2015 Tampa Bay Rays season

[Tobywan]

The game started off on a bad note for the Red Sox, Hanley Ramirez was taken out after he slammed his shoulder into the left field wall while making a valiant attempt to catch a fly ball off the bat of Loney in the first inning. Allen Craig replaced him. There was a challenge on the play but the no catch call was upheld, a double given to Loney. Longoria doubled in Loney to put the Rays on the board 1-0. In an unusual miscue by Pedroia, DeJesus singles in Longo, 2-0.

Cabrera led off the 2nd with a single, Joey Butler launched his first ML homer over the Monster to put the Rays up 4-0. In the Sawx second with two outs, Holt hit a nice triple, Bogaerts hit a triple in almost the same spot, making Souza run around like a little leaguer in the right field corner to send Holt to the plate, 4-1.

Rays left the bases loaded in the third. They did get an insurance run in the seventh when Souza led off with a single, went to second on a ground out by Leon, then Tazawa replaced Buchholz and walked Longoria and gave up a single to DeJesus to score Souza.


Odorizzi went seven innings giving up one run on seven hits while striking out six and allowing no walks.
Buchholz went 6.1, he gave up 9 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks and stuck out 7.

Hanley Ramirez is listed as having a left shoulder sprain.

With Longoria's RBI double in the first he now sits at 999 hits.
Holt and Bogaerts hit back-to-back triples in the second the last Red Sox teammates to acheive the feat were Jacoby Ellsbury and Shane Victorino on June 18, 2013 also against the Rays.


TB Rays now 0-for-11 in replay challenges.

[Tobywan]

Update on Alex Cobb, after a detailed MRI it was found he has a partial tear in his elbow ligament. First he'll rest and have treatment, check his progression to determine if Tommy John surgery is required.


Tonight's line-up:

Kiermaier CF

Souza Jr RF

Loney 1B

Longoria 3B

DeJesus LF

Forsythe 2B

Cabrera SS

Butler DH

Wilson C

Smyly P

Betts CF

Pedroia 2B

Ortiz DH

Napoli 1B

Sandoval 3B

Craig LF

Holt RF

Bogaerts SS

Swihart C

Porcello P

Smyly had a 10 K outing versus the Yankees where he allowed two runs on four hits in 6 IP, but got a no-decision.
Porcello's last outing was is best of the season, he allowed just one run on two hits in 7 IP against Toronto for a win. He is 3-3 with a 3.21 ERA against the Rays.

[Tobywan]

Before the game the Red Sox paid homage to the 1975 AL pennant winners 40-year anniversary. Luis Tiant threw the ceremonial pitch to Carlton Fisk, also in attendance were Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice, Fred Lynn, Dwight Evans, Rick Burleson, Cecil Cooper and Bernie Carbo. That ALCS included the iconic image of Fisk jumping, waving trying to will a fly ball to get out for a home run.


The game stayed scoreless until the sixth when Mookie Betts led off with a solo homer (Smyly) over the Monster, then led off the 8th with another (Frieri). It would be the only scoring, 2-0. Red Sox take game 2, series is tied 1-1.

Smyly went 6 innings giving up one run on two hits, two walks and struck out six. Porcello went 7 innings giving up 8 hits, no runs,no walks and stuck out six.

There were good defensive plays by both sides, not only was Betts the offense he caught a fly ball off Forsythe and fired a bullit to second to get Longoria off the base in the fourth. In the Bottom fourth, David Ortiz launched a long ball at the center-field triangle, Kevin Keimaier gave chase and jumped the wall to make the catch.

The multi-homer game by Betts made him the youngest Red Sox to hit more than one homer in a game since Jim Rice in 1975.

Longoria's single in the fourth was the 1,000th of his career he joins ex-teammates Carl Crawford and Ben Zobrist among the list of players that have that many in a Rays uniform.

Jake McGee pitched a scoreless inning during last night's game with Durham, Rays are hoping he'll return for the next homestand.

[Tobywan]

Tonight's line-up:

Kiermaier CF

Forsythe 2B

Loney 1B

Longoria 3B

DeJesus DH

Butler LF

Cabrera SS

Guyer RF

Rivera C

Colome P

Betts CF

Pedroia 2B

Ortiz DH

Napoli 1B

Sandoval 3B

Craig LF

Holt RF

Bogaerts SS

Swihart C

Materson P

Alex Colome is facing the Red Sox for the first time in his career. He pitched five shut out innings last Friday against the Orioles.
Justin Masterson last faced the Rays on April 7, 2013 with the Indians, he is 2-7 with a 6.83 ERA against TB.
Longoria is 7-for-16 with three walks and two extra-base hits against Masterson since 2009.
Allen Craig, who has been Hanley Ramirez's replacement has not committed an error in his past 227 games.

[Tobywan]

The Rays got on the board first in the third, Brandon Guyer doubled, Kevin Kiermaier walked, Forsythe singled Guyer to the plate, 1-0.

Xander Bogaerts led off the bottom third with a double, Blake Swihart doubled him in, 1-1. Swihart went to third on a groundout by Betts, Pedroia hit a sac fly to score Swihart, Red Sox 2-1.

Leading off the fourth, Longoria homered to make it 2-2. In the Rays fifth, Loney singled then went to second on a wild pitch. Longoria walked, then DeJesus to load the bases. Joey Butler singled to bring in Loney and Longo to put the Rays in the lead 4-2. Materson was lifted for Edward Mujica.

In the 6th, Rene Rivera doubled then the Red Sox challenged a play at first and won, Kiermaier was called safe on a bunt single, but called out on the replay. Forsythe put the ball in play the throw went home to get Rivera at the plate. Tommy Layne replaced Edward Mujica and got Loney to fly out ending the inning.

In the 8th, Mookie Betts led off the 8th with a homer to put the Red Sox closer, Rays ahead 4-3.

Longo hit a second solo home run off Alexei Ogando in the 9th to strengthen the lead 5-3.

Brad Boxberger came in to close, he put two on, but Luis Jimenez (who had pinch run for David Ortiz in the 8th) grounded out to secure the victory and the series.

Cololme went 5 innings, gave up 2 runs on 4 hits, no walks and struck out four.
Masterson went just 4.1 giving up 4 runs on seven hits walked six and struck out one.

Longoria last home run came on opening day.

On Deck:

[Tobywan]

Tonight's line-up:

Choo RF

Andrus SS

Fielder DH

Beltre 3B

Blanks 1B

Peguero LF

Chirinos C

Odor 2B

DeShields CF

Martinez P

Kiermaier CF

Forsythe 3B

Loney 1B

Longoria DH

DeJesus LF

Souza Jr RF

Beckham SS

Elmore 2B

Wilson C

Archer P

This is the first of a four game series.

Since Aug. 21, 2006, the Rays are 29-14 against the Rangers at Tropicana Field. The Rays have not lost a season series to Texas since 2011 and took five of seven from Texas in 2014.

Nick Martinez made his ML debut at the Trop on April 5, 2014, he left the game with a lead and the Ranger blew it. He is currently second in the majors in ERA. The Rangers have won all 5 of his starts, though he has three consecutive no-decisions.

Chris Archer is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts against the Rangers. Adrian Beltre is 1-for-9 with three Ks against him.

Texas is coming off a sweep of the Houston Astros, Tampa Bay took 2 of 3 from the Red Sox.

The Rangers are without Leonys Martin, who is day to day with a sprained left wrist, they hope to get him into this series at some point.

[Tobywan]

Longoria was moved to DH batting fourth originally because he was suffering flu symptoms, but worsened before the game, halting his ML leading 198 starting streak. He was replaced by Jay Butler batting 6th and the line-up positions were altered at game time.


Well, the Rays might have given Archer some run support if he hadn't given up more runs than they could score.

The Rangers rough Archer up early. In the second, Kyle Blanks and Carlos Peguero singled. Rougned Odor reached on a wild pitch loading the bases. A walk to Delino DeShields scored Banks. Shin-Soo Choo walked to score Peguero. A talk with Archer didn't help one darn bit as Elvis Andrus singled to score Odor and DeShields ending the inning up 4-0.

DeShields led off the 4th with a walk. Archer got Choo to strike out but he was then lifted for Erasmo Ramirez. Later DeShields score on a single by Prince Fielder giving them a 5-0 lead. The run charged to Archer.

The Rays finally got on the board in the 5th, David DeJesus singled, Joey Butler doubled, Beckham grounded out scoring DeJesus, 5-1. Jake Elmore singled in Butler, 5-2. Bobby Wilson singled, Elmore went to third. Kiermaier grounded out, Elmore scored, 5-3. Alex Claudio replaced Nick Martinez and got out of the inning.

The top of the 8th was all Delino DeShields, with 2 outs, he walked then stole 2nd and 3rd (he also stole a base in the 4th), but Choo struck out ruining his effort.

Kevin Kiermaier homered to lead off the 8th putting the Rays within one, 5-4. There was a chance to come back. well, maybe if it wasn't Neftali Feliz closing. He retired the Rays in order in the 9th to preserve the win for Texas.

It was the Rangers fourth consecutive victory.

Martinez went 4.2 giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, walked one and struck out 2.
Archer went just 3.1 giving up 5 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks, but did strike out 8. The Rays pen pitched 5 plus scoreless innings which is a good sign.

Shin-Soo Choo batted just .096 in April, but has a seven game hitting streak going for May, the lead-off spot seems to suit him.

[Tobywan]

INJURY REPORT:
Wow, bad news, Alex Cobb will undergo Tommy John surgery, Dr. James Andrews will perform the procedure.


Tonight's line-up:

Choo RF

Andrus SS

Fielder DH

Beltre 3B

Blanks 1B

Peguero LF

Corporan C

Rosales 2B

DeShields CF

Gallardo P

Kiermaier CF

Souza Jr RF

Loney 1B

Longoria DH

DeJesus LF

Beckham 2B

Cabrera SS

Elmore 3B

Wilson C

Karns P

Gallardo has lost his last three starts getting 2 or fewer runs of support in 5 of 6 starts. He did get a win in his one and only start against the Rays in July 2014.
Karns was pulled early last Saturday, he went 5 scoreless innings. Is fourth in the American League with .181 opponents average. This will be his first start against Texas.


Against Gallardo, DeJesus is 4-for-14 with two doubles, a home run and two RBIs. Loney is 5-for-17 with a double and three RBIs. Longoria 0-for-3.
No one in Rangers line-up has faced Karns in the majors.

[Tobywan]

The Gods are not smiling on the Rays, Smyly is back on the DL with his shoulder soreness, Odorizzi will be scratched tonight due to flu that's going through the team. Cobb transferred to 60-day DL.

Elmore was optioned to Bulls, Matt Andriese, Andrew Bellatti called up from Bulls.

Matt Andriese is to make the start tonight for the Rays he was 0-1 with a 5.54 ERA in two starts and three relief appearances before he was sent to Durham.

Ross Detwiler for the Rangers, he has a 2.19 ERA in his last two starts after a 10.95 ERA in his first three.
Rangers are also hoping to have Leonys Martin back in the line-up tonight.
James Loney is 1-for-5 and Evan Longoria is 1-for-3 off Detwiler, the only two to have faced him in a regular-season game.

Line-ups have not been posted yet and probably won't be before I leave for the Trop. I'll post them later.
Go Rays!

[Tobywan]

Tonight's line-up:

Choo RF

Andrus SS

Fielder DH

Beltre 3B

Blanks 1B

Peguero LF

Martin CF

Chirinos C

Rosales 2B

Detwiler P

Guyer CF

Souza Jr RF

Longoria DH

Forsythe 3B

Butler LF

Loney 1B

Cabrera SS

Beckham 2B

Rivera C

Andriese P

[Tobywan]

The Rays struck early in the first, Guyer singled, Souza Jr walked, Longoria homered, 3-0.

In the fourth, Kyle Blanks singled then Carlos Peguero homered, Rays lead 3-2.

In the Rays half of the fourth, Cabrera doubled and the Rangers attempted to pick him off second. Adam Rosales landed on Cabrera's hand and Asdrubal shoved Adam, benches cleared, but quickly got under control. Rosales and Cabrera made up while waiting for the challenge. Umpire ruled him safe, but Rangers manager Jeff Banister thought he was out. Ruling on the field was upheld, but the inning ended without a score.

In the fifth, Rivera led off with a walk, Guyer singles, Souza Jr homered, Rays up 6-2. In the 8th, Cabrera led off with a homer to finish the scoring, Rays win game three 7-2, up in the series 2-1.

Detwiler went four innings giving up 5 runs on five hits, three walks and struck out 2.
Andriese went just 3.2 innings, giving up 2 runs on five hits, one walk and struck out 2. Andrew Bellatti made his major league debut when he started off the sixth inning. He pitched 3.1 innings, leaving the game after loading the bases with one out in the ninth, enough to get the win, Boxberger preserved the win.

Cabrera's homer in the 9th ended his career long 49-games, he last homered on September 3 as a member of the Nationals in a game at Dodger Stadium.

The Rays snapped an 0-for-11 record in challenges in the seventh when Adrian Beltre grounded to Logan Forsythe at third, the ball skipped and Loney bobbled it slightly before catching it. Beltre was called safe, but Cash challenged and the call was overturned for an out ending the inning.

[Tobywan]

Drew Smyly reportedly has a tear in his labrum, he will have an MRI tomorrow to determine how severe and if surgery is needed.

[Tobywan]

Today's line-up:

Choo RF

Andrus SS

Fielder DH

Beltre 3B

Blanks 1B

Peguero LF

Martin CF

Corporan C

Rosales 2B

Rodriguez P

Guyer LF

Souza Jr RF

Longoria 3B

Forsythe 1B

Butler DH

Cabrera SS

Beckham 2B

Kiermaier CF

Rivera C

Odorizzi P

Wandy Rodriguez goes to the hill for the Rangers, he allowed one run in eight innings in a 7-1 victory over the Astros on Tuesday.
Odorrizi was scratched last night, received IV treatment yesterday at the Rays clubhouse and is starting today. He had a quality start against the Red Sox allowing one run in 7 IP.

Players sporting pink for Mommy's Day!

[Tobywan]

Adrian Beltre got the Rangers on the board first in the fourth with a lead homer to center field.

In the Rays half of the fifth, Logan Forsythe struck out, then on a check swing of Joey Butler he was called out on strikes. The Rays wanted the home plate umpire to ask for a second opinion from the first base ump but he didn't. Hitting coach Derek Shelton started yammering from the dugout and was tossed by
HP Umpire Mike Estabrook. Manager Kevin Cash started out of the dugout but walked back then when he realized Estabrook had ejected he turned around headed to the plate, lost his head and threw a hissy fit. Asdrubal Cabrera was then called out on strikes.



The Rays tied the game in the sixth, Tim Beckham singled but was out on a force off the bat of Kiermaier, Rene Rivera was hit by a pitch, Guyer singled in Kiermaier, 1-1.

The Ranger broke the tie in the 8th, Andrus and Fielder walked, Beltre singled sending home Andrus for the 2-1 lead.

The Rays had men on base in both the 8th and 9th (Forsythe got to third) but couldn't come back. Rangers took game 4 for a series split.

Rodriguez went 6 innings giving up just one run on 2 hits, one walk and struck out 6.
Odorizzi went 6.2 giving up one run on seven hits, he gave up no walks and struck out seven.

Kela got the win and Jepsen the loss.

Wandy Rodriguez set a new Rangers' record when he retired the first 15 batters of the game giving him 34 straight.

Play of the day belong to Elvis Andrus, bases were loaded in the sixth, when he snagged a line drive off Longoria flipped it to Rosales at second for a double play to end the inning.

On Deck:

[Tobywan]

The Yankees are back they have taken five of six games so far this season, this is a four game series.


Tonight's line-up:

Gardner LF

Beltran RF

Rodriguez DH

Teixiera 1B

McCann C

Headley 3B

Young CF

Drew 2B

Gregorius SS

Sabathia P

Guyer CF

Souza Jr RF

Longoria 3B

Forsythe DH

Butler LF

Loney 1B

Cabrera SS

Beckham 2B

Rivera C

Colome P

CC Sabathia is looking for his first win of the season after five consecutive losses.

The Rays have missed Sabathia so far this season but in 37 games he is 12-14 versus the Rays. His 14 losses (7 in the last 9) against Tampa Bay most against any opponent as well as the most by a pitcher against the Rays.

Colome last faced the Yankees on Sept. 15, 2014, he pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, the Rays won on a walkoff single in the ninth from Ben Zobrist.
Colome has not issued a walk in his previous two starts spanning 10 innings this season. He has won two straight starts since his return he started the season on the DL with pneumonia.


Brian McCann is the current Rays killer, he is 7-for-15 with two doubles, a triple, a home run and six RBIs this season.
Against Sabathia, Cabrera is 3-for-11 with a HR, Longoria is 24-for-58 with 6 HRs.
Against Colome Gardner is 0-for-6,Beltran and Teixeira are 1-for-3.