The Rays Tank: A "thick" win in Baltimore

"That kind of felt like a playoff game a little bit."

The sentiment resounded through the Rays clubhouse after an intense game against the Orioles, where the Rays came out victorious with a 4-3 win in Baltimore.

In his shortest outing since returning from the disabled list, David Price only lasted five innings, allowing 10 hits in that span, though only managing to give up two runs.

Price received praise from Rays and Orioles alike for his short but impactful outing:

"He battled his butt off, and he did what he had to do to keep us in the game," Molina said.

"That's the whole thing about a veteran kind of a guy," Maddon said. "He's not going to give in to the moment there. They're going to continue to grind it out. They know they can get through it if they make pitches. And that's what he did. It was outstanding."

"Price is the pitcher he is,'' Baltimore's Adam Jones said, "because he knows how to get out of jams like that."

With some savvy work from the bullpen, including an important out from Jake McGee in the seventh, and a key throw by Jose Molina in the ninth, the Rays managed to strand 15 Orioles on base, helping clinch their 4-3 win.

After four hours of high pressure baseball, Joe Maddon only had one word to describe the game. Thick.

"When you get tense and you get awkward and you get trepidation and craziness, it's thick," he said. "That was a thick game right there."

For the full recap, check out Danny's postgame recap.

News and Notes:

Desmond Jennings was activated from the disabled list yesterday, sending Brandon Gomes to Triple-A Durham until rosters expand.

Per Marc Topkin on Twitter, Matt Moore played catch on Monday and felt encouraged; potentially leading to a bullpen Wednesday, simulated game Saturday and return to the rotation next week.

After his walk-off weekend, Jose Lobaton, per Elias Sports, became the first catcher with a walk-off triple and a walk-off home run in the same season since 1917. (Wally Schang, Philadelphia A's)

Links:

- Another great piece from Gabe Kapler, this time on PEDs and his experiences, and decisions, while playing.

- What's the best stat to evaluate pitchers? Fangraphs asked...pitchers.

- Miguel Cabrera will get American League MVP. National League MVP will go to Clayton Kershaw. Agree?

- Brian Cashman's ex-mistress wants in on the Alex Rodriguez drama. Right.

- Ryan Springer, he of infamous plunking-Barry-Bonds fame, thinks Ryan Dempster could be facing some repercussions for hitting A-Rod on Sunday.

- If you follow him on Twitter, you're already aware that Brett Anderson has quite the unique personality off the mound. Jonah Keri chatted with him about his time in the majors, the struggles of injuries and his stat-savvy baseball knowledge.