Tampa Bay Rays News and Links: This Shift, This Shift, Unforgivable

The Rays loss yesterday happened due to another poor offensive showing. Since scoring eight runs against the Yankees in New York on the 24th, the Rays have just mustered 12 runs over six games, with three games in which they've plated just one run. The Rays have now played 26 games this year, and seven (27%) of those have them chalk up a run or fewer. The loss also placed them two games back under .500 at 11-13.

Also during yesterday's game, the bullpen failed to keep the game tied as both Xavier Cedeno and Alex Colome walked hitters on just four pitches apiece, leading to the double play ball that wasn't due to how the infield was positioned due to the Rays deploying the shift with the bases loaded. The Rays will have to look to put that behind them.

#Rays Csh said in hindsight he should have played infield in in the 9th inning, Forsythe could have gone home with Encarnacion's grounder

— Roger Mooney (@RMooneyTBO) May 1, 2016

*Author's note: Being from Tennessee, I made Danny put a stipulation in my contract that I be allowed to insert country music videos and references wherever  I deem fit. I am invoking this clause.

Enjoy having this tune stuck in your head for the next 4-6 hours.

Today is yet another off day and on Tuesday they'll welcome back a couple of former faces of the franchise as Carl Crawford and Scott Kazmir will fly into town with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a brief two game set before an off-day yet again on Thursday.

Rays Links:

- Evan Longoria is rediscovering his power stroke. He has five home runs now after yesterday's shot, he only had one at this point last year.

- According to Chris Cotillo, nothing is #imminent between the Rays and Kevin Kiermaier

Sources: No serious talks between Rays and Kevin Kiermaier on an extension in recent months. Team does have interest.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 29, 2016

- Yesterday was the first instance of the pitch clock in the minor leagues being enforced and the Charlotte Stone Crabs benefited from it.

- The world stopped spinning for a split second yesterday as fans witnessed Hank Conger throw a runner out, something rarer than seeing 'Mighty Casey' strike out.

- From Steve Kinsella, did Kevin Cash throw together a starting lineup too quickly?

- In the Tampa Bay Times, notes on Longoria, Matt Moore, and Hank Conger

- Topkin looks back at some of the best/worst moves made by Anfrew Friedman as he makes his return to the Trop.

- Neil Solondz writes up his recap of the game, as well as shares his post-game audio from the locker room following the match-up

Around the League:

- I mentioned before that the Dodgers are coming to town. Fortunately for the Rays, they've caught a break as Clayton Kershaw delivered a masterful performance yesterday adding yet another shutout to his impressive career.

- The greatest voice in baseball history, Vin Scully tells a masterful tale of the history of beards

- The Marlins have had a certainly eventful week, as they experienced some of the game rarest plays and controversial stories.

- Who wants to watch our own Brett Phillips chase down a possum an opposum. Oh, it's not actually our Brett and this name mix-up joke has already been beaten to a pulp...oh, well then, just click this

- Have you ever wanted help name an imaginary minor league? Well now you can, I've already done and I couldn't be happier to have a partial ownership stake in the Gresham Weed Llamas