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Tampa Bay Rays News and Links: Matt Andriese Saves the Season

Just when all looked lost and hopes were extinguished, Matt Andriese delivered the performance of his career

By Adam Sanford May 15, 2016, 9:00am EDT

Matt Andriese was awarded yesterday's start thanks to an excellent spot start he had made the week before. He had received that start, thanks to his previous outing in which he was brilliant in Durham. Lately, the Rays haven't had much going for them, and now they'll be without their potential MVP candidate, Logan Forsythe for more than a month.

So, the Rays needed something big, a pick me up. With Kendall Graveman on the mound, I was hoping for the big bats in the order to tee off -- they somewhat dd, just rotten luck, again -- but I didn't expect for Matt Andriese to deliver a complete game, two hit shutout. It certainly provided good feelings all around and showed the Rays can win without Forsythe, thank you Matt Andriese.

Rays Links:

- Back in March, Dan Johnson shockingly showed up in Rays camp and announced his intentions to reform himself into a knuckleball pitcher. The Rays released him shortly after, but he hasn't given up and is in the indy leagues working on his craft

- Are the Rays early season struggles a true indication of good the team is?

- Last July, the Rays sent Kevin Jepsen to the Twins for two unheralded pitching prospects. One of those prospects, Chih-Wei Hu is starting to emerge as a force to reckoned with

- Topkin discusses the lack of homers with runners on base, update on Brent Honeywell, and the Grant Balfour honoring later today

- Some Raymond .gifs

- The Rays treated some lucky kids to a tour of the Trop

- Topkin also previews today's game

- Expecetedly, Danny Farquhar was with the team for one day. Unexpectedly, he was designated for assignment. The Rays promoted Taylor Motter to take his roster spot

#Rays DFA'd Farquhar after the game for purpose of optioning him to Durham on Monday. He'll still be on 40-man
— Roger Mooney (@RogerMooney50) May 15, 2016

@Josh_Bircher @TBTimes_Rays I'm told the team asked for optional waivers which means no one puts in a claim
— Roger Mooney (@RogerMooney50) May 15, 2016