SB Nation Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay Can't Sweep New York, Lose Game 3, 6-4https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2012-09-07T11:27:43-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/30526912012-09-07T11:27:43-04:002012-09-07T11:27:43-04:002012 MLB Standings: Tampa Bay Rays Right Behind Playoff Leaders
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<p>After taking two of three from the AL East co-leading <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> and a day off, the slate doesn't get easier for the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> as they get set to host the AL West-leading <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Texas Rangers</a> for a three game set beginning Friday.</p>
<p>The Rays are still very much in the thick of the playoff race, as they trail the Yankees and <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a> by two games in the AL East and Wild Card, while only 1.5 behind the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> for the second and final Wild Card spot.</p>
<p>Even on the outside looking in, having two avenues to reach the playoffs gives Tampa Bay plenty to play for the rest of the way. The same can't be said for the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Marlins</a>, however.</p>
<p>The Fish are dead last in the NL East with no realistic shot at catching the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a> and <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Cardinals</a> for one of the NL Wild Card spots. Nevertheless, the games must go on, and the Marlins can play spoilers beginning with a three-game set with the first-place <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a> Friday night.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rays, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/">DRaysBay</a>. For more on the Marlins, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fishstripes.com/">Fish Stripes</a>. See the complete <a target="_blank" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/standings/?xid=sbnation">MLB standings at SI.com</a>.</i></p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/9/7/3300477/mlb-playoff-standings-2012-tampa-bay-rays-miami-marlinsKevin Jeffers2012-09-06T19:14:18-04:002012-09-06T19:14:18-04:00Chris Archer To Join Rays On Friday
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<p><span>Chris Archer</span> is expected to join the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> on Friday according to a <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/rhp-chris-archer-will-join-rays-friday?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Times report</a>. The right-handed prospect will be recalled to be a possible spot starter as the regular season draws to a close:</p>
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<p>Archer, 23, was impressive in a short stint with Tampa Bay earlier this season, going 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA while filling in for then-injured RHP Jeremy Hellickson. Archer was 7-9 with a 3.66 ERA in 25 starts for Triple-A Durham. </p>
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<p>Archer was a key component in the eight-player trade that sent <span>Matt Garza</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> in January. He was considered one of the Cubs top pitching talents but struggled with his command at times. He was rated as the Rays' third best prospect and the 89th best pitching prospect prior to the 2012 season. </p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Stick with this <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation Tampa Bay </a>for more on the Rays, or head over to <a href="http://www.draysbay.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;">DRays Bay</a>. For New York's perspective, check out <a href="http://www.pinstripealley.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #004175; font-weight: bold;">Pinstripe Alley</a>.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/9/6/3298907/chris-archer-to-join-rays-on-fridayBryan Crawford2012-09-05T22:31:46-04:002012-09-05T22:31:46-04:00Rays Vs. Yankees Final Score: New York Avoids Sweep, Beats Rays 6-4
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<p>The <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> lost to the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> on Wednesday night, 6-4, missing the opportunity to sweep their AL East rivals. The Yankees took Tampa Bay starter <span>Matt Moore</span> for six runs, three in the fourth, one in the sixth and two in the seventh, and Tampa Bay's offense couldn't make up the deficit.</p>
<p>With the loss, the Rays fall to 75-62 and move 2 1/2 games behind the first-place Yankees. They also failed to make up ground in the AL Wild Card race on a night when both the <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a> and <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> lost.</p>
<p>Moore takes the loss, falling to 10-9. <span>Luke Scott</span> and <span>Evan Longoria</span> both had an RBI on the night, with Scott collecting his 13th home run, and <span>Ben Zobrist</span> added another pair of runs on a triple to deep center in the bottom of the fifth.</p>
<p><i>Stick with this <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com">SB Nation Tampa Bay </a>for more on the Rays, or head over to <a href="http://www.draysbay.com">DRays Bay</a>. For New York's perspective, check out <a href="http://www.pinstripealley.com">Pinstripe Alley</a>.</i></p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/9/5/3295721/rays-vs-yankees-final-score-wild-card-standings-matt-moorePete Eich2012-09-05T17:28:23-04:002012-09-05T17:28:23-04:00Yankees Vs. Rays Lineups: Rays Look To Sweep Series
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<p>The <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> play host to the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> on Wednesday night in the final game of a three-game series. The Rays will send <span>Matt Moore</span> to the mound, while the Yankess counter with <span>Hiroki Kuroda</span>.</p>
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<p>Wednesday's lineups are as follows:</p>
<h4>New York Yankees</h4>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt;">SS <span>Derek Jeter</span><br> RF <span>Nick Swisher</span><br> DH <span>Robinson Cano</span><br> 3B <span>Alex Rodriguez</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;">C <span>Russell Martin</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;">CF Curtis Granderson<br> LF Andrew Jones</p>
<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;">1B <span>Steve Pearce</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;">2B <span>Jayson Nix</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;">SP Hiroki Kuroda</p>
<p style="margin: 0in; margin-bottom: .0001pt;"> </p>
<h4>Tampa Bay Rays</h4>
<p>CF <span>Sam Fuld</span><br>LF <span>Desmond Jennings</span><br>SS <span>Ben Zobrist</span><br>DH <span>Evan Longoria</span><br>RF <span>Matt Joyce</span><br>1B <span>Luke Scott</span><br>3B <span>Jeff Keppinger</span><br>C <span>Jose Lobaton</span><br>2B <span>Elliot Johnson</span></p>
<p>SP Matt Moore</p>
<p>The Rays is looking for a series sweep tonight. They beat the Yankees 4-3 on Monday night and 5-2 on Tuesday. The Rays trail both the Yankees and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Baltimore Orioles</a> by 1.5 games in the American League East.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on all things Rays, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com">check out DRays Bay and join the discussion.</a></i></p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/9/5/3295006/yankees-vs-rays-starting-lineupsMatt Trogdon2012-09-05T12:00:54-04:002012-09-05T12:00:54-04:00MLB Standings: Surging Rays Closing The AL East Gap
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<p>Winners of four straight, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> have moved to within 1.5 games of the lead in the American League East division.</p>
<p>That lead is currently shared by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Baltimore Orioles</a>. On July 18, the Yankees led the Orioles by 10 games, and the Rays by 10.5.</p>
<p>The Rays will continue to depend on their pitching, which currently sports the best team ERA in the majors, at a minuscule 3.25.</p>
<p>WIth just 26 games left in the season, the Rays hope to capture the AL East crown for the third time franchise history, since doing the same in 2010 and 2008.</p>
<p>The wild-card race is looking even more muddled, as the Rays, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> all trail the Orioles/Yankees for the second spot by less than five games.</p>
<p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/standings/index.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> for a full look at the standings.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on all things Rays,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.draysbay.com/"> be sure to check out DRays Bay and join the discussion</a>.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/9/5/3293904/mlb-playoff-standings-2012Brandon Kline2012-09-05T11:36:43-04:002012-09-05T11:36:43-04:00MLB Standings: Surging Rays Closing The AL East Gap
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<p>Winners of four straight, the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> have moved to within 1.5 games of the lead in the American League East division.</p>
<p>That lead is currently shared by the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> and the <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a>. On July 18, the Yankees led the Orioles by 10 games, and the Rays by 10.5.</p>
<p>The Rays will continue to depend on their pitching, which currently sports the best team ERA in the majors, at a minuscule 3.25.</p>
<p>WIth just 26 games left in the season, the Rays hope to capture the AL East crown for the third time franchise history, since doing the same in 2010 and 2008.</p>
<p>The wild-card race is looking even more muddled, as the Rays, <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Angels</a>, and <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a> all trail the Orioles/Yankees for the second spot by less than five games.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/standings/index.html">Click here</a> for a full look at the standings.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on all things Rays,<a href="http://www.draysbay.com/" target="_blank"> be sure to check out DRays Bay and join the discussion</a>.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/9/5/3293973/mlb-standings-surging-rays-closing-the-al-east-gapBrandon Kline2012-09-05T08:49:24-04:002012-09-05T08:49:24-04:00Yankees Vs. Rays Preview, TV Time, Schedule, Probable Pitchers, And More
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<p>On Wednesday, the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> will look to complete a sweep against the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a>, which would bring Tampa Bay to within half a game of the Bronx Bombers.</p>
<p>Currently, the Yanks and <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orioles</a> are tied atop the American League East division, with the Rays trailing by 1.5 games.</p>
<p>Going for their fifth consecutive win, the Rays will send <span>Matt Moore</span> to the mound. The young lefty has been great recently, delivering a quality start in seven of his last eight outings.</p>
<p>The Yanks, losers of 10 out of 14, will counter with <span>Hiroki Kuroda</span>, who has been their most consistent starter this year. The former Dodger is 12-10 with a 3.04 ERA in 27 starts this season.</p>
<p>Wednesday's game will start at 7:10 PM ET, and can be found on SUN and ESPN.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on all things Rays,<a href="http://www.draysbay.com/" target="_blank"> be sure to check out DRays Bay and join the discussion</a>. For more on the Yankees, head over to <a href="http://www.pinstripealley.com/">Pinstripe Alley</a>.</i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/9/5/3293468/yankees-rays-preview-tv-scheduleBrandon Kline2012-09-04T22:13:29-04:002012-09-04T22:13:29-04:00Yankees Vs. Rays Final Score: Tampa Bay Wins 5-2
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<p>The AL East race keeps getting tighter, as the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> defeated the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> 5-2 on Tuesday night to move within 1.5 games of first place.</p>
<p>It's the second straight win over the Yankees for the streaking Rays, who, along with the <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Baltimore Orioles</a>, have eaten into all of New York's once-formidable division lead.</p>
<p>Most of the damage came from the top of Tampa Bay's batting order, with <span>Desmond Jennings</span>, <span>B.J. Upton</span> and <span>Evan Longoria</span> all hitting HRs off <span>Freddy Garcia</span>.</p>
<p><span>Alex Cobb</span> allowed a two-run HR to <span>Robinson Cano</span> in the first inning, but he recovered from there to go seven innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs to go along with strikeouts and only one walk.</p>
<p>With the win, the Rays enter into the final game of the series on Wednesday with the chance to enter into a virtual tie for first place in the AL East.</p>
<p><i>For the latest on all things Rays,<a href="http://www.draysbay.com" target="_blank"> be sure to check out DRays Bay and join the discussion</a>. For more on the Yankees, head over to <a href="http://www.pinstripealley.com/">Pinstripe Alley</a>.<br></i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2012/9/4/3292872/yankees-vs-rays-final-scoreJonathan Tjarks