave Rose, who pitched a complete-game 1-hit shutout in a 6-0 win. Rose (16-4) walked 3 and fanned 11 in a 105-pitch masterpiece with a 3rd-inning double the only hit against him. Rose has allowed 1 run in his last 28 innings over 4 starts and has his ERA down to 3.02, making a late run at Cy Young contention. Alex Duran with a 2-run double and Yuji Morioka with a 2-run homer (#27) supplied all the offense Rose needed in a big 4th inning.

Team record: 103-43. Next up: A day off before the road trip concludes with 3 games in Seattle.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Greg Bookhart inched closer to 20 wins as the Rays routed the Mariners 11-4 in the opener at T-Mobile Park. The lefty went to 19-5 despite a ragged beginning, which saw him allow 4 runs in the first 2 innings. But Juan Davila's 3rd-inning grand slam (#29) erased a 4-1 deficit and the Rays and Bookhart didn't look back from there with the lefty finishing 5 5 4 3 2 4. Davila had two more hits, one of which was an RBI single to give him a 5-ribbie day and Alex Duran was 3-4 with a double and 3 RBI, giving him a ridiculous 17 RBI in his last 7 games.

Game 2: Melvin Delgado and the bullpen could not handle leads of 6-2 and 8-4 entrusted to them and Tampa Bay lost the second game 9-8 to Seattle. Mario Saro (#26) and Juan Davila (#30) homered, Yuji Morioka had a bases-clearing triple, Jon Morales drove in three more with a pair of hits and it looked like they were on their way. But Delgado kept giving those runs back and was pulled in the 4th after going 3.1 6 6 6 3 3, allowing 3 homers. And then Mel Mejia (3-6) was torched for 3 runs in the 7th as Seattle pulled ahead. Two of those three runs against Mejia came courtesy of former Ray Jeff Googins, who it the second of his pair of homers today.

Game 3: The Rays took the rubber game of the series with a comfortable 8-2 win behind another excellent start from Brad Mabe and a big day from Jon Morales. Mabe went to 4-1, 2.72 in 6 starts since being recalled and was 7 4 2 2 1 3, shutting out Seattle until allowing a 2-run homer in the 7th. Morales meanwhile had a 3-hit day including a double which was capped by a grand slam (#43) in the 7th as he regained his MLB home run lead. They put 8 on the board despite playing 5 guys off the bench today.

Team record: 105-44. Next up: Back home for 3 vs Toronto.

Durham Playoff Update: The Bulls finished with the best record in the IL this year at 84-56 and it earned them a first round playoff against Buffalo. The Bisons shocked Durham by taking the first two games in North Carolina but the Bulls fought back by winning the next two in Buffalo, setting up a winner-take-all 5th game for the right to advance to the championship round.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Bob Riley broke out of his 3-start slump and the Rays took a 6-2 win over Toronto in the opener at Publix Park. The lefty improved to 15-7 with a fine 7.1 8 1 1 0 3 outing and received support from Juan Viatoro, whose 3-run homer (#12) in the 4th broke a 1-1 tie and sent Tampa Bay on its way. Alex Duran (#30) and Luis Barela (#32) added solo homers and Steve Falcon got the final two outs for his 38th save.

Game 2: Days like today are why Publix Park is known as the "Coors Field of the South" and the Rays outlasted Toronto 11-10 to win again. After a pedestrian August, MVP and Rookie of the Year-Elect Jon Morales has gotten hot again and today he might have had his best game of the season, driving in 7 runs with a grand slam (#44), 2-run double and sac fly as he was 4-5. Yuji Morioka added HR #28 as he seeks to be the 5th Ray in the 30-homer club this year and somehow Dave Rose (17-4) picked up the win despite going 5 9 7 7 0 6 with 4(!) homers allowed. Speaking of giving up longballs, Willie Navarro managed to record his 4th save despite allowing a pair of solo shots in the 9th.

Game 3: Greg Bookhart got his first crack at 20 wins with Tampa Bay looking for the sweep. Well the Rays won but Bookhart didn't thanks to a blown save with Tampa Bay coming out on top 9-5. Jon Morales' insane run continued with a 3-run homer (#45) in the 5th which gave Bookhart a 5-2 lead, but the lefty handed back 2 runs to the Jays in the 6th with the second coming on a steal of home. He finished 6 5 4 3 0 7 and left the game up 5-4, but Abelaldo Gray (5-1) surrendered a homer to the first man he faced in the 7th and he ended up vulturing the win when his mates scored 4 times in the bottom of the inning. Morales added an RBI double in that outburst and a sac fly earlier to give him 5 more ribbies today, making it an insane 20 in last 5 games. He now leads MLB with 8.5 WAR, a rookie season for the ages.

Team record: 108-44. Next up: An off-day then 3 games in Baltimore.

Durham Playoff Update: The Bulls were blasted 10-3 by Buffalo in the deciding game 5 in Durham and are out of the IL playoffs.

[Art Deco]

The Rays have decided to honor perhaps the greatest player in their history by bringing him back for an encore performance to (likely) close out his career. 43-year-old Jaiden Hardaway was signed to a minor league contract and will join the club on the upcoming road trip. Hardaway was unsigned this year as a free agent after playing the last eight seasons with Houston. But before that he did this in the 30s:



An incredible run as the game's top player and he added another 37 career WAR while with Houston.

Hardaway did get one game under his belt, playing in Game 5 of Durham's playoff series in which he went 0-3 with 2 walks. The eye is still elite (75) but the contact and power are down to 45 and he has no defensive value, which is likely why he went unsigned and which is likely why he'll retire after this season. But he'll get to retire as a Ray.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The usual suspects with the bats were at it again today as the Rays routed the Orioles 11-5 at Camden Yards. 5-time MVP Luis Barela belted a pair of homers (#33 & 34), likely 2049 MVP Jon Morales unloaded a grand slam (#47), Mario Saro had a 2-run shot (#27) and Alex Duran went yard (#31). Melvin Delgado (8-4) wasn't great but 6 9 4 4 1 3 was good enough for the win today while Steve Morris went the final 3 innings for his 1st save.

September 25: Optioned IF/OF Tony Olivo to AAA Durham, purchased the contract of 1B Jaiden Hardaway from the Bulls.

See the previous post.

Game 2: And then it was like someone turned a spigot and the Rays offense was completely shut off in a 1-0 loss, a game in which they managed a 7th-inning Mario Saro double as their only hit. Brad Mabe (4-2) kept his great run of pitching going but was the hard-luck loser when he allowed a 7th-inning homer and finished 7.2 4 1 1 3 2. Jaiden Hardaway made his return to the Rays lineup for the first time in 9 years and was 0-4.

Game 3: The Rays took the series from Baltimore with a 5-3 win in the finale. Jaiden Hardaway was 2-4 with a double, walk and 2 runs scored from the leadoff spot like it was back in the day, and although he likely won't reach the mark, the two hits left him 30 short of 3000. Tomas Laboy (#10) and Chris Parham (#7) homered and Jon Morales had a 2-run single to move within one RBI of teammate Luis Barela for the MLB lead with 129. That makes it 26 RBI in the last 7 games (!) for the rookie. Bob Riley (16-7) was outstanding at 7 4 0 0 1 5 and after the bullpen gave up 3 runs in the 8th Steve Falcon ended the nonsense with a clean 9th for save #39.

Team record: 110-45. Next up: 3 games in Boston.

Playoff race update: In the AL the Rays, White Sox and Astros will win their divisions. The wild card race is wide open with the Angels a game up on the Twins, who are 1/2 game up on the Tigers and 1 on the Yankees. Only two will make it. In the NL the Cubs have clinched the Central and the Rockies are 3 up on the Giants but the Phillies lead the Nationals by only 1 1/2. The Giants are 5 up on the Dodgers in the wild card so they will host, but LA is only up 1 1/2 on Washington and 3 on St. Louis.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Dave Rose was dominant and the Rays shut out the Red Sox 7-0. The righty improved to 18-4, 3.16 with a 6.2 7 0 0 0 9 performance and has shown he's just about unbeatable when he's not giving up homers (of course he's allowed 31 this year). Juan Viatoro had a 2-run homer in the 2nd (#12) to stake them to an early lead and Alex Duran put it away with a grand slam in the 8th (#32).

Game 2: Greg Bookhart's quest for 20 wins reached its destination tonight as he held Boston to 1 hit over 6 innings in a 3-0 Rays win, the team's second straight shutout. Bookhart went to 20-5, 3.26 after going 6 1 0 0 4 4 but the win was in question as the game was scoreless until the 7th, when his mates got him the runs he needed with Ruben Ramirez's 2-run single the key. Steve Falcon preserved the win with a round number of his own, save #40.

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep of Boston, edging the Sox 5-4 at Fenway. Jon Morales was 3-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI while Yuji Morioka cranked a 2-run homer (#29), bringing him within one longball of being the 5th Ray to hit at least 30 this year. Melvin Delgado (9-4) was decent at 6 7 3 2 1 4 and Steve Falcon saved again but this time in shaky fashion, giving up a leadoff homer in the 9th and then putting two more on before getting a double play and a whiff to notch save #41.

Team record: 113-45. Next up: We close out the regular season with 4 games at Yankee Stadium. New York is in the thick of the wild card race (more on that in a minute) and we can definitely play spoiler.

Playoff race update: So the wild card race remains wide-open in the AL with the Angels all but set for one but the second in contest with Detroit a 1/2 game up on Minnesota and the Yankees. The NL has a division race to be decided as the Phillies lead Washington by only 1/2 game in the East and one wild card up for grabs with the Dodgers 1 1/2 up on the Nationals, so the East loser may miss the playoffs altogether.

Retirements: The usual wave of guys who finished out their careers in AAA took place and a couple of former Rays hung up the cleats. Most notable was OF Daniel Malone, who spent four productive years with us from 2037-2040 and he hit .317 with 6.2 WAR in 2038 when he won his only ring (that was a "down" period for us, only winning one title in those four seasons). In 2039 he led the league in runs (124) and triples (14). The other was IF Ramon Ruiz, an international signing by us whom we traded to St. Louis while a prospect but re-acquired in late 2038 on waivers and then spent the rest of that season and three more as our primarily infield backup.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays dealt a death blow to the Yankees' wild card hopes with a 13-7 win in the opener at the Stadium. Ruben Ramirez was the executioner with an RBI single and a pair of 2-run homers to give him 5 RBI on the day and 18 HR on the season. Tomas Laboy (#12), Juan Davila (#31) and Luis Barela (#35) also gave unhappy Yankee fans souvenirs. Brad Mabe was probably due for a clunker (3.1 8 6 6 2 3) but Joe Clark (4-1) picked up the win in relief with 1 2/3 scoreless.

Game 2: Bob Riley closed out his regular season in fine fashion and the Rays shoveled more dirt on the Yankees with a 5-1 win. Riley ended his season 17-7, 3.61 after a 6 5 1 1 1 3 gem. Chris Kidd hit his 2nd homer of the year against his old organization while Mario Saro and Alex Duran each had 2 hits and an RBI.

Game 3: The Rays crushed the Yankees once more 12-2 buoyed by a 7-run 5th inning which featured a 3-run Jon Morales homer, #47 and along with an earlier RBI double pushed him to the MLB RBI lead with teammate Luis Barela at 135. Nelson Bocardo was 3-5 with 3 RBI while Barela and Juan Davila each had 2 hits and 2 RBI. Dave Rose capped a great season (19-4, 3.17) with a 5 4 2 2 4 8 outing.

Game 4: Tampa Bay completed the 4-game sweep of the Yankees and ended the regular season on an 8-game win streak after a tidy 4-1 win over New York. Jon Morales put an exclamation mark on an incredible rookie season by homering twice and driving in 3 runs to give him both the MLB HR and RBI crowns at 49 and 138, along with a big league-best 8.8 WAR. Angel Roig (8-1), who had struggled mightily in the second half and in the rotation, got a spot start and was great at 6.1 3 0 0 2 9.

Final Regular Season Record: 117-45. Next up: Game 1 of the ALDS late next week against either the Tigers or the Angels at Publix Park.

Playoff race update: As I just noted Detroit edged Minnesota for the second AL wild card; in the NL Washington beat out Philadelphia for the NL East as the Phillies had a 2-8 stretch at the end and lost a 3-game lead. They also missed the playoffs entirely as the Dodgers claimed the 2nd NL wild card. The other NL wild card and the West ended up surprisingly going to a playoff as the Giants swept the Rockies over the final weekend to force a tie, only for the Rockies to win the tiebreaker game #163 2-1 saved by former Ray Willie Minier.