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On this day during the magical season of 2008, the Rays beat the Red Sox 3-0 as James Shields spun a two-hit complete game shutout.
The win capped off a three game sweep that pulled the Rays into a tie for first place.
The Rays jumped out in front in the third inning on a wild pick off by Josh Beckett, scoring Jason Bartlett. They added another in the seventh on a solo homer from Evan Longoria, and scored again in the eighth when Carl Crawford doubled home Bartlett. On the hill, Shields struck out nine and walked one.
New and Links
Marc Topkin reports on how Kevin Kiermaier is spending his quarantine.
Yandy Diaz owns Juan Toribio.
Day ? without baseball: the exclusive video of #Rays Yandy Díaz using just two fingers to beat me in arm wrestle. I kept telling him I would win and he finally got sick of me. pic.twitter.com/BwKYRRFOVP
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) April 25, 2020
Blake Snell with a funny story about the time he gave up a grand slam to Miggy Cabrera.
.@snellzilla4 has a great story about the time Miggy hit a grand slam off him. pic.twitter.com/Vc2znuLSGP
— MLB (@MLB) April 26, 2020
Austin Meadows with some unusual squats.
13/10 would squat. pic.twitter.com/R1duWSORaE
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 25, 2020
Anthony Castovince on the best pitchers never to throw a no-hitter.
Joe Posnanski at the Athletic is starting a new series: 60 moments.
Blake Snell sings his way to a playoff spot in the Players League.
Tim Kurkjian writes about defending Wade Boggs.
A.J. Cassavell writes about old friend Kirby Yates.
Puig to the Giants?
Sources: Yasiel Puig is very close to sign with San Francisco Giants, a source tells me. The contract amount is unknown, but would have a one-year option.
— Francys Romero (@FrancysRomero10) April 26, 2020
Both sides, Puig and Giants are waiting for MLB to clarify the return date of baseball to make the official agreement. pic.twitter.com/I6f7xWT7go
Katherine Acquavella tells us that MLB player salary “an increasing concern.”
Sam Fels at Deadspin (???!!!???) says that we’re in for more cheating after the light punishments.
A fun anniversary from over the weekend: Let’s remember Brandon Allen from 2012.
On this day, 2012:
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 26, 2020
Brandon Allen hits a pinch-hit, walk-off homer in his first official at-bat with the club. pic.twitter.com/E9jiXjqFn5