SB Nation Tampa Bay - Rays Vs. Royals: Rays Get First Series Sweep Since Junehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2011-08-11T16:39:21-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21158572011-08-11T16:39:21-04:002011-08-11T16:39:21-04:00Ben Zobrist Crushes, Jeff Niemann Cruises, Rays Win 4-1
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<p><i>This recap comes courtesy of <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2011/8/11/2357940/ben-zobrist-crushes-jeff-nieman-cruises-rays-win-4-1">DRaysBay</a>.</i></p>
<p>The renaissance of <span>Jeff Niemann</span> continued today as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> (63-54) beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> (49-69) by a score of 4-1. One might say the Rays are officially hot now, owning an pleasant 7-3 record in the month of August.</p>
<p>Niemann hit trouble in the first, but was able to dance out of too much damage, allowing only one run despite two Royals singles and a walk. With the Royals leading 1-0 early, Niemann quickly locked it down.</p>
<p>In typical NyQuil fashion, Niemann eased in and out of trouble, allowing a few singles here and there, but always escaping unharmed. In the sixth, the Royals finally put together a legitimate threat, loading the bases on -- you guessed it -- singles only to have <span>Alex Gordon</span> strike out and end the inning.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Rays' speedy outfielders kept their hot hitting hot. <span>Desmond Jennings</span> hit his third triple of the season (already?!) and <span>Sam Fuld</span> doubled in the bottom of the fourth, but <span>Ben Zobrist</span> took the cake and ate it by himself, hitting a double and a key, two-run triple in the third that put the Rays up 2-1.</p>
<p>Jennings' triple led to another run on an <span>Evan Longoria</span> sac fly in the fifth, putting the Rays up 3-1. Then, in the eighth, Sean Rodriguez singled Zobrist home for the final score, 4-1.</p>
<p>Notes:</p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span>Sean Rodriguez</span> had a rangy, over-the-shoulder catch in the top of the third. His defense continues to impress and improve, but, man, will the power he showed in the minors ever come?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Fortunately, Niemann went 6 and 1/3 innings, so the Rays were saved from needing to use <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2011/8/11/2357070/looking-at-the-rays-newfound-failpen">their Failpen</a>, instead using their one-two combo of <span>Joel Peralta</span> and <span>Kyle Farnsworth</span> to close out the game (<span>J.P. Howell</span> faced one batter in the seventh, but left after giving up yet another single). Kyle Farnsworth: Best Rays reliever signing ever?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">The Rays will be in New York tomorrow to start three game series. I don't mean to jinx it or anything, but a sweep there means the Rays are just 5.5 back from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> with a month and a half left to play. Maybe it could happen? Who knows?</span></li>
</ul>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/8/11/2358004/ben-zobrist-crushes-jeff-nieman-cruises-rays-win-4-1Bradley Woodrum2011-08-11T11:02:36-04:002011-08-11T11:02:36-04:00Rays Vs. Royals: Rays Going For First Series Sweep Since June
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<p>The Rays won last night’s game against the Royals in thrilling fashion, <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/8/10/2356632/rays-sting-royals-score-5-in-wild-ninth/in/2115857" target="new">overcoming a four-run deficit in the ninth inning</a> to win 8-7. Today, they go for their first series sweep since the end of June — June 26th against the Astros, to be exact.</p>
<p>Pitching for the Rays today is Jeff Niemann, who has been exceptionally effective since coming off the disabled list in July. He’s facing Danny Duffy of the Royals.</p>
<p>The Rays’ lineup, courtesy of <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/starters-rays-vs-royals-seeking-sweep" target="new">Marc Topkin</a>:</p>
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<p>Jennings cf<br>
Damon dh<br>
Longoria 3b<br>
Zobrist rf<br>
Kotchman 1b<br>
Rodriguez 2b<br>
Fuld lf<br>
Shoppach c<br>
Johnson ss</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/8/11/2357310/rays-vs-royals-rays-going-for-first-series-sweep-since-juneSteve Slowinski2011-08-10T23:30:45-04:002011-08-10T23:30:45-04:00Rays Sting Royals, Score Five Times In The Final Frame
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<p>The Tampa Bay <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> returned from a four-run ninth-inning deficit to stun the Kansas City Royals 8-7.</p>
<p>Today's lineup began with a new lead-off hitter: <span>Matt Joyce</span>. A heavy bat with plus-plus speed, he is an upgrade over tonight's left fielder, the speedy <span>Sam Fuld</span>. Maddon decided to give it a try, and both proved instrumental in tonight's game. Joyce went 3-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored, while Fuld went got on base in all five plate appearances (two hits, three walks), also scoring a run and driving one in on the eventual game-winning play.</p>
<p>Joyce led the bottom of the ninth with a single and <span>Johnny Damon</span> followed suit before the Royals brought <span>Joakim Soria</span> in for the save. With no outs <span>Evan Longoria</span> doubled into the left field gap to plate Joyce. Ben Zobrist then moved the runners and scored Damon on a ground out to bring the Rays in reach at 7-5.</p>
<p>Next, the magical <span>Casey Kotchman</span> "singled" Longoria home on a<a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=17876673&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_17876673&v=3"> failed scoop at first base</a>, cutting the deficit to 7-6. With pressure mounting, Upton struck out on three pitches. With two outs, the Legendary Sam Fuld tripled off the right field wall, the ball arcing in to the perfect slot in the gap and somehow getting over the head of Jeff Francoeur. Kotchman's pinch runner scored and the relay to third skipped away while Fuld slid into the bag.</p>
<p>Taking advantage of the error, Fuld slid face first again - this time into home plate to beat the throw and score the winning run. The Rays cleared the bench for a dogpile on Fuld after the thrilling comeback win.</p>
<p><a href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/778393/Fuld1.jpg"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/778393/Fuld1_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Fuld1_medium"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/778339/fuld2.jpg"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/778339/fuld2_medium.jpg" class="photo" alt="Fuld2_medium"></a></p>
<p><i>Watch the walk-off triple and slide <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=17894475&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_17894475&v=3">here</a>. </i></p>
<p><b>Pitching Notes</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">The pitch Fuld pasted on the center field warning track had to have been a mistake. It was the third consecutive 92-mph cutter and hung low and down the middle. (Of coures, low to Sam Fuld is about waist high.) Soria, booked as the losing pitcher, has blown 7 saves in 28 opportunities. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">With the Royals leading 4-3, <span>Jake McGee</span> inherited a runner with two outs in the ninth before allowing a walk and a three-run blast by Melky Cabrera to put the game seemingly out of reach. He would get the final out and eventually booked with the win, despite giving up two earned runs in one-third of an inning.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span>Wade Davis</span> looked average tonight, credited with four earned runs on six hits with a walk. Watching this game, Davis wouldn't seem subpar - but only four strike outs over 6.1 innings is no quality night. </span></li>
</ul>
<div><i>Photos courtesy our Rays affiliate, <a target="_blank" href="http://draysbay.com">DRaysBay</a>.</i></div>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/8/10/2356632/rays-sting-royals-score-5-in-wild-ninthDaniel Russell2011-08-09T22:54:30-04:002011-08-09T22:54:30-04:00Rays Beat Royals 4-0; Complete Game James Does It Again
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> may be having a down season in 2011, but don't tell <span>James Shields</span>. The Rays' ace pitched his 8th complete game and 4th shut out of the season, striking out 8 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> hitters in the process. Shields continues to lead the league in complete games and has now tied <span>Derek Holland</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> in shutouts (4) and trails only the great <span>Cliff Lee</span> (5).</p>
<p>It took Shields 117 pitches to finish the game, but he looked like he wouldn't have a chance at finishing the game during innings 3, 4, and 5. In the top of third, Shields allowed <span>Brayan Pena</span> to grab an uncommon lead-off walk. <span>Mike Moustakas</span> followed with a single to right, and the Royals looked poised to score. Fortunately, the Rays turned a difficult 4-6-3 double play and helped Shields escape.</p>
<p>In the fourth, <span>Melky Cabrera</span> got the Royals started with a single, but was then caught trying to steal second in a strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play. Actually, Cabrera wasn't caught stealing so much as <span>Kelly Shoppach</span> bent him over his knee and paddled him like a misbehaving 6-year-old.</p>
<p>With two outs in the inning, <span>Eric Hosmer</span> and <span>Jeff Francoeur</span> earned walks -- the last walks Shields would allow in the game. Hosmer defied the odds, however, and actually stole a base -- the <i>very first steal of the season off James Shields</i>. However, Shields again ended the threat, striking out the way over-matched <span>Johnny Giavotella</span>.</p>
<p>The Royals again got two runners on in the 5th inning, only to have Shields wriggle his way out. He finished the night: 9 IP, 8 Ks, 3 BBs, and 1 more beautiful outing.</p>
<p>The Rays offense started early as <span>Desmond Jennings</span> took a pitch off his back pocket and then <span>Johnny Damon</span> singled him to second. The two gentlemen then proceeded to execute a handsome double steal, allowing <span>Evan Longoria</span> to single them home, giving the Rays a 2-0 lead in the first.</p>
<p>If you have an MLB.tv account, I highly recommend watching the sixth inning. In the top half, Desmond Jennings made a yell-at-the-TV amazing throw to catch Jeff Francoeur stretching a single into a double. Meanwhile, the Rays' bottom half lasted an amazing six pitches, yet they managed to score two runs. Jennings singled, then got caught stealing; then Damon singled, and Evan Longoria homered on the next pitch. Then Ben Zobrist and <span>Casey Kotchman</span> both grounded out quickly as the Rays left the inning with the game-winning 4-0 lead.</p>
<p>The Rays will be in action tomorrow against the Royal again, with game time slated for 6:10 p.m. ET.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/8/9/2353601/tampa-bay-rays-kansas-city-royals-complete-game-james-shieldsBradley Woodrum2011-08-09T04:07:37-04:002011-08-09T04:07:37-04:00Kotchman Magic Gives Rays 2-1 Walk-Off Win Over Royals
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<p><span>Casey Kotchman</span> hit a walk-off home run on the first pitch of the ninth inning as the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> beat the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a> 2-1 Monday night in the first of a four-game series at Tropicana Field.</p>
<p>Kotchman had three of Tampa Bay’s six hits, and drove in both runs. His <span class="caps">RBI</span> single off <span>Luke Hochevar</span> scored <span>Ben Zobrist</span> to tie the game at 1 in the seventh inning. Then, leading off the bottom of the ninth, he got a fastball up in the strike zone from <span>Blake Wood</span> and drove it over the center-field wall for the game-winner. It seems like a lot of Rays fans have been waiting for the "Magic of Kotch" to wear off, but we’re into August now and Casey still has a career high in batting average (.341) and in all three parts of the offensive slash line (.400/.479/.879). Kotchman’s average is currently 125 points higher than it was last season with the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mariners</a>, and he only trails Boston’s <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> (.350) among qualifying hitters in the American League. Even devoted statheads like our fearless leader Slowinski <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/2011/8/9/2352593/kotch-kotch-walk-off-kotchman-rays-win-kotchman-kotchman-magic">have given up trying to explain it.</a></p>
<p><span>Jeremy Hellickson</span> pitched another excellent game — 7 1/3 innings, three hits, one earned run, three walks, seven strikeouts. He threw 106 pitches and had the Royals guessing all night between his fastball and changeup. (11 of the 40 changeups Hellickson threw were swung at and missed.) Jeremy did allow four doubles, but only <span>Alex Gordon</span>, who led off the game with one, came around to score.</p>
<p><span>Joel Peralta</span> cleaned up the eighth inning, and <span>Kyle Farnsworth</span> pitched a perfect ninth inning, getting the win when Kotchman went deep.</p>
<p>Game two of this four-game series is Tuesday night at 7:10. <span>James Shields</span> will start for the Rays, while <span>Jeff Francis</span> takes the mound for Kansas City.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/8/9/2352872/game-1-recap-kotchman-magic-gives-rays-2-1-walk-off-win-over-royalsJamie DeVriend2011-08-08T15:21:27-04:002011-08-08T15:21:27-04:00Series Preview: Kansas City Royals Vs. Tampa Bay Rays
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<p>The Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals face off in the four-game series in St. Petersburg. Can the Rays take advantage, or will their offense let them down again?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> (49-65) and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> (59-54) are set to start a four-game series tonight in St. Petersburg. The Rays are hanging a mere one and a half games ahead of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a> in the AL East, while the Royals are firmly entrenched in last place in the AL Central.</p>
<p>The Royals actually have a decent offense this season, and their .267/.327/.400 team average eclipses the Rays' offense in every offensive category. Their offense has been led by <span>Alex Gordon</span>, <span>Billy Butler</span>, and rookie <span>Eric Hosmer</span>, with veterans <span>Jeff Francoeur</span> and <span>Melky Cabrera</span> providing some unexpected production. But without Zack Grienke at the helm, the Royals have been sabotaged by a bad pitching staff; their 4.42 team ERA ranks among the worst in the majors. Their slew on pitching prospects are on the way, but they aren't quite there yet.</p>
<p>The big key for the Rays this series will be pitching; if they can contain the Royals' offense, even the Rays' anemic offense should be able to score some runs against this pitching staff. Felipe Paulino will likely be the biggest challenge, as he's been impressively good with the Royals this year (3.56 ERA, 3.05 FIP).</p>
<p>The Rays have the clear pitching advantage in three games this series. The only question is, will they take advantage? <span style="line-height: 16px;"><br></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">_________________________________________________________________________</span></p>
<p><b>Monday, 7:10pm</b> -- <span>Luke Hochevar</span> vs. <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span><br><b>Tuesday,</b> <b>7:10pm </b>-- <span>Jeff Francis</span> vs. <span>James Shields</span><br><b>Wednesday, 7:10pm </b>-- <span>Felipe Paulino</span> vs. <span>Wade Davis</span><br><b>Thursday, 12:10pm </b>-- <span>Danny Duffy</span> vs. <span>Jeff Niemann</span></p>
<p><b>Available On: </b>Sun Sports, WDAE 620</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/8/8/2351741/series-preview-kansas-city-royals-vs-tampa-bay-raysSteve Slowinski