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Until last night the Rays had lost their first five games this season at Fenway, only managing a measly five runs total and no more than two runs in any of the games.
They defeated the Red Sox 6-2 on Wednesday after losing both games in the doubleheader Tuesday, notching 15 hits behind a solid six innings from Jeremy Hellickson, who allowed only seven hits and two runs on 88 pitches. For the full recap, along with Joe Maddon's praise of Jose Molina's role in last night's game, check out Gareth's postgame recap.
Tonight the team opens up a four game set against the Yankees, whom they have held to a .202 batting average, their lowest against any AL opponent this year. This is their first appearance in the Bronx this season, and hopefully they won't follow their losing suit at Fenway in 2013, though the Rays haven't won a series in New York since sweeping a two-game set May 19th-20th, 2010.
DP return to the rotation update
David Price will begin a rehab assignment Friday for Class-A Port Charlotte in Bradenton. Joe Maddon thinks that Price can return before the All Star Game, though there are no set innings limit or number of starts in mind.
The AL East is boring
The Blue Jays are currently on an eight-game win streak, winning 11 of their last 13, making them only one game below .500 and 7.5 games back from Boston in the AL East. Note, the Rays are 6.0 games back. Toronto has played six or more consecutive games without trailing, and have been tied or had a lead for 61 straight innings. With an off day today, the Blue Jays then begin a stretch of 10 straight games against the AL East, playing the Rays next Monday through Wednesday at the Trop. Needless to say, some wins in the Bronx by the Rays and Blue Jays losses at the hands of the Orioles this weekend wouldn't be an awful thing.
Links:
- The Astros signed number one 2013 Draft pick Mark Appel yesterday afternoon.
- Chris Davis is still crushing baseballs, with the fifth highest single-season OPS+ in the AL in the wild card era. So, ICYMIs: here and here.
- Thursday amusement: "The Seven Types of Sports GIF Creators."
- Not baseball-related, but this is awesome: the many dads of the Spurs.