2015 Tampa Bay Rays season

[Tobywan]

Today's line-up:

Betts CF

Pedroia 2B

Bogaerts SS

Shaw 1B

Castillo LF

Craig DH

Marrero 3B

Leon C

Bradley Jr RF

Hill P

Guyer LF

Mahtook DH

Longoria 3B

Forsythe 2B

Souza Jr RF

Beckham SS

Shaffer 1B

Kiermaier CF

Arencibia C

Smyly P

Rich Hill will make his first big league start Sunday since July 27, 2009, against Kansas City while with Baltimore. His last appearance in the major's came almost one year ago on Sept 23, 2014. He signed to a Minor League deal in August, went 3-2 with a 2.78 ERA for Triple-A Pawtucket in five starts prior to his September callup.

Drew Smyly (2-2, 3.59 ERA) has given up 13 runs over 26 innings in five starts since returning from a torn left labrum. Two were scoreless, while he allowed four runs or more in the others. Last time out, against the Tigers on Monday, Smyly gave up four earned runs in five innings.

[Tobywan]

Smyly held the Sox to just 4 hits over six scoreless innings, the Rays didn't get their first hit until the third.

The game was still deadlocked at 0-0 when both starting pitchers exited and was still tied nothing all at the end of nine.

Red Sox had base runners in the 10th, 11th, but went down in order in the 12th.

The Rays could get one on in the 10, none on in the 11th, two on in the 12th and couldn't get them home.

In the 13th, Enny Romero pitching for Tampa Bay, Pedroia singled, Bogaerts singled, Shaw singled to load the bases. Bellatti relieved Romero., Castilloo singled Pedey and Bogie scored, Boston took a 2-0 lead.


In the Rays half, Robbie Ross Jr. pitching for Boston, Sizemore got on but they left him, Sox take Game 3 and the series.

Hill went seven scoreless innings giving up just one hit and a walk while striking out 10, Hembree took the win, Ross Jr got the save.


Smyly went six scoreless giving up four hits, two walks with 11 strike outs, tying his career high. Romero took the loss.

Mookie Betts extended his hitting streak to 18 games.

The Rays challenged a call in the fifth inning after Richie Shaffer led off and appeared to get hit by a pitch on his left hand, but the call on the field was foul ball. After a review of 1 minute and 46 seconds, the call was overturned. Shaffer took his base and the Rays kept their challenge.

For just the sixth time since 1914, both starters recorded at least 10 strikeouts and no runs. Rudy May of the Angels and Vida Blue of the A's were the last AL pitchers to turn the trick, which they did on July 9, 1971.


Brock Holt (upper back spasms) missed his second straight game.

Xavier Cedeno, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 5 due to left side tightness, had a bullpen session.


ON DECK:

[Tobywan]

The Rays have named Chris Archer as their nominee for the 2015 Roberto Clemente Award.

Home run watch:
Evan Longoria can become just the fourth 3B in MLB history with at least 20 HR in 7 of his first 8 seasons, joining Eddie Mathews, Chipper Jones and Scott Rolen. ‪Also, on the homer watch for Loney and Cabrera as they chase the 100th of their careers.



Tonight's line-up:

Ellsbury CF

Gardner LF

Rodriguez DH

McCann C

Beltran RF

Bird 1B

Headley 3B

Gregorius SS

Ryan 2B

Sabathia P

Guyer LF

Mahtook RF

Longoria 3B

Forsythe 2B

Cabrera SS

Shaffer 1B

Kiermaier CF

Arencibia C

Ramirez P

Erasmo Ramirez (10-5, 3.96 ERA) has won both of his starts against the Yanks this season, yielding a combined four hits and one run over 11 innings.Ramirez has allowed one run and four hits over 11 innings in winning two starts this season against the Yankees. Chase Headley is the current Yankee with the most experience against Ramirez, collecting one hit in 13 at-bats.

C.C. Sabathia (4-9, 5.16 ERA) is winless in eight starts, the longest single-season drought in his career. He's made 37 career starts against the rays, he is 13-14 with a 3.83 ERA against Tampa Bay. Evan Longoria is hitting .429 with four homers and nine RBIs in 42 at-bats against Sabathia.

The Yankees dropped a series to the current division leading Blue Jays losing 3 of 4.

The Rays dropped their series against the Red Sox losing two of three.

The Yankees lead the season series against the Rays, 10-6.

[Tobywan]

This game remained scoreless until the 8th inning, the Rays loaded the bases in the 2nd, but came away with no runs.



Erasmo Ramirez gave up a walk in the fourth to Rodriguez and in the seventh to Gardner but no hits until the top of 8th, when Beltran led off with a single to break it up.

In the Rays half, Justin Wilson pitching for New York, Mahtook singled, Forsythe doubled, Mahtook scored putting the Rays up 1-0.

in the 9th, Brad Boxberger pitching for Tampa Bay, Ackley pinch hit for Ryan and singled, but Ellsbury grounded into a double play. With two outs, Gardner walked and stole second, Rodriguez doubled scoring Gardner to tie the game. Young pinch ran for Rodriguez, McCann was intentionally walked. Heathcott (who came in as a defensive replacement for Beltran in the bottom of the 8th) homered to left, putting the Yankees up 4-1.

Andrew Miller pitching for New York retired the Rays in order in the ninth, Yankees take the first game of the series.


Sabathia went 6.2 scoreless innings giving up three hits, two walks and struck out six. Cotham took the win. Miller collected his 33rd save.

Ramirez went 7.2 scoreless innings giving up just the one hit, two walks and struck out six, Boxberger blew the save and took the loss.


Mikie Mahtook turned a nice double play in the seventh when he leaped to catch a line drive shot to right and threw to Cabrera covering second to double up Gardner to preserve what was a no hit bid by Ramirez.

The RBI double in the ninth by Alex Rodriguez tied Craig Biggio for 21st place all-time with his 3,060th hit.

[Tobywan]

The TB Rays named Princeton Rays CF, Zacrey Law as the organization's 2015 MVP.


Tonight's line-up:

Ellsbury CF

Gardner LF

Rodriguez DH

McCann C

Beltran RF

Bird 1B

Headley 3B

Gregorius SS

Drew 2B

Warren P

Jaso DH

Sizemore LF

Longoria 3B

Forsythe 2B

Cabrera SS

Loney 1B

Mahtook RF

Kiermaier CF

Arencibia C

Odorizzi P

Adam Warren (6-6, 3.29), is being moved back to the rotation tonight, making his first start since June.

Jake Odorizzi (7-8, 3.21 ERA), has the second lowest run support in the AL.

[Tobywan]

Boxing legend Jake LaMotta watched part of batting practice on the field. LaMotta, 93, also took part in a program at the Ted Williams Museum, which is located at Tropicana Field.









Yankees got it started right away, with two outs, Rodriguez homered to right to put the Yanks up 1-0 in the first.

In the Rays half, Jaso singled, Sizemore singled, Jaso was thrown out trying to go to third, Longoria singled, Sizemore went to third, Forsythe singled, Sizemore scored to tie it up 1-1.

In the second, Mahtook doubled, with Kiermaier batting, Mahtook stole third then scored on a throwing error by catcher McCann, to give the Rays a 2-1 lead.


In the fourth, Rodriguez led off with a walk, Bird homered to center giving NY the 3-2 lead.



In the 6th, Nick Rumbelow pitching for New York, Forsythe led off with a single, Franklin (entered the game in the top of the 5th after Cabrera exited with an injury) homered to right putting the Rays up 4-3.


In the 8th, Bryan Mitchell pitching for New York, Loney singled, Mahtook singled, Kiermaier grounded into a fielder's choice, Mahtook out at second, Loney to third. Arencibia singled, Loney and Kiermaier scored, Rays take a 6-3 lead.

Things got a bit edgy on the 9th with Brandon Gomes pitching for Tampa Bay, he got two outs then let up a singled to Ackley hitting for Ryan, Ackley got to third on an error, but Gomes got Gardner to fly out to earn the first save of his career.

Warren went four innings giving up two runs on six hits, no walks and struck out four. Rumbelow took the loss.

Odorizzi went six innings giving up three runs on three hits, three walks and struck out five for the win.


Asdrubal Cabrera left the game in the top of the fifth due to a left knee strain, X-rays were negative and he is day to day.

Rodriguez's homer in the first was the 32nd of the season, the 686th of his career and the 3,061st hit of his career as he passes Craig Biggio for sole possession of 21st place on the all-time hit list He has 55 homers against the Rays, the most of any opponent.


Jacoby Ellsbury went 0 for 4 and is hitless in 25 at-bats.


Catch of the night was Kiermaier as he robbed Gardner of extra bases in the seventh.


Rays take game two, series tied.

[Tobywan]

Carlos Pena signed a one-day contract with Tampa Bay in order to officially retire as a member of the Rays.


Tonight's line-up:

Ellsbury CF

Gardner LF

Rodriguez DH

McCann C

Beltran RF

Bird 1B

Headley 3B

Gregorius SS

Ackley 2B

Severino P

Jaso DH

Mahtook LF

Longoria 3B

Forsythe 2B

Loney 1B

Souza Jr. RF

Franklin SS

Kiermaier CF

Rivera C

Archer P

Luis Severino (3-3), allowed a career-high six earned runs over 2.1 innings in Friday's 11-5 loss to Toronto. Severino won his only start against the Rays when he allowed just one run on seven hits in 6.1 innings to pick up his third win.


Chris Archer (12-11), is 5-1 against the Yankees. The lone loss came in his last start against them on Sept 6. He carried a shutout into the sixth inning, but he was unable to hold a 3-0 lead, allowing a three-run homer to Brian McCann and a solo home run to Alex Rodriguez on consecutive two-out pitches. Archer has 236 strikeouts this season, which has him stationed three strikeouts shy of Scott Kazmir's club record (2007) for a season. Jacoby Ellsbury is hitting .667 (14-for-21) with a double and a home run against Archer.

[Tobywan]

The Yankees got the scoring started in the second, Beltran led off with a walk, Bird doubled, Beltran scored, giving them a 1-0 lead.


In the sixth, McCann walked, Bird walked, Headley singled in McCann, 2-0 Yankees.

In the Rays half, Loney singled, Souza Jr. doubled, Loney hauled butt around to score, Rays cut the lead in half 2-1.


The Rays loaded the bases in the 7th and came away empty handed.

In the 9th, Andrew Bellatti pitching for Tampa Bay, Bird led off with a homer to right to take a 3-1 lead, the win and the series.


Severino went 5.2 innings giving up just one run on six hits, one walk and struck out seven for the win. Andrew Miller got his 34th save.

Archer went six innings giving up two runs on four hits, four walks and struck out seven for the loss. He started the game 3 strikeouts behind Scott Kazmir's 2007 season mark of 239, he tied the mark in the third when he struck out Jacoby Ellsbury to start the inning. He then struck out Brett Gardner to be the record and then Rodriguez struck out looking to continue the climb. He finished with a new total of 243 and could easily add to it before the end of the season.

Ellsbury was in an 0-for-25 slide, had two hits in three at-bats against Archer. Ellsbury is 16 for 24 overall against the right-hander.

Loney is now 5 for 5 overall off Severino.

Betances has not allowed an earned run in his last 36 road outings, dating to Aug. 28, 2014.



The win puts the Yankees three games behind Toronto in the AL East, but currently lead the WC standings.

[Tobywan]

The Orioles are coming off a series losing two of three from the Red Sox and the Rays just got our keisters handed to them by the Yankees. Baltimore is 71-74, TB's record is 70-75, this is the battle for the Rays to take third place and a shot at getting back close to .500. It is also a chance to beat the O's in the season series (set at 7-8) as this is the last meeting between them, a four game set. It might not be a lofty goal, but third is better than fourth or last. The Rays won two of three in Baltimore, hopefully they'll have even better luck in the dome. It may not be of much consolation, but Rays fans got to see one youngster hit a milestone and break a franchise record. There is still a on watch for a few more individual milestones.





Tonight's line-up:

Reimold LF

Machado 3B

Davis DH

Jones CF

Wieters C

Schoop 2B

Pearce 1B

Hardy SS

Alvarez RF

Tillman P

Jaso DH

Guyer LF

Longoria 3B

Forsythe 2B

Loney 1B

Souza Jr. RF

Beckham SS

Kiermaier CF

Maile C

Moore P

Chris Tillman (9-11, 5.21 ERA), last pitched against the Rays on Sept. 1 in Baltimore, when he took the loss after allowing seven earned runs in 4 .2 innings. He is 1-3 with a 4.80 ERA in five starts against the Rays this season. He has taken the loss in four of his last five starts and has not notched a win since Aug. 17. Evan Longoria is hitting .348 (16-for-46) with six home runs and nine RBIs against Tillman.


Matt Moore (1-4, 8.42 ERA), allowed a career-high four home runs on Saturday against the Red Sox. He has gone five innings or fewer in nine consecutive starts, dating back to April 7, 2014. He is 4-4 with a 4.43 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts) against the Orioles. Adam Jones is hitting .524 (11-for-21) with two home runs and seven and Matt Wieters is hitting .571 (8-for-14) with two home runs and three RBIs against him.

[Tobywan]

No score until the third, Jaso homered to right to get the Rays pn the board 1-0.

Moore was looking more like his old self , was mowing batters down early.

In the sixth, with two outs, Loney doubled, Souza walked, a pick off attempt of Souza by C Weiters hit Souza, Loney went to third. Beckham reached on an infield single, Loney scored. Matusz relieved Tillman, Kiermaier reached, Souza scored. Rays take a 3-0 lead.


In the 8th, Alex Colome pitching for Tampa Bay, Schoop singled then went to second a wild pitch, Parra (hitting for Alvarez) singled, Clevenger (hitting for Reimold) singled, Schoop scored. Flaherty ran for Clevenger, Machado singled, Parra scored. Runners advanced to third and second on a wild pitch, Jones singled, Flaherty and Machado scored, giving the O's a 4-3 lead.

The Rays were only able to get one base runner in the 8th, Souza walked, Kirby Yates kept the Orioles from adding on but Darren O'Day stuck out the side in the Rays 9th. Orioles take first game, 4-3.

Tilman went 5.2 innings giving up three runs on five hits, three walks while striking out four, Chaz Roe took the win.


Moore went seven scoreless innings giving up two hits, no walks while striking out nine going away with a no-decision. The usually sure arm of Colome had a rough inning giving up all four runs, taking the loss.


John Jaso's homer in the third landed on the C-ring catwalk and never dropped, it is the fifth time a ball hasn't not landed, the last one was hit by David Ortiz on September 17, 2008.


Tampa Bay has 30 scoreless outings by starters for the second straight season, the first team to accomplish that feat since the Chicago Cubs did it four consecutive times from 1906-09.

After the current four-game series, the Rays and Orioles will have played 13 games at Tropicana Filed, the most regular-season games between two teams at one venue since the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates played 13 times at the Polo Grounds in 1955. Due to unrest in the city of Baltimore, Major League Baseball moved a three-game series in May from Camden Yards to St. Petersburg.

[Tobywan]

Desmond Jennings has officially been shut down for the season, not because of his knee but due to a tooth infection that will need treatment.


Carlos Pena signed his one-day contract and retired to a little fanfare with his family, friends and many of his ex-teammates during a press conference, he will throw out the first pitch tonight.





Tonight's line-up:

Reimold DH

Machado 3B

Davis 1B

Jones CF

Schoop 2B

Pearce LF

Joseph C

Hardy SS

Alvarez RF

Wilson P

Jaso DH

Mahtook CF

Longoria 3B

Sizemore LF

Souza Jr. RF

Loney 1B

Arencibia C

Franklin 2B

Beckham SS

Smyly P

Rookie Tyler Wilson (2-1, 2,19 ERA) in six games, two starts with Baltimore.

Drew Smyly (2-2, 3.14 ERA) tied a career high for strikeouts, all swinging, while holding the Red Sox scoreless through six innings in his last start. He is 3-0-1 with a 0.79 ERA in seven career appearances (four starts) against the Orioles.

[Tobywan]

Baltimore got the scoring started in the second, with two outs, Pearce was hit by a pitch, Joseph walked, Hardy homered to left giving the O's a 3-0 lead.

In the Rays half, Loney led off with a walk, Arencibia grounded into a FC, Loney out at second, Beckham homered to left, cutting the lead 3-2.


In the fifth, Jaso singled, Mahtook doubled, Jaso to third, Longo was intentionally walked, Sizemore doubled to deep right, Jaso, Mahtook and Longo scored (huffing and puffing), Rays take a 5-3 lead. Roe relieved Wilson, Souza walked, Loney doubled, Sizemore and Souza scored, Franklin doubled, Loney scored, Rays take an 8-3 lead.


In the 6th, with two outs, Schoop singled, Pearce homered to left, 8-5 Rays favor.


In the ninth, Brad Boxberger pitching for Tampa Bay, Pearce homered to left, 8-6, he gave up just the one run, Rays win second game 8-6.


Wilson went 4.1 innings giving up six runs on eight hits, two walks and struck out one for the loss.

Smyly went 5.2 innings giving up five runs on four hits, three walks and struck out six for the win, Boxberger collected his 35th save

Mikie Mahtook went 5-for-5 setting a new Rays rookie single game record and tying the team record. Mahtook is hitting .417 (15 for 36) in 14 games since being recalled from Triple-A Durham on Sept. 1.

[Tobywan]

I attended the game yesterday so the line-up is late.

Parra RF

Machado 3B

Davis 1B

Jones CF

Clevenger DH

Schoop 2B

Wieters C

Pearce LF

Hardy SS

Chen P

Guyer LF

Shaffer 3B

Longoria DH

Forsythe 2B

Cabrera SS

Loney 1B

Souza Jr. RF

Kiermaier CF

Maile C

Ramirez P

Baltimore got an early start, in the first Machado reached on bunt single, Davis doubled, Machado went to third. Jones grounded out to short, Machado scored, 1-0 Orioles.

In the Rays half, Guyer singles, Shaffer doubled him home, game tied 1-1.

Thta's where it stood until the 6th when Davis led off with a homer to right giving Baltimore a 2-1 lead.

In the 7th, the Rays had two on with no outs and left them stranded.

In the 8th, Darren O'Day pitching for Baltimore, Sizemore was hit by a itch and was taken out of the game, Mahtook pinch running, with Longoria batting, Mahttook stole second, but the call was overruled by HP umpire ruled batter's interference by Longo calling him out and sending Mahtook back first. It is not a reviewable play but replays show that while the backswing did get Wieters slightly on the hip, Evan actually ducked out of his way, didn't cross the plate which was what the umpire ruled. Mahtook was then caught stealing during Forsythe's at bat to end the inning.

In the 9th, Zach Britton closed it out for the O's retiring the side in order. Orioles take Game 3, 2-1.

Chen went seven innings giving up one run on six hits, no walks and struck out seven for the win. Britton got his 34th save.

Ramirez went 7 innings giving up teo runs on nine hits, no walks with four strike outs for the loss.


Brandn Guyer ended an 0-for-17 drought when he singled in the first, he was also hit by a pitch in the third breaking the Rays franchise single season reason with his 19th time passing Sean Rodriguez. It was the third time
he'd been hit by Chen.

Jonathan Schoop extended his career-high hitting streak to 12 games with a fourth-inning single.

The Rays have played 85 games decided by two runs or fewer (41-44) this year, most in the Majors.



Sister Hazel rocked the house after the game.

[Tobywan]

Today's line-up:

Parra RF

Machado 3B

Davis 1B

Jones CF

Clevenger DH

Schoop 2B

Pearce LF

Joseph C

Janish SS

Gausman P

Jaso DH

Sizemore LF

Longoria 3B

Forsythe 2B

Loney 1B

Mahtook RF

Kiermaier CF

Arencibia C

Beckham SS

Odorizzi P

Kevin Gausman ( 3-6, 4.15 ERA), threw six scoreless innings against the Red Sox on Monday.

Jake Odorizzi (8-8, 3.26 ERA) is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in two starts against the O's this year, holding Baltimore batters to a .196 average.

[Tobywan]

The Rays got the scoring started in the first, Jaso led off with a double, Sizemore grounded out, Jaso to third and then scored on a wild pitch, Rays up 1-0.


In the third, Janish led off with a double, Machado singled, Janish scored, Machado went to second on the throw home. Davis homered, 3-1 Orioles.


In the fifth, with two outs, Sizemore walked, Longoria singled, Forsythe homered giving the Rays a 4-3 lead.


In the 6th, Clevenger led off with a single, Pearce walked, Janish singled, Clevenger scored to tie the game 4-4.


In the 8th, Steven Geltz pitching for Tampa Bay, Pearce walked, Janish safe at second on an error by Longoria, Pearce scored. Parra singled, Janish scored, O's take a 6-4 lead.


In the 8th, Mychal Givens pitching for Baltimore, Forsythe led off with a walk, Loney singled, Forsythe went to third, Franklin ran for Loney, Cabrera hitting for Mahtook scored Forsythe on a sac fly, Rays made it a one run game 6-5.

Xavier Cedeno pitching for Tampa Bay in the 9th, got the first out, Yates came in and got the other two sending the O's down in order.

In the Rays half, Zach Britton pitching for Baltimore, Guyer pinch hit for Jaso and launched a homer to center tying the game 6-6. Longoria tripled, Forsythe was intentionally walked . Shaffer (who had taken over for Loney at first after he was lifted for the pinch runner in the 8th) also walked, bases were loaded for Butler who struck out. Down to their last out, Kiermaier reached on an infield single scoring Longoria for the walk off win and a split of the four game series.


Gausman went six innings giving up four runs on eight hits, one walk and struck out six. Britton took the loss.


Odorizzi went 5.2 innings giving up four runs on eight hits, two walks and struck out three, Yates took the win.


The Rays have had 12 walk offs against them this season, this was just the second time they achieved a walk off win. the last was April 23rd.


Chris Davis' homer in the third was his 43rd of the season giving him the ML league lead.


Asdrubal Cabrera's sac fly was his 500th career RBI.


Jonathan Schoop went 0 for 4 and had his career-best 11-game hitting streak end.


Forsythe's fifth-inning blast was his 17th home run of the season, nearly triple his previous career high of six. He also doubled to finish 2-for-3 on the day, he has now achieved career highs in hits (147), extra-base hits (50) doubles (31) and RBIs (63).

Baltimore is 60-2 when ahead after eight.


The Rays are 2-62 when trailing after eight innings. They have played 53 one-run games (25-28), which is tied with the White Sox for most across the Majors.