Crabs Playoff Fever....Catch it!

by FreeZorilla on Sep 10, 2009 5:01 PM EDT

That's right. For the first time since Game 5 of the World Series, playoff fever has grabbed a hold of the Rays organization. The A+ Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Florida State League are matched up against the Fort Myers Miracle in a best of 3 series. The Crabs made the playoffs by finishing 2ns in the FSL South to the Miracle despite a dreadful team slash line of .242/.315/.339. Their season was buttressed by the strong pitching of Alex Cobb, Darin Downs, David Newmann, and Jeremy Hall.

In the first game of the series, Charlotte fell 8-7 as Jeremy Hall took the loss giving up 2 HR, walking 3 and striking out just 1 in 4.1 IP. Hall, who had an impressive season with 14 wins, was not on his game. The 25-year-old right hander had posted a 2009 FIP of 3.27 with a 3.29 K/BB ratio.

Last night, the Crabs battled back to win 7-4, leveling the series behind 5 innings of 1 run ball from 21-year-old Alex Cobb. The right-handed Cobb posted a 2009 FIP of 3.07 with a 3.45 K/BB ratio. Recently promoted reliever 22-year-old Marquis Fleming struck out six in 2.2 IP.

The rubber match is tonight as southpaw David Newmann takes the hill for Charlotte. Newmann finished 2009 with a FIP of 3.05 while striking out 8.79/9 innings. For the season, Newmann has induced 56.8% ground balls. He has been red hot the past two months posting FIPS of 2.42 and 2.22 striking out 45 and walking 9 in 44.2 IP. The winner will travel to Tampa to take on the Yankees beginning Friday night.

Tonight also marks game 2 for the AAA Durham Bulls in their playoff series. Mitch Talbot will make his AAA return. Full update on this series tomorrow!

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Comments

So wait, we're supposed to catch crabs

or what are we doing here?

Go Rays A+ affiliate!

www.bucem.com - SBNation's source for all things Buccaneer

by Buc Wild on Sep 10, 2009 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

Get your Friday night postseason tix for Tampa!

Or you could watch Shields at Fenway, that usually goes well.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 10, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

You can catch the audio for Charlotte:

HERE

The video and audio for Durham are HERE

Just click the appropriate icon for whichever game.

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 10, 2009 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

Or if you're really crazy

Mute the Durham game, Listen to the Charlotte game, and mute the Rays on your other monitor, nerdy

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 10, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey there Zo--that slash line looks good enough to play CF

by sternfan1 on Sep 10, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

A defensively dominant CF, yes

As a team Slash its terrible

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 10, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn't hear it but supposedly

Steve Phillips said no way Upton’s a Ray next year

thoughts?

by sternfan1 on Sep 10, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Steve Phillips is dumb

Swav or Die (>'-')> <('-')> <('-'<)
For the lulz

by SRQman on Sep 10, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Basically...this.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Sep 10, 2009 6:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Check your source

Embrace Eternity

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 11, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

I work at a local TV station and am super excited for the Crabs and Bulls. I put together an online article today giving them props.

I don’t think anybody here cares, though. :(

by News Fedora on Sep 10, 2009 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

Link it, you whore.

by Suttree on Sep 10, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions

It's nothing all that special...

http://www.wtsp.com/sports/pro_baseball/rays/story.aspx?storyid=113187&catid=187

But in my observation, online sports stories for TV stations are typically… lacking. It’s certainly that way in contrast to newspapers. I try to beef up our Rays-related content when I can so it’s not just AP-sourced game highlights.

by News Fedora on Sep 10, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

thanks for what you're doing

great article, btw love me some reginald roundtree

the ghost of stokes, camp, lugo strikes TB-sept 2009

by CubFanRaysaddict on Sep 11, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Who doesn't?

Swav or Die (>'-')> <('-')> <('-'<)
For the lulz

by SRQman on Sep 11, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions

He's a real fun guy to work with too.

by News Fedora on Sep 11, 2009 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions

great to hear

I moved out of the Tampa Bay market about two years ago, and realized how much other local news for the most part sucks since i’ve moved, (now in the Orlando market, Tallahassee market for college before that, and a couple of months in Chicago more recently). The bay area is lucky to have a couple of way above avg local newscast. I remember Roundtree from the late 90’s and he is by far the best local anchor i’ve had the chance to view (John Wilson from fox13 is great as well).

the ghost of stokes, camp, lugo strikes TB-sept 2009

by CubFanRaysaddict on Sep 11, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Everyone in my office is decked out in Crabs gear!

Lead singer, songwriter, and caterer for the band Suicide Phoenix. We play sitar-based anthems on real estate law. Available for weddings, birthdays (13+, please), and LAN parties.

by PlayOnWords on Sep 10, 2009 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

Slight correction

Catch Stone Crabs swine flu symptoms now.

WHOO, LUKE! LUKE! LUKE!
ALSO! NOW THE HEAD OF THE PUFFY-ROD BANDWAGON.

by 4QB on Sep 10, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions

Why the F isn't the MiLB.tv feed working for the Bulls game?

Neither in IE or FF.

by Doug09 on Sep 10, 2009 7:42 PM EDT reply actions

Stone Crabs win!

3-2 final, their pitchers struck out 16.

They’ll be coming here to Tampa to play the Yankees tomorrow and Saturday nights. I’m seriously thinking of going to one of the games. Never been to Steinbrenner Field before.

by News Fedora on Sep 10, 2009 11:39 PM EDT reply actions

wear a necklace of garlic cloves

some rosaries, crosses, and bring at least a pint of holy water. Then you may be able to put up with the extreme annoyance that is a Yankee’s shrine in the heart of Rays country..

the ghost of stokes, camp, lugo strikes TB-sept 2009

by CubFanRaysaddict on Sep 11, 2009 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Could be 2 league championship series between NY and TB affiliates

should Durham and Scranton advance – Scranton needs 1 of 3 at home, Durham 2 of 3 on the road for a rematch of last year’s Governors Cup match and to go to the AAA championship in OK City.

And why do I hear so little about David Newmann on here? Lefty ‘07 4th rounder pitched very well after missing all ’08. Clinched the final with 10 K’s in 6 IP tonight. Okay, I’ve gotta say it …. Hello, Newmann.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Sep 11, 2009 1:30 AM EDT reply actions

hellboys greatness is so bright maybe?

I don’t know maybe it is his age relative to the competition, his K’s look fine along with his K/BB. 10k’s in 6ip is sexy and the rest of his number look solid, theraysparty blog, in june had this to say about him “When subtracting the first two starts of the season he has a 2.15 ERA with just 30H in 50.3 IP and a 58/19 SO/BB ratio”… But did add that he is as injury prone as they come with a TJS in ’06, missing ’08 with a knee injury, and the orgs. intent to work him out of the pen. His injuries withstanding the Rays certainly have a diamond in the rough with this guy.

the ghost of stokes, camp, lugo strikes TB-sept 2009

by CubFanRaysaddict on Sep 11, 2009 2:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Newmann article coming

He’s been touched on in a few posts this year. And I’ve been stressing him in the Week on the Farm FP

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Sep 11, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions

He's 24 years old

Yes, injuries have set his development back, but he’s old for the league and doing very well, but it’s not like he’s dominating(though he was great last night obviously). Worth noting that in his last 6 starts(5 reg season + 1 playoff), he’s thrown 37 innings, allowed 19 hits, 3 earned runs(0.73 ERA), walked 5 and struck out 43.

I wouldn’t mind just skipping him over Montgomery, or starting him there and then promoting him quickly if he pitches well in 2010.

Vroom vroom party starter
www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on Sep 11, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions