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Runs!!! More runs than the opponent!! This was fun!
The Rays snapped their lengthy skid in style today in the Bronx, avoiding a sweep at the hands of their rival Yankees. The Tampa Bay bats put the Rays out front early, sharp pitching from Erasmo and the pen kept them there, and the offense came alive again late to put the game out of reach for good. 8-1 was the incredibly satisfying final score.
The Rays wasted no time, getting to Ivan Nova in the 1st inning with a David DeJesus single, a Longo double to put two men in scoring position for noted Yankee-killer, James Loney. Loney did what Loney does, making solid contact on a diving Nova fastball and swatting a ground ball to right field that scored both runners standing. 2-0 already. Easy peasy.
The Rays were back at it again in the 2nd, as Kevin Kiermaier knocked a liner into center that Bret Gardner judged terribly, coming in on it before the ball sailed over his head. By the time the ball made it back to the infield, a hard-charging Kiermaier was standing on third base. Don't you just love triples? After a Jake Elmore walk, Curt Casali hit a sac fly to left center that sent a tagging KK across the plate for another run. 3-0 Rays. See, guys? Fun, right?
The 5th inning provided another Rays run, when Asdrubal Cabrera laid down a sac bunt after a Casali double that would create some LOLfense action. Nova fielded the bunt, but made a disaster of a blind throw to third, well out of Headley's reach, that allowed Casali to head home on the error. 4-0 Rays. Yaaawwwnnn
ARod quickly stifled my yawn in the next inning, when he took an Erasmo Ramirez fastball over the left centerfield wall for a solo shot. 4-1 Yanks.
I really can't say enough about Erasmo today. He gave us six solid innings, giving up just three hits, three walks, a weird error, and just the one run on Rodriguez's solo homer. I'll take one run over six innings all day. It's not just this kid's smile I love anymore.
The top of the 8th was crazier than my Magic Mike XXL-themed 4th of July party. Longo got the party started with a lead off single, but things got weird when Loney took the stage. See, this is 2015. And in 2015, the New York Yankees have a gentleman named Jose Pirela playing second base. Throughout his time as a prospect, Jose's defense has been a question mark. Today we saw why. Poor Jose not only bobbled Loney's easy double-play grounder, but he proceeded to botch the throw to first as well. He botched it so poorly, in fact, that Longoria ended up on third and Loney was perched triumphantly atop second base.
The weirdness continued. Logan Forsythe hit a silly blooper to right field that landed just fair, that sent the two Rays base runners across the plate. 6-1 Rays.
The bizarre inning was not over, as Steven Souza Jr. took a 2-2 mid-90's fastball off the hands that made a genuinely sickening sound. Souza went to the ground in what looked like a good bit of pain. The medical staff came out to attend to him, but he would initially stay in the game, later score the Rays' final run.
With two on, Kiermaier hit a weak bouncer that really acted like a terrific bunt that advanced both runners. Jake Elmore walked (his second free base on the day) to load the bases for Curt Casali. The Rays' catcher was smart, as Capuano was clearly struggling to find the plate. He gladly took his bases loaded walk to put the Rays up 7-1.
With the bags still juiced, Asdrubal Cabrera sent a fly ball to right field that looked like it had a chance to get out. It didn't, but the sac fly was enough to score a gimpy Souza who appeared to be nursing a finger or two from the prior contact. 8-1 Rays.
Xavier Cedeno and Everett Teaford shared the last three innings, giving up just two walks and no hits, to secure the Rays win.
Quick note. Kiermaier, Souza and Loney all made standout defensive plays today. I hope Souza's finger issue is minor, because I really enjoy watching this trio field their positions. Jake Elmore stole the show, however, with a bang bang double play on a Gregorious liner in the 4th. Worth tracking down if the replay is up somewhere.
Today's game was the 48th time this season that a Rays starter has allowed two runs or fewer in a game. That leads all of baseball.
The win puts the Rays at 43-41, tied with Toronto, a game back from Baltimore and just two back from the Yankees for the lead in the East. Colome takes the bump tomorrow night in KC.
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<th colspan=2>Roll Call Info</th>
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<tr><td width=150>Total comments</td><td>197</tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Total commenters</td><td>19</tr>
<tr><td>Commenter list</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BravesRays">BravesRays</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brett%20Phillips">Brett Phillips</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/CSG%20BBR">CSG BBR</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Darby%20Robinson">Darby Robinson</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/EvenLongoria">EvenLongoria</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JRTW612">JRTW612</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Landlord">Landlord</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mister%20Lizzie">Mister Lizzie</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrWizzle21">MrWizzle21</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rays1118">Rays1118</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RazeTheRoof">RazeTheRoof</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Salizar77">Salizar77</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/essenpee">essenpee</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jlmccal2">jlmccal2</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/magicrays">magicrays</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/sirthomas813">sirthomas813</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/the%20dobber">the dobber</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thedudeofdudes">thedudeofdudes</a></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Story URLs</td><td><div><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already">http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already</a></div>
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<th width=60># Recs</th><th>Commenter</th><th>Comment Link</th>
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<td>7</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrWizzle21">MrWizzle21</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314881368">No way that one is still in ocean jail</a></td>
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<td>7</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/the%20dobber">the dobber</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314859324">at least until Jaso swings his bat too hard and gives himself another concussion</a></td>
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<td>6</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314868980">Baseless accusations</a></td>
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<td>6</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thedudeofdudes">thedudeofdudes</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314871430">Maybe for like 4 or 5 pitches.</a></td>
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<td>3</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrWizzle21">MrWizzle21</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314880334">sizzle</a></td>
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<td>3</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/the%20dobber">the dobber</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314881194">is that the one that killed the crocodile hunter?</a></td>
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<td>3</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jlmccal2">jlmccal2</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314880858">Good thing McGee was available for the weekend.</a></td>
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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrWizzle21">MrWizzle21</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314881244">This picture sucks</a></td>
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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/the%20dobber">the dobber</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314858526">No-hitter ended in the first. That's a good start.</a></td>
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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314880362">So wait, the game's over?</a></td>
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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrWizzle21">MrWizzle21</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314864894">No. That's lazy and sloppy journalism.</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/CSG%20BBR">CSG BBR</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314901802">Did you donate your abs to a Make-A-Wish recipient?</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/magicrays">magicrays</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314881804">Murder is on purpose</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Landlord">Landlord</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314882352">Looks better than Cash's pullover</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314878376">bc reasons</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BravesRays">BravesRays</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314859904">2-0. This can only end badly.</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Salizar77">Salizar77</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314867854">we could of blown this game open but only get one there...</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/essenpee">essenpee</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314876390">They haven't won the last 5 must win games this season</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BravesRays">BravesRays</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314876568">I think an exorcism might be more appropriate right now.</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/EvenLongoria">EvenLongoria</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/5/8895643/gdt-oh-my-god-can-we-win-a-freaking-game-already#314879740">[no title]</a></td>
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Looks like Wizzle ran things in the GDT, if the Roll Call tells the tale.