SB Nation Tampa Bay - Rays Sweep Sox, Pull To Within 3.5 Games In Wild Card Racehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2011-09-11T17:42:18-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21795942011-09-11T17:42:18-04:002011-09-11T17:42:18-04:00Upton Leads Explosive Offense, Shields Awesome As Rays Sweep Sox 9-1
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<p>This was supposed to a pitchers battle, with the Rays’ ace James Shields going against Red Sox ace lefty Jon Lester. Fortunately for Rays fans, only Shields decided to show up to the game this afternoon. With Shield’s pitching and BJ Upton’s huge day, the Rays swept the Red Sox and pulled to 3.5 games back in the AL Wild Card race.</p>
<p>The Rays offense got to Lester early, scoring 3 runs in the first inning going single, single, walk, single, groundout, sac fly, single, ground out, leaving two men on base. They would tack on a run in the third after Sean Rodriguez drove in Johnny Damon, who led off the inning with his 7th triple of the season. They would get 20 men on base for the afternoon, but didn’t pull more than 4 runs until after they had chased Lester in the 5th inning.</p>
<p>That’s when, with 2 outs and the bases loaded BJ Upton took righty Matt Albers <span class="caps">DEEEEEEEEEP</span> to left center field for his first career grand slam. BJ Upton would end the day 4-4 with a walk, 4 RBI s and 3 runs scored. At that point in the game the main questions left in fans minds were: Will James Shields get his 12th CG of the season, and could Josh Freeman engineer yet another come-from-behind victory for the Bucs across the Bay.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, neither would come to pass. While Shields pitched marvelously, he walked Darnell McDonald in the top of the ninth and left to a standing ovation from the crowd at the Trop after throwing 121 pitches. He went 8.1 IP, 7H, 1R, 1ER, 1HR, 3BB and 5SO for the day. It wasn’t his most dominating performance, but outside of a 3rd inning where he gave up a solo home run and squirmed out of a bases loaded 1 out jam without allowing any more runs, he was very, very good.</p>
<p>The sweep brings the Rays to within 3.5 games of the Wild card spot, before heading on their last road trip of the season. This could make or break the Rays playoff hopes, as they face the Orioles for a 3 game set in Baltimore, then face these very same Red Sox for a critical 4 game set at Fenway Park. Jeff Niemann battles Zach Britton at 7:05 tomorrow at Camden Yards.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/9/11/2418959/upton-leads-explosive-offense-shields-awesome-rays-sweep-sox-9-1Alex2011-09-11T13:42:52-04:002011-09-11T13:42:52-04:00Shields and Lester Face Off At 1:40 With The Rays Playoff Hopes At Stake
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<p>At this point in the season, when the Rays have a pitching matchup that they like (e.g. Jeremy Hellickson vs Kyle Weiland) they have to win those games to stay in the post-season hunt. While last night’s walk-off win turned out to be both heart-wrenching and exciting for Rays fans, this afternoon’s matchup features two of the better pitchers in the American League.</p>
<p><br> For the home team, James Shields makes his 30th start and is having the best season of his career. He has thrown a Major League-leading 11 complete games and has struck out a career-high 205 batters. His <span class="caps">ERA</span> is a 4th-best-in-the-AL 2.77.</p>
<p>But the man toeing the rubber for Boston on the 10 year anniversary of September 11th is also one of the elite pitchers in the league. Jon Lester’s <span class="caps">ERA</span> is 2.93, 6th best in the American League. This should be an exciting game, and if the Rays win this one, they will be a mere 3.5 games back in the wild card race.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/9/11/2418497/shields-and-lester-face-off-rays-playoff-hopes-at-stakeAlex2011-09-11T10:56:38-04:002011-09-11T10:56:38-04:00Putting Sports In Perspective
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<p>So many words have been written about today, but really, what else needs to be said? If you are old enough to remember 9/11, you remember it. Far too well.</p>↵<p>God bless, everyone.</p>↵<p><a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/805130/395409530.jpg"><img alt="395409530_medium" class="photo" width="300" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/805130/395409530_medium.jpg"></a></p>↵<p><i>Thanks to <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/#!/RaysRepublic/statuses/112893390034714625">@RaysRepublic</a> for the picture.</i></p>↵<p><a href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/805133/scaled_php.jpg"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/805133/scaled_php_medium.jpg" width="300" class="photo" alt="Scaled_php_medium"></a></p>↵<p><span style="line-height: 16px;"><i>H/t <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/RaysGameDay/statuses/112898843129024513" target="_blank">@RaysGameDay</a> for this one.</i></span></p>↵
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/9/11/2418146/putting-sports-in-perspectiveSteve Slowinski2011-09-11T00:21:59-04:002011-09-11T00:21:59-04:00Longoria, Jennings Walk Off Vs. Red Sox
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<p>There’s something about a walk-off victory that tends to wipe the rest of the game from your mind. Throughout extra innings, you stress about the mistakes Farnsworth made in the ninth, and that the Rays couldn’t capitalize more on early opportunities. You stress about these things until the home team comes to bat in the bottom of the inning, and as soon as there’s hope of a walk-of victory your mind can think of nothing else. That’s how I felt, watching the ball jump off of Desmond Jenning’s bat in the bottom of the 11th. My first thought was that if it got past the outfielders it was an inside-the-park home run, then as Darnell McDonald and Jacoby Ellsbury closed on the ball I thought it would become an out, and finally (when Jennings was standing on third with no one out) I thought that this game could be one more step on the road to the post-season. And then Evan Longoria drove a pitch into center field and it was finally over, and the Rays were a mere 4 ½ games back in the wildcard, with the potential of a sweep intact for tomorrow.</p>
<p>But to get to the extra-inning heroics, you had to go though some pains as a Rays fan. The Rays got to Kyle Weiland early and often, putting runners in scoring position throughout the game. While they scratched out a run in 5 of the first 6 innings, they could have scored far more. The offensive highlights aren’t sticking out in my mind as vividly because, outside of the home run by Casey Kotchman, the runs were generated without base hits. Groundouts in the 1st and 2nd and sac flies in the 3rd and 6th led to the Rays’ runs. The Red Sox tied the game in the top of the 5th with a 2-run homer from Adrian Gonzolez, but the Rays would eke out a 5-3 lead until the ninth inning.</p>
<p>Then Kyle Farnsworth started throwing batting practice. 2 solo home runs to Josh Reddick and Jacoby Ellsbury tied the game, and after allowing another double he was pulled for Cesar Ramos. After the game, Joe Maddon said that Farnsworth is day-to-day with some elbow soreness. Outside of the Farnsworth catastrophe, the bullpen really did well tonight. Peralta, McGee, Howell, Cruz, Ramos, and Gomes all threw zeros for the home team, allowing the 11th inning heroics to take place.</p>
<p>And take place they did, quieting the Red Sox fans in attendance and sending the Rays fans into a frenzy. Not just because it was just one game, but because it gives hope that the Rays may yet reach the playoffs this season. If teams can continue to take advantage of the Red Sox starting rotations’ woes, and the Rays continue their hot streak, then the Tampa Bay Rays may yet reach the post-season in 2011.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/9/11/2417663/longoria-jennings-walk-off-vs-red-soxAlex2011-09-10T17:07:51-04:002011-09-10T17:07:51-04:00Jeremy Hellickson And The Rays Try To Keep Cutting Boston’s Wild Card Lead.
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<p>The Rays hope to gain ground on the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card race in a battle of two rookie pitchers. Jeremy Hellickson takes on Kyle Weiland in Weiland's second big-league start.</p> <p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Jeremy Hellickson</span> is making something of a case for rookie of the year in the American League this season. His ERA is lowest among all AL rookie starters and is .85 runs per 9 lower than Seattle’s <span>Michael Pineda</span>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> cut their wild card deficit to 5.5 games after <span>Wade Davis</span>’ CG last night, and a win tonight and tomorrow would put them a very realistic 3.5 games back with 17 games left to play (including 4 more against the team they’re chasing, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a>.)</p>
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<p> </p>Another thing that the Rays have going for them is that the Red Sox starting rotation is looking rather thin. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/players/294/josh-beckett">Josh Beckett</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/players/4417/clay-buchholz">Clay Buchholz</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/players/32/erik-bedard">Erik Bedard</a> and now <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/players/722/john-lackey">John Lackey</a> are all battling injuries, giving an opportunity to rookie right-hander <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/players/107083/kyle-weiland">Kyle Weiland</a>. Weiland throws low-to-mid 90’s with a curveball and a cutter. He sported a 3.58 ERA with the Red Sox’s AAA club. Game time is 7:10.
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/9/10/2416999/jeremy-hellickson-and-the-rays-try-to-keep-cutting-bostons-wild-cardAlex2011-09-09T22:49:05-04:002011-09-09T22:49:05-04:00Wade Davis Narrows AL East Standings, Shuts Down Red Sox 7-2
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> (79-64) needed a good game from <span>Wade Davis</span> tonight, and that's exactly what Davis gave them, twirling a complete game gem and beating the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> (85-59). The Rays, making a late season push for the AL Wild Card spot, need at least a series win against these Boston Red Sox, and Davis and <span>John Jaso</span> started the series right tonight.</p>
<p>Davis displayed uncommon command and control on the night, walking nary a Boston hitter and striking out eight. He allowed 6 hits to the New Englanders, but only a single extra-base hit -- a double by catcher Jerrod Saltalamacchia.</p>
<p>Offensively, left-handed catcher John Jaso led the Rays, clapping a crucial three-run homer in the second inning. Then, in the third, after <span>Johnny Damon</span> and <span>Matt Joyce</span> singled in runs, John Jaso crushed a liner at struggling pitcher <span>John Lackey</span>. The play went for an out, but Lackey went for shower afterwards with an apparent calf injury.</p>
<p>Then, in the bottom of the 6th, Jaso -- as hot as samurai sword in the kiln -- crushed another extra base hit, his 14th double of the season, to center field. <span>Reid Brignac</span> doubled to drive him in and then <span>Evan Longoria</span> ground-rule-doubled him home for the game's winning 7-2 score.</p>
<p>Now, just 5.5 games behind the Wild Card-leading Red Sox, the Rays send Rookie of the Year candidate <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span> to battle against top Red Sox prospect <span>Kyle Weiland</span>.</p>
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<h3>AL East Standings</h3>
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<th></th> <th>W</th> <th>L</th> <th>PCT</th> <th>GB</th> <th>STRK</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York</a></td>
<td>87</td>
<td>55</td>
<td>.612</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="td-last">Lost 2</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston</a></td>
<td>85</td>
<td>59</td>
<td>.590</td>
<td>3</td>
<td class="td-last">Lost 3</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay</a></td>
<td>79</td>
<td>64</td>
<td>.552</td>
<td>8.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 2</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto</a></td>
<td>72</td>
<td>73</td>
<td>.496</td>
<td>16.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Lost 1</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first "><a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Baltimore</a></td>
<td>58</td>
<td>85</td>
<td>.405</td>
<td>29.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 3</td>
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<p class="updated">(updated 9.9.2011 at 10:47 PM EDT)</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/9/9/2415795/rays-wade-davis-al-east-standings-red-soxBradley Woodrum2011-09-09T19:10:27-04:002011-09-09T19:10:27-04:00Rays Host Red Sox With Playoff Hopes On The Line
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<p>The Boston Red Sox invade the Trop for a three-game must-win set with the Tampa Bay Rays</p> <p>If the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> are going to have any shot at sniffing the postseason in 2011, this is their Alamo: A three game set with the visiting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a>, the current Wild Card leader, that is a virtual must-sweep for a Rays team clinging to a tiny glimmer of playoff hope. </p>
<p>Boston leads the Rays, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>, in the Wild Card race by 6.5 games but has played poorly in the last week. They are 3-7 in their last ten, and limp into Tropicana Field after having lost 2 out of 3 to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a>. Meanwhile, the Rays are riding a hot streak coming off a series victory over AL West leading Texas, and narrowing the gap between themselves and Boston by 3.5 games since September 2nd. </p>
<p>Boston is also banged up. 3B <span>Kevin Youkilis</span> (hip) and P <span>Josh Beckett</span> (foot) are both expected to miss the series, with Youkilis heading back to Massachusetts to have an MRI and be evaluated by team doctors. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, may finally be healthy as <span>Evan Longoria</span> has completely rebounded from his early season struggles and the addition of <span>Desmond Jennings</span> has been a much needed shot in the arm for the club. </p>
<p>While the playoffs are still a distant long shot, a sweep of the Red Sox could make the race very interesting.</p>
<p>Here are the matchups for the three-game set</p>
<p>Friday, 7:10pm: <span>Wade Davis</span> (9-8, 4.50 ERA) vs. <span>John Lackey</span> (12-11, 6.11 ERA)<br>Saturday, 7:10pm: <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span> (12-10, 2.90 ERA) vs. <span>Kyle Weiland</span> (0-1, 6.75 ERA)<br>Sunday, 1:40pm: <span>James Shields</span> (14-10, 2.77 ERA) vs. John Lester (15-6, 2.93 ERA)</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/9/9/2415524/rays-host-red-sox-with-playoff-hopes-on-the-lineGareth Rees