SB Nation Tampa Bay - Rays Offense Silent After First Inning, Angels Come Back 6-5https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2011-05-01T16:50:57-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19111852011-05-01T16:50:57-04:002011-05-01T16:50:57-04:00Rays' Cobb Falls Apart In Fifth, Angels Earn The 6-5 Victory, Win Series.
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> caught a break on this family fun day when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> ace <span>Jered Weaver</span>’s quest for 7 wins in 7 starts was pushed back a day due to illness. That left Angels rookie <span>Tyler Chatwood</span> facing off against fellow a rookie right-hander, the Rays’ <span>Alex Cobb</span>.</p>
<p>In the first inning it seemed like it would be an offensive onslaught against Chatwood. The Rays scored 5 runs on 7 hits and batted around before <span>John Jaso</span> became the third out, being thrown out after inexplicably taking a late break for second.</p>
<p>Cobb would look like he’d make that lead stand up for 4 innings, allowing a solo home run to <span>Hank Conger</span> but working around the Angels line up. The fifth inning is where things started coming unraveled for the 23 year old.</p>
<p>2 walks and a single allowed would end Cobb’s night after 4.1 innings. He allowed an un-Cobb-like 4 walks on the day and gave up 4 runs, all earned. Although the last 3 wouldn’t come on hits he allowed.</p>
<p><span>Andy Sonnanstine</span> came into a high-leverage situation in that fourth inning and gave up another walk, a sac fly, and a single before <span>Alberto Callaspo</span> was thrown out at second base ending the inning. But the damage had been don’t and the game was tied 5-5.</p>
<p>From the fifth inning on this game was a battle of the bullpens. Both team’s relievers looked sharp and didn’t give up much until the 8th inning.</p>
<p>Although <span>Joel Peralta</span> gave up a leadoff double, the defense really gave the Angels the lead. With one out and a <span>Torii Hunter</span> on second John Jaso gave up a passed ball allowing Hunter to advance to third. Peralta then walked <span>Vernon Wells</span> to set up a double play. Although he got the groundball to second that he wanted, Zobrist opted to go to first and catch Wells in a rundown. That decision gave Hunter enough time to scamper home before the third out of the inning was recorded giving the Angels their first lead of the game 6-5.</p>
<p>That would be all the offense Anaheim would need, as their bullpen completely stifled the Rays offense, allowing a mere 2 hits after taking over for Chatwood. The Rays will hope to regroup on Tuesday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> at 6:40.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/5/1/2147896/rays-cobb-falls-apart-in-fifth-angels-earn-6-5-victory-win-seriesAlex2011-05-01T13:58:29-04:002011-05-01T13:58:29-04:00Jered Weaver Scratched, Starting Lineups
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<p><span>Jered Weaver</span> has been scratched due to illness and is being replaced by rookie <span>Tyler Chatwood</span>, who is 2-1 with a 3.86 <span class="caps">ERA</span> so far this season.</p>
<p>Starting lineups:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a><br> <span>Sam Fuld</span>, LF<br> <span>Johnny Damon</span>, DH<br> B J Upton, CF<br> <span>Ben Zobrist</span>, 2B<br> <span>Casey Kotchman</span>, 1B<br> <span>Felipe Lopez</span>, 3B <br> <span>John Jaso</span>, C<br> <span>Reid Brignac</span>, SS</p>
<p><a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a>:<br> <span>Erick Aybar</span>, SS<br> <span>Bobby Abreu</span>, DH<br> <span>Howie Kendrick</span>, 2B<br> <span>Torii Hunter</span>, RF<br> <span>Alberto Callaspo</span>, 3B<br> <span>Vernon Wells</span>, LF<br> <span>Hank Conger</span>, C<br> <span>Mark Trumbo</span>, 1B<br> Peter Bourjos, CF</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/5/1/2147600/jered-weaver-scratched-starting-lineupsAlex2011-05-01T10:45:21-04:002011-05-01T10:45:21-04:00Alex Cobb Makes Rays Debut In Spot Start Against Anaheim
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<p>Unless you are a serious prospect hound, you may have never heard of <span>Alex Cobb</span> before. The reason for that is that Alex Cobb doesn’t wow the scouts <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2011/4/26/2133067/a-closer-look-alex-cobb">with his stuff</a>. His fastball is average, and his secondary offerings (a split-change and a curveball) are good, but not great.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What is great is his command. He knows how to use his pitches, where to use his pitches, and when to use his pitches. His strikeout numbers have Sabr-types swooning, and his walk numbers have the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> front office believing. At least they believe in Cobb enough to call him up for a spot-start against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He will be facing the Angels’ stud right-hander <span>Jered Weaver</span> in the rubber match of the three game series. Weaver leads the American League in wins (6), K/9 (9.66), ERA (0.99), and is in the top-10 in a bunch of other categories. If the Rays are going to win they are going to need Cobb to pitch very well, and they are going to need to generate just enough offense against the man who is currently the best pitcher in the league. First pitch is at 1:40 PM.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/5/1/2334468/alex-cobb-makes-rays-debut-in-spot-start-against-anaheimAlex