SB Nation Tampa Bay - Rays Vs. Blue Jays: Tampa Clinches Series In Canada With 9-4 Win Over Torontohttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2012-04-19T23:48:27-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27189282012-04-19T23:48:27-04:002012-04-19T23:48:27-04:00Rays Vs. Blue Jays Recap: Tampa Finishes Road Trip With Series Win In Toronto
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> clinched their series against AL East foe Toronto on Thursday night, winning the final game against the Jays, 9-4. Tampa jumped on Toronto starter <span>Henderson Alvarez</span> early, and then sealed the win with a three-run 5th inning. Alvarez gave up a career-high six earned runs.</p>
<p><span>Evan Longoria</span> did a lot of damage, coming within a triple of the cycle, and launching his first home run since opening day. Longoria hit a two-run shot in the top of the 6th that traveled 441 feet at the Rogers Centre. He added a double in the 9th inning to finish with 4 RBIs.</p>
<p>Jeremy Heliickson was solid for Joe Maddon on the mound, allowing only two earned rounds in five and two-thirds innings to improve to 2-0. He threw struck out four and threw 106 pitches, and then got a little wild in the 6th inning, loading the bases before <span>J.P. Howell</span> came on and picked him up to get out of the jam unscathed.</p>
<p>Tampa finishes the two-stop road trip at 4-6, but come home to Tropicana Field with a good series win up north. They will host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> on Friday night with <span>Matt Moore</span> toeing the rubber.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on this and every Tampa Bay Rays' series, head over to <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #004175; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.draysbay.com/">DRaysBay</a>. And for some perspective from the other dugout you can check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #004175; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Bluebird Banter</a>, SB Nation's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> blog. And as always, you can check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #004175; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">SB Nation's Baseball Nation</a> for more on this and every MLB series.</i></span></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/4/19/2961705/rays-vs-blue-jays-recapBrendan Porath2012-04-19T12:57:19-04:002012-04-19T12:57:19-04:00Stephen Vogt's Unfortunate Record And His Dwindling Chance
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<img alt="March 7, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Stephen Vogt (26) hits a 2-RBI triple in the second inning against the New York Yankees during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tUEA4WRhBQacD475sywnB4IskKQ=/0x32:954x668/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/5857488/20120307_jla_sv7_198.jpg" />
<figcaption>March 7, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Stephen Vogt (26) hits a 2-RBI triple in the second inning against the New York Yankees during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Rays outfield utilityman has had a rough start to his MLB career -- and it's going to have a lasting effect.</p> <p>In the relatively brief history of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a>, no hitter has started his Rays career as poorly as UTIL <span>Stephen Vogt</span>. The part-time catcher, outfielder and designated hitter has gone hitless and walkless through 13 plate appearances. The only other players to come close -- SP <span>Jeff Niemann</span> (12 PA) and SP <b>Albie Lopez</b> (12 PA) -- were pitchers.</p>
<p>However, this is not the worst streak in team history. The longest a Rays player has gone without reaching a base stands at 22 PA, a feet accomplished by C <b>Brook Fordyce</b> in 2004, his final season in the majors. In the 2008 season, OF <span>Jonny Gomes</span> went 20 PA over 11 games without so much as sniffing first base, striking out 10 times in the process. UTIL <span>Josh Wilson</span> had a 21 PA streak in which he managed to record at least a sac fly, but was otherwise useless.</p>
<p>Many other players have had bad streaks like Vogt. In fact, some of the Rays best hitters are on that same list: 1B <span>Carlos Pena</span> did not reach base for 16 straight PA in 2010, and early in his career, UTIL <span>Ben Zobrist</span> went 14 PA before he singled in the bottom of the second inning against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> on April 21, 2007. Zobrist has since gone on to become one of the best hitting second basemen in the league.</p>
<p>All this is to say: Yes, Vogt's start has been terrible. In fact, the scar of these first six games will probably drag down his season numbers irreparably. Even if Vogt goes the next 300 PAs with a respectable .289/.343/.463 slash with 14 homers, that .807 OPS drops to .773 just by adding his first 13 terrible PA (for a total slash of .276/.329/.444).</p>
<p>Which is a shame, because Vogt might not even have 300 PA left in the season. The unique utility man may find the door when CF <span>B.J. Upton</span> returns and the team has to shuffle its rosters again. Though the Rays will still need an outfielder -- so there is a chance Vogt will hang around -- they may choose to bring up OF <span>Jeff Salazar</span> who offers better defense and speed, though less hitting ability.</p>
<p>Stephen Vogt is not as bad as his streak -- he has clobbered every level of minor league pitching, hitting 66 doubles over his last 972 PAs (a pace of 40 doubles per full season, good for 11th best in the MLB in 2011). But if he does not start hitting soon, he may never get a chance to prove it.</p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/4/19/2960175/stephen-vogt-tampa-bay-raysBradley Woodrum2012-04-19T12:28:58-04:002012-04-19T12:28:58-04:00Rays Vs. Blue Jays Preview: Tampa Bay Looks To Conclude Road Trip With A Win In Toronto
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> finish their 10-game road trip on Thursday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a>. The Rays have gone 3-6 away from Tropicana Field including splitting the first two games in this series. The Rays want to keep the offensive production up after a 12-2 victory on Wednesday. The Rays hit four home runs in that game including a grand slam by <span>Luke Scott</span>.</p>
<p>The Rays send <span>Jeremy Hellickson</span> to the mound on Thursday. Hellickson had a no decision in his last start, giving up five earned runs in five innings against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> on April 14. Hellickson will be making his third start in his career in Toronto where he is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA.</p>
<p>The Blue Jays send <span>Henderson Alvarez</span> to the mound to oppose the Rays. Alvarez has no recorded wins or losses but has an ERA of 2.77 in two quality starts. He pitched seven innings and allowed only three runs in a no decision against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Baltimore Orioles</a> on April 14. Alvarez has only made one prior start against Tampa Bay, pitching six innings but allowing four runs with three home runs on August 26 of last year.</p>
<p>The game is scheduled to begin at 7:07 p.m. at Rogers Centre. The game will be televised on Sunshine Sports while the radio broadcast will be on WDAE 620.</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">We'll have plenty more on this series throughout the next few days on SB Nation Tampa Bay, so keep it locked to this StoryStream for all the latest news and updates. For more on this and every Tampa Bay Rays' series, head over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #004175; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.draysbay.com/">DRaysBay</a>. And for some perspective from the other dugout you can check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #004175; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Bluebird Banter</a>, SB Nation's Toronto Blue Jays blog. And as always, you can check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #004175; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">SB Nation's Baseball Nation</a> for more on this and every MLB series.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/4/19/2960214/rays-vs-blue-jays-mlb-preview-tampa-bay-road-trip-final-gameTim Blank2012-04-18T22:37:17-04:002012-04-18T22:37:17-04:00Rays Vs. Blue Jays Final Score: Tampa Pours On Runs, Win 12-2
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> have struggled to score runs over the past week while on the road, but were finally able to get their bats going against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> on Wednesday evening picking up a 12-2 win. The Rays kicked off the scoring with a two-run home run by <span>Ben Zobrist</span> in the first inning. The Blue Jays cut into the lead early when <span>Jose Bautista</span> singled in a run, but the Rays offense opened up starting in the fourth inning.</p>
<p>The Rays picked up a run in the fourth, but then followed up with seven unanswered runs including a six-run ninth inning beating up on Carlos Villaneuva. The Rays had four players hit home runs and <span>David Price</span> picked up his second win of the year, pitching just 5.1 innings and giving up eight hits.</p>
<p><i>We'll have plenty more on this series throughout the next few days on SB Nation Tampa Bay, so keep it locked to this StoryStream for all the latest news and updates. For more on this and every Tampa Bay Rays' series, head over to <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/">DRaysBay</a>. And for some perspective from the other dugout you can check out <a href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Bluebird Banter</a>, SB Nation's Toronto Blue Jays blog. And as always, you can check out <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">SB Nation's Baseball Nation</a> for more on this and every MLB series.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/4/18/2959115/rays-vs-blue-jays-final-scoreAlfie Crow2012-04-18T11:59:38-04:002012-04-18T11:59:38-04:00Rays Vs. Blue Jays: Tampa Bay Looks To Bounce Back Against Toronto
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<p>The Tampa Bay Rays dropped the first game of their series in Toronto behind some questionable defense and their inability to keep the Blue Jays inside the park. Evan Longoria had three errors, Toronto had three home runs, and that added up to a 7-3 victory in Game 1. They'll get a chance to even the series on Wednesday in Game 2; first pitch is scheduled for 7:07 pm ET and the game can be found on Sun Sports.</p>
<p>Te pitching matchup could favor the Rays tonight, as David Price will toe the rubber against Brandon Morrow. Price hasn't been totally sharp so far this season, but he has managed to put together a 1-1 record, and his off game could be considered kind of a fluke. Morrow hasn't earned a decision yet this season either way, and has a 2.57 ERA. </p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">We'll have plenty more on this series throughout the next few days on SB Nation Tampa Bay, so keep it locked to this StoryStream for all the latest news and updates. For more on this and every Tampa Bay Rays' series, head over to <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #004175; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.draysbay.com/">DRaysBay</a>. And for some perspective from the other dugout you can check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #004175; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Bluebird Banter</a>, SB Nation's Toronto Blue Jays blog. And as always, you can check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #004175; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">SB Nation's Baseball Nation</a> for more on this and every MLB series.</i></span></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/4/18/2957460/rays-vs-blue-jays-game-2-preview-score-recapJordan Ruby2012-04-17T22:55:27-04:002012-04-17T22:55:27-04:00Rays Vs. Blue Jays Recap: Tampa Bay Drops Series Opener In Toronto
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> road record dropped to 2-6 on Tuesday night, with a 7-3 loss in Toronto to the Blue Jays. The Jays took advantage of two <span>Evan Longoria</span> miscues in the field, as the Rays' franchise third baseman committed back-to-back errors to start the bottom of the third inning.</p>
<p>The middle of Toronto's order would make <span>Jeff Niemann</span> pay, as <span>Jose Bautista</span> brought home J.P. Arencibia on a sacrifice fly and Aaron Lind belted a two-run homer in the very next at-bat. Longoria would commit his third error later in the game in what was a nightmarish evening at the hot corner. Niemann gave up five runs, only two of which were earned. Bautista hammered his second homer of the season in the first, and he appears to be on his way to another impressive power season.</p>
<p><span>Ricky Romero</span> was solid for John Farrell, allowing only three runs in six innings. The Rays got on the board in the top of the fifth, as they went through the order again and added two runs. <span>Matt Joyce</span> would hit his second homer of the season in the bottom of the 7th, but that would close the book on Tampa's offense. Tampa will look to bounce back tomorrow night and will throw <span>David Price</span> against <span>Brandon Morrow</span>.</p>
<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on this and every Tampa Bay Rays' series, head over to <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #004175; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.draysbay.com/">DRaysBay</a>. And for some perspective from the other dugout you can check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #004175; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Bluebird Banter</a>, SB Nation's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> blog. And as always, you can check out <a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #004175; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">SB Nation's Baseball Nation</a> for more on this and every MLB series.</i></span></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/4/17/2956378/rays-vs-blue-jays-score-recapBrendan Porath2012-04-17T08:49:45-04:002012-04-17T08:49:45-04:00Rays Vs. Blue Jays: Tampa Bay Heads North To Toronto To Face Division Rival Blue Jays
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<img alt="April 16, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) celebrates after defeating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WbbScgR17Nk3UYtNkzdjIh-EW-w=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6521463/20120416_jel_aa6_437.jpg" />
<figcaption>April 16, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) celebrates after defeating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>After salvaging a win in their series against Boston, the Rays now head North of the border to face the Jays in Toronto. </p> <p>The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a rough series against the Boston Red Sox where they were only able to find one win in four chances. And now after sweeping their first series of the year over the Yankees, the Rays have lost their last two series. Now they head North of the border for a three-game set against another division rival, the Toronto Blue Jays. </p>
<p>The Blue Jays are the fourth best team in the AL East, but they are probably the strongest fourth best team in all of Baseball. They have some serious power up and down their lineup, and they play in a bandbox up in Toronto, which means that they could be a threat to pull out a win on any given night. The offense needs to show up for the Rays as always, but the pitching will be crucial in this series if the Rays want to take it. </p>
<p><i>We'll have plenty more on this series throughout the next few days on SB Nation Tampa Bay, so keep it locked to this StoryStream for all the latest news and updates. For more on this and every Tampa Bay Rays' series, head over to <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/">DRaysBay</a>. And for some perspective from the other dugout you can check out <a href="http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Bluebird Banter</a>, SB Nation's Toronto Blue Jays blog. And as always, you can check out <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">SB Nation's Baseball Nation</a> for more on this and every MLB series. </i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2012/4/17/2954372/rays-vs-blue-jays-preview-score-recapJordan Ruby