Tampa Bay Can't Sweep New York, Lose Game 3, 6-4

• 9 months ago
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2012 MLB Standings: Tampa Bay Rays Right Behind Playoff Leaders

After taking two of three from the AL East co-leading New York Yankees and a day off, the slate doesn't get easier for the Tampa Bay Rays as they get set to host the AL West-leading Texas Rangers for a three game set beginning Friday.

The Rays are still very much in the thick of the playoff race, as they trail the Yankees and Baltimore Orioles by two games in the AL East and Wild Card, while only 1.5 behind the Oakland Athletics for the second and final Wild Card spot.

Even on the outside looking in, having two avenues to reach the playoffs gives Tampa Bay plenty to play for the rest of the way. The same can't be said for the Miami Marlins, however.

The Fish are dead last in the NL East with no realistic shot at catching the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals for one of the NL Wild Card spots. Nevertheless, the games must go on, and the Marlins can play spoilers beginning with a three-game set with the first-place Washington Nationals Friday night.

For more on the Rays, visit DRaysBay. For more on the Marlins, visit Fish Stripes. See the complete MLB standings at SI.com.

• 10 months ago
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Chris Archer To Join Rays On Friday

Chris Archer is expected to join the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday according to a Tampa Bay Times report. The right-handed prospect will be recalled to be a possible spot starter as the regular season draws to a close:

Archer, 23, was impressive in a short stint with Tampa Bay earlier this season, going 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA while filling in for then-injured RHP Jeremy Hellickson. Archer was 7-9 with a 3.66 ERA in 25 starts for Triple-A Durham.

Archer was a key component in the eight-player trade that sent Matt Garza to the Chicago Cubs in January. He was considered one of the Cubs top pitching talents but struggled with his command at times. He was rated as the Rays' third best prospect and the 89th best pitching prospect prior to the 2012 season.

Stick with this SB Nation Tampa Bay for more on the Rays, or head over to DRays Bay. For New York's perspective, check out Pinstripe Alley.

• 10 months ago
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Rays Vs. Yankees Final Score: New York Avoids Sweep, Beats Rays 6-4

The Tampa Bay Rays lost to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night, 6-4, missing the opportunity to sweep their AL East rivals. The Yankees took Tampa Bay starter Matt Moore for six runs, three in the fourth, one in the sixth and two in the seventh, and Tampa Bay's offense couldn't make up the deficit.

With the loss, the Rays fall to 75-62 and move 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Yankees. They also failed to make up ground in the AL Wild Card race on a night when both the Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics lost.

Moore takes the loss, falling to 10-9. Luke Scott and Evan Longoria both had an RBI on the night, with Scott collecting his 13th home run, and Ben Zobrist added another pair of runs on a triple to deep center in the bottom of the fifth.

Stick with this SB Nation Tampa Bay for more on the Rays, or head over to DRays Bay. For New York's perspective, check out Pinstripe Alley.

• 10 months ago
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Yankees Vs. Rays Lineups: Rays Look To Sweep Series

The Tampa Bay Rays play host to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night in the final game of a three-game series. The Rays will send Matt Moore to the mound, while the Yankess counter with Hiroki Kuroda.

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MLB Standings: Surging Rays Closing The AL East Gap

Winners of four straight, the Tampa Bay Rays have moved to within 1.5 games of the lead in the American League East division.

That lead is currently shared by the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles. On July 18, the Yankees led the Orioles by 10 games, and the Rays by 10.5.

The Rays will continue to depend on their pitching, which currently sports the best team ERA in the majors, at a minuscule 3.25.

WIth just 26 games left in the season, the Rays hope to capture the AL East crown for the third time franchise history, since doing the same in 2010 and 2008.

The wild-card race is looking even more muddled, as the Rays, Angels, and Tigers all trail the Orioles/Yankees for the second spot by less than five games.

Click here for a full look at the standings.

For the latest on all things Rays, be sure to check out DRays Bay and join the discussion.

• 10 months ago
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MLB Standings: Surging Rays Closing The AL East Gap

Winners of four straight, the Tampa Bay Rays have moved to within 1.5 games of the lead in the American League East division.

That lead is currently shared by the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles. On July 18, the Yankees led the Orioles by 10 games, and the Rays by 10.5.

The Rays will continue to depend on their pitching, which currently sports the best team ERA in the majors, at a minuscule 3.25.

WIth just 26 games left in the season, the Rays hope to capture the AL East crown for the third time franchise history, since doing the same in 2010 and 2008.

The wild-card race is looking even more muddled, as the Rays, Angels, and Tigers all trail the Orioles/Yankees for the second spot by less than five games.

Click here for a full look at the standings.

For the latest on all things Rays, be sure to check out DRays Bay and join the discussion.

• 10 months ago
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Yankees Vs. Rays Preview, TV Time, Schedule, Probable Pitchers, And More

On Wednesday, the Rays will look to complete a sweep against the New York Yankees, which would bring Tampa Bay to within half a game of the Bronx Bombers.

Currently, the Yanks and Orioles are tied atop the American League East division, with the Rays trailing by 1.5 games.

Going for their fifth consecutive win, the Rays will send Matt Moore to the mound. The young lefty has been great recently, delivering a quality start in seven of his last eight outings.

The Yanks, losers of 10 out of 14, will counter with Hiroki Kuroda, who has been their most consistent starter this year. The former Dodger is 12-10 with a 3.04 ERA in 27 starts this season.

Wednesday's game will start at 7:10 PM ET, and can be found on SUN and ESPN.

For the latest on all things Rays, be sure to check out DRays Bay and join the discussion. For more on the Yankees, head over to Pinstripe Alley.

• 10 months ago
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Yankees Vs. Rays Final Score: Tampa Bay Wins 5-2

The AL East race keeps getting tighter, as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 5-2 on Tuesday night to move within 1.5 games of first place.

It's the second straight win over the Yankees for the streaking Rays, who, along with the Baltimore Orioles, have eaten into all of New York's once-formidable division lead.

Most of the damage came from the top of Tampa Bay's batting order, with Desmond Jennings, B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria all hitting HRs off Freddy Garcia.

Alex Cobb allowed a two-run HR to Robinson Cano in the first inning, but he recovered from there to go seven innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs to go along with strikeouts and only one walk.

With the win, the Rays enter into the final game of the series on Wednesday with the chance to enter into a virtual tie for first place in the AL East.

For the latest on all things Rays, be sure to check out DRays Bay and join the discussion. For more on the Yankees, head over to Pinstripe Alley.

• 10 months ago
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New York Yankees Vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Tuesday Preview, Game Time And More

The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees continue a three-game series on Tuesday, as the Rays play host to the Bronx Bombers on Tuesday night.

The Rays brought themselves to within two and a half games of the Yankees in the AL East standings with a 4-3 win over New York on Monday, and Alex Cobb will look to bring Tampa Bay even closer.

Cobb draws the start on Tuesday night, as he looks to earn his ninth win of the season. Cobb brings an 8-8 record to go along with a 4.39 ERA and 1.32 WHIP into the contest.

Tampa Bay's offense will have to face off against Freddy Garcia, who has failed to escape the fifth inning in each of his last two starts. On the season, Garcia is 7-5 with a 4.90 ERA and 1.37 WHIP, and has only averaged 86 pitches per start.

Evan Longoria, who exited the game on Monday because of fatigue, expects to play on Tuesday.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Televised coverage can be found both on Sun Sports and ESPN.

For the latest on the Rays, head over to D-Rays Bay and join the discussion.

• 10 months ago
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Rays Vs. Yankees Final Score: Tampa Bay Edges New York, 4-3

The Tampa Bay Rays inched closer to the American League East lead on Monday, defeating the New York Yankees, 4-3.

Tampa Bay struck first when Chris Gimenez singled to centerfield, scoring Jeff Keppinger. B.J. Upton added to that lead with a solo home run in the second inning.

New York, as expected, battled back, scoring three times in the fourth inning. Eric Chavez hit a sacrifice fly scoring Robinson Cano, before Raul Ibanez tripled, scoring Alex Rodriguez. Russell Martin reached on an infield single, scoring Ibanez, giving the Yankees a 3-2 lead.

Evan Longoria tied the game up with an RBI groundout in the fifth.

Tampa Bay took the lead back in the eighth, when Gimenez again singled, this time off of David Robertson, scoring Ryan Roberts, and giving the Rays a 4-3 lead.

Fernando Rodney notched his 41st save of the season, but not before some drama in the ninth. After Rodriguez struck out, Eric Chavez reached on an error by third baseman Elliot Johnson. Eduardo Nunez entered the game as a pinch runner, stealing second and advancing to third on a groundout by Ibanez.

Curtis Granderson came on to pinch hit with the tying run on third, but Rodney struck him out, ending the game, and bringing the Rays within two and a half games of the American League East lead.

James Shields pitched eight strong innings and picked up the win, improving to 13-8 on the season. David Robertson fell to 1-5 with the loss.

For the latest on all things Rays, be sure to check out DRays Bay and join the discussion.