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In his first start since June 15th, Alex Cobb led the Tampa Bay Rays to a 7-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Cobb’s final line was five innings pitched, striking out six batters while walking two and allowing only three hits and one earned run, a solo homerun to Raul Ibanez in the second inning. Cobb threw 88 pitches, 53 of which were strikes. The SunSports Rays broadcast had mentioned on Wednesday night that they expected Cobb to be on a pitch count limit of 90, so this, paired with a rough fifth inning, could have definitely been the means for Cobb not starting off the sixth inning for the Rays.
Matt Joyce warned the Mariners to proceed with caution when it came to Wil Myers’ bat yesterday.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>This week on CSI: Tropicana Field--Matt Joyce puts caution tape on Wil Myers' bat, tries to warn opposing pitchers: <a href="http://t.co/e8EjGdyt6J">http://t.co/e8EjGdyt6J</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/statuses/368185694662819840">August 16, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Turns out they didn’t heed the warning as Myers went 3-4 with two doubles and four RBI’s on the night. Safe to say his little 0-15 slump was a distant memory after last night.
Before last night’s game, the Rays had a visit from Asia, a 20-foot python. Yuck! Here’s some pictures from the visit courtesy of Jonathan Gantt, the Rays, and thoughts from some of the players.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Jamey Wright shows off his pythons to a python: <a href="http://t.co/6WRzxtG6rx">pic.twitter.com/6WRzxtG6rx</a></p>— Jonathan Gantt (@Jonathan_Gantt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Gantt/statuses/368100313770622976">August 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Sam Fuld is listed at 5'10. Asia the Python is listed at 20'0. <a href="http://t.co/Tp9Yd7WB8f">pic.twitter.com/Tp9Yd7WB8f</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/statuses/368129014256254976">August 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The python's name is Asia. She's making lots of new friends, including Peralta, Maddon, Escobar and Rodney: <a href="http://t.co/HbN2oYlYaH">pic.twitter.com/HbN2oYlYaH</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/statuses/368099951747665920">August 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>A 20-foot python is in the Rays clubhouse today. Why? Because it's the Chinese Year of the Snake. Duh. <a href="http://t.co/uM1jVy0Zut">pic.twitter.com/uM1jVy0Zut</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/statuses/368099403409551360">August 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>More Asia. She was calm, affable like Cliff & Shelly, our penguins. I could c them all cavorting in our clubhouse providing Asia has eaten.</p>— Joe Maddon (@RaysJoeMaddon) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysJoeMaddon/statuses/368208984991223808">August 16, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Got another new teammate today!! She's only 20ft <a href="http://t.co/x1GFpMVXMk">pic.twitter.com/x1GFpMVXMk</a></p>— Jesse Crain (@JesseCrain) <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseCrain/statuses/368103205911031808">August 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Never thought I would see a 20ft python in the clubhouse but I also didn't know I would be <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball">@RaysBaseball</a> player. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23thatjusthappen&src=hash">#thatjusthappen</a></p>— Wesley Wright (@realweswright) <a href="https://twitter.com/realweswright/statuses/368099688940969985">August 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Wil Myers was not a fan of the python, telling Todd Kalas after the game that it was "stupid" and that he has a fear of snakes.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>20-foot python in the clubhouse? Wil Myers is not impressed (via <a href="https://twitter.com/HallerDave">@HallerDave</a>): <a href="http://t.co/3yggnmb3eb">pic.twitter.com/3yggnmb3eb</a></p>— Jonathan Gantt (@Jonathan_Gantt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Gantt/statuses/368147804239036417">August 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Tonight the Rays send Jeremy Hellickson to the mound to face R.A. Dickey of the Blue Jays. The Rays will also celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Bull Durham at the ballpark and some pretty special guests will be on hand.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Be forewarned <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball">@raysbaseball</a> fans. The Bull Durham Racers, with Wool E. Bull in tow, have arrived in Florida. <a href="http://t.co/tQHFOLrBQb">pic.twitter.com/tQHFOLrBQb</a></p>— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/DurhamBulls/statuses/368163955430014976">August 16, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Links:
-It was announced yesterday that Bud Selig and MLB will intervene with the Rays stadium issues, although it is not clear as to how exactly they plan to do so at this time. Danny also discussed the intervention yesterday in this post.
-David Schoenfield of ESPN’s SweetSpot blog highlighted "the good, the bad, and the ugly" for the Rays.
-Also announced yesterday was the possibility of expanded replay and coach’s challenges. Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs covered this issue yesterday in this article. David Price also gave some insight on the matter.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I heard if you have all 3 challenges remaining at the end of the game then you're rewarded an extra out!! Nfl here we come</p>— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) <a href="https://twitter.com/DAVIDprice14/statuses/368070149305544704">August 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
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-The Yankees signed Mark Reynolds yesterday.
-Rickie Weeks of the Brewers tore his hamstring and will require between four-six months of recovery time after opting for surgery to repair the tear.
-Matt Hunter of FanGraphs takes a look at finding value in pitcher inconsistency.