DRaysBay: All Posts by Ashley MacLennanA Tampa Bay Rays Blog: Ball on a Budgethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48753/drb-logo-fv.png2023-09-27T20:42:29-04:00https://www.draysbay.com/authors/ashley-maclennan/rss2023-09-27T20:42:29-04:002023-09-27T20:42:29-04:00Rays 5, Red Sox 0: A shut out at Fenway
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<img alt="MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/liDT-w-b-9s2W0-s0LZCn41YLSk=/0x0:5077x3385/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72695727/usa_today_21515707.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A great night from Glasnow and Josh Lowe especially.</p> <p id="rkLqOp">Hello friends, we’re winding down the regular season and facing off against a team that typically is challenging the Rays in the AL East, and yet this year it’s the Orioles, and the Red Sox haven’t put up much of a fight.</p>
<p id="UEc2xr">Let’s take a look at how things went tonight.</p>
<p id="RfBGQn">The matchup was Tyler Glasnow (still on limited innings) and Brayan Bello. </p>
<p id="SwR6X6">The Rays went three-up-three-down in the top of the inning and then Glasnow had his first 1-2-3 of the game.</p>
<p id="KzHqOA">Josh Lowe kicked off the second with a solo home run, then Taylor Walls got a two-out walk. The Rays would have to settle for the one run, but it put them on the board early.</p>
<div id="MtkPO4">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to the 2️⃣0️⃣ - 3️⃣0️⃣ club, Josh! <a href="https://t.co/qA1kFW022L">pic.twitter.com/qA1kFW022L</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1707161508101193966?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2023</a>
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<p id="sHIUVY">Glasnow had his only rough inning of the game in the bottom of the second. It started with a double to Alex Verdugo, then a Trevor Story single that moved Verdugo to third. Story stole second. Bobby Dalbec walked to load the bases with only one out, but then Glasnow induced a double play to get himself out of the jam scoreless. </p>
<p id="wAN9wx">Jonathan Aranda got a one-out single in the top of the third, but a double play quickly ended the inning. The Sox went 1-2-3 in the bottom half.</p>
<p id="MulPCF">Randy Arozarena singled to start the fourth, followed by a Josh Lowe single. Isaac Paredes then singled to load things up. A Harold Ramirez sac fly scored Arozarena, putting the Rays up 2-0. Manuel Margot then hit a double to score Lowe, and the Rays had a three-run lead. The Red Sox went 1-2-3 in the bottom half.</p>
<p id="bRK1ro">Aranda walked to start the fifth, but a strikeout and a double play then ended the inning. The Sox continued to struggle against Glasnow, though, who had another 1-2-3. He was, however, done after five with a final line of 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K on 70 pitches. </p>
<p id="qczJKy">Josh Lowe singled to open up the sixth, then Isaac Paredes homered to the top of the Green Monster, putting the Rays up 5-0. Manuel Margot walked, but no additional runs scored.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Love to see it <a href="https://t.co/At1hntrFbf">pic.twitter.com/At1hntrFbf</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1707179033224527961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2023</a>
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<p id="ABulJA">Andrew Kittredge was out of the pen in the bottom of the inning. He gave up a leadoff single to Connor Wong, but three quick outs followed.</p>
<p id="yYqltb">The Rays went down in order in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the inning the next reliever up was Jake Diekman. Three outs later, he’d done his job.</p>
<p id="3jelKK">No surprise, Josh Lowe got on base to start the eighth, this time with a walk. Harold Ramirez singled, but no runs would score. Chris Devenski was next up for the Rays’ pen, and he continued the successful run of innings with another 1-2-3.</p>
<p id="Y04qr8">The Rays’ bats were quiet in the top of the ninth, so it was all turned over to Robert Stephenson to close it down. And like those who came before him, he also struck out the side to shut out the Sox. Woot.</p>
<p id="rG6BGS"><strong>Final: Rays 5, Red Sox 0</strong></p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2023/9/27/23893585/rays-5-red-sox-0-a-shut-out-at-fenway-recap-sep-27Ashley MacLennan2023-09-21T16:18:18-04:002023-09-21T16:18:18-04:00Rays 5, Angels 4: A nice late season walk-off
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pvDGV8IN7uFKJwIwn0x5VJzyD_4=/42x0:5331x3526/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72674190/usa_today_21471241.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Hero stuff from Manuel Margot.</p> <p id="IplfKh">An afternoon game against the Angels saw some high drama and close calls, so let’s take a look at how it all shook out. The pitching matchup was Griffin Canning versus Zach Eflin. </p>
<p id="eeHzPl">In the first inning saw a little Zach Neto single off of Zach Eflin, but the Angels couldn’t take advantage of the baserunner. In the bottom half Yandy Diaz drew a leadoff walk, then Brandon Lowe was hit by a pitch. An Isaac Paredes double scored Diaz, and the Rays were on the board early. </p>
<p id="MVweWF">Top of the second and a two-out single to Jo Adell put a man on the bases but the Angels could not score him. Totally unrelated side note but “Jo Adell” always sounds like the name of a 90s British pop start to me, no? The Rays went down in order in the bottom half.</p>
<p id="Rq5O9X">In the third Randal Grichuk hit a one-out single, but again the baserunner was not brought home. Brandon Lowe got a one-out walk in the bottom half but he was also left stranded. </p>
<p id="PXZaMX">With two outs in the fourth Jared Walsh singled, then Jo Adell drew a walk. A David Fletcher single and Josh Lowe error scored Walsh and Adell and put the Angels in the lead. Michael Stefanic singled, but no additional runs scored. In the Rays’ half of the inning Josh Lowe singled, then Taylor Walls doubled. A Jonathan Aranda groundout scored Lowe to tie things up. </p>
<p id="h8vnv7">The Angels went 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning Yandy Diaz once again drew a walk, but the next three batters were out, leaving him stranded.</p>
<p id="nfexv2">Shawn Armstrong replaced Eflin in the sixth. Jared Walsh was hit by a pitch, then a Jo Adell home run scored two. David Fletcher walked, but only the two runs scored, putting the Angels up 4-2 at the half. Josh Lowe walked to start the bottom half, then successfully stole second. Manuel Margot then doubled to score Lowe. Manuel Margot stole third, but was not able to get that final run home. </p>
<p id="JOhuZd">Jake Diekman was next out of the pen. He got three Angels outs in a row, hurray! Yandy Diaz continued to have a day as he singled to start the Rays’ half. He advanced to second on a wild pitch. Unfortunately he was left on base.</p>
<p id="kCpDjD">Colin Poche was the next reliever up. Eduardo Escobar got a one-out single (and old friend Brett Phillips came out to pinch-run). A double-play eliminated the baserunner and ended the inning. In the bottom half with one out Manuel Margot was hit by a pitch... or was he? The Angels challenged the call. The call stood and the Angels lost their challenge. Two outs later it ultimately didn’t matter.</p>
<p id="YQF5MK">In the ninth Andrew Kittredge was out of the pen. Michael Stefanic singled, then Randal Grichuk doubled. Kittredge was able to pitch out of the jam and keep the Angels from extending their lead. A pinch-hitting Harold Ramirez singled to kick off the bottom of the ninth, Yandy Diaz then singled to put two onboard. A Paredes single scored pinch-runner Osleivis Basabe to tie things up. Josh Lowe then walked to load the bases. A Manuel Margot single walked off the game. Woop woop.</p>
<p id="TQsvKh"><strong>Final: Rays 5, Angels 4</strong></p>
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https://www.draysbay.com/2023/9/21/23884448/rays-5-angels-4-a-nice-late-season-walk-off-recap-september-21Ashley MacLennan2023-09-17T16:45:03-04:002023-09-17T16:45:03-04:00Rays 4, Orioles 5: At least they clinched
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<img alt="MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8I1A7_WO-U46b0crv5DMTcFHdgs=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72658566/usa_today_21443441.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>An extra-innings loss was a clinch for both teams.</p> <p id="hSKWjo">In a game that could help decide the Rays’ place in the postseason, it was bound to be dramatic no matter what. But why not add some extra interest with a tie game for the bulk of the outing and both teams pulling their starters relatively early? Or do you want plenty of home runs? Well, this game had both. </p>
<p id="Ki3nuI">The game saw Zack Littell against Dean Kremer. </p>
<p id="A78Fbh">Brandon Lowe got things started nice and early for the Rays as he hit a solo home run to get the team on the board in the first. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This Dawg just passed Carl Crawford on the Rays all-time home run list. <a href="https://t.co/u7NlfbCqmP">pic.twitter.com/u7NlfbCqmP</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1703465270172414240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2023</a>
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<p id="pn67uQ">It wasn’t until the fourth that the Orioles got one back with a single from Austin Hays that scored Ryan O’Hearn. Thing stayed tied until the bottom of the seventh when the Rays decided they didn’t feel like playing an extra-innings game today.</p>
<p id="UgbdoU">Tristan Gray hit his first MLB home run to break the tie, and then immediately after that Christian Bethancourt hit a home run of his own. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This was a fantastic couple of minutes in all of our lives. <a href="https://t.co/XdJ0Zymv9I">pic.twitter.com/XdJ0Zymv9I</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1703492130985869716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2023</a>
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<p id="FJEAeC">Cash wasn’t going to take chances with the lead, bringing Pete Fairbanks in for the bottom of the eighth. It was a good idea, with Fairbanks getting two outs, but then he gave up a home run to Adley Rutschman. Fairbanks did get out of the inning with only the one run, but it would go into the ninth with a very close score.</p>
<p id="BTC4y8">In the top of the ninth Josh Lowe scored, but the O’s asked for a review and the call of safe was overturned. Hoping that one doesn’t come back to haunt. For what it’s worth at this point in the game Texas is going to lost their game against the Guardians no matter how things shake out, so the Rays will clinch regardless of the score, but it <em>would</em> be nice to win it.</p>
<p id="mp6FEk">Fairbanks was back out for the ninth. And once again with two outs things went wrong as Fairbanks allowed a single to Austin Hays, who was replaced by pinch-runner Jorge Mateo, then an Adam Frazier double scored Mateo to re-tie the game. </p>
<p id="NrmRGw">In the top of the tenth a pinch-hitting Harold Ramirez scored ghost runner Manuel Margot to re-take the lead once more. (update: at this point Texas has lost and the Rays have secured their postseason spot).</p>
<p id="BLocmU">Armstrong was out of the pen for the Rays, hoping to double-secure the clinch with an actual win. Aaaaand with two outs a single up the middle by Rutschman scored ghost runner Hicks and the game was tied once again. </p>
<p id="MJ7ols">The Rays were scoreless in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the inning Jake Diekman was next out of the pen. There were some general questions regarding what Adley Rutschman was doing on base as the ghost runner, but apparently there was a logical reason for this that I didn’t really pay much attention to the explanation for, but basically: it’s allowed. Rutschman scored on a sac fly, and it was quite possibly the lamest clinch day in recent history, but at least the Rays are postseason bound.</p>
<p id="yZJ2fm"><strong>Final: Orioles 5, Rays 4</strong></p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2023/9/17/23877660/rays-4-orioles-5-at-least-they-clinched-recap-sep-17Ashley MacLennan2023-08-26T18:50:36-04:002023-08-26T18:50:36-04:00Rays 3, Yankees 0: Two-hit wonder
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<img alt="MLB: New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-b9Yglurt_TowKbk8iOmrq2dt_w=/2x0:4885x3255/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72582275/usa_today_21282133.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A nice day to beat the Yankees.</p> <p id="oLquPW">If I can say one nice thing for this series it is to remind you all that this is the last time we will have to see the Yankees this season. Because even with the expanded interleague play this season, it still felt like the Rays saw way too much of the Yankees. </p>
<p id="de5YUN">Today’s game was thankfully a winner, and those are always significantly more entertaining to watch. The pitching matchup paired Tyler Glasnow against Clarke Schmidt and here’s how the game shook out.</p>
<p id="T9WVwS">In the first Glasnow allowed one baserunner in the form of a walk to Torres, but no Yankees runs scored. The Rays went down in order in the home half.</p>
<p id="TwXsz2">Glasnow went 1-2-3 in the second, and in the bottom half the Rays struck first in terms of scoring. Paredes reached first on a fielding error, then Raley doubled. A Harold Ramirez sac fly then scored Paredes. This was followed by an Aranda sac fly to score Raley. The Rays were up 2-0.</p>
<p id="rd7mAj">It was another walk in the third for Glasnow as Rortvedt got a free bag, but again the Yankees left their runner stranded. Arozarena got a two-out double in the bottom half and then a Josh Lowe double brought him home. </p>
<p id="FL8icU">The fourth was 1-2-3 on both sides.</p>
<p id="pVAjiP">In the fifth Glasnow had a three-up-three-down top half. The Rays got a Brandon Lowe single in their half but were not able to score. </p>
<p id="Yxduxv">Glasnow allowed his only hit of the game in the sixth allowing a single to LeMahieu, but again, no Yankees runs scored. That was it for Glasnow for the game, and he went 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K on 85 pitches. He probably could have gone one more but no need to push him. Schmidt gave up a single to Paredes in the bottom of the inning but the Rays were also unable to score. </p>
<p id="5qbHmu">Stephenson was out of the pen for the Rays in the seventh and got himself a 1-2-3 of his own. In the bottom half Aranda got a leadoff single and was then eliminated by a fielder’s choice off the bat if Basabe (well actually a pinch-running Siri was eliminated). Basabe got to second on a wild pitch, but the inning ended with no runs scored.</p>
<p id="DQse2j">Adam was next out of the pen and also had a 1-2-3. In the bottom of the inning Arozarena got a leadoff walk, Josh Lowe singled, and then a Raley fielder’s choice moved Arozarena to third but eliminated Lowe at second. Raley stole second. The Rays couldn’t exploit the baserunners though and headed into the ninth with their three-run lead.</p>
<p id="hUXTOR">Fairbanks came out of the pen hoping to maintain that lead. LeMahieu got another single, the only Yankee of the game to do so. Fairbanks bounced back from the hit to shut down the rest of the batters and secure the win.</p>
<p id="IxrgWx"><strong>Final: Rays 3, Yankees 0</strong></p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2023/8/26/23847353/rays-3-yankees-0-two-hit-wonder-recap-august-26Ashley MacLennan2023-08-20T00:01:49-04:002023-08-20T00:01:49-04:00Rays 18, Angels 4: Double trouble for the Angels in a doubleheader
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<img alt="MLB: Game Two-Tampa Bay Rays at Los Angeles Angels" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EsD7rP0UEam_6jUJFAUIpH0OXtc=/0x0:4868x3245/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72560486/usa_today_21236963.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Rays bounced back from an afternoon loss to bombard the Angels in a late-night hit show.</p> <p id="jlULHl">Due to impending poor weather conditions related to Hurricane Hilary, the planned Sunday game between the Rays and the Angels was turned into a Saturday doubleheader. Rather than overdo it with two recaps, here’s a quick overview of the afternoon game (which the Rays lost) and a full recap of the evening game (which the Rays very, very won).</p>
<p id="47PFHX">The afternoon game was a close one, so here are the highlights:</p>
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<li id="aVDpw8">The matchup was Glasnow vs. Silseth, though the Angels ended up going more of a bullpen route and Glasnow pitched 6.0 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 1 HR on 89 pitches. So... not his best work.</li>
<li id="FuemDH">The Rays runs: a single for Josh Lowe in the first scored Arozarena and Brandon Lowe; in the fourth Josh Lowe hit a solo home run and Pinto homered with Basabe on base; in the sixth Aranda hit a solo homer. Total runs: 6</li>
<li id="nJzQJ2">The Angels runs: in the second Monial singled to score Moustakas, Grichuk his a sac fly to score Thaiss; in the third a passed ball by Pinto allowed Schanuel to score, a Thaiss single scored Drury, Moustakas scored on a wild pitch, and a Grichuk double scored Thaiss (TL;DR it was a messy inning); in the fifth Drury got a solo home run. Total runs: 7</li>
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<p id="LfbAsB"><strong>Game 1 Final: Angels 7, Rays 6</strong></p>
<p id="I52BIQ">Anyway, first game was a hot mess express inning that ruined everything, but the baseball gods evened things out by having the Angels make a ton of errors in the second game, so let’s get into that.</p>
<p id="qUQmJc">The matchup was Eflin vs. Sandoval and quite frankly Eflin was SOLID. </p>
<p id="r2vght">Diaz drew a walk to start off the first, then Arozarena singled. A fielder’s choice and a double play killed the hustle though. Eflin had a 1-2-3 inning.</p>
<p id="MJYieD">Mead got a leadoff walk in the second, but three outs followed. Eflin had anothere 1-2-3 inning in the bottom half.</p>
<p id="aP5xlo">Sandoval had a clean inning of his own for the third, and Eflin allowed just one single to Adams, but no runs scored.</p>
<p id="t2ftYU">The Rays were the first to draw blood in the fourth. Paredes got a one-out single, Mead walked, and then a Basabe ground-rule double scored Paredes. A Josh Lowe groundout then scored Mead, and the Rays were on the board with two. Eflin once again went 1-2-3.</p>
<p id="mUV2vB">The fifth was an absolute disaster for the Angels and a real treat for Rays fans. With two outs Arozarena reached first on a fielding error from Adams which the Angels would really come to regret. Ramirez singled, and then a Paredes single scored Arozarena. A Mead double then scored two runs. Basabe doubled scored Mead. The Rays were up six nothing. There was also a dramatic out call at home that was ultimately overturned to keep the inning chugging along.</p>
<div id="5HuQox">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This half inning was over until it wasn't.<br><br>(Isaac was safe, btw) <a href="https://t.co/LnPurL2BxO">pic.twitter.com/LnPurL2BxO</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1693088071967756442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a>
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<p id="FCRXN0"> In the bottom of the inning Eflin struggled for the first time with two outs, allowing a solo home run to Renfroe, then Rengifo and Adams singled back-to-back but neither scored. </p>
<p id="ApjUUJ">If the Angels thought the fifth was bad, let’s look at the sixth. Bethancourt singled, Diaz singled, Arozarena singled, and with that the bases were loaded with no outs. Ramirez doubled to score two, then Pareds homered to score three. Basabe walked, and then a Siri home run scored two. When the dust settled the Rays were up 13-1. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jose Siri lost his tie for the Rays home run lead for *checks notes* about 10 pitches. <a href="https://t.co/DKLhv870Jw">pic.twitter.com/DKLhv870Jw</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1693096435581878637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a>
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<p id="2aiRuS">Ohtani walked in the bottom of the inning, and was then eliminated in a fielder’s choice off the bat of Drury. No runs scored. That was also the end of the night for Eflin whose final line was 6.0 IP; 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR on 74 pitches. Just super efficient pitching.</p>
<p id="TAYof6">The Rays weren’t done. In the seventh Diaz singled, followed by an Arozarena homer to score two. Ramirez also singled, but no additional runs scored. Jacob Lopez was in for the Rays in relief and allowed a single to Rengifo but no runs.</p>
<p id="2rkQh8">Onward to the eighth, Josh Lowe singled to start things off, then Bethancourt singled. Aranda walked, then a Ramirez single scored two, putting the Rays up 17-1. In bottom of the eighth with Criswell on the mound the Angels bit back a little. Schanuel singled, Ohtani doubled, and then a Drury home run scored three. </p>
<p id="Hhjt7W">The top of the ninth saw Basabe get a one-out single, then Josh Lowe was hit by a pitch. Siri drew a walk to load the bases, then a Bethancourt sac fly scored Basabe. Adams, somewhat ironically, reached first safely on an error from Mead, but no Angels’ runs scored.</p>
<p id="lCUZ0Q"><strong>Final: Rays 18, Angels 4</strong></p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2023/8/20/23838774/rays-angels-double-trouble-for-the-angels-in-a-doubleheader-recap-august-19Ashley MacLennan2023-08-15T00:32:19-04:002023-08-15T00:32:19-04:00Rays 10, Giants 2: RBIs and Zzzzzzzs
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<img alt="MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at San Francisco Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YjzAG9U4aDBkwHY2SEVH-UZEkDs=/0x0:4041x2694/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72545303/usa_today_21204008.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>West coast trips are brutal, man. Wins aren’t!</p> <p id="s0pL0a">This one is going to be as short and sweet as I am capable of, because it’s a late, late game, and I crave sleep, but you all want to know how this game went, and since it was a good one, I will tell you.</p>
<p id="qu6HHI">Tyler Glasnow: so good! We love a dialled-in Glasnow who can get himself out of tense corners.</p>
<p id="oa6QRV">Mead! What the heck!</p>
<p id="T89V6X">Great second night for Basabe!</p>
<p id="g7kdRc">Alright, let’s get into specifics. The Giants were making their efforts at a bullpen game against Glasnow, and it was successful early on, as the game was scoreless until the third inning.</p>
<p id="L2shYv">In the first, Arozarena got a one-out walk but then got picked off in a steal attempt. Glasnow had a 1-2-3 bottom of the first. The second inning saw back-to-back singles from Siri and Mead, then Siri stole third, but no runs scored. In the bottom half of the second Glasnow allowed a single to Conforto, but nothing scored.</p>
<p id="Mz65U6">Diaz singled in the third, then Arozarena singled as well, but neither runner scored. Glasnow had another three-up/three-down inning in the bottom half.</p>
<p id="n05sBj">The Rays finally lit up the scoreboard in the fourth. Mead and Bethancourt singled back-to-back, A groundout from Margot advanced them, and then a Basabe single scored both runners. A Diaz double then scored Basabe, and it was a 3-0 game going into the bottom half. Glasnow had another 1-2-3.</p>
<p id="vizSUP">Onward to the fifth and the Rays kept up their momentum. Ramirez singled, then with two outs Mead reached on an infield single that then went on to evolve into an error that allowed Ramirez to get to third. A Bethancourt single scored Ramirez, and then a Margot single scored Mead. Basabe walked, but no additional runs scored. Glasnow had his roughest outing in the bottom of the fifth, as Pederson singled to start things off, then Conforto walked. An Estrada single scored Pederson. Crawford then walked, but Glasnow pitched out of the jam with only one run to show for the Giants. </p>
<p id="xNc0WD">Ramirez reached on a hit-by-pitch in the top of the sixth, but that was it for the Rays. In the bottom half Glasnow was starting to show the same signs of trouble as he did in the fifth. A walk to Meckler, but Glasnow got the next three outs in spite of some awkward pitches. That was the end of the night for him. 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K on 87 pitches.</p>
<p id="uPF37s">Heading into the seventh, Bethancourt hit a one-out solo home run, and while Margot walked and stole a base, they would have to settle for one. Bottom of seventh saw the major league debut of Jacob Lopez who was a bit rocky but definitely showed signs of quality, the biggest being his ability to pitch out of a jam. Crawford reached on a fielding error, then Camargo singled. Davis was hit by a pitch BARELY, like it literally grazed over his toe, but I guess rules are rules on that. Lopez escaped a loaded bases mess by striking out fellow debutee Meckler. Phew.</p>
<p id="lzxooL">Top of the eighth the Rays were out for Giant-blood. Arozarena walked, Ramirez singled, and then a Paredes single brought Arozarena home. Siri then doubled to score Ramirez. Lopez was back out in the bottom of the eighth which was... bold, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off. Conforto got a two-out single, then Estrada doubled to score Conforto. Lopez got out of it with only the one additional run, so I guess that was good.</p>
<p id="exbXk2">Two outs in the top of the ninth and Arozarena singled. Ramirez then hit a triple to score Arozarena. A wild pitch allowed Ramirez to score. The Rays were up 10-2 going into the bottom half. Lopez returned for the ninth, because honestly why not at this point? Some incredible fielding helped finish things off, and that was a game.</p>
<p id="9sJjYq"><strong>Final: Rays 10, Giants 2</strong></p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2023/8/15/23832486/rays-giants-rbis-and-zzzzzzzs-recap-august-14Ashley MacLennan2023-08-09T21:16:35-04:002023-08-09T21:16:35-04:00Rays 4, Cardinals 6: Siri how do you spell Nootbaar
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<img alt="MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-otsc4HPXjec6GWfMWX8A-ZvbDE=/0x0:2902x1935/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72530248/usa_today_21175353.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In which I teach you some Dutch.</p> <p id="UuRlud">This game was... eh... it was fine. It wasn’t great, it wasn’t the worst, it could have been significantly better. </p>
<p id="HNe1oC">Let’s just get into the highlights.</p>
<p id="uWdgdA">Beeks was up first in the opener role, and had a 1-2-3 top of the first, in the bottom half Wander Franco got a one-out single but no runs scored.</p>
<p id="u7Sc7d">Beeks started to stumble in the second, with a lead-off single to Gorman, a double to Walker, and then a Burleson groundout scored Gorman. Carlson walked but no additional runs scored. The Rays got some ground back in the home half as Paredes was hit-by-pitch, then he was eliminated in a Raley ground ball to a fielder’s choice. A Siri home run then brought home two runs. Josh Lowe singled, but no more Rays runs scored. They were up 2-1 though.</p>
<p id="86fWg9">Lars Nootbaar hit a lead-off single and that was it for Beeks, who gave way to Kelly. Nootbaar advanced to second on a groundout, then stole third. An Arenado single then brought Nootbar home, and while I’m not thrilled about that I am thrilled to have written the name “Nootbaar” three times in one paragraph. Lars Noorbaar is Dutch and Japanese. Did you know the Dutch word for baseball is “honkbal”? You’re welcome. Contreras singled, then Walker singled to score Arenado. Cards up 3-2. </p>
<p id="OwItDd">Bottom of the third saw a walk from Franco and an Arozarena single but not Rays runs.</p>
<p id="Oqr0dn">Kelly continued in the fourth and so did the Cardinals. Carlson walked, Edman singled, and then a Goldschmidt single scored both baserunners. In the bottom half Siri hit a solo home run and though Josh Lowe singled they settled for just the one run. Cards were up 5-3 at the end of four.</p>
<p id="RmAhzG">The fifth and sixth were scoreless on both sides, with only a Franco single in the fifth to put a man on for either club. </p>
<p id="99iySs">In the seventh Nootbaar hit a solo home run to start the inning, this was followed by three groundouts. In the bottom half with two outs, Franco hit a solo home run of his own. The eighth was quiet on both sides with only a Burleson walk for the Cards and a Ramirez single for the Rays. No more runs.</p>
<p id="9Z55vy">Diekman kept the Cardinals’ bats quiet in the ninth so it was down to the Rays to make something happen in the bottom half. Sadly the Rays couldn’t muster a comeback.</p>
<p id="Tn6Lxj"><strong>Final: Cardinals 6, Rays 4</strong></p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2023/8/9/23826749/rays-cardinals-siri-how-do-you-spell-nootbaar-recap-august-9Ashley MacLennan2023-07-31T21:37:02-04:002023-07-31T21:37:02-04:00Rays 5, Yankees 1: More homers than a season of The Simpsons
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<img alt="MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/86m5aCk-_u81UGybiSPpBy6xYlA=/0x0:3730x2487/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72501708/usa_today_21119665.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Going yard on Yankees home turf is always sweeter.</p> <p id="MzUSIw">Home runs? Check.</p>
<p id="EAAM3D">Dialed in Tyler Glasnow? Check.</p>
<p id="BMw8wT">Beating the Yankees? Check check check.</p>
<p id="nXbvPY">It was a delightful game to enjoy on a Monday evening, so let’s touch on the highlights. </p>
<p id="nXEj09">Diaz singled to start the first, then a Brandon Lowe home run with one out brought two runs in and put the Rays on the board early. Glasnow had a 1-2-3 bottom of the inning.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">To whomever got him hot, thank you. <br><br>(It was definitely the man himself, so thank you Dawg.) <a href="https://t.co/Ztt7AwNzN0">pic.twitter.com/Ztt7AwNzN0</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1686154311376453632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2023</a>
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<p id="DPXVb2">Paredes doubled to start the second, but was then eliminated by a Siri fielder’s choice, Siri was then caught stealing. No runs scored. Glasnow gave up a two-out solo home run to old friend Jake Bauers, putting the Yankees on the board, but the Rays maintained their lead.</p>
<p id="m3qhSA">With two outs in the third, it was Wander Franco’s turn to hit a home run. In the bottom half Glasnow allowed a single to Volpe and a walk to Judge, but the Yankees were unable to score any of their baserunners.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That's a homer in all 30 parks.<br><br>You probably knew that already. <a href="https://t.co/DEoZ7zdGmm">pic.twitter.com/DEoZ7zdGmm</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1686162930432184320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2023</a>
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<p id="yDsUPm">In the fourth it was back-to-back home runs from Paredes and Josh Lowe, giving the Rays a 5-1 lead. A 1-2-3 bottom half showed us that Glasnow was nicely focused.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Isaac takes the Rays HR lead all for himself. <a href="https://t.co/G7XcM39PIr">pic.twitter.com/G7XcM39PIr</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1686168853414342656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2023</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Back to back blasts on balls he'd probably like to have back. <a href="https://t.co/3dOAMQDooy">pic.twitter.com/3dOAMQDooy</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1686170399178903553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2023</a>
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<p id="27jLMV">The fifth inning was 1-2-3 for both sides. In the top of the sixth Raley drew a walk and was able to steal second, but no runs scored. Glasnow had a little bit of a rougher bottom half, though no damage was done. Judge walked and Rizzo singled, but neither scored.</p>
<p id="ow4Tc4">The seventh was another three up three down for both teams. The seventh was the end of the night for Glasnow who went 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB. 8 K, 1 HR on 94 pitches. Looked really good.</p>
<p id="vjoww6"> In the top of the eighth Diaz singled, and that was the only baserunner for either team in the inning.</p>
<p id="9WRwLj">Onto the ninth and Raley got a one-out double, followed by a walk to Paredes. They were not able to capitalize on the baserunners. Fairbanks was out of the pen to hopefully keep it together. He started out by walking Judge. Ultimately Fairbanks was able to get out of his mini-jam, and the Rays came away victorious.</p>
<p id="JtuR8c"><strong>Final: Rays 5, Yankees 1</strong></p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2023/7/31/23815039/rays-yankees-more-homers-than-a-season-of-the-simpsons-recap-july-31Ashley MacLennan2023-07-18T22:47:53-04:002023-07-18T22:47:53-04:00Rays 3, Rangers 5: Rays bested by Rangers thanks to late-inning blast
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<img alt="MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6GBanR2l8Q4RVXbXH07PDikJrIk=/0x0:4050x2700/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72464058/usa_today_21055417.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We can’t call it a comeback, because they never came back.</p> <p id="kpX9F1">While the Rangers remain a thorn in the side of the Rays, there were lots of positives in this game, with a really solid performance from Taj Bradley managing to keep some very mighty bats quiet. Things looked different after he left the game, that’s for sure, but hey, I’ll take that little silver lining.</p>
<p id="8mL2aF">First inning was a quiet 1-2-3 on both ends. Second inning saw old friend Nathan Eovaldi struggle a little. Randy Arozarena doubled to start things off, then advanced to third on a Brandon Lowe groundout. Ramirez walked, then Josh Lowe walked, but sadly none of them were able to score. Bottom of the inning Bradley gave up a two-out single to Heim. Jankowski then singled, but neither runner scored.</p>
<p id="4qsBbo">Eovaldi had a 1-2-3 top of the third. Bradley gave up a one-out solo home run to Semien in the bottom of the inning, his only real mistake that inning, but it gave the Rangers the 1-0 lead.</p>
<p id="2GgiZT">In the fourth Eovaldi was once again clean through the side. In the bottom of the inning Bradley only allowed one baserunner in a walk from Jung. No runs scored.</p>
<p id="EHsWIg">The fifth saw Ramirez take a really painful-looking hit-by-pitch to the shoulder. Unfortunately, the Rays could not convert the free baserunner into a run. The bottom half saw more good work from Bradley as he gave up only a two-out single to Semien.</p>
<p id="TBwtJD">Onward to the sixth and Raley got a one-out single. Paredes got a walk, but the Rays couldn’t score a run. In the bottom half, Bradley gave up and single to Nate Lowe, then Garcia walked, and that was it for Bradley. His final line for the day was 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 1 HR on 95 pitches. Really nice work honestly. He would, unfortunately, be on the line for what happens next, so don’t wonder why I say “2 ER” because y’all are about to find out. Stephenson came on in relief and got two outs before a Jankowski double scored Lowe. Rangers ended the inning up 2-0.</p>
<p id="0KC0Rr">Top of the seventh Jose Lowe got a one-out single, then a Mejia double brought Lowe in and put the Rays on the board. Diaz drew a walk. Franco then grounded into a double-play, and while the Rays did try to challenge it was pretty clear Franco was out. I’m not a psychic, but I feel like this was probably the Rays’ best opportunity to get the go-ahead. In the bottom of the inning it was Guerra out of the pen for the Rays. Taveras, then Semien hit a comebacker to Guerra. The game paused briefly to ensure Guerra was okay to continue. Perhaps he should not have, because on the next batter Seager hit a three-run home run to dead center. </p>
<p id="eAvo3u">Onto the eighth and in a pretty fun moment of instant umpire karma, as Arozarena got called back to the plate after thinking he had gotten a walk, he instead hit a solo home run. Brandon Lowe then hit a solo home run with two outs. </p>
<div id="S9bZxg">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Home runs are better anyway ♂️<br><br> → <a href="https://t.co/9RPU5kktMj">https://t.co/9RPU5kktMj</a><a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RaysBaseball</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaysUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaysUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/dlms9FkR7X">pic.twitter.com/dlms9FkR7X</a></p>— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallyRays/status/1681491750144077825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2023</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brandon Lowe SEE YA <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RaysBaseball</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaysUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RaysUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/NwU1iouS6x">pic.twitter.com/NwU1iouS6x</a></p>— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallyRays/status/1681492237954211841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2023</a>
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<p id="wTipDV">Bottom of the eighth and Guerra gave up only a walk to Duran, keeping the Rays in sight of a possible comeback.</p>
<p id="UZVP7r">Top of the ninth and it was the last chance for the Rays to do something. With three quick outs there was no comeback. But hey, at least it wasn’t a walk off, I gues.</p>
<p id="EIhCsi"><strong>Final: Rangers 5, Rays 3</strong></p>
https://www.draysbay.com/2023/7/18/23799780/rays-3-rangers-5-rays-bested-by-rangers-thanks-to-late-inning-blast-recap-july-18Ashley MacLennan2023-07-06T21:30:21-04:002023-07-06T21:30:21-04:00Rays 1, Phillies 3: Losing in extras extra-sucks
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<img alt="MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Tampa Bay Rays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0llv-kfU1Cqq0rr4n4HV8d5FDFQ=/0x0:5153x3435/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72431640/usa_today_21001495.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Nick Castellanos didn’t hit any apology home runs to left field.</p> <p id="f1mhdN">Rays were home, Phillies were good, let’s just go through this.</p>
<p id="faL5Pu">Armstrong was on the mound to start the night for the Rays and immediately gave up a double to Schwarber. Turner then reached on an infield single, but the next three batters went in order and the Rays pitched themselves out of an early disaster. The Rays went down in order in the bottom of the inning.</p>
<p id="7YgCqV">It was a nice 1-2-3 for Armstrong in the top of the second, but the Phillies did the same in the bottom half. </p>
<p id="98IlHh">Top of the third and Stubbs reached on an infield single but was immediately eliminated by a double play, and the next out ended the inning without real threat. In the bottom of the third the Rays got their first hit and first baserunner on a Jose Siri single. Unfortunately, a groundout and double play finished them off scoreless.</p>
<p id="aOE7Bn">Stephenson was next out of the pen for the Rays and put the Phillies down in order. Bottom of the fourth, Diaz singled to start things off, but was then removed on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Franco. Franco then stole second. Two outs later, the Rays were unfortunately still scoreless.</p>
<p id="2G24GN">Four pitches into the fifth and new pitcher Diekman gave up a home run to Hall, the first scoring run of the game, putting the Phillies on the board. It was the only run they’d score in the inning, but given what a low-scoring game it was to this point, it mattered. In the bottom half the Rays tied it up again. Paredes hit a solo home run to open the home half of the inning and the score was now 1-1.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Isaac knots it back up. <br><br>(We promise this isn't a Threads joke) <a href="https://t.co/S8nEPWa21w">pic.twitter.com/S8nEPWa21w</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1677103777210417153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2023</a>
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<p id="hO331R">Kevin Kelly was next out of the pen, and Turner managed to reach first on an error from the pitcher. Turner then stole second. No runs scored. In the bottom half Franco hit a two-out single but the Rays failed to turn it into a run.</p>
<p id="mNu99S">The seventh was a 1-2-3 on both sides.</p>
<p id="MNVTEM">Jason Adam came on in the top of the eighth and had an easy 1-2-3. In the bottom half the Rays started to make things interesting. With two outs, Walls and Diaz got back-to-back walks. Walls, naturally, stole second. And then third. In a mighty 11-pitch at-bat, Franco fought the good fight. It went right to Castellanos however and the runners were left in scoring position. </p>
<p id="a78F5x">Fairbanks came out for the ninth. He did his thing, no runs scored. But the story was the same for the Rays, so onto the tenth we go.</p>
<p id="XqERsB">Poche had a scoreless inning. The Rays also had a scoreless inning. Onto the eleventh.</p>
<p id="ElUU5g">The eleventh with Thompson on the mound things went... poorly. Stubbs got a one-out hit-by-pitch, and a Schwarber single scored ghost runner Sosa. Turner then singled to score Stubbs. That was all it took to put them up 3-1 and make things pretty dire for the Rays in the bottom half. While Diaz was able to get a walk, there was simply no turning things around.</p>
<p id="CZrrou"><strong>Final: Phillies 3, Rays 1</strong></p>
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https://www.draysbay.com/2023/7/6/23786563/rays-1-phillies-3-losing-in-extras-extra-sucks-recap-july-6Ashley MacLennan