The “Satanic” Rays @ The Two Timing Verlander Tigers 5/23-5/25

[Tobywan]

Probables

Hellickson VS Coke

Davis VS Verlander

Sonnanstine VS Penny

Rays snapped a 3 game losing streak Sunday with a CG shut out by James Shields, but lost the series against the Marlins.

The Tigers lost a short 2 game series against the Red Sox and the IL series against the Pirates 2-1.

Hellboy is looking to win his 5th consecutive start and has a chance to be the only Rays rookie pitcher to achieve the feat. The last rookie to win 5 in a row was Tiger Rick Porcello.

Coke had a very good outing last Wed. against Boston. The Rays have never faced him as a starter but has posted a 1.29 ERA in 14 relief appearances against them.

The Rays as a team will also attempt to tie the mark for most consecutive games without making multiple errors. The record is held by the 2010 Twins with 48.

[Tobywan]

Game was delayed for about a half hour due to rain.

Rays were able to score in the top of the 4th on a SF from Longoria. Coke took a misstep off the mound when Zobrist bunted and injured his foot, leaving the game. So, now Charlie Furbush has replaced him, just called up from the minors.

Furby walked SRod, loading the bases then struck out Lopez and Shoppach.

[love_that_reefer]

Sucks to see Elliot Johnson hurt himself.

[Tobywan]

Yep, but news is only out for a few games, hopefully that doesn’t change. Shame they couldn’t’ score more runs earlier for HB, he has had the most run support so far. Tigers pitching was good, Coke was solid up until he turned his ankle and the Furby coming in and keeping it together, the only one that didn’t have his stuff was Velverde and he almost turned it into a save situation on his own.

Ugh, now we got to face Verlander.

[Tobywan]

We ran Verlander but this has been back and forth, Avila just hit a 2 run homer (his second of the night) in the 8th Tigers lead 7-6.

Now Matty J is banged up. Got hit in the arm on the relay throw into home plate scoring in the 6th.
Then he banged his leg in the wall making an out on a fly from Dirks in the 8th. Get that man a hot tub!


Heading to the 9th.

[Tobywan]

Top of the ninth

2 outs

Damon on

Longoria at the plate…

Soft grounder to short for the force on Damon. Another loss for the Rays.

Yanks -
Sawx 0.5
Rays 1
Jays 2.5
O’s 3.5

[Pronk]

Damn that division is tight.

[Tobywan]

Yep and it could stay that way for awhile or at least until someone breaks out or down.

[Tobywan]

The "theme" of the road trip was white out, but they have been getting blacked out.

[Tobywan]

Tonight is the make up game from this series that was rained out on May 25th. The Rays lost the first two games.

Probables

Cobb VS Coke

Coke started the first game of this series on May 23rd, he twisted his ankle and left the game. The youngster Charlie Furbush came in and pitched very well.

This is probably the last start for Cobb for awhile barring any other injuries or a meltdown in the rotation. Jeff Niemann is expected to be activated in the next few days.


Magglio Ordonez is expected to be back in the line up for the Tigers after missing a month with weakness in his right ankle. Matt Joyce has missed 2 games with soreness from a cortisone shot.

The Rays have been playing much better in the past week then they had during the stretch of the original series. They swept Anaheim and took 2 of three in a wild weekend in Baltimore. The Tigers have also been hot, taking series from the Chisox and Rangers and splitting a 4 game set with the Mariners.

The Tigers are looking for sole possession of first in the AL Central ( which they haven‘t owned since July of last season) before a stand with the Tribe. The Rays are looking to get another game closer to the AL East leading Boston Red Sox before they come into Tampa Bay.

[Tobywan]

Damon flies out to left.
Zobrist flies out to center.
Ruggiano lines right back to the pitcher.

[Tobywan]

Jackson singles to short
Kelly singles to left.
Boesch down swinging.
Cabrera walks. Bases loaded for VMart.

[Tobywan]

Martinez flies out to center. Jackson tags heads for home, the throw is right on the money …OUT!

[Tobywan]

Longoria flies out to right.
Upton sends a liner into left for a double.
Rodriguez grounds out to second. Upton to third.
Kotchman flies out to center.

[Tobywan]

Ordonez hit s shot to right, but Srod jumps for the grab.
Peralta hit’s a slow roller to short.
Avila singles to center.
Raburn lines to short, throw by Johnson a bit off line.
Jackson called out on strikes.

On to the 3rd, no score.