The 2020 (and beyond) Tampa Bay Rays

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Of all the Rays pitchers the least likely to take a no-hitter into the 8th Bob Riley would be at the top of the list, having allowed 114 in 81 IP this year, but that's what he did as the Rays took the opener from the Rangers 6-1 at Globe Life Field. Riley gave up a one-out double in the 8th for the first safety against him, and then gave up an RBI single to depart at 7.1 2 1 1 1 3 and improve to 5-4. Juan Viatoro's solo homer (#10) in the 5th opened the scoring and Jon Morales had the big hit, a bases-clearing triple in the 6th.

July 5: Activated P Greg Bookhart from his rehab assignment, optioned P Tim James to AAA Durham.

Game 2: The Rays got a dramatic 9th-inning game-tying homer from Beau Bonczek (#16) but couldn't do anything after that and suffered a tough 3-2 loss in 11 innings to Texas. Jose Morales (1-1) gave up a 2-out walkoff homer in the 11th to lose the game as Tampa Bay wasted a solid return outing from Greg Bookhart, who was 6 6 2 2 1 3.

Game 3: Another lost series as Texas took the finale 7-3 thanks in large part to a 5-run 6th inning. Nikola Grieco (7-3) went 5 4 3 3 4 3 and then Kevin Hetzel made a big mess in that 6th, allowing a grand slam to make it 7-0 Rangers. Beau Bonczek (#17) and Juan Davila (#12) had late consolation homers.

Team record: 52-36. Next up: An off-day then off to Anaheim for 3 with the Angels before the All-Star break.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Dave Rose was solid and the Rays took a comfortable 5-1 win over the Angels in the opener. Rose evened his record at 6-6 after going 6 5 1 1 3 6 and received his support early with all 5 Rays runs coming in the first three innings. Ruben Ramirez's 2-run homer (#9) capped a 3-run first, and Luis Barela's 2nd RBI single of the day came in the 3rd.

Game 2: The Rays squandered a 3-0 lead and went on to lose 4-3 to the Angels in the second game. Juan Viatoro had 3 hits including a pair of doubles, one of which brought home a run, and Jon Morales had a solo shot (#19) to build that lead, but after Melvin Delgado left up 3-2 after a fine 7 5 2 2 0 6 start, Steve Talbott (2-3) came on for the two-inning save and didn't even keep the lead through one, allowing a pair of runs in the 8th for his sixth blown save of the year already. The Rays had three baserunners in the 9th but a caught stealing helped short-circuit the rally.

Game 3: Tampa Bay went into the All-Star break on a winning note, holding on to win 6-5 and take the series from the Angels. It looked like a rout in the making when they went up 6-0 in the 3rd thanks to a pair of RBI hits including a double from Juan Viatoro and 3 knocked in by Ismael Morales, but Alec McInerney wasn't as good in his second Rays start and left after going 4 4 3 3 4 3. Chris Hetzel (2-3) went three innings allowing only a solo homer for the win, and after LA crept within 6-5 in the 8th, Steve Talbott made up for yesterday by getting the Angels 1-2-3 in the 9th for save #15.

Team record: 54-37. For once we actually gained a game on the Yankees who lost 2 of 3, but the deficit is still a healthy 9 1/2 games. Next up: The All-Star break and when we return it's four games in New York with a chance to whittle the lead as we're going to need to take at least 3 of 4 to have any prayer of catching them.

[Art Deco]

No Rays pitchers on the squad, which is no surprise, but 7 hitters: Bocardo (his 4th appearance), Viatoro (2nd), Davila (2nd), Barela (his 11th, all consecutive), Bonczek (1st), Saro (5th), Morales (2nd). Former Rays in the game: Jonathan Melendez, Steve Falcon, Jose Castillo, Vinny Rodriguez, Jeff Googins and Doug Johns in the AL, and Dan Robinson, Willie Minier, Satoshi Sato, Kurt Ferguson and Mike Willis in the NL.

We had two guys in the HR Derby, and they didn't last long:



Some very paltry numbers here, typical of my 2021 Rays save but not this one.



All of the Rays except Juan Viatoro got to play with all but he and Beau Bonczek starting. Mario Saro homered to lead off the game for the AL, and Nelson Bocardo doubled among the Tampa Bay highlights.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays returned to action after the All-Star break with a huge series in New York, perhaps their last best chance to make a race out of it in the AL East where the Yankees come in 9 1/2 games up. And Tampa Bay took a good first step, downing them 5-2 in the opener. It should have been a more comfortable win as they banged out 16 hits but ended up leaving 11 on base. Mario Saro was 3-5 with a 3rd-inning homer (#26) and 2 RBI, Luis Barela was 3-4 with an insurance solo shot (#28) in the 9th off former teammate Abelaldo Gray, and Alex Duran had 4 hits including a pair of doubles and an RBI. Greg Bookhart was decent at 4.2 3 2 2 5 4 but the walks drove up his pitch count so Chris Hetzel (3-3) nabbed the win with Steve Talbott notching save #16.

Game 2: Tampa Bay beat the Yankees again, scoring 6 times in the first 3 innings and winning 6-2. Alex Duran had a 2-run shot (#11) in the first, Beau Bonczek added a 2-run homer (#19) in the 2nd, and Luis Barela homered again in the 3rd (#29). Barela's RBI double in the first accounted for the other scoring. Dave Rose (7-6) was excellent at 5.2 5 1 1 1 7 for the win.

Game 3: The Rays' footsteps are getting louder and louder for the Yankees as they made it three straight over New York, going up 8-1 in the 4th and hanging on by their fingernails to end up winning 8-7. A 6-run 3rd inning was decisive with Luis Barela homering for the third straight day with a man on (#30) and Mario Saro adding a 3-run blast (#27) later in the inning. Bob Riley (6-4) gave up 2 runs in the first and then settled in with six shutout innings, but put a couple on in the 8th and the pen let them score giving him a 7.2 9 4 4 1 2 line. Chris Hetzel and Willie Navarro let New York within 8-7 before Mel Mejia closed it out for his first save of the year with Steve Talbott unavailable due to food poisoning.

Game 4: Ladies and gentlemen, we have a race in the AL East as the Rays completed a 4-game sweep at Yankee Stadium with a 10-inning, 4-3 win, slicing New York's division lead to 5 1/2 games. Nelson Bocardo's third hit of the day, a bloop single with 2 out in the 10th, brought home the winner and the victory was credited to Willie Navarro (3-1) who pitched both the 9th and 10th with Steve Talbott still out. Melvin Delgado started and scattered hits at 5.2 10 2 2 0 4 and homers from Juan Viatoro (#11, solo) and Alex Duran (#12, a 2-run shot) provided their scoring in regulation.

Team record: 58-37. Next up: Home for 3 against the Austin Dukes and no time for a letdown.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays raced out to an 8-0 lead against the Dukes and held on to win the opener 9-5 at Publix Park. Beau Bonczek's 3-run homer in the 4th (#19) broke it open and he later added an RBI double while Luis Barela chipped in a solo shot, his 31st and Juan Davila added a 2-run double. Nikola Grieco got back in the win column and improved to 8-3 with a 5.2 8 3 3 0 6 outing.

Game 2: Austin manhandled the Rays in the second game 12-2. We've been going with a 6-man rotation since Greg Bookhart came off the IL and Alec McInerney was acquired and it was McInerney who was lit up today, his second poor start after an excellent debut with us. He was 3.1 6 6 5 2 5 and might end up in long relief. Both Rays runs came on solo homers with Mario Saro leading off the game with #28 and Juan Viatoro going deep among his 3 hits with #12.

Game 3: Attack of the killer Bs as Beau Bonczek homered twice and Greg Bookhart was brilliant in a 5-1 win in the rubber game of the series. Bonczek bookended the scoring with a pair of 2-run homers, one in the 4th and the other in the 8th, his 20th & 21st of the year. Bookhart meanwhile improved to 5-0 with an outstanding 6 3 1 1 3 8 outing. Juan Viatoro continued to rake, going 4-4, on base both times when Bonczek homered and scoring 3 runs total.

Team record: 60-38. The Yankees also took 2 of 3 so we remain 5 1/2 behind. Next up: A weekend at Fenway with 3 against the Red Sox.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays got decent pitching but couldn't get the hitting to go with it and lost the opener at Fenway 3-2 to Boston. The Red Sox scored all 3 of their runs in the first off Dave Rose (7-7) with the help of an error and the righty finished 6 6 3 2 1 6. Juan Davila provided an immediate answer in the 2nd with a 2-run homer (#13) but that would turn out to be all the scoring tonight.

Game 2: Unlike last night the bats provided some runs but also unlike last night the pitching was horrible as the Rays once again fell to Boston 10-6. Bob Riley (6-5) was lit up like a Christmas tree, going 1.1 9 8 6 0 1 and I'm just not sure he's capable of pitching behind this bad defense given his proclivity to not miss bats. Juan Viatoro had a 2-run HR (#13) in a losing cause.

Game 3: A miserable weekend in Boston concluded with a 9-8 loss in the finale as whatever momentum and good feelings they had from sweeping the Yankees the weekend before are well and truly gone. New York won 2 of 3 to move back 7 1/2 games up. Today's pitcher in the dunk tank was Melvin Delgado (9-7) who went 4 8 6 6 0 2 with a couple of homers allowed and like Bob Riley he's not getting enough whiffs (72 in 118 IP) to overcome the defense behind him. The bats did battle back from 8-3 to make a game of it, with Ruben Ramirez doubling twice and driving in a pair, Ismael Morales collecting 4 hits, and C.J. Yamaguchi coming off the bench to provide a 2-run pinch-homer in the 9th (#7) to make it a one-run game. The next batter Morales singled but with one out in the inning he was caught stealing and that was that. Speaking of Moraleses, last year's rookie of the year and MVP Jon went 0-for-the weekend and is actually 0-21 in his last 6 games and is 253/322/477 on the year, a far cry from 2049.

Team record: 60-41. Next up: Back home for 3 vs Columbus.

[Art Deco]

Just as it's easier to fire a manager than 26 players, it's easier to tweak a pitching staff than revamp the entire team defense. To some extent it's been a combination of both which has ailed the Rays this year but for now the move is to shake up the staff and we made three trades to that end.

First:



Until and unless we improved the defense, putting contact-pitcher Bob Riley out there every fifth game was trouble waiting to happen so he was going to be the odd man out of the rotation. It's a shame because Riley had 3 good seasons for us, going 47-22 and was good for 11.4 pitcher WAR. He was even good enough for 1.5 WAR this year as he kept the ball in the park and didn't walk anyone. But 137 hits in 94 innings was just too painful to watch. So in return we get a pretty good pitcher in Ravin, who's capable of starting but will bolster the pen for us in the short term, rated 60/55/65 as a reliever.

The next deal was the biggest:



With our lousy defense a bat-missing starter is essential and Bransington fits that bill, sporting 70 stuff to go with 60 movement and 55 control and is on pace for over 4 pitcher WAR this season. He cost us a decent pitching prospect in Moss, our supplemental first-round in 2048 who's recovering from a torn UCL. Moss has 55/55/55 potential so if he reaches it he's a 3rd/4th starter but obviously we can't wait on him.

To make room for Bransington on the staff, we made one last deal:



Morales had been good in his second stint with the club the last couple of seasons, going 11-0 out of the pen with ERAs of 2.30 and 2.50 but this year has been dreadful with a 7.36 ERA and 6 homers allowed in 29 IP, earning negative WAR. His stuff is still good and that combined with his track record brought us a couple of decent prospects in King, a lefty reliever who could eventually replace Morales (55/65/55 ratings), and Alba, an excellent defensive OF with good speed and 55/50 potential contact/power. We did have to throw in Dickens, but he's another sore-armed pitching prospect who's very borderline.

With all of these moves Melvin Delgado is going to the bullpen and Alec McInerney will continue to start as we return to a 5-man rotation. If McInerney doesn't pick it up those two could see their roles swapped.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays couldn't quite get the bats going at Publix Park and dropped a tough 4-3 decision to the Lightning in the series opener, making it 4 straight losses. Two of those three runs came on Luis Barela solo homers, giving him 33 for the season. Nikola Grieco (8-4) took the loss at 5 8 4 4 1 6, and one bright spot with the Rays debut of Steve Ravin, who pitched two perfect innings of relief.

Game 2: The Rays' malaise continued as they were thrashed by Columbus 10-4, extending their losing streak to 5. Greg Bookhart started and went 4 7 2 2 2 4, having to leave after throwing 89 pitches and Melvin Delgado (9-8) took over in relief for the first time. He had a quick 5th but the wheels came off in a 2-2 game in the 6th as he loaded the bases and Kevin Leonard let Delgado's men score and two more of his own as the Lightning busted it open. Three of the four Rays runs came on solo homers from Juan Viatoro (#14), CJ Yamaguchi (#8) and Juan Davila (#14).

Game 3: Tampa Bay finally snapped out of it and took an 8-4 win over Columbus to salvage a win from the series. Nelson Bocardo swung the big stick with a key pair of doubles which drove in a total of 3 runs, Juan Davila was 3-4 with an RBI, and Juan Viatoro homered again (#15). Dave Rose (8-7) wasn't his best at 6 7 4 4 3 4 but the bullpen held the Lightning in check to preserve the win.

Team record: 61-43. The Yankees also lost 2 of 3, so at least no ground was lost (still 7 1/2 back) but a chance to cut the division lead was squandered against a sub-.500 team at home. Next up: An off-day then more interleague action as San Diego visits for 3.

[Art Deco]

July 29: Placed SS Henry Murillo on the 10-day IL with a fractured hand, purchased the contract of SS Nelson Corona from AA Montgomery.

Murillo was hit by a pitch in the finale of the Columbus series and is done for the regular season. He may be able to come back in mid-October if we're still playing. Corona was a 3rd-round pick out of Rice last year and has moved quickly, playing at AA. He can play 2B too, will serve as the backup to Ismael Morales at SS and does a little of everything decently.

Game 1: Rex Bransington made his Rays debut and while he wasn't dazzling he didn't have to be as Tampa Bay routed the Padres 10-3 in the opener at Publix Park. The lefty gave up a 2-run homer in the 2nd and another run in the fifth but still got the win at 5 5 3 3 1 4. Luis Barela led the offense and made club history with his 3-run homer (#34) in the first, becoming the Rays' all-time leader in RBI with 913, surpassing Danny Ayala's 910. Ismael Morales, celebrating his return to everyday play at SS after the Murillo injury, had a bases-clearing double for the game's other big hit while Juan Viatoro upped his MLB-best .370 average by going 2-3 with an RBI double.

Game 2: Alec McInerney had by far his best Rays start as he and a pair of relievers combined on a 6-0 shutout of San Diego. McInerney went to 2-1 with Tampa Bay after an outstanding 6.2 5 0 0 1 8 outing and was supported by Juan Davila who was 3-4 with a pair of solo homers (#15 & 16) and Jon Morales with a 2-run homer (#20).

Game 3: The Rays needed one of their patented Publix Park late-inning rallies to complete the sweep, scoring 4 times in the 8th to take a 7-6 win over the Padres. Beau Bonczek, who started the comeback from down 6-1 with a solo homer (#22) in the 7th, ripped a 2-run double for the winning runs. Mario Saro started the fateful 8th with a solo shot (#29) and the rally made a winner of Mel Mejia (5-1). Steve Talbott finished for save #17, Nikola Greico started and went 5 3 2 2 5 7 and Chris Hetzel was the one who really put them in a hole, allowing 4 runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Team record: 64-43. And good news from New York where the Yankees dropped a pair to Colorado over the weekend so the Rays only trail by 5 1/2 games. Next up: Yet more interleague action as we head to Cincinnati for 3.

Plenty of awards love for the Rays and their farmhands:







What a pro debut for Granqvist, our 5th-round pick back in June. His potential is off the charts so I'm looking forward to seeing him move up the ladder.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: A rough welcome to Cincinnati for the Rays as they were routed 11-0 by the Reds. Greg Bookhart (5-1) lost for the first time in 2050, getting roughed up to the tune of 3.1 8 7 7 1 5 with a couple of homers allowed while the bats only managed five hits.

Game 2: The Rays got back in the win column but not after squandering a 7-3 lead in taking an 8-7 win at Cincinnati. They built that 7-3 lead on a remarkable night from Ruben Ramirez, who homered his first three times up, driving in 4 and giving him 12 homers on the season. Dave Rose started and went 6 6 6 6 3 9, looking like he had settled in after allowing 3 in the first before giving up a pair in the 6th and putting the leadoff man on who scored in the 7th. But Jon Morales, who had earlier singled in a run, broke the deadlock in the 9th with a solo shot (#21) and made a winner for the first time in Rays colors of Steve Ravin, who had a scoreless 8th after giving up the tying hit in the 7th. Steve Talbott had an uneventful 9th for save #18.

Game 3: Rex Bransington won his first Rays start last week but was more of a passenger in a 10-3 win. Tonight though he was the driver, pitching six dominant innings in a 6-1 over Cincinnati to take the series. The lefty was 6 3 1 1 0 10 to make it two wins in two Tampa Bay starts and was supported by a trio of hits: 2-run doubles from Mario Saro and Jon Morales and a 2-run homer from Luis Barela, his MLB-leading 35th (nobody else has more than 30).

Team record: 66-44. The Yankees lost two of three in Pittsburgh so the Rays are as close as they've been in a long time, only 4 1/2 out. Next up: An off-day then the road trip continues with 3 in Toronto.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays scored 7 times in the first 2 innings and went on to a comfortable 10-3 rout of the Blue Jays in the opener at Rogers Centre. Ruben Ramirez's 2-run double keyed a 3-run 1st and Luis Barela's 3-run homer (#36) was the big hit in a 4-run 2nd. Ramirez, coming off a 3-homer game in his last start, had 4 hits on the day while Juan Viatoro was 2-4 with 2 RBI. Alec McInerney (3-1) was outstanding at 7 5 1 1 2 2.

Game 2: Nicola Grieco was excellent against his former team and the Rays scored 4 in the 8th to break open a close game and beat Toronto again 7-2. Greico improved to 9-4 after a 6.1 5 2 2 0 6 outing, leaving only after giving up a 2-run homer in the 7th which cut the Tampa Bay lead to 3-2. Steve Ravin got him out of the inning and stayed on to finish the game for his first Rays save, but suffered an elbow strain on his final pitch and will miss a month. Mario Saro's 2-run homer (#30) in the 3rd made it 3-0, and the red-hot Ruben Ramirez had a 2-run double in the 4-run 8th.

August 7: Placed P Steve Ravin on the 10-day IL with an elbow strain, recalled P Bill Ruiz from AAA Durham.

Ruiz was up once before and will take on a long/middle relief role.

Game 3: The Rays completed the sweep of Toronto with another impressive victory and played perhaps their best series of the season after recording a 6-0 win. Greg Bookhart (6-1) was excellent at 7 4 0 0 0 5 while Alex Duran (#13) and Jon Morales (#22) had solo homers and Beau Bonczek added a key 2-run single.

Team record: 69-44. The Yankees took 2 of 3 but thanks to their sweep the Rays have pulled within 3 1/2 games. Next up: We conclude the lengthy road trip with 3 games in Baltimore.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays' comeback from 5-1 down fell short and they lost 5-4 to the Orioles in the opener at Camden Yards. A key error by Ismael Morales led to 3 unearned runs against Dave Rose (8-8), who finished 5 9 5 2 1 5 and Luis Barela's single-handed effort to bring them back wasn't enough. The superstar 3B drove in all 4 runs on 3 hits including a 2-run HR (#37) in the 6th.

Game 2: Tampa Bay roared back to blow out the Orioles 11-2 in the second game. A 4-run first featured an Alex Duran RBI double, a 2-run Juan Davila homer (#17) and a back-to-back jack from Juan Viatoro (#16). A 5-run 5th really broke it open with back-to-back homers again from Nelson Bocardo (#9) and Jon Morales (#23) and a 2-run Ismael Morales triple. Rex Bransington made it three wins in three starts since joining the Rays after going 5.1 6 2 2 1 4.

Game 3: The Rays took the series by winning a seesaw affair in the finale 6-5. Alex Duran had a big day with a solo homer in the 4th (#14), an RBI triple in the 5th and a run-scoring single in the 7th while Luis Barela homered again (#38) as did Chris Kidd (#4), who got a rare start. Alec McInerney (4-1) wasn't sharp but still got the win after going 5.2 10 4 4 0 2. Steve Tablott earned save #19 despite allowing a solo homer in the 9th.

Team record: 71-45. The Yankees were swept in Oakland, so the Rays have now narrowed the division to lead to a scant 1 1/2 games. Next up: A day off then we return home to face Seattle for 3.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Any momentum the Rays had been building of late came to a screeching halt in their return to Publix Park as they were slaughtered by Seattle 12-2. Nicola Greico (9-5) struggled at 3.2 4 3 2 4 4 but it was Mike Bertram who really let the game get away, allowing 7 runs in an inning of "work".

Game 2: Seattle scored 3 against Greg Bookhart in the first, giving us a distinct "here we go again" vibe, but the bats battled back and the Rays took an 11-6 win. They answered with 3 in the bottom of the inning and took off from there with Mario Saro going 3-4 with HR #31 and 3 RBI, Alex Duran contributing longball #15 and Nelson Bocardo was 3-5 with 2 RBI. Bookhart (7-1) recovered to go 5 8 4 4 2 3 and pick up the win although there were some shaky moments from the pen later but none fatal.

Game 3: Rays pitching was beaten like a piñata once again as Seattle took a 13-6 win that wasn't really even that close. The bloom was off Dave Rose (8-9) as he was roasted for a 4 9 10 10 3 2 line with the coup de grace a grand slam from former Ray and former AL MVP Josh Alexander, now in the twilight of his career. Beau Bonczek (#23), Alex Duran (#16) and Jon Morales (#24, a 2-run shot as he drove in 3) all had consolation homers.

Team record: 72-47. The Yankees took 2 of 3 to go back up 2 1/2 games on the Rays. Next up: 3 games in Oklahoma City.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays jumped out to an 8-2 lead before holding on to take an 8-6 win over Oklahoma City at Sunbirdsdome. Jon Morales led the charge with 3 hits, including a pair of 2-run homers to give him 26 on the year and Beau Bonczek added a 2-run shot of his own (#24). Rex Bransington (4-0) made it 4 wins in 4 Rays starts and cruised through the first 3 before barely making it through five at 5 5 4 4 2 6. Several relievers led to Steve Talbott, who had a scoreless 9th for save #20.

Game 2: Tampa Bay had an easier time of it in the second game with a 7-3 win over the Sunbirds. Alvaro Alejandre's 3-run homer (#3) and Mario Saro's solo shot (#32) made it 5-0 in the 2nd while Ruben Ramirez's 2-run double in the 8th provided needed insurance. Alec McInerney (5-1) picked up the win after going 5 5 2 1 4 4.

Game 3: The Rays couldn't complete the sweep as the Sunbirds scored twice in the 8th to send Tampa Bay to a 6-4 loss. Oklahoma City took a 4-1 lead in the 4th, getting all their runs off Nicola Grieco who finished 5 5 4 4 2 4 before the Rays climbed back to tie it up including solo homers from Luis Barela (#39) and Juan Viatoro (#17). But Mike Bertram (2-3) and Mel Mejia combined to allow those two runs in the 8th and the bats went down meekly in the 9th.

Team record: 74-48. Progress though as the Yankees split 4 games over this series and the ensuing off-day, so the division deficit is down to 2 games. Next up: Back home for 3 against Oakland after the day off.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays were crushed by Oakland 8-0, terrible in all phases of the game. Jon Maloney shut them out on a complete-game 4-hitter, walking 1 and fanning 7 with Greg Bookhart (7-2) going 4.1 5 3 3 2 4 in the loss followed by some lousy relief pitching.

Game 2: Dave Rose's penchant for giving up the big inning came back to bite him and the Rays saw an early 4-0 evaporate in a 5-4 loss to Oakland, and with the Yankees winning last night and today they trail New York by 4 games. Jon Morales had a 2-run homer (#27) and Juan Viatoro a 2-run double in the 1st to make it 4-0 but Rose (8-10) was hit for 4 runs in the 5th and finished 5 9 5 5 2 4. The bats couldn't get anything going the rest of the way and as a result the team suffered a costly defeat.

Game 3: The Rays salvaged the finale behind a brilliant effort from Rex Bransington as they handled the A's 7-1. The lefty made it 5 wins in 5 starts since coming over from Austin and dominated Oakland to the tune of 5 2 0 0 0 9 on 85 pitches. Juan Viatoro supplied much of the offense, going 3-3 with a 2-run homer (#18) and an RBI single, upping his average to a cool .365, tops in the majors by 20 points. Ismael Morales contributed a 2-run single.

Team record: 75-50, 4 behind the Yankees who swept the rival Red Sox. Next up: Houston is in town for 3 and it won't be easy as the Astros are 78-47.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The season of relative frustration continued for Tampa Bay as Steve Talbott (2-4) gave up a homer in the 9th and the Rays lost the opener to Houston 5-4 at Publix Park. Homers from Juan Viatoro and Ruben Ramirez (#13) helped the Rays to an early 3-0 lead through 3 before Alec McInerney lost the plot, allowing 4 runs in the 4th and finishing 3.1 5 4 4 2 2. Viatoro homered again, his 20th, to tie it in the 7th but Houston got the homer in the 9th for the win.

Game 2: Unbelievably the Rays and Steve Talbott (2-5) blew it again tonight at Publix Park with the Tampa Bay closer allowing THREE homers in the 9th to turn a 9-6 win into a 10-9 loss. Nicola Greico started, allowed 4 runs in the first and had to leave after going 2 3 4 4 1 0 with neck stiffness. The Rays bounced back with a barrage of longballs - Mario Saro (#33), Luis Barela (#38 & 39), Beau Bonczek (#25) and Juan Davila (#18) - to take the lead and what seemed to be a comfortable 3-run lead into the 9th. But incredibly Houston hit that trio of homers off Talbott and it was losing time again.

Game 3: The Rays salvaged the finale, a phrase I've written too often lately as they beat the Astros 7-2 behind a fine outing from Greg Bookhart. The Tampa Bay ace lefty improved to 8-2 with a fine 7.1 6 2 2 3 3 performance and received ample support from Beau Bonczek (a 2-run homer, #26), Ismael Morales (a 2-run single), and Ruben Ramirez (an RBI single and 2-run homer, #14).

Team record: 76-52. The division deficit which once was whittled to 1 1/2 games is now 5 after the Yankees took 2 of 3 from Baltimore, and we now have barely a month left in the season. Next up: 4 games in Boston where we're going to need to improve on our 35-30 road record.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: The Rays' woes continued as they dropped their fifth game in seven 5-1 at Fenway to the Sox. Dave Rose dropped to 8-11 but was decent at 6 4 3 2 3 5 as he couldn't get any support.

Game 2: Tampa Bay bounced back with a team effort in a 7-0 win at Boston. Rex Bransington remains the team good luck charm as he's now 6-0 in 6 starts since being acquired, going 5 6 0 0 0 2 today. Juan Davila was 3-5 with 3 RBI while CJ Yamaguchi (#9) and Beau Bonczek (#27) homered.

Game 3: It was your typical high-scoring topsy-turvy back-and-forth Rays game as they ultimately prevailed 10-7 over the Red Sox. Juan Davila's 2-run homer (#19) turned a 7-6 deficit into an 8-7 lead in the 7th, Luis Barela had a 3-run homer (#42) and Nelson Bocardo and Ruben Ramirez each knocked in a pair. Alec McInerney had a rough outing at 4 8 5 4 0 3, Mel Mejia (6-1) picked up the win despite giving up a go-ahead run in the 6th, and Steve Talbott bounced back from a tough series against Houston by handling the 9th for save #21.

Game 4: Live by the high-scoring game, die by the high-scoring game as the Rays had to settle for a split of the 4-game series after losing 8-7 in 11. It was a relatively sedate 3-3 affair going into the bottom of the 8th when Kevin Leonard was hit for 3 Boston runs to put the Sox up 6-3. But in the top of the 9th the Rays struck back for 4 runs including a bases-clearing Nelson Bocardo double to go ahead. Alas, Steve Talbott blew another save, his 8th, in the bottom of the 9th letting the Sox equalize and yesterday's winner Mel Mejia (6-2) was today's loser, wild-pitching the winning run home in the 11th right after he got a big strikeout with one out and men on first and third. Luis Barela was 4-6 with another homer (#43) and 2 more RBI as he bids for yet another MVP and Bocardo brought home 4 in total. Nicola Grieco turned in a good start at 6 5 3 2 1 4.

Team record: 78-54. The Yankees took 2 of 3 so the Rays now find themselves 5 1/2 behind as the division is looking like a pipe dream. Next up: We close out August with 3 at home against Detroit.

MLB News: With the way Steve Talbott has gone this year we should have kept our previous veteran closer with the same first name as Steve Falcon has 40 saves this year for Houston and his latest was the 400th of his illustrious career in relief. If you recall he developed elbow tendinitis at the end of last season and was 33, so I shied away from a multi-year commitment which was a mistake in retrospect.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: Alex Duran to the rescue as the OF's 2-run homer (#17) in the 8th turned a 4-3 loss into a 5-4 win over Detroit at Publix Park. Beau Bonczek had a 2-run double in a 3-run first and the Rays had a quick 3-0 lead but Greg Bookhart couldn't hold it, finishing 5 9 4 4 1 6. But thanks to Duran's heroics Steve Morris (4-2) earned the win and Willie Navarro picked up his first save in placed of the tired (and recently ineffective) Steve Talbott.

Game 2: The Rays nearly squandered an 8-1 lead, holding on to take an 8-6 win over the Tigers. Jon Morales (#28) and Mario Saro (#35) had solo homers and Juan Viatoro contributed a 3-run shot (#21) to build that huge early lead but Detroit started chipping away against Dave Rose (9-11), who finished 7.2 6 4 4 0 7. Mel Mejia gave up a couple of unearned runs in the 9th and Willie Navarro had to close it out again for his 2nd save.

Game 3: Veteran lefty Eric Rimbach held the Rays' bats in check and Detroit took the finale 4-1, dealing Rex Bransington his first loss in seven starts with the Rays. He had won the previous six and pitched decently enough today to win again at 5.2 7 2 2 1 3 but the bats wasted some early chances with RISP and then went quiet the rest of the way.

Team record: 80-55. The Yankees surprisingly dropped 2 of 3 in Oklahoma City so they were able to slice a game off the lead to 4 1/2 but the finale loss represented a real missed opportunity. Next up: An off-day then Baltimore visits for 3.

[Art Deco]

September 1: Recalled P Brad Mabe from his rehab assignment.

Mabe pitched well for us down the stretch last year before getting hurt and missing most of this year, he'll pitch in long relief.

Game 1: The Rays exploded for 9 runs in the 3rd inning and went on to rout the Orioles 13-4 at Publix Park. The inning included a couple of bases-loaded walks and was capped by a 3-run Mario Saro homer (#36). Jon Morales (#29) and Nelson Bocardo (#10) also found the seats. Alec McInerney (6-1) picked up the win going 7 6 4 3 2 1.

September 2: Claimed P Joe Roberts on waivers from Texas.

Our second September roster expansion spot goes to lefty Roberts, who was waived by Texas despite being a really good reliever with 60/65/55 ratings and 32 saves with 1.4 WAR. We'll take him!

Game 2: The Orioles returned the favor and routed the Rays today 10-4. Tampa Bay pitching gave up even more than its usual bushel of hits with Baltimore banging out 19 off 3 pitchers, including starter Nicola Grieco (9-6) who went 4.2 11 5 5 1 5. A good game from Alex Duran (HR#s 19 & 20, 3 RBI) was wasted with Jon Morales going yard with #30.

Game 3: The teams alternated blowouts in this series with the Rays taking the rubber game 8-2. Greg Bookhart was a breath of fresh air as he improved to 9-2 after going 7 5 2 2 1 7 and Beau Bonczek's 6th-inning slam (#28) was the game's big hit, breaking a 2-2 tie. Earlier Luis Barela hit his MLB-best 44th dinger and later Ismael Morales delivered a 2-run double, his second two-bagger of the game.

Team record: 82-56. With the Yankees sweeping the White Sox the Rays are now 5 1/2 behind again and time is running out to avoid a wild card game with most likely Oakland. Next up: Toronto visits for 3.

[Art Deco]

Game 1: A 4-run 5th sent the Rays on to a 6-4 win over Toronto at Publix Park. Jon Morales' RBI single broke a 2-2 tie in the inning and then Luis Barela stepped up and blasted a 3-run homer (#45) for the game's big hit. Dave Rose (10-11) was a very good 6 3 2 2 4 9 for the win and Steve Talbott put a couple on in the 9th but pitched around it for save #22.

Game 2: Mario Saro homered twice to lead the Rays to a 7-5 come-from-behind win over the Jays. His 2-run homer in the 5th and solo jack in the 7th helped get them to a 5-5 tie and added to his career-high HR total with 38, with Luis Barela getting the key knock, a 2-run single in the 8th to break that tie. Beau Bonczek chipped in with HR #29 and the win went to Kevin Leonard, his first as a Ray with Steve Talbott getting the final two outs to save again, his 23rd. Rex Bransington started and was 5 4 3 3 2 6.

Game 3: Apparently tired of having to win two close games late, the Rays came out and unloaded on Jays pitching with a 21-1 rout, their biggest in years. Luis Barela was 4-5 with 2 homers and 6 RBI to give him 47 and 119 respectively as yet another MVP is his to lose and Nelson Bocardo also drove in 6 with a pair of homers including a grand slam to give him 11. Ruben Ramirez joined the homer parade, going 3-5 with #15 and 3 RBI while Beau Bonczek had 3 doubles and 2 RBI. Alec McInerney (7-1) had an easy time of it and was a spectacular 6 2 0 0 2 8 while Melvin Delgado went the final 3 for his first save.

Team record: 85-56. The Yankees split 4 games with Houston so the division deficit has been pared to 4 games. This trend will have to continue and they do have six more games with New York including the final weekend of the season at Yankee Stadium. Next up: A day off then 3 games in Minnesota.