SB Nation Tampa Bay - Rays Flex Power And Pitching Might, Win 6-2https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2011-03-12T16:32:15-05:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18104632011-03-12T16:32:15-05:002011-03-12T16:32:15-05:00Rays Homer And K Their Way To Victory
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<p>David Price went 5 strong innings on Saturday, allowing only 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 6 batters. In total, the Rays pitchers combined for 12 total strikeout, en route to beating the Phillies 6-2.</p>
<p>The Rays offense went homer-happy in the 3rd and 4th innings, when Ben Zobrist, Johnny Damon, and Dan Johnson each hit one out — way out, in fact, as Damon and Johnson’s homers both left the park entirely. It was Zobrist and Damon’s first home runs of the Spring Training season, but Johnson’s second.</p>
<p>The Rays offense, which surprisingly did not walk once, also collected extra base hits from Matt Joyce (a double and a triple), Reid Brignac (a double), and B.J. Upton (also a double, his fourth of the spring).</p>
<p>In four innings of work, Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick allowed 5 runs, all coming through home runs. Ryan Madson pitched masterfully, allowing only 1 hit in 2 innings of work, while striking out the other 6 Rays he faced.</p>
<p>Madson’s pitching, however, did not matter as the Rays relief corps allowed only one run to cross in the 8th inning, securing a Tampa Bay victory.</p>
<p>The Tampa Bay Rays will be in action again tomorrow, taking on the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 pm <span class="caps">EST</span>.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/3/12/2046832/rays-homer-and-k-their-way-to-victoryBradley Woodrum2011-03-12T14:11:32-05:002011-03-12T14:11:32-05:00High And Far Homers Puts The Rays Up Early
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<p>Ben Zobrist, Johnny Damon, and Dan Johnson each hit home runs during the 3rd and 4th innings, giving the Rays a 5-1 lead. Each home run did not need any south Florida breezes, each sailing high and deep. Johnson’s home run, his second of the summer, even went so far as to leave the stadium.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, David Price has struck out 6 batters, while walking only 2 and allowing 1 run on 2 hits.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/3/12/2046576/high-and-far-homers-puts-the-rays-up-earlyBradley Woodrum2011-03-12T13:07:03-05:002011-03-12T13:07:03-05:00Rays Take On Phillies In World Series Lite
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<p>Whereas the World Series features the ultimate games in baseball, Spring Training offers the least-significant, most forgettable contests of the sport. Still, whenever historical rivals face off, it is hard to not care.</p>
<p>Today, the 2008 AL Champs, the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a>, will square off against the 2008 NL Champs, the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Phillies</a>, in a contest promising fewer stars, less rain, and no local television cameras. Let us call it <i>World Series Lite</i>, a rematch of sorts.</p>
<p>Toeing the mound for the Rays today will be young ace <span>David Price</span>, followed by <span>Juan Cruz</span>, <span>Cesar Cabral</span>, <span>Jake McGee</span>, and <span>Cesar Ramos</span> -- each fighting for a spot in the bullpen.</p>
<p>From the opposing dugout, <span>Kyle Kendrick</span>, <span>Drew Naylor</span>, <span>Brian Bass</span>, <span>Jose Contreras</span>, <span>J.C. Romero</span>, and <span>Ryan Madson</span> will make appearances.</p>
<p><b>The Rays Lineup per <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_03_12_tbamlb_phimlb_1&mode=gameday">Gameday</a></b><br><span>Ben Zobrist</span> 2B<br><span>Johnny Damon</span> LF<br><span>Evan Longoria</span> 3B<br><span>Matt Joyce</span> RF<br><span>B.J. Upton</span> CF<br><span>Dan Johnson</span> 1B<br><span>John Jaso</span> C<br><span>Elliot Johnson</span> DH<br><span>Reid Brignac</span> SS</p>
<p>The first pitch will be at around 1:05 pm EST, with the game available on WDAE 620 AM and online to MLB.tv subscribers (on the PHI vs. PIT feed).</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/3/12/2331367/rays-take-on-phillies-in-world-series-liteBradley Woodrum