The 2022 (and beyond) Tampa Bay Rays - Page 35

Art Deco · 09-06-2023, 04:34 PM

Game 1: 0-4 L. LP-German (5-3, 4.2 8 2 2 1 2). Two measly hits is all the offense managed on a dismal night in the Windy City.

Game 2: 7-3 W. WP-Evans (6-3, 5.2 4 1 1 1 5). HR-Haro (4), Arakawa (9). Donye was dominant, Arakawa knocked in 3 with a 2-run HR and sac fly, and Angel Rivera had a big 2-run double to get the Rays back in the win column.

Transaction: Wander Franco goes on the 10-day IL with a dead arm (a 7-day injury) and IF Jose Marsh is called up from Durham to make his MLB debut. Marsh was a 4th-round pick in 2026 who was hitting 299/324/509 with the Bulls with 11 HR and 39 RBI in 61 games. He has a future as a utility infielder.

Game 3: 2-7 L. LP-Eldridge (1-8, 6.1 6 4 4 2 3). HR-Rivera (3). This was a 1-1 game going into the bottom of the 7th when Eldridge gave up a homer, put two more on whom Aldry Acosta (of course) let score and Chicago added 3 more in the 8th off former White Sock Erovis Alcantara.

Team record: 37-33. Status quo in the wild card race as the Rays retained second spot with the teams around them also losing 2 of 3.

MLB News: The career of former Mariner and current Guardian Logan Gilbert is over thanks to a torn rotator cuff.

Art Deco · 09-08-2023, 10:27 AM

Game 1: 4-2 W. WP-Khattak (9-2, 6.2 7 2 2 3 1). S-R.Rodriguez (13). HR-Albies (4). Rays scored twice in each of the first two innings including Albies' 2-run shot in the 1st and hung on for the win, slicing a game off Boston's division lead.

Game 2: 6-3 W. WP-Bradley (5-2, 5 6 3 2 2 6). S-R.Rodriguez (14). HR-Caminero 2 (10), Marsh (1). Junior Caminero had a big day, going 3-4 with a pair of homers and 4 RBI to lead the attack and Jose Marsh hit his first MLB dinger over the Green Monster to get the Rays within 3 games of Boston.

Transactions: The win was a very costly one for the Rays as Ozzie Albies is hurt once again and will be out 2 weeks with back stiffness, James Wood heads to the IL with back stiffness as well, and setup man Trey Riley suffered an elbow strain and will miss close to a month. Coming up in their stead are Cuban 2B Victor Mesa (who was up briefly earlier this year), OF Hendry Mendez (acquired from the Cubs in 2028 and hitting .318 at Durham) and P Benjamin Buckman, who was also up recently.

Game 3: 15-6 W. WP-German (6-3, 6.2 4 4 4 1 13). HR-Y.Alvarez (14). Rays hitters went to (the) town today, scoring 15 on 18 hits and 6 walks. Yordan was 4-4 with his HR & 3 RBI, Nelson Haro drove in 5 on 3 hits including a pair of doubles and Mitsuyoski Arakawa was 2-3 with 2 walks and 3 RBI. Luis German was dazzling and his final line was marred when the pen allowed 2 of his runners to score in the 7th.

Game 4: 2-3 L. LP-Evans (5-4, 5 4 3 3 2 4). HR-Luciano (8). Tampa Bay couldn't quite pull off the 4-game sweep but still leaves Boston two games better off than they started. They could have used some of the extra offense they got yesterday as they only managed 3 hits but still had their chances to win.

Team record: 40-34. Next up: Home for 3 against the Giants, who are a dreadful 29-45. They remain in the second wild card and one of their director competitors lost a key piece as Toronto's Bo Bichette will be out 4-5 weeks with a torn hamstring.

Art Deco · 09-09-2023, 03:13 PM

Game 1: 1-6 L. LP-Eldridge (1-9, 4.2 9 5 5 2 6). HR-Luciano (9). Bryce Eldridge's nightmare season continues and the bats slumbered too.

Game 2: 7-3 W. WP-Khattak (10-2, 6 4 3 3 4 2). HR-Haro 2 (6), Caminero (11). Khattak meanwhile is the anti-Eldridge and Nelson Haro had the best game of his young career going 3-4 with 2 HR and 5 RBI to provide ample support.

Game 3: 1-2 L (11). LP-R.Rodriguez (1-7). Starter-Bradley (8 2 1 1 0 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (16). An extremely frustrating finale for the Rays as they couldn't get the big hit, leaving 13 on base and failing to make Giants pitching pay for 9 walks.

Team record: 41-36. Their wild card rivals struggled as well this weekend and the Rays are actually in the first wild card, 1/2 game ahead of Toronto and Texas. They did drop 4 behind first-place Boston. Next up: Arizona visits for 3 games.

Art Deco · 09-11-2023, 09:55 PM

Game 1: 2-0 W. WP-German (7-3, 7 5 0 0 1 6). S-V.Gonzalez (1). HR-Caminero (12). Caminero's 2-run homer in the 1st stood up thanks in large part to German, who lowered his AL-best ERA to 2.20.

Game 2: 5-4 W. WP-Okuda (1-2). S-R.Rodriguez (15). Starter-Evans (6 4 4 4 3 6). RBI doubles from Mesa, Caminero and Yordan Alvarez in the 7th erased a 4-2 Arizona lead and gave the Rays the win.

Transaction: Wander Franco comes off the IL and Jose Marsh is sent back to Durham.

Game 3: 2-6 L. LP-Eldridge (1-10, 6.1 5 2 1 2 4). It's just not Bryce Eldridge's season - even when he pitches well like tonight he still takes the L as the pen let it get away after he left.

Team record: 43-37. Boston was swept at home by San Diego so the Rays have pulled within 2 of the division lead and hold down the first wild card at the moment. Next up: A day off then off to Chicago for 3 games at Wrigley.

Art Deco · 09-12-2023, 10:36 PM

It's been something of a struggle for the Rays this season, but fortunately nobody's run away with things in the division so they remain in striking distance there as well as in the first wild card spot. They overcame a very poor start (8-12) to go a pretty decent 35-25 since and they've had to battle of slew of middle infield injuries. Here's where things stand across MLB at the moment:

Nobody's even playing .600 ball in the AL, leaving things open for the Rays should they get going.

No question where the strength of this team lies, as an offense collectively hitting 236/307/395 normally would have no business being 6 games over .500. Despite those anemic numbers they're in the middle pack in runs scored, so they've sequenced well and obviously had some luck. The offense is going to have to improve if they want to truly contend though. The rotation has been the best in the league, and the defense has been pretty decent although being 2nd in DE but only 10th in ZR is a pretty wild disparity.

Yordan Alvarez has carried the offense after a slow start and speaking of slow starts Wander has started hitting after being terrible early as well. But too much of the rest of the squad has been underachieving big-time including Albies (when healthy), Luciano and Santana, who's followed his breakout 45 HR, 109 RBI season with whatever you want to call those numbers at the bottom of the above list.

A much more pleasing set of numbers to look at, with German and Khattak having breakthrough seasons. Even the terribly unlucky Bryce Eldridge has been good for 0.9 WAR in half a season, not bad considering his 1-10, 5.01 record otherwise. I have a feeling positive regression is in store for him.

The farm system still needs improvement (and still doesn't offer much immediate help) but it has gotten better thanks to a pretty good draft last year and a guy who I had no clue about until pulling up this list as he was signed as a scouting discovery 8 days ago. I'm referring to sudden top team prospect and #22 overall guy Jesus Lemus:

Signed out of Bonaire in the Dutch Antilles, Lemus has off-the-charts potential but of course he's only 16 and he's a pitcher, so it's a long road with many things that go wrong before he sniffs the majors.

Art Deco · 09-13-2023, 09:33 AM

Game 1: 5-1 W. WP-Khattak (11-2, 6.2 9 1 1 0 0). S-R.Rodriguez (16). HR-Franco (9). Khattak pitched an interesting game, neither walking nor striking out a batter while Wander took care of the offense, going 2-3 with a homer, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. Yordan also knocked in a pair.

Game 2: 4-2 W. WP-Okuda (2-2). S-R.Rodriguez (17). Starter-Bradley (5.2 8 2 2 1 6). HR-Caminero (13). Junior Caminero's 2-run blast in the 8th won it for the Rays while Wander (3 hits) and Yordan (2 more RBI) kept on producing.

Game 3: 8-4 W. WP-Evans (7-4, 5 0 0 0 3 9). S-Acosta (1). HR-Caminero (14). Donye Evans was Donye-mating in his 86-pitch outing and Acosta saved after some shaky relief pitching prior to him, fanning 6 over 2 innings as the Rays completed the sweep. The offense cranked out 7 doubles and Caminero's homer with Victor Mesa and Yordan each hitting 2-run 2-baggers in a 5-run 7th that broke the game open.

Team record: 46-37. We've moved to within a game of Boston for the division lead and are 5 1/2 up in the first wild card. Next up: Back home for 4 against Baltimore.

Art Deco · 09-15-2023, 11:37 AM

Game 1: 9-0 W. WP-German (8-3, 7 3 0 0 3 8). HR-Haro (7). Luis German lowered his AL-best ERA to 2.03 and Nelson Haro supplied a grand slam to keep the Rays rolling in a rout of Baltimore.

Game 2: 8-2 W. WP-Eldridge (2-10, 6 1 2 0 4 4). HR-Arakawa (10), Franco (10). Bryce Eldridge finally got back in the win column, Arakawa had a big early 3-run homer and Wander knocked in 3 with a homer and a single as the Rays ripped the Orioles again.

Game 3: 12-4 W. WP-Khattak (12-2, 6.2 7 3 3 3 4). HR-Franco (11). Wander drove in 3 and four other Rays plated a pair as the Rays battered Baltimore for the third straight night and moved into a first-place tie with the Red Sox.

Transaction: Ozzie Albies comes off the IL (for good this time we hope) and Victor Mesa, who filled in admirably, goes back to Durham.

Game 4: 5-7 L. LP-Bradley (5-3, 5.2 4 6 6 4 4). HR-E.Green (10), Franco (12). It looked like another Rays romp was in the cards when they went up 4-0 but Bradley lost the plot in the 5th, giving up 4 runs and leaving with 2 on for Erovis Alcantara to come in and give up a 3-run homer to lose it. Wander did homer for the third straight game.

Team record: 49-38. Thanks to the loss in the finale the Rays dropped a game back of Boston for the division lead but are 5 1/2 up in the first wild card. Next up: San Diego comes to town for 3 before we hit the All-Star break.

MLB News: The Angels' Josh Hader recorded his 400th career save.

Art Deco · 09-16-2023, 11:48 PM

Game 1: 8-2 W. WP-Evans (8-4, 6 4 2 2 0 9). S-Buckman (1). HR-Y.Alvarez (17), Rivera (4), Franco (13). Angel Rivera had a big 3-run homer in the 3rd, Wander went deep for the fourth straight game, and Donye Evans was excellent in another Rays romp. And Benjamin Buckman went the final 3 and fanned 5 for his first MLB save.

Game 2: 0-5 L. LP-German (8-4, 4 5 3 2 5 4). Luis German wasn't sharp and neither was the offense as the Rays reverted to early-season form today.

Game 3: 2-3 L (12). LP-Buckman (0-1). Starter-Eldridge (5.1 4 1 1 2 8). An extremely frustrating game for the Rays as they had 21 baserunners (15 hits + 5 walks + 1 HBP) but could only plate two of them, squandering numerous chances to win. James Wood personally left 9 men on base.

Team record: 50-40. The Red Sox swept their series so the Rays have fallen 3 back in the division race but they're still a healthy 5 1/2 up in the first wild card slot. Next up: The All-Star break, after which we play four in Toronto starting Thursday.

Art Deco · 09-18-2023, 01:07 PM

The rosters:

Representing the American League:

SP Robert Ahlstrom (TEX)* - 12-4, 2.27 ERA, 130.2 IP, 0.93 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 4.6 WAR
SP Jake Eder (DET) - 6-3, 2.55 ERA, 74.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 1.5 WAR
SP Luis German (TB) - 8-4, 2.14 ERA, 92.2 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 2.0 WAR
SP Edgar Isea (BOS) - 4-2, 2.08 ERA, 69.1 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 11.7 K/9, 1.9 WAR
SP Walt Khattak (TB) - 12-2, 2.38 ERA, 113.2 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 5.8 K/9, 1.9 WAR
SP Chujiro Muraoka (OAK) - 7-4, 3.62 ERA, 92.0 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 1.4 WAR
SP Ryan Weathers (LAA) - 6-1, 2.35 ERA, 107.1 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 1.9 WAR
RP Nathan Ocker (CLE) - 4-2, 2.70 ERA, 56.2 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 0.7 WAR
RP Manuel Rodriguez (TEX) - 1-0, 2.87 ERA, 47.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 0.9 WAR
RP Justus Sheffield (SEA) - 1-3, 2.68 ERA, 77.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 0.8 WAR
CL Josh Hader (LAA) - 3-3, 18 SV, 2.52 ERA, 35.2 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 14.6 K/9, 1.8 WAR
CL Daysbel Hernandez (CLE)* - 1-1, 25 SV, 1.15 ERA, 31.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 11.8 K/9, 1.8 WAR
CL Will Vest (BOS) - 2-2, 26 SV, 2.08 ERA, 39.0 IP, 0.85 WHIP, 14.1 K/9, 1.6 WAR
C Jorge Francois (CLE) - .269/.331/.434, 249 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 113 wRC+, 1.4 WAR
C Adley Rutschman (BAL)* - .225/.331/.370, 262 AB, 10 HR, 1 SB, 97 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
C Tyler Stephenson (CWS) - .283/.346/.335, 230 AB, 1 HR, 1 SB, 94 wRC+, 0.8 WAR
1B Nick Castellanos (NYY) - .277/.344/.480, 321 AB, 16 HR, 126 wRC+, 1.4 WAR
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)* - .343/.426/.685, 327 AB, 32 HR, 2 SB, 206 wRC+, 5.3 WAR
1B Jacob Krieg (KC) - .273/.371/.569, 311 AB, 22 HR, 158 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
1B Austin Wells (BOS) - .264/.364/.554, 280 AB, 19 HR, 1 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
1B Justin Williams (HOU) - .268/.338/.530, 298 AB, 24 HR, 139 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
2B Bo Bichette (TOR)* - .253/.308/.495, 194 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 119 wRC+, 1.5 WAR (Injured)
2B Eric Brown (KC) - .315/.410/.409, 149 AB, 3 HR, 4 SB, 137 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
3B Triston Casas (BAL) - .258/.335/.631, 325 AB, 36 HR, 1 SB, 160 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
3B Justin Sill (CWS) - .275/.340/.588, 240 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 153 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
3B Wilfred Veras (CWS)* - .275/.362/.500, 324 AB, 20 HR, 2 SB, 138 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
SS Carlos Correa (HOU)* - .263/.357/.484, 312 AB, 17 HR, 3 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
SS Wander Franco (TB) - .304/.364/.529, 289 AB, 13 HR, 10 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
SS Geraldo Perdomo (MIN) - .267/.361/.350, 311 AB, 3 HR, 7 SB, 103 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
LF Yordan Alvarez (TB) - .288/.359/.524, 319 AB, 17 HR, 145 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
LF Junior Perez (OAK) - .246/.341/.551, 285 AB, 20 HR, 1 SB, 145 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
CF Julio Rodriguez (SEA)* - .292/.362/.490, 288 AB, 13 HR, 14 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
RF Jose Dominguez (CLE)* - .314/.358/.674, 328 AB, 29 HR, 4 SB, 183 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
RF Juan Soto (CLE)* - .311/.477/.607, 244 AB, 18 HR, 5 SB, 200 wRC+, 4.8 WAR
RF Kyle Tucker (HOU)* - .346/.421/.636, 324 AB, 23 HR, 9 SB, 192 wRC+, 5.2 WAR

Participating for the National League:

SP Nehemiah Bell (ATL) - 7-6, 2.57 ERA, 105.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 3.2 WAR
SP Parker Detmers (WSH) - 12-4, 2.78 ERA, 123.0 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 12.1 K/9, 3.0 WAR
SP Jackson Jobe (STL) - 4-4, 2.18 ERA, 99.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 2.6 WAR
SP Daniel Lynch (MIL) - 4-1, 2.95 ERA, 76.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 1.2 WAR
SP Brailyn Marquez (PHI)* - 9-5, 3.92 ERA, 114.2 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 13.5 K/9, 2.7 WAR
SP Luis Patiño (LAD) - 6-4, 4.97 ERA, 79.2 IP, 1.64 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 0.6 WAR
SP Freddy Peralta (SF) - 6-2, 2.14 ERA, 88.1 IP, 0.96 WHIP, 10.3 K/9, 2.5 WAR
SP Trevor Rogers (LAD) - 6-2, 3.78 ERA, 102.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 10.2 K/9, 2.5 WAR
RP Kevin Ginkel (PHI) - 3-1, 3.64 ERA, 29.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 0.4 WAR
RP Jose Quijada (LAD) - 5-1, 2.08 ERA, 47.2 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 0.7 WAR
RP Willie Seanez (ATL) - 9-3, 2.50 ERA, 104.1 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 1.9 WAR
RP Jake Walsh (NYM) - 1-2, 2.29 ERA, 51.0 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, 0.5 WAR
CL Emmanuel Clase (LAD)* - 3-1, 26 SV, 2.11 ERA, 38.1 IP, 0.57 WHIP, 12.0 K/9, 1.2 WAR
CL Billy Sullivan (STL) - 1-1, 20 SV, 1.07 ERA, 33.2 IP, 0.62 WHIP, 17.6 K/9, 2.7 WAR
C Francisco Alvarez (NYM)* - .272/.342/.511, 268 AB, 17 HR, 141 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
C Luis Campusano (ARI) - .279/.361/.477, 222 AB, 7 HR, 132 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
C Keibert Ruiz (WSH) - .266/.329/.397, 229 AB, 5 HR, 97 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
1B Oneil Cruz (SA) - .298/.369/.538, 329 AB, 20 HR, 9 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
1B Nate McCollum (MIA)* - .321/.404/.679, 246 AB, 24 HR, 199 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
1B Stephon McNeil (CHC)* - .277/.356/.545, 332 AB, 25 HR, 148 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
1B Austin Riley (ATL)* - .263/.332/.463, 190 AB, 9 HR, 4 SB, 120 wRC+, 1.1 WAR (Injured)
2B Nolan Gorman (ARI)* - .269/.332/.517, 327 AB, 19 HR, 1 SB, 131 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
3B Alex Bregman (PHI) - .263/.353/.527, 300 AB, 22 HR, 142 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
3B Luis Garcia (WSH) - .318/.366/.516, 337 AB, 12 HR, 8 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Yunior Severino (COL) - .292/.364/.529, 325 AB, 18 HR, 3 SB, 138 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
3B Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD)* - .258/.366/.575, 240 AB, 20 HR, 6 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
SS Eric Bitonti (PHI) - .268/.325/.502, 325 AB, 20 HR, 126 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
SS Jacob Gonzalez (ARI)* - .284/.325/.477, 342 AB, 17 HR, 8 SB, 116 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
SS Adalberto Mondesi (LAD) - .248/.327/.479, 290 AB, 16 HR, 21 SB, 121 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
LF Nick Madrigal (ARI) - .339/.390/.503, 298 AB, 5 HR, 6 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
LF Spencer Torkelson (WSH)* - .318/.395/.591, 274 AB, 18 HR, 1 SB, 169 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
CF Dylan Carlson (STL)* - .314/.391/.531, 322 AB, 15 HR, 12 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
RF Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL) - .291/.393/.498, 309 AB, 17 HR, 16 SB, 151 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
RF Jose Quinteros (ARI) - .296/.354/.535, 314 AB, 14 HR, 25 SB, 140 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
RF Aaron Sweeney (CIN) - .296/.337/.463, 311 AB, 9 HR, 11 SB, 120 wRC+, 2.2 WAR

The third appearance for Rays hurler German (his first as a starter), the first for Khattak, the ninth for Wander, and the fourth for Yordan (and of course his first as a Ray).

The HR Derby (with no Rays):

The game:

One of the more entertaining ASGs of late, replete with several lead changes including a 9th-inning NL rally to win it. The Rays representatives acquitted themselves well with Khattak starting and pitching a scoreless inning and Wander, who was on a HR binge before the break, hitting a 2-run shot. Yordan was 0-3 and Luis German didn't pitch.

Art Deco · 09-18-2023, 06:04 PM

We had a pair of supplemental picks thanks to the free agent losses of Zach DeLoach (struggling with San Antonio at 245/312/353 with 0.4 WAR) and John Swanda (struggling with Detroit at 5-8, 5.19), giving us 3 of the top 39 in the draft and I think we made out pretty well. Of course everybody looks good with 4 and 5-star potential on draft day.

Lennon:

Nicknamed "Hangover", Lennon is a potential ace starter out of college who will hopefully move quickly through the system with the promise of being elite in stuff, movement and control.

Ceja:

A high-school with some loud tools, especially hit and power.

Deckard:

Deckard (whom I gave the nickname "Blade Runner" to) is an extremely well-rounded college OF that could be helping the big club within a couple of years if things go right. He has a broad array of hitting skills, can run, is durable and is a fine defensive OF. The only things that could hold him back are a propensity to strike out, and his personality as seen above.

Simpson:

High-schooler with an intriguing profile, potentially an excellent all-around hitter with superior bat-to-ball skills, and can play a decent OF.

Alvarez:

Another high-schooler with some serious hitting tools, listed as a SS but probably ends up in 2B or LF. If the bat pans out, position won't matter.

Montes de Oca:

A high-school 1B, he's the ultimate one-dimensional player, but what a dimension as he boasts potential light-tower power.

Maximos:

A great name - hopefully he'll be able to Maximos his potential, especially the control which will need to be at or very close to 45 to be a useful starter. Could also see him becoming a power reliever.

Art Deco · 09-18-2023, 07:22 PM

Game 1: 6-5 W. WP-Okuda (3-2). S-R.Rodriguez (18). Starter-Bradley (6 7 5 4 1 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (18), Arakawa (11). Dramatic win for the Rays as Ozzie Albies doubled with two out in the 9th to tie it and Wander singled him home to win it. That Albies double was his 2nd of the game and 3rd hit of the day.

Game 2: 7-0 W. WP-Evans (9-4, 5.1 4 0 0 2 6). HR-Wood (8). Donye Evans and three relievers combined on the shutout and James Wood homered in drove in a pair as the Rays pulled within 1 of Boston for the division lead.

Game 3: 1-2 L. LP-Acosta (3-2). Starter-German (6 3 1 1 2 5). HR-Y.Alvarez (19). A tight pitchers' duel which saw each team limited to 4 hits ended in the Jays' favor when Wander committed two errors in the 9th, one to put the leadoff man on and a second to let him score the winner with two out.

Game 4: 1-5 L. LP-Eldridge (2-11, 6 7 4 4 2 3). HR-Wood (9). A series that started promising ended with a thud and in a split after the Rays were not competitive in this one.

Team record: 52-42. Now 2 back of Boston in the division and still 5 1/2 up in the first wild card. Next up: our first-ever trip to San Antonio to play the Sailfish, the franchise once known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, who feature our CF from the previous several years, Zach DeLoach.

MLB News: A couple of relatively young but veteran superstars hit their 400th career homers over the weekend: Cleveland's Juan Soto and San Diego's Fernando Tatis Jr.

Art Deco · 09-20-2023, 06:14 PM

Game 1: 2-5 L. LP-Khattak (12-3, 5 9 5 5 1 0). A stinker for both Khattak who allowed 2 homers and for the offense, which was limited to just two hits both of which were Wander RBI doubles.

Game 2: 5-1 W. WP-Bradley (6-3, 7 2 1 1 2 4). HR-Franco (14). Taj was terrific and Wander stayed on his heater with a 2-run triple and solo homer. He's now hit in 16 straight games.

Game 3: 0-3 L. LP-Evans (9-5, 5.1 7 2 1 1 5). Another anemic performance from the offense which was limited to four hits. One of them came from Wander to extend his hit streak to 17.

Team record: 53-44. The losses dropped the Rays 4 back of Boston in the division and reduced their lead as the first wild card to 4 1/2. Next up: An off-day then back home for 3 against Baltimore.

MLB News: The Dodgers' Joey Gallo hit career homer #500.

Art Deco · 09-22-2023, 09:13 PM

Transaction: Angel Rivera had a meltdown during the final game against San Antonio, bumping an ump and getting a 4-game suspension so he goes on the restricted list and C Easton Carmichael is recalled from Durham. Carmichael was our 1st-round pick in 2025 and should fashion a career as a backup/job share catcher, hitting .285-.290 over parts of the last 3 years at Durham.

Game 1: 8-3 W. WP-German (9-4, 5 4 2 2 3 8). HR-Luciano (10), Haro (8). Marco Luciano, still below the Mendoza Line, had a big night tonight hitting a 2-run single cap a 4-run 1st and a solo homer to lead the Rays to victory. Haro was also 3-5 with 2 doubles, a solo homer and 2 RBI.

Game 2: 3-2 W (10). WP-R.Rodriguez (2-7). Starter-Eldridge (6 4 2 2 2 6). Rookie Cade Arrambide's sac fly tied it in the 9th and Luciano delivered a walk-off single to win it in the 10th, scoring Wander who needed the extra frame to extend his hit streak to 19.

Game 3: 5-3 W. WP-V.Gonzalez (3-0). S-R.Rodriguez (19). Starter-Bradley (5 4 3 3 2 6). HR-Arakawa (12), Arrambide (1), Albies (5). Arakawa's 2-run shot in the 6th tied it at 3 and then Arrambide's first MLB homer in the 7th was the winner, with Albies adding one later in the inning for insurance. Wander's hit streak was snapped at 19; getting hit by pitches the first two times up didn't help.

Team record: 56-44. Boston dropped 2 of 3 to the Yankees so the Rays have sliced their division lead to 2 games. Next up: 3 at the Trop against the team with the best record in the AL, the 62-39 Astros.

Art Deco · 09-24-2023, 07:23 PM

Game 1: 5-7 L (11). LP-Sears (0-3). Starter-Khattak (5.1 7 2 2 2 6). HR-Luciano (11), Franco (15). A tough one to swallow as the Rays held a 5-2 lead after 6 only to see Okuda give up 3 in the 7th and Sears two more in the 11th. Luciano's homer was a slam.

Game 2: 3-4 L (12). LP-Sears (0-4). Starter-Evans (4.1 4 2 2 3 6). Another rough loss as once again JP Sears couldn't get it done (we had to go with him in the 12th). Wander was 3-5 with 2 RBI in the loss.

Annoyed by these two losses and with the trade deadline approaching I swung a trio of deals to shake things up and provide more pop for the mediocre offense.

Finally had it with Santana, who was hitting 179/245/287 with 7 HR after belting 45 last year. He showed no signs of breaking out and probably would have been a non-tender or trade in the offseason with a projected $6M salary, so why not deal him now? And in exchange we got another powerful-but-struggling OF but one who's a rookie making the minimum and has some real promise. Hardy was hitting 197/336/402 with the Phillies but is rated 55 contact/60 power/55 eye as well as 65 defense in the corners. He'll platoon with James Wood for now but could take the full-time job if he hits and Wood doesn't get his act together.

The O's were shopping free-agent-to-be Casas and any time you have a chance to add a guy who's already hit 37 HR and 91 RBI you don't pass it up. Even if it means playing him at 3B where he isn't great and even if it means benching your 3B of the last few years whom you signed to a 3-year extension in Marco Luciano. Of course Luciano hitting 192/246/321 (and that's after picking it up of late) made the call a lot easier. Lopez is a B-/C+ prospect who's probably destined for the bullpen, so no big loss there. Casas will likely play every day with Luciano spelling him against some tough lefties, otherwise Luciano will become our utility infielder.

And in the third deal - which doesn't warrant a screenshot - our incumbent utility infielder Amed Rosario (who had complained about his lack of PT, good riddance as he was hitting 185/250/242) was shipped to Arizona for a 19-year-old pitcher named Matt Ware who could be a bullpen piece in the future, making room for Casas.

Game 3: 6-5 W. WP-R.Rodriguez (3-7). Starter-German (5.2 6 2 2 2 9). HR-Hardy 2 (2). What looked like another crushing loss (blowing a 4-1 lead as Houston got a 2-run single with two out in the 9th to go up 5-4) turned into an exhilarating win when the Rays rallied for a pair in the bottom of the 9th, scoring the winner on a walk-off walk to Junior Caminero. And talk about paying immediate dividends - Alistair Hardy homered in his first two at-bats as a Ray, driving in 3 runs. The newcomer with the British-sounding name became an instant fan favorite and was more productive than Natanael Santana has been in ages.

Team record: 57-46, still 3 behind Boston. Next up: An off-day then we're off to Seattle to play 3 against the 52-51 Mariners.

Art Deco · 09-25-2023, 09:14 PM

Game 1: 9-2 W. WP-Eldridge (3-11, 5.1 5 0 0 2 4). HR-Haro (9), Y.Alvarez 2 (21), Caminero (15). Rays rolled behind 4 homers; Haro was 3-4 with his longball and 2 RBI.

Game 2: 13-5 W. WP-Bradley (7-3, 6 4 2 2 4 2). HR-Casas (1/38), Caminero (16), Rivera (5), Haro (10). Triston Casas had his first big game as a Ray, going 4-5 with a homer and 2 RBI, while Rivera and Haro each had two hits and knocked in three.

Game 3: 0-3 L. LP-Khattak (12-4, 6 4 3 3 2 2). After scoring 22 over the previous two games the Rays were no-hit for 7 2/3 by Seattle's Wyatt Hudepohl, with Caminero's single to break it up their only hit of the night.

Team record: 59-47. They stay 3 games behind Boston and 5 up in the wild card as they seemingly have just about all month. Next up: An off-day for a cross-country plane ride to Baltimore for 3 against the Orioles.

Art Deco · 09-27-2023, 06:01 PM

Game 1: 5-8 L. LP-Orze (3-1). Starter-Evans (3.2 4 2 0 0 5). HR-E.Green (11), Rivera (6). Rays had a 3-2 lead in the 5th with Evans having to leave early with a mild hamstring strain which may keep him from his next start before Orze came in and stunk up the joint going 1 inning and allowing 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks.

Time for a trade at the deadline:

We've been in need of pitching depth, especially in the pen, and Ogando should really help with his 80 stuff, 60 movement and 50 control. He had 59 whiffs in 39 IP with the Cubs and a 3.69 ERA. Monrreal had at one point been one of our better pitching prospects but the bloom has come off recently. He still could be a 60/45/45-rated back-end of the rotation starter. To make room for Ogando we finally pulled the plug on Eric Orze, who has been terrible this season and was a free agent at year's end anyway, putting him on waivers.

Game 2: 4-6 L. LP-Riley (0-1). Starter-German (4.2 2 2 2 4 5). HR-Y.Alvarez (22), Rivera (7). For the second straight day a starter left early due to injury (German had a minor blister) and for the second straight day a reliever lost the lead by melting down in the middle innings. This time it was Trey Riley, charged with 4 runs in 2/3 of an IP although the two deciding runs charged to him came when new pickup Gerald Ogando gave up a 2-run single to the first man he faced as a Ray.

Game 3: 4-6 L (10). LP-R.Rodriguez (3-8). Starter-Eldridge (5.2 6 3 3 3 9). HR-Wood (10). An extremely frustrating series saw the Rays lose another lead in the middle innings, although this time they fought back and tied it in the 9th on James Wood's pinch-hit homer. That only delayed the pain though as Randy Rodriguez surrendered a 2-run walk-off shot in the 10th.

Team record: 59-50. The good news is that Boston was also swept so the Rays didn't lose any ground in the division and still trail by 3. The bad news is that it was Toronto who did the sweeping and they've pulled within 1 1/2 games of the Rays for the first wild card. Next up: We return home for the weekend to play 3 against the 65-44 Mets.

Art Deco · 09-28-2023, 10:26 PM

Game 1: 4-3 W (10). WP-Riley (1-1). Starter-Bradley (7 3 3 3 2 5). HR-Haro (11), Casas (2/39). Taj took a no-hitter in a 0-0 game into 7th before losing it and giving up a 3-run Pete Alonso blast, but Haro hit a 3-run shot of his own in the bottom of the inning and Casas walked it off with his biggest hit since joining the Rays.

Game 2: 2-1 W. WP-Khattak (12-4, 6.2 3 1 1 2 8). S-R.Rodriguez (20). HR-Casas (3/40). Like Taj yesterday, Khattak took a no-hitter into the 7th, lost it there and gave up an RBI single to Pete Alonso. But that was it for the Mets and Casas' solo shot and Yordan's RBI double held up as the Rays beat a very good Mets team once again.

Game 3: 12-6 W. WP-Evans (10-5, 5 1 0 0 2 11). HR-Arakawa (13). The Rays routed the Mets to complete the sweep thanks to another dominant Donye Evans outing and lots of offense, including another huge game from Casas (3-4, double, triple, 4 RBI) and 3 RBI from Caminero. It was 12-0 going into the 9th before the hapless JP Sears gave up 5 runs and Gerald Ogando had a rough time before getting the final out.

Team record: 62-50. The sweep enabled the Rays to pull within one of Boston, as close as they've been all year. Next up: Detroit visits for 3 games.

Art Deco · 10-01-2023, 12:03 AM

Game 1: 4-7 L (10). LP-Acosta (3-3). Starter-German (4.1 7 4 3 3 6). HR-Caminero (17). Caminero's huge game (4-5, double, game-tying homer in the 8th, 2 RBI) was for naught as the incredibly unclutch Acosta gave up 3 in the 10th.

Game 2: 1-4 L. LP-Eldridge (5-12, 5.1 8 4 4 4 5). Eldridge was lousy and so were the bats as they managed only two hits.

Game 3: 3-8 L. LP-Bradley (7-4, 4.1 5 4 4 6 3). HR-Hardy (3/9). Taj couldn't find the plate and the bullpen gave up 4 more as the Rays have now been swept, swept, and been swept again in the last three series.

Team record: 62-53. Fortunately the Red Sox lost 2 of 3 so the Rays only fell one more game back of Boston at two behind. Next up: An off-day then 64-52 Cleveland, first in the AL Central, visits.

Rays news: Eric Orze cleared waivers but refused an assignment to Durham so he was released.

Art Deco · 10-02-2023, 04:34 PM

Game 1: 0-1 L. LP-Khattak (13-5, 5.1 3 1 1 2 7). Three hits were all the limp noodle bats could manage, wasting a great effort from the staff which held Cleveland to four hits.

Game 2: 5-2 W. WP-German (10-4, 6 4 2 2 1 9). S-R.Rodriguez (21). HR-Y.Alvarez (23). The pitching was excellent again and this time they got some support, mostly from Alvarez who was 3-4 with a 3-run homer.

Game 3: 3-4 L. LP-Ogando (0-1). Starter-Evans (5 0 0 0 2 6). HR-Casas (4/41). Just a brutal loss as Rays pitching took a combined no-hitter and a 3-0 lead into the 9th inning. Okuda gave up two straight singles to start the frame and then deadline pickup Ogando hit the first two he faced to force in a run, walked one to force in another and then gave up a 2-run single to lose it.

Team record: 63-55. Despite dropping two more games the Rays actually gained ground on Boston, which was swept at Fenway by the Dodgers, moving to within a game of the division lead. The wild-card lead is down to 3 games though. Next up: A day off then the Yankees visit the Trop for 3.

Art Deco · 10-03-2023, 11:06 PM

Game 1: 11-3 W. WP-Bradley (8-4, 6.2 6 3 3 0 5). HR-Casas (5/42), Albies (6), Y.Alvarez (24). A 7-run 6th broke open a 2-2 game, featuring a 2-run double from Casas and a 3-run homer by Albies. Casas earlier had a 2-run homer to give him a 4-RBI day.

Game 2: 9-5 W. WP-Dodson (2-0). Starter-Eldridge (4 5 5 4 1 4). HR-Wood (11), Arakawa (14), Albies (7), Caminero (18). A 3-homer, 4-run 3rd gave the Rays a 6-0 lead but Eldridge gave 5 runs right back in the 4th before Caminero restored some breathing room with a 3-run shot.

Game 3: 3-5 L (12). LP-Riley (1-2). Starter-Khattak (5.2 7 2 2 2 6). Rays couldn't hold a 3-2 lead in the 8th and paid for it in extras. Nelson Haro had 3 doubles and an RBI but frustratingly the third of those came in the bottom of the 9th with 2 out and Wood on 1st but Wood couldn't score on the play.

Team record: 65-56. Finally! We're tied for first as slumping Boston lost 2 of 3. At this rate the AL East champ might not win 90 games. Next up: Off to Toronto for 3.

09-06-2023, 04:34 PM	#681
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	June 14-16, 2030: at Chicago White Sox (3) Game 1: 0-4 L. LP-German (5-3, 4.2 8 2 2 1 2). Two measly hits is all the offense managed on a dismal night in the Windy City. Game 2: 7-3 W. WP-Evans (6-3, 5.2 4 1 1 1 5). HR-Haro (4), Arakawa (9). Donye was dominant, Arakawa knocked in 3 with a 2-run HR and sac fly, and Angel Rivera had a big 2-run double to get the Rays back in the win column. Transaction: Wander Franco goes on the 10-day IL with a dead arm (a 7-day injury) and IF Jose Marsh is called up from Durham to make his MLB debut. Marsh was a 4th-round pick in 2026 who was hitting 299/324/509 with the Bulls with 11 HR and 39 RBI in 61 games. He has a future as a utility infielder. Game 3: 2-7 L. LP-Eldridge (1-8, 6.1 6 4 4 2 3). HR-Rivera (3). This was a 1-1 game going into the bottom of the 7th when Eldridge gave up a homer, put two more on whom Aldry Acosta (of course) let score and Chicago added 3 more in the 8th off former White Sock Erovis Alcantara. Team record: 37-33. Status quo in the wild card race as the Rays retained second spot with the teams around them also losing 2 of 3. MLB News: The career of former Mariner and current Guardian Logan Gilbert is over thanks to a torn rotator cuff.

09-08-2023, 10:27 AM	#682
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	June 17-20, 2030: at Boston (4) Game 1: 4-2 W. WP-Khattak (9-2, 6.2 7 2 2 3 1). S-R.Rodriguez (13). HR-Albies (4). Rays scored twice in each of the first two innings including Albies' 2-run shot in the 1st and hung on for the win, slicing a game off Boston's division lead. Game 2: 6-3 W. WP-Bradley (5-2, 5 6 3 2 2 6). S-R.Rodriguez (14). HR-Caminero 2 (10), Marsh (1). Junior Caminero had a big day, going 3-4 with a pair of homers and 4 RBI to lead the attack and Jose Marsh hit his first MLB dinger over the Green Monster to get the Rays within 3 games of Boston. Transactions: The win was a very costly one for the Rays as Ozzie Albies is hurt once again and will be out 2 weeks with back stiffness, James Wood heads to the IL with back stiffness as well, and setup man Trey Riley suffered an elbow strain and will miss close to a month. Coming up in their stead are Cuban 2B Victor Mesa (who was up briefly earlier this year), OF Hendry Mendez (acquired from the Cubs in 2028 and hitting .318 at Durham) and P Benjamin Buckman, who was also up recently. Game 3: 15-6 W. WP-German (6-3, 6.2 4 4 4 1 13). HR-Y.Alvarez (14). Rays hitters went to (the) town today, scoring 15 on 18 hits and 6 walks. Yordan was 4-4 with his HR & 3 RBI, Nelson Haro drove in 5 on 3 hits including a pair of doubles and Mitsuyoski Arakawa was 2-3 with 2 walks and 3 RBI. Luis German was dazzling and his final line was marred when the pen allowed 2 of his runners to score in the 7th. Game 4: 2-3 L. LP-Evans (5-4, 5 4 3 3 2 4). HR-Luciano (8). Tampa Bay couldn't quite pull off the 4-game sweep but still leaves Boston two games better off than they started. They could have used some of the extra offense they got yesterday as they only managed 3 hits but still had their chances to win. Team record: 40-34. Next up: Home for 3 against the Giants, who are a dreadful 29-45. They remain in the second wild card and one of their director competitors lost a key piece as Toronto's Bo Bichette will be out 4-5 weeks with a torn hamstring.

09-09-2023, 03:13 PM	#683
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	June 21-23, 2030: vs San Francisco (3) Game 1: 1-6 L. LP-Eldridge (1-9, 4.2 9 5 5 2 6). HR-Luciano (9). Bryce Eldridge's nightmare season continues and the bats slumbered too. Game 2: 7-3 W. WP-Khattak (10-2, 6 4 3 3 4 2). HR-Haro 2 (6), Caminero (11). Khattak meanwhile is the anti-Eldridge and Nelson Haro had the best game of his young career going 3-4 with 2 HR and 5 RBI to provide ample support. Game 3: 1-2 L (11). LP-R.Rodriguez (1-7). Starter-Bradley (8 2 1 1 0 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (16). An extremely frustrating finale for the Rays as they couldn't get the big hit, leaving 13 on base and failing to make Giants pitching pay for 9 walks. Team record: 41-36. Their wild card rivals struggled as well this weekend and the Rays are actually in the first wild card, 1/2 game ahead of Toronto and Texas. They did drop 4 behind first-place Boston. Next up: Arizona visits for 3 games.

09-11-2023, 09:55 PM	#684
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	June 24-26, 2030: vs Arizona (3) Game 1: 2-0 W. WP-German (7-3, 7 5 0 0 1 6). S-V.Gonzalez (1). HR-Caminero (12). Caminero's 2-run homer in the 1st stood up thanks in large part to German, who lowered his AL-best ERA to 2.20. Game 2: 5-4 W. WP-Okuda (1-2). S-R.Rodriguez (15). Starter-Evans (6 4 4 4 3 6). RBI doubles from Mesa, Caminero and Yordan Alvarez in the 7th erased a 4-2 Arizona lead and gave the Rays the win. Transaction: Wander Franco comes off the IL and Jose Marsh is sent back to Durham. Game 3: 2-6 L. LP-Eldridge (1-10, 6.1 5 2 1 2 4). It's just not Bryce Eldridge's season - even when he pitches well like tonight he still takes the L as the pen let it get away after he left. Team record: 43-37. Boston was swept at home by San Diego so the Rays have pulled within 2 of the division lead and hold down the first wild card at the moment. Next up: A day off then off to Chicago for 3 games at Wrigley.

09-12-2023, 10:36 PM	#685
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	2030 Midseason Review It's been something of a struggle for the Rays this season, but fortunately nobody's run away with things in the division so they remain in striking distance there as well as in the first wild card spot. They overcame a very poor start (8-12) to go a pretty decent 35-25 since and they've had to battle of slew of middle infield injuries. Here's where things stand across MLB at the moment: Nobody's even playing .600 ball in the AL, leaving things open for the Rays should they get going. No question where the strength of this team lies, as an offense collectively hitting 236/307/395 normally would have no business being 6 games over .500. Despite those anemic numbers they're in the middle pack in runs scored, so they've sequenced well and obviously had some luck. The offense is going to have to improve if they want to truly contend though. The rotation has been the best in the league, and the defense has been pretty decent although being 2nd in DE but only 10th in ZR is a pretty wild disparity. Yordan Alvarez has carried the offense after a slow start and speaking of slow starts Wander has started hitting after being terrible early as well. But too much of the rest of the squad has been underachieving big-time including Albies (when healthy), Luciano and Santana, who's followed his breakout 45 HR, 109 RBI season with whatever you want to call those numbers at the bottom of the above list. A much more pleasing set of numbers to look at, with German and Khattak having breakthrough seasons. Even the terribly unlucky Bryce Eldridge has been good for 0.9 WAR in half a season, not bad considering his 1-10, 5.01 record otherwise. I have a feeling positive regression is in store for him. The farm system still needs improvement (and still doesn't offer much immediate help) but it has gotten better thanks to a pretty good draft last year and a guy who I had no clue about until pulling up this list as he was signed as a scouting discovery 8 days ago. I'm referring to sudden top team prospect and #22 overall guy Jesus Lemus: Signed out of Bonaire in the Dutch Antilles, Lemus has off-the-charts potential but of course he's only 16 and he's a pitcher, so it's a long road with many things that go wrong before he sniffs the majors.

09-13-2023, 09:33 AM	#686
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	June 28-30, 2030: at Chicago Cubs (3) Game 1: 5-1 W. WP-Khattak (11-2, 6.2 9 1 1 0 0). S-R.Rodriguez (16). HR-Franco (9). Khattak pitched an interesting game, neither walking nor striking out a batter while Wander took care of the offense, going 2-3 with a homer, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. Yordan also knocked in a pair. Game 2: 4-2 W. WP-Okuda (2-2). S-R.Rodriguez (17). Starter-Bradley (5.2 8 2 2 1 6). HR-Caminero (13). Junior Caminero's 2-run blast in the 8th won it for the Rays while Wander (3 hits) and Yordan (2 more RBI) kept on producing. Game 3: 8-4 W. WP-Evans (7-4, 5 0 0 0 3 9). S-Acosta (1). HR-Caminero (14). Donye Evans was Donye-mating in his 86-pitch outing and Acosta saved after some shaky relief pitching prior to him, fanning 6 over 2 innings as the Rays completed the sweep. The offense cranked out 7 doubles and Caminero's homer with Victor Mesa and Yordan each hitting 2-run 2-baggers in a 5-run 7th that broke the game open. Team record: 46-37. We've moved to within a game of Boston for the division lead and are 5 1/2 up in the first wild card. Next up: Back home for 4 against Baltimore.

09-15-2023, 11:37 AM	#687
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	July 1-4, 2030: vs Baltimore (4) Game 1: 9-0 W. WP-German (8-3, 7 3 0 0 3 8). HR-Haro (7). Luis German lowered his AL-best ERA to 2.03 and Nelson Haro supplied a grand slam to keep the Rays rolling in a rout of Baltimore. Game 2: 8-2 W. WP-Eldridge (2-10, 6 1 2 0 4 4). HR-Arakawa (10), Franco (10). Bryce Eldridge finally got back in the win column, Arakawa had a big early 3-run homer and Wander knocked in 3 with a homer and a single as the Rays ripped the Orioles again. Game 3: 12-4 W. WP-Khattak (12-2, 6.2 7 3 3 3 4). HR-Franco (11). Wander drove in 3 and four other Rays plated a pair as the Rays battered Baltimore for the third straight night and moved into a first-place tie with the Red Sox. Transaction: Ozzie Albies comes off the IL (for good this time we hope) and Victor Mesa, who filled in admirably, goes back to Durham. Game 4: 5-7 L. LP-Bradley (5-3, 5.2 4 6 6 4 4). HR-E.Green (10), Franco (12). It looked like another Rays romp was in the cards when they went up 4-0 but Bradley lost the plot in the 5th, giving up 4 runs and leaving with 2 on for Erovis Alcantara to come in and give up a 3-run homer to lose it. Wander did homer for the third straight game. Team record: 49-38. Thanks to the loss in the finale the Rays dropped a game back of Boston for the division lead but are 5 1/2 up in the first wild card. Next up: San Diego comes to town for 3 before we hit the All-Star break. MLB News: The Angels' Josh Hader recorded his 400th career save.

09-16-2023, 11:48 PM	#688
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	July 5-7, 2030: vs San Diego (3) Game 1: 8-2 W. WP-Evans (8-4, 6 4 2 2 0 9). S-Buckman (1). HR-Y.Alvarez (17), Rivera (4), Franco (13). Angel Rivera had a big 3-run homer in the 3rd, Wander went deep for the fourth straight game, and Donye Evans was excellent in another Rays romp. And Benjamin Buckman went the final 3 and fanned 5 for his first MLB save. Game 2: 0-5 L. LP-German (8-4, 4 5 3 2 5 4). Luis German wasn't sharp and neither was the offense as the Rays reverted to early-season form today. Game 3: 2-3 L (12). LP-Buckman (0-1). Starter-Eldridge (5.1 4 1 1 2 8). An extremely frustrating game for the Rays as they had 21 baserunners (15 hits + 5 walks + 1 HBP) but could only plate two of them, squandering numerous chances to win. James Wood personally left 9 men on base. Team record: 50-40. The Red Sox swept their series so the Rays have fallen 3 back in the division race but they're still a healthy 5 1/2 up in the first wild card slot. Next up: The All-Star break, after which we play four in Toronto starting Thursday.

09-18-2023, 01:07 PM	#689
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	All-Star Break 2030 The rosters: Representing the American League: SP Robert Ahlstrom (TEX)* - 12-4, 2.27 ERA, 130.2 IP, 0.93 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 4.6 WAR SP Jake Eder (DET) - 6-3, 2.55 ERA, 74.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 1.5 WAR SP Luis German (TB) - 8-4, 2.14 ERA, 92.2 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 2.0 WAR SP Edgar Isea (BOS) - 4-2, 2.08 ERA, 69.1 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 11.7 K/9, 1.9 WAR SP Walt Khattak (TB) - 12-2, 2.38 ERA, 113.2 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 5.8 K/9, 1.9 WAR SP Chujiro Muraoka (OAK) - 7-4, 3.62 ERA, 92.0 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 1.4 WAR SP Ryan Weathers (LAA) - 6-1, 2.35 ERA, 107.1 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 1.9 WAR RP Nathan Ocker (CLE) - 4-2, 2.70 ERA, 56.2 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 0.7 WAR RP Manuel Rodriguez (TEX) - 1-0, 2.87 ERA, 47.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 0.9 WAR RP Justus Sheffield (SEA) - 1-3, 2.68 ERA, 77.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 0.8 WAR CL Josh Hader (LAA) - 3-3, 18 SV, 2.52 ERA, 35.2 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 14.6 K/9, 1.8 WAR CL Daysbel Hernandez (CLE)* - 1-1, 25 SV, 1.15 ERA, 31.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 11.8 K/9, 1.8 WAR CL Will Vest (BOS) - 2-2, 26 SV, 2.08 ERA, 39.0 IP, 0.85 WHIP, 14.1 K/9, 1.6 WAR C Jorge Francois (CLE) - .269/.331/.434, 249 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 113 wRC+, 1.4 WAR C Adley Rutschman (BAL)* - .225/.331/.370, 262 AB, 10 HR, 1 SB, 97 wRC+, 1.6 WAR C Tyler Stephenson (CWS) - .283/.346/.335, 230 AB, 1 HR, 1 SB, 94 wRC+, 0.8 WAR 1B Nick Castellanos (NYY) - .277/.344/.480, 321 AB, 16 HR, 126 wRC+, 1.4 WAR 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)* - .343/.426/.685, 327 AB, 32 HR, 2 SB, 206 wRC+, 5.3 WAR 1B Jacob Krieg (KC) - .273/.371/.569, 311 AB, 22 HR, 158 wRC+, 3.0 WAR 1B Austin Wells (BOS) - .264/.364/.554, 280 AB, 19 HR, 1 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.7 WAR 1B Justin Williams (HOU) - .268/.338/.530, 298 AB, 24 HR, 139 wRC+, 2.4 WAR 2B Bo Bichette (TOR)* - .253/.308/.495, 194 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 119 wRC+, 1.5 WAR (Injured) 2B Eric Brown (KC) - .315/.410/.409, 149 AB, 3 HR, 4 SB, 137 wRC+, 1.1 WAR 3B Triston Casas (BAL) - .258/.335/.631, 325 AB, 36 HR, 1 SB, 160 wRC+, 3.2 WAR 3B Justin Sill (CWS) - .275/.340/.588, 240 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 153 wRC+, 1.8 WAR 3B Wilfred Veras (CWS)* - .275/.362/.500, 324 AB, 20 HR, 2 SB, 138 wRC+, 3.1 WAR SS Carlos Correa (HOU)* - .263/.357/.484, 312 AB, 17 HR, 3 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.6 WAR SS Wander Franco (TB) - .304/.364/.529, 289 AB, 13 HR, 10 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.1 WAR SS Geraldo Perdomo (MIN) - .267/.361/.350, 311 AB, 3 HR, 7 SB, 103 wRC+, 2.2 WAR LF Yordan Alvarez (TB) - .288/.359/.524, 319 AB, 17 HR, 145 wRC+, 2.6 WAR LF Junior Perez (OAK) - .246/.341/.551, 285 AB, 20 HR, 1 SB, 145 wRC+, 2.8 WAR CF Julio Rodriguez (SEA)* - .292/.362/.490, 288 AB, 13 HR, 14 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.7 WAR RF Jose Dominguez (CLE)* - .314/.358/.674, 328 AB, 29 HR, 4 SB, 183 wRC+, 3.9 WAR RF Juan Soto (CLE)* - .311/.477/.607, 244 AB, 18 HR, 5 SB, 200 wRC+, 4.8 WAR RF Kyle Tucker (HOU)* - .346/.421/.636, 324 AB, 23 HR, 9 SB, 192 wRC+, 5.2 WAR Participating for the National League: SP Nehemiah Bell (ATL) - 7-6, 2.57 ERA, 105.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 3.2 WAR SP Parker Detmers (WSH) - 12-4, 2.78 ERA, 123.0 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 12.1 K/9, 3.0 WAR SP Jackson Jobe (STL) - 4-4, 2.18 ERA, 99.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 2.6 WAR SP Daniel Lynch (MIL) - 4-1, 2.95 ERA, 76.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 1.2 WAR SP Brailyn Marquez (PHI)* - 9-5, 3.92 ERA, 114.2 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 13.5 K/9, 2.7 WAR SP Luis Patiño (LAD) - 6-4, 4.97 ERA, 79.2 IP, 1.64 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 0.6 WAR SP Freddy Peralta (SF) - 6-2, 2.14 ERA, 88.1 IP, 0.96 WHIP, 10.3 K/9, 2.5 WAR SP Trevor Rogers (LAD) - 6-2, 3.78 ERA, 102.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 10.2 K/9, 2.5 WAR RP Kevin Ginkel (PHI) - 3-1, 3.64 ERA, 29.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 0.4 WAR RP Jose Quijada (LAD) - 5-1, 2.08 ERA, 47.2 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 0.7 WAR RP Willie Seanez (ATL) - 9-3, 2.50 ERA, 104.1 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 1.9 WAR RP Jake Walsh (NYM) - 1-2, 2.29 ERA, 51.0 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, 0.5 WAR CL Emmanuel Clase (LAD)* - 3-1, 26 SV, 2.11 ERA, 38.1 IP, 0.57 WHIP, 12.0 K/9, 1.2 WAR CL Billy Sullivan (STL) - 1-1, 20 SV, 1.07 ERA, 33.2 IP, 0.62 WHIP, 17.6 K/9, 2.7 WAR C Francisco Alvarez (NYM)* - .272/.342/.511, 268 AB, 17 HR, 141 wRC+, 3.2 WAR C Luis Campusano (ARI) - .279/.361/.477, 222 AB, 7 HR, 132 wRC+, 1.6 WAR C Keibert Ruiz (WSH) - .266/.329/.397, 229 AB, 5 HR, 97 wRC+, 1.5 WAR 1B Oneil Cruz (SA) - .298/.369/.538, 329 AB, 20 HR, 9 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.2 WAR 1B Nate McCollum (MIA)* - .321/.404/.679, 246 AB, 24 HR, 199 wRC+, 3.6 WAR 1B Stephon McNeil (CHC)* - .277/.356/.545, 332 AB, 25 HR, 148 wRC+, 2.3 WAR 1B Austin Riley (ATL)* - .263/.332/.463, 190 AB, 9 HR, 4 SB, 120 wRC+, 1.1 WAR (Injured) 2B Nolan Gorman (ARI)* - .269/.332/.517, 327 AB, 19 HR, 1 SB, 131 wRC+, 2.2 WAR 3B Alex Bregman (PHI) - .263/.353/.527, 300 AB, 22 HR, 142 wRC+, 2.3 WAR 3B Luis Garcia (WSH) - .318/.366/.516, 337 AB, 12 HR, 8 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.9 WAR 3B Yunior Severino (COL) - .292/.364/.529, 325 AB, 18 HR, 3 SB, 138 wRC+, 2.9 WAR 3B Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD)* - .258/.366/.575, 240 AB, 20 HR, 6 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.6 WAR SS Eric Bitonti (PHI) - .268/.325/.502, 325 AB, 20 HR, 126 wRC+, 2.7 WAR SS Jacob Gonzalez (ARI)* - .284/.325/.477, 342 AB, 17 HR, 8 SB, 116 wRC+, 2.0 WAR SS Adalberto Mondesi (LAD) - .248/.327/.479, 290 AB, 16 HR, 21 SB, 121 wRC+, 3.3 WAR LF Nick Madrigal (ARI) - .339/.390/.503, 298 AB, 5 HR, 6 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.4 WAR LF Spencer Torkelson (WSH)* - .318/.395/.591, 274 AB, 18 HR, 1 SB, 169 wRC+, 3.2 WAR CF Dylan Carlson (STL)* - .314/.391/.531, 322 AB, 15 HR, 12 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.8 WAR RF Ronald Acuna Jr. (ATL) - .291/.393/.498, 309 AB, 17 HR, 16 SB, 151 wRC+, 4.2 WAR RF Jose Quinteros (ARI) - .296/.354/.535, 314 AB, 14 HR, 25 SB, 140 wRC+, 3.6 WAR RF Aaron Sweeney (CIN) - .296/.337/.463, 311 AB, 9 HR, 11 SB, 120 wRC+, 2.2 WAR The third appearance for Rays hurler German (his first as a starter), the first for Khattak, the ninth for Wander, and the fourth for Yordan (and of course his first as a Ray). The HR Derby (with no Rays): The game: One of the more entertaining ASGs of late, replete with several lead changes including a 9th-inning NL rally to win it. The Rays representatives acquitted themselves well with Khattak starting and pitching a scoreless inning and Wander, who was on a HR binge before the break, hitting a 2-run shot. Yordan was 0-3 and Luis German didn't pitch.

09-18-2023, 06:04 PM	#690
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	The 2030 Amateur Draft We had a pair of supplemental picks thanks to the free agent losses of Zach DeLoach (struggling with San Antonio at 245/312/353 with 0.4 WAR) and John Swanda (struggling with Detroit at 5-8, 5.19), giving us 3 of the top 39 in the draft and I think we made out pretty well. Of course everybody looks good with 4 and 5-star potential on draft day. Lennon: Nicknamed "Hangover", Lennon is a potential ace starter out of college who will hopefully move quickly through the system with the promise of being elite in stuff, movement and control. Ceja: A high-school with some loud tools, especially hit and power. Deckard: Deckard (whom I gave the nickname "Blade Runner" to) is an extremely well-rounded college OF that could be helping the big club within a couple of years if things go right. He has a broad array of hitting skills, can run, is durable and is a fine defensive OF. The only things that could hold him back are a propensity to strike out, and his personality as seen above. Simpson: High-schooler with an intriguing profile, potentially an excellent all-around hitter with superior bat-to-ball skills, and can play a decent OF. Alvarez: Another high-schooler with some serious hitting tools, listed as a SS but probably ends up in 2B or LF. If the bat pans out, position won't matter. Montes de Oca: A high-school 1B, he's the ultimate one-dimensional player, but what a dimension as he boasts potential light-tower power. Maximos: A great name - hopefully he'll be able to Maximos his potential, especially the control which will need to be at or very close to 45 to be a useful starter. Could also see him becoming a power reliever.

09-18-2023, 07:22 PM	#691
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	July 11-14, 2030: at Toronto (4) Game 1: 6-5 W. WP-Okuda (3-2). S-R.Rodriguez (18). Starter-Bradley (6 7 5 4 1 6). HR-Y.Alvarez (18), Arakawa (11). Dramatic win for the Rays as Ozzie Albies doubled with two out in the 9th to tie it and Wander singled him home to win it. That Albies double was his 2nd of the game and 3rd hit of the day. Game 2: 7-0 W. WP-Evans (9-4, 5.1 4 0 0 2 6). HR-Wood (8). Donye Evans and three relievers combined on the shutout and James Wood homered in drove in a pair as the Rays pulled within 1 of Boston for the division lead. Game 3: 1-2 L. LP-Acosta (3-2). Starter-German (6 3 1 1 2 5). HR-Y.Alvarez (19). A tight pitchers' duel which saw each team limited to 4 hits ended in the Jays' favor when Wander committed two errors in the 9th, one to put the leadoff man on and a second to let him score the winner with two out. Game 4: 1-5 L. LP-Eldridge (2-11, 6 7 4 4 2 3). HR-Wood (9). A series that started promising ended with a thud and in a split after the Rays were not competitive in this one. Team record: 52-42. Now 2 back of Boston in the division and still 5 1/2 up in the first wild card. Next up: our first-ever trip to San Antonio to play the Sailfish, the franchise once known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, who feature our CF from the previous several years, Zach DeLoach. MLB News: A couple of relatively young but veteran superstars hit their 400th career homers over the weekend: Cleveland's Juan Soto and San Diego's Fernando Tatis Jr.

09-20-2023, 06:14 PM	#692
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	July 15-17, 2030: at San Antonio (3) Game 1: 2-5 L. LP-Khattak (12-3, 5 9 5 5 1 0). A stinker for both Khattak who allowed 2 homers and for the offense, which was limited to just two hits both of which were Wander RBI doubles. Game 2: 5-1 W. WP-Bradley (6-3, 7 2 1 1 2 4). HR-Franco (14). Taj was terrific and Wander stayed on his heater with a 2-run triple and solo homer. He's now hit in 16 straight games. Game 3: 0-3 L. LP-Evans (9-5, 5.1 7 2 1 1 5). Another anemic performance from the offense which was limited to four hits. One of them came from Wander to extend his hit streak to 17. Team record: 53-44. The losses dropped the Rays 4 back of Boston in the division and reduced their lead as the first wild card to 4 1/2. Next up: An off-day then back home for 3 against Baltimore. MLB News: The Dodgers' Joey Gallo hit career homer #500.

09-22-2023, 09:13 PM	#693
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	July 19-21, 2030: vs Baltimore (3) Transaction: Angel Rivera had a meltdown during the final game against San Antonio, bumping an ump and getting a 4-game suspension so he goes on the restricted list and C Easton Carmichael is recalled from Durham. Carmichael was our 1st-round pick in 2025 and should fashion a career as a backup/job share catcher, hitting .285-.290 over parts of the last 3 years at Durham. Game 1: 8-3 W. WP-German (9-4, 5 4 2 2 3 8). HR-Luciano (10), Haro (8). Marco Luciano, still below the Mendoza Line, had a big night tonight hitting a 2-run single cap a 4-run 1st and a solo homer to lead the Rays to victory. Haro was also 3-5 with 2 doubles, a solo homer and 2 RBI. Game 2: 3-2 W (10). WP-R.Rodriguez (2-7). Starter-Eldridge (6 4 2 2 2 6). Rookie Cade Arrambide's sac fly tied it in the 9th and Luciano delivered a walk-off single to win it in the 10th, scoring Wander who needed the extra frame to extend his hit streak to 19. Game 3: 5-3 W. WP-V.Gonzalez (3-0). S-R.Rodriguez (19). Starter-Bradley (5 4 3 3 2 6). HR-Arakawa (12), Arrambide (1), Albies (5). Arakawa's 2-run shot in the 6th tied it at 3 and then Arrambide's first MLB homer in the 7th was the winner, with Albies adding one later in the inning for insurance. Wander's hit streak was snapped at 19; getting hit by pitches the first two times up didn't help. Team record: 56-44. Boston dropped 2 of 3 to the Yankees so the Rays have sliced their division lead to 2 games. Next up: 3 at the Trop against the team with the best record in the AL, the 62-39 Astros.

09-24-2023, 07:23 PM	#694
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	July 22-24, 2030: vs Houston (3) Game 1: 5-7 L (11). LP-Sears (0-3). Starter-Khattak (5.1 7 2 2 2 6). HR-Luciano (11), Franco (15). A tough one to swallow as the Rays held a 5-2 lead after 6 only to see Okuda give up 3 in the 7th and Sears two more in the 11th. Luciano's homer was a slam. Game 2: 3-4 L (12). LP-Sears (0-4). Starter-Evans (4.1 4 2 2 3 6). Another rough loss as once again JP Sears couldn't get it done (we had to go with him in the 12th). Wander was 3-5 with 2 RBI in the loss. Annoyed by these two losses and with the trade deadline approaching I swung a trio of deals to shake things up and provide more pop for the mediocre offense. Finally had it with Santana, who was hitting 179/245/287 with 7 HR after belting 45 last year. He showed no signs of breaking out and probably would have been a non-tender or trade in the offseason with a projected $6M salary, so why not deal him now? And in exchange we got another powerful-but-struggling OF but one who's a rookie making the minimum and has some real promise. Hardy was hitting 197/336/402 with the Phillies but is rated 55 contact/60 power/55 eye as well as 65 defense in the corners. He'll platoon with James Wood for now but could take the full-time job if he hits and Wood doesn't get his act together. The O's were shopping free-agent-to-be Casas and any time you have a chance to add a guy who's already hit 37 HR and 91 RBI you don't pass it up. Even if it means playing him at 3B where he isn't great and even if it means benching your 3B of the last few years whom you signed to a 3-year extension in Marco Luciano. Of course Luciano hitting 192/246/321 (and that's after picking it up of late) made the call a lot easier. Lopez is a B-/C+ prospect who's probably destined for the bullpen, so no big loss there. Casas will likely play every day with Luciano spelling him against some tough lefties, otherwise Luciano will become our utility infielder. And in the third deal - which doesn't warrant a screenshot - our incumbent utility infielder Amed Rosario (who had complained about his lack of PT, good riddance as he was hitting 185/250/242) was shipped to Arizona for a 19-year-old pitcher named Matt Ware who could be a bullpen piece in the future, making room for Casas. Game 3: 6-5 W. WP-R.Rodriguez (3-7). Starter-German (5.2 6 2 2 2 9). HR-Hardy 2 (2). What looked like another crushing loss (blowing a 4-1 lead as Houston got a 2-run single with two out in the 9th to go up 5-4) turned into an exhilarating win when the Rays rallied for a pair in the bottom of the 9th, scoring the winner on a walk-off walk to Junior Caminero. And talk about paying immediate dividends - Alistair Hardy homered in his first two at-bats as a Ray, driving in 3 runs. The newcomer with the British-sounding name became an instant fan favorite and was more productive than Natanael Santana has been in ages. Team record: 57-46, still 3 behind Boston. Next up: An off-day then we're off to Seattle to play 3 against the 52-51 Mariners.

09-25-2023, 09:14 PM	#695
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	July 26-28, 2030: at Seattle (3) Game 1: 9-2 W. WP-Eldridge (3-11, 5.1 5 0 0 2 4). HR-Haro (9), Y.Alvarez 2 (21), Caminero (15). Rays rolled behind 4 homers; Haro was 3-4 with his longball and 2 RBI. Game 2: 13-5 W. WP-Bradley (7-3, 6 4 2 2 4 2). HR-Casas (1/38), Caminero (16), Rivera (5), Haro (10). Triston Casas had his first big game as a Ray, going 4-5 with a homer and 2 RBI, while Rivera and Haro each had two hits and knocked in three. Game 3: 0-3 L. LP-Khattak (12-4, 6 4 3 3 2 2). After scoring 22 over the previous two games the Rays were no-hit for 7 2/3 by Seattle's Wyatt Hudepohl, with Caminero's single to break it up their only hit of the night. Team record: 59-47. They stay 3 games behind Boston and 5 up in the wild card as they seemingly have just about all month. Next up: An off-day for a cross-country plane ride to Baltimore for 3 against the Orioles.

09-27-2023, 06:01 PM	#696
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	July 30-August 1, 2030: at Baltimore (3) Game 1: 5-8 L. LP-Orze (3-1). Starter-Evans (3.2 4 2 0 0 5). HR-E.Green (11), Rivera (6). Rays had a 3-2 lead in the 5th with Evans having to leave early with a mild hamstring strain which may keep him from his next start before Orze came in and stunk up the joint going 1 inning and allowing 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. Time for a trade at the deadline: We've been in need of pitching depth, especially in the pen, and Ogando should really help with his 80 stuff, 60 movement and 50 control. He had 59 whiffs in 39 IP with the Cubs and a 3.69 ERA. Monrreal had at one point been one of our better pitching prospects but the bloom has come off recently. He still could be a 60/45/45-rated back-end of the rotation starter. To make room for Ogando we finally pulled the plug on Eric Orze, who has been terrible this season and was a free agent at year's end anyway, putting him on waivers. Game 2: 4-6 L. LP-Riley (0-1). Starter-German (4.2 2 2 2 4 5). HR-Y.Alvarez (22), Rivera (7). For the second straight day a starter left early due to injury (German had a minor blister) and for the second straight day a reliever lost the lead by melting down in the middle innings. This time it was Trey Riley, charged with 4 runs in 2/3 of an IP although the two deciding runs charged to him came when new pickup Gerald Ogando gave up a 2-run single to the first man he faced as a Ray. Game 3: 4-6 L (10). LP-R.Rodriguez (3-8). Starter-Eldridge (5.2 6 3 3 3 9). HR-Wood (10). An extremely frustrating series saw the Rays lose another lead in the middle innings, although this time they fought back and tied it in the 9th on James Wood's pinch-hit homer. That only delayed the pain though as Randy Rodriguez surrendered a 2-run walk-off shot in the 10th. Team record: 59-50. The good news is that Boston was also swept so the Rays didn't lose any ground in the division and still trail by 3. The bad news is that it was Toronto who did the sweeping and they've pulled within 1 1/2 games of the Rays for the first wild card. Next up: We return home for the weekend to play 3 against the 65-44 Mets.

09-28-2023, 10:26 PM	#697
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	August 2-4, 2030: vs NY Mets (3) Game 1: 4-3 W (10). WP-Riley (1-1). Starter-Bradley (7 3 3 3 2 5). HR-Haro (11), Casas (2/39). Taj took a no-hitter in a 0-0 game into 7th before losing it and giving up a 3-run Pete Alonso blast, but Haro hit a 3-run shot of his own in the bottom of the inning and Casas walked it off with his biggest hit since joining the Rays. Game 2: 2-1 W. WP-Khattak (12-4, 6.2 3 1 1 2 8). S-R.Rodriguez (20). HR-Casas (3/40). Like Taj yesterday, Khattak took a no-hitter into the 7th, lost it there and gave up an RBI single to Pete Alonso. But that was it for the Mets and Casas' solo shot and Yordan's RBI double held up as the Rays beat a very good Mets team once again. Game 3: 12-6 W. WP-Evans (10-5, 5 1 0 0 2 11). HR-Arakawa (13). The Rays routed the Mets to complete the sweep thanks to another dominant Donye Evans outing and lots of offense, including another huge game from Casas (3-4, double, triple, 4 RBI) and 3 RBI from Caminero. It was 12-0 going into the 9th before the hapless JP Sears gave up 5 runs and Gerald Ogando had a rough time before getting the final out. Team record: 62-50. The sweep enabled the Rays to pull within one of Boston, as close as they've been all year. Next up: Detroit visits for 3 games.

10-01-2023, 12:03 AM	#698
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	August 5-7, 2030: vs Detroit (3) Game 1: 4-7 L (10). LP-Acosta (3-3). Starter-German (4.1 7 4 3 3 6). HR-Caminero (17). Caminero's huge game (4-5, double, game-tying homer in the 8th, 2 RBI) was for naught as the incredibly unclutch Acosta gave up 3 in the 10th. Game 2: 1-4 L. LP-Eldridge (5-12, 5.1 8 4 4 4 5). Eldridge was lousy and so were the bats as they managed only two hits. Game 3: 3-8 L. LP-Bradley (7-4, 4.1 5 4 4 6 3). HR-Hardy (3/9). Taj couldn't find the plate and the bullpen gave up 4 more as the Rays have now been swept, swept, and been swept again in the last three series. Team record: 62-53. Fortunately the Red Sox lost 2 of 3 so the Rays only fell one more game back of Boston at two behind. Next up: An off-day then 64-52 Cleveland, first in the AL Central, visits. Rays news: Eric Orze cleared waivers but refused an assignment to Durham so he was released.

10-02-2023, 04:34 PM	#699
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	August 9-11, 2030: vs Cleveland (3) Game 1: 0-1 L. LP-Khattak (13-5, 5.1 3 1 1 2 7). Three hits were all the limp noodle bats could manage, wasting a great effort from the staff which held Cleveland to four hits. Game 2: 5-2 W. WP-German (10-4, 6 4 2 2 1 9). S-R.Rodriguez (21). HR-Y.Alvarez (23). The pitching was excellent again and this time they got some support, mostly from Alvarez who was 3-4 with a 3-run homer. Game 3: 3-4 L. LP-Ogando (0-1). Starter-Evans (5 0 0 0 2 6). HR-Casas (4/41). Just a brutal loss as Rays pitching took a combined no-hitter and a 3-0 lead into the 9th inning. Okuda gave up two straight singles to start the frame and then deadline pickup Ogando hit the first two he faced to force in a run, walked one to force in another and then gave up a 2-run single to lose it. Team record: 63-55. Despite dropping two more games the Rays actually gained ground on Boston, which was swept at Fenway by the Dodgers, moving to within a game of the division lead. The wild-card lead is down to 3 games though. Next up: A day off then the Yankees visit the Trop for 3.

10-03-2023, 11:06 PM	#700
Art Deco Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 7,070	August 13-15, 2030: vs NY Yankees (3) Game 1: 11-3 W. WP-Bradley (8-4, 6.2 6 3 3 0 5). HR-Casas (5/42), Albies (6), Y.Alvarez (24). A 7-run 6th broke open a 2-2 game, featuring a 2-run double from Casas and a 3-run homer by Albies. Casas earlier had a 2-run homer to give him a 4-RBI day. Game 2: 9-5 W. WP-Dodson (2-0). Starter-Eldridge (4 5 5 4 1 4). HR-Wood (11), Arakawa (14), Albies (7), Caminero (18). A 3-homer, 4-run 3rd gave the Rays a 6-0 lead but Eldridge gave 5 runs right back in the 4th before Caminero restored some breathing room with a 3-run shot. Game 3: 3-5 L (12). LP-Riley (1-2). Starter-Khattak (5.2 7 2 2 2 6). Rays couldn't hold a 3-2 lead in the 8th and paid for it in extras. Nelson Haro had 3 doubles and an RBI but frustratingly the third of those came in the bottom of the 9th with 2 out and Wood on 1st but Wood couldn't score on the play. Team record: 65-56. Finally! We're tied for first as slumping Boston lost 2 of 3. At this rate the AL East champ might not win 90 games. Next up: Off to Toronto for 3.