SB Nation Tampa Bay - Rays Fall Just Short of Sweeping Blue Jayshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2010-09-12T16:33:50-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14444192010-09-12T16:33:50-04:002010-09-12T16:33:50-04:00Lind's 9th Inning HR Heroics Ends Rays Chance To Sweep
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<p>Toronto, ON (Sports Network) – Adam Lind’s two-run homer off Rafael Soriano in the ninth inning lifted Toronto over the AL wild-card leading Rays, 5-4.</p>
<p>B.J. Upton hit a sacrifice fly to score Brad Hawpe in the top of the ninth to give the Rays the lead, and Soriano (2-2) came in to close out the potential three-game sweep. The Jays had other plans, however, as Lind followed Aaron Hill’s leadoff single with a no-doubter over the right-field wall, ending Toronto’s four-game skid.</p>
<p>The loss leaves Tampa Bay a full game behind the AL East-leading Yankees, who are in action in Texas.</p>
<p>09/12 16:17:45 ET</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/9/12/1684366/linds-9th-inning-hr-heroics-endsClark Brooks2010-09-11T16:38:35-04:002010-09-11T16:38:35-04:00Rays Ride Hawpe Grand Slam To Romp Over Jays
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<p>Toronto, ON (Sports Network) – Brad Hawpe belted a grand slam during a six-run fourth inning, and the Rays blew out the Toronto Blue Jays, 13-1, in the second installment of a three-game series.
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<p>Kelly Shoppach added a two-run homer and Carl Crawford contributed a two-run triple for the Rays. Ben Zobrist stroked a two-run double during the fourth frame for Tampa Bay, which moved within a game of the Yankees for first place in the AL East. New York plays on the road against the Texas Rangers tonight.</p>
<p>Wade Davis (12-9) pitched seven innings to win his seventh consecutive decision. The right-hander, who hasn’t lost since June 27 vs. Arizona, allowed seven hits, including a Lyle Overbay homer in the fourth inning, walked three and fanned six batters.</p>
<p>Ricky Romero (12-9) surrendered three hits and six runs over four frames as the Blue Jays lost their fourth in a row.</p>
<p>09/11 16:24:50 ET</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/9/11/1682860/rays-ride-hawpe-grand-slam-to-rompClark Brooks2010-09-10T22:27:35-04:002010-09-10T22:27:35-04:00Rays Hang On Behind Longoria's Hustle & Soriano's 42nd Save
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<p>Toronto, ON (Sports Network) – Evan Longoria scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning thanks to an error by Yunel Escobar, as the Rays withstood a Toronto power surge to edge the Blue Jays, 9-8, in the opener of a three-game series.</p>
<p>Tampa Bay held an 8-1 lead before the Blue Jays hit four home runs to tie the contest. Jose Bautista hit two of them to boost his major league-leading total to 46.</p>
<p>But in the top of the ninth, Kevin Gregg (1-5) walked Longoria and Carlos Pena with one out before Sean Rodriguez hit a hard grounder to first. Lyle Overbay threw to second base to start the double play, but Escobar’s return throw sailed wide, and Longoria crossed the plate to put the Rays in front.</p>
<p>Rafael Soriano struck out the side in the bottom half to secure the critical victory for the Rays, who entered Friday’s game 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL East.</p>
<p>09/10 22:20:41 ET</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/9/10/1681918/rays-hang-on-behind-longoriasClark Brooks2010-09-10T13:14:59-04:002010-09-10T13:14:59-04:00Rays At Toronto: Don't Look Past 'Em
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<p><a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> fans might be tempted to look past this series against the Blue Jays, considering what looms immediately afterward ( three games against the division leading <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a>, at the Trop). That would not be a good idea, for a variety of reasons.</p>
<p>For starters, the Blue Jays are easily the best 4th place team in baseball. They have a better record, with a tougher schedule than the third place team in the AL Central division (Detroit) and the second place team in the AL West (Oakland). Loaded with power hitters, there will be no gimme games in this series. Secondly, the Rays lead in the Wildcard standings is healthy but it's not insurmountable. Besides, they're still way too close to catching the Yankees to start thinking about just coasting into the playoffs as the Wildcard, especially if the Rangers can help by taking a bite out of them this weekend. Third, and possibly most important, the Rays enter this series having lost two series in a row for the first time since June. Now is not the time to be setting bad trends. With a sweep, the Rays will finish the road trip 5-4 but it's not wise to expect that. Best to hope for re-establishing the healthy habit of taking two of three.</p>
<p>The Blue Jays (72-68, 4th place) come into this series after splitting four games with the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a>. They are 4-6 in their last ten games, losing their last two. Rightfielder <span>Jose Bautista</span> leads the majors in home runs with 44. He's one of four Blue Jays, along with <span>Vernon Wells</span>, <span>Aaron Hill</span> and <span>Adam Lind</span>, with at least 20.</p>
<p>The Rays (84-55, 2nd) have won five of their last ten, but only one of their last five. This is the final three game series of a three city, nine game road trip. After this, only eight of the Rays remaining 20 games are away from Tropicana Field, a four game visit to New York starting September 20th and the final four games of the regular season at Kansas City starting September 30th.</p>
<p><span>James Shields</span> (13-12, 4.92) gets the start in the series opener tonight and will be opposed by <span>Brett Cecil</span> (12-7, 3.76) </p>
<p>For more on the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Blue Jays</a>, please check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Bird Banter</a>. And as always, for more Rays coverage, please visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/"><b><font color="#004175">DRaysBay</font></b></a>.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2010/9/10/2320743/rays-at-toronto-dont-look-past-emClark Brooks