2015 Tampa Bay Rays season

[Tobywan]

The Rays took a beating and it started early, ARod started with a homer in the first.

The Rays tied in their half when Guyer scored on a double from Forsythe, Souza also tried to score but was called out at the plate.Rays challenged but the call was upheld.

With Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira on, Chase Headley homered to put the Yanks up 4-1 in the fourth. Beltran homered in the 5th, 5-1. With Stephen Drew and DIdi Gregorius on Brett Gardner homered making it 8-1 for the Yankees.

In the seventh, Mark Teixeira doubled, McCann singled, Headley with a sac fly scored Teixeira, 9-1.

In the Rays seventh, Forsythe and Butler hit back to back homers, 9-3. Cabrera doubled then went to third on a fielding error, then scored on a sacrifice fly off Beckham, 9-4 Yanks leading.

Leading off the 8th, Guyer was hit by a pitch, he went to second on a error during a pickoff attempt and scored off a single by Forsythe, 9-5.

In the ninth, ARod was hit by a pitch, Teixeira homered for the final score 11-5.

Headley with 4 RBI for the Yanks, Forsythe with three for the Rays.

Sabathia got his first win of the season going 7 innings, giving up six hits, four runs (3 earned), two walks and 9 Ks.
Colome went six giving up 11 hits, 8 runs, one walk and struck out 6.

There was a total of seven homers, five belonged to the Yankees.

[Tobywan]

Tonight's line-up:

Ellsbury CF

Gardner LF

Rodrieguez DH

McCann C

Beltran RF

Headley 3B

Drew 2B

Jones 1B

Gregorius SS

Eovaldi P

Kiermaier CF

Souza Jr RF

Longoria 3B

Loney 1B

Forsythe 2B

DeJesus DH

Cabrera SS

Guyer LF

Rivera C

Archer P

Nathan Eovaldi allowed three earned runs on six hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings for a win over the Orioles in his last outing. This is his first start against the Rays, Cabrera and Forsythe are the only active players on the roster that have faced him, they are a combined one hit in nine at-bats.

Chris Archer allowed five earned runs over 3 1/3 innings against Texas in his last start. In six career starts versus New York, he is 5-0 with a 1.93 ERA.

Jacoby Ellsbury has a .667 batting average in 15 career at-bats against Archer

[Tobywan]

The Yankees got an early start, Ellsbury and Gardner singled, Rodriguez walked loading the bases, McCann singled to score Ellsbury. Beltran singled to score Gardner, Archer settled and got out of the inning.

The Rays had a a good chance to get on the board when they loaded the bases in the 5th, but came away with nothing.


The game remained 2-0 until the seventh when Longoria led off with a single then went to second on a ground out by Loney, Forsythe walked, a wild pitched moved the runner to second and third, DeJesus singled scoring Longo and Forsythe to tie the game 2-2.


In the bottom of the 8th Kiermaier walked, Souza Jr singled, Kiermaier went to third. Dellin Betances replaces Nathan Eovaldi, Longoria hit a sac fly scoring Kiermaier. Souza stole second, Loney was intentionally walked to face Forsythe, Souza scored on a wild pitch.

Boxberger closed out the game Rays took game two, 4-2. Series is tied.


Eovaldi went 7.1 giving up 6 hits, 4 runs, two walks with 6 Ks and took the loss.
Archer went 7, he gave up seven hits, 2 runs, one walk and struck out 8, he got a no decision. Jepsen took the win.

Rene Rivera was able to cut down both Ellsbury and Gardner attempting to steal in the second inning.

Brad Boxberger has nine saves in nine chances, the last pitcher to the season with that many with no blown saves was was Fernando Rodney, when he started 15-for-15 in 2012.

All 14 hits of the game were singles, the first time the two teams have faced each other without recording an extra base hit.

[Tobywan]

Tonight's line-up:

Ellsbury CF

Gardner LF

Rodrieguez DH

Teixeira 1B

McCann C

Beltran RF

Drew 3B

Pirela 2B

Gregorius SS

Warren P

Kiermaier CF

Souza Jr RF

Longoria 3B

Loney 1B

Forsythe 2B

DeJesus DH

Cabrera SS

Butler LF

Wilson C

Karns P

This will be Warren's third start against the Rays, he has two no decisions, but the Yanks won both games. He's coming off a no-decision against Baltimore, hegave up 2 runs on seven hits through 4 2/3 innings, he has not completed six innings in a start. The only two pitcher to take longer than Warren to reach six innings were Johan Santana and Travis Blackley when they got there in their 11 start.

Karns last lost came against the Orioles on April 7th. He has allowed two runs or less in five of six starts since. His last outing was seven innings when he gave up two runs while striking out 9 in a win against the Rangers. His two outings against the Yanks were both no-decisions.

Loney is batting .444 against Warren with a home run and five RBIs.

[Tobywan]

Once again the Yanks started off the game scoring in the first, Ellsbury and Gardner walked, Teixeira singled in Ellsbury and McCann singled in Gardner, 2-0 Yankees.

Souza Jr. homered in the first to cut the lead in half, 2-1. In the second Forsythe led off with a double, Cabrera doubled to bring him to the plate. Butler singled to score Cabrera., Rays took the lead 3-2. Both teams had chances to score more, but that is where it would end, Rays lead the series 2-1.

The Yankees lost a challenge in the 5th, Teixeira attempted to score on a singled off Beltran, a throw to home from Kiermaeir to catcher Bobby Wilson was ruled out. The call was upheld.

Adam Warren threw 7 solid innings, the longest outing for the season. He allowed 3 runs on seven hots and one walks while striking out seven and took the loss.

Nathan Karns went 5 innings giving up 2 runs on seven hits, two walks and struck out six for the win. It didn't start pretty Krns threw 9 straight balls leading to the first two runs, but settled down enough to keep the Yankees held long enough for the Rays to get back into it.

Cabrera's RBI double in the second was the 1,000th hit in his career.

The play of the game was Kevin "Outlaw" Kiermaier's throw to the home to cut down Teixeira, robbing him of the game tying run.

[Tobywan]

Tonight's line-up:

Ellsbury CF

Gardner LF

Rodrieguez DH

Teixeira 1B

McCann C

Young RF

Headley 3B

Gregorius SS

Pirela 2B

Whitley P

Kiermaier CF

Souza Jr RF

Longoria 3B

Loney 1B

Forsythe 2B

DeJesus LF

Cabrera SS

Butler DH

Rivera C

Ramirez P

This the final of the four game series.

Chase Whitley took a loss in his last outing giving up a career high 3 homers against the Orioles. He won against the Rays in NY in his season debut on April 28th.

Erasmo Ramirez has not had much success as a starter , he has a 8.38 ERA giving up a combined 10 runs (9 earned) in 7 1/3 innings. In a relief appearance Monday he gave up a two run homer to Teixeira.

[Tobywan]

The Rays got the scoring started in the first, Souza Jr doubled and a wild pitch allowed him to go to third, he scored on a single by Loney, 1-0. In the second Cabera walked, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by McCann. After Butler walked, Yankee manager Joe Girardi checked on pitcher Chase Whitley, he appeared to be having an issue and was lifted for Esmil Rogers who gave up a homer to Rivera giving the Rays a 4-0 lead.

The Rays added to the lead in the fourth when DeJesus singled then score on a single by Rivera, 5-0.

Matt Andriese replaced Erasmo Ramirez to begin the 6th. With Chasen Shreve pitching for the Yanks in the seventh, Souza Jr. doubled then scored on a single by Longoria padding the lead 6-0.

ARod kept the Yanks from being shut out in the 9th with a lead off homer off Andriese.

Rays took the final game, 6-1 and the series 3-1.

Whitely went 1.2 giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks, he left the game with an injury and took the loss. He is to have an MRI, he says he has been dealing with discomfort during his last two starts and put it in the hands of the Lord. While I can appreciate faith perhaps putting it in a doctor's hands might have
avoided more damage.

Ramirez went five scoreless, one hit innings gave up two walks and struck out 4 for his first win this season, Andriese went 4 innings giving up one run on 4 hits, no walks and struck out 4.


Rene Rivera drove in four runs.
Alex Rodriguez's homer was #663 and was his 1,000th RBI in a Yankee uniform.


On Deck:

[Tobywan]

Tonight's line-up:

Kiermaier CF

Souza Jr RF

Longoria 3B

Loney 1B

Forsythe 2B

DeJesus DH

Cabrera SS

Butler LF

Rivera C

Odorizzi P

Dozier 2B

Hunter RF

Mauer 1B

Plouffe 3B

Suzuki C

Escobar LF

Vargas DH

Hicks CF

Santana SS

Hughes P

In his last outing Jake Odorizzi allowed one run on seven hits while striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings against the Rangers while he was sick with the flu, taking a no-decision. He is the only current starter to pitch into the seventh inning seven times this season.

Phil Hughes goes for the Twins, coming off 6 1/3 innings where he gave up four runs on 10 hits for win against the Indians.

The Rays just came off a series against the Yankees taking 3 of 4, closing the gap between them and the division leader.

The Twins have won 10 of their last 14 games.

Brandon Guyer, James Loney and David Dejesus are all batting .600 or better against Hughes.

[Tobywan]

The Rays signed RHP Kyle McPherson to a two year minor league deal, he will report to extended spring training.





The Rays got the scoring started when David DeJesus hit a solo homer in the second, Rays, 1-0.

In the third, Brian Dozier led off with a homer to tie the game 1-1.

In the fifth Joey Butler doubled, Kiermaier singled him home to put the Rays ahead 2-1.

In the seventh, Aaron Hicks singled, then Danny Santana tripled, Hicks scored to tie the game 2-2. Kevin Jepsen relieved Jake Odorizzi, Brian Dozier hit a sacrifice fly to score Santana, to give them the lead and the 3-2 win. The Rays had runners on in both the 8th and 9th but failed to come back.

Odorizzi went 6 innings giving up 3 runs on eight hits while striking out 5.

Hughes went 7 innings, gave up 2 runs on five hits, one walk and struck out three.

Brian Dozier gave himself a birthday present (28 years old )when he hit a homer to tie the game in the third and he drove in the winning run.

[Tobywan]

Tonight's line-up:

Kiermaier CF

Souza Jr RF

Longoria 3B

Loney DH

Forsythe 1B

DeJesus LF

Cabrera SS

Beckham 2B

Rivera C

Colome P

Dozier 2B

Hunter RF

Mauer 1B

Plouffe 3B

Suzuki C

Escobar SS

Rosario LF

Hicks CF

Santana DH

May P

Alex Colome allowed four home runs in his last outing on Monday against the Yankees, the most by a Rays pitcher at Tropicana Field since Scott Kazmir in 2008.

Trevor May also had a rough outing when he gave up six runs through four innings last Sunday to the Indians.

Th eonly regular player on the Twins to have faced Colome is Torii Hunter, he is 0-3.
Joe Mauer holds a .414 BA againt the Rays his highest against any AL opponent.
Trevor Plouffe has reached base safely in 24 consecutive games.

[Tobywan]

The Twins started the scoring in the second, Kurt Suzuki singled, Eduardo Escobar singled, then Eddie Rosario singled home Suzuki. Danny Santana singled home Escobar and Rosario, Twins up 3-0.

Rays got on the board in the fourth, Longoria doubled, Loney singled, Longo to third, Forsythe hit a sac fly scoring Longoria, 3-1.
Andrew Bellatti replaced Alex Colome in the bottom of the fourth.

In the seventh, DeJesus led off with a double, Tim Beckham homered to tie the game 3-3.


In the seventh Torii Hunter singled, went to third when Joe Mauer walked, moved to third after a ground out and a throwing error then scored on a sac fly from Suzuki. Escobar singled driving in Mauer, 5-3 Twins.

Brian Dozier homered in the eighth, 6-3.

Forsythe homered in the 9th, but not much else Twins win 6-4, lead the series 2-0.

Colome went just 3.1 innings, giving up 3 runson 6 hits, one walk and no strike outs with a no-decision.
May went 6.2 giving up three runs on seven hits, no walks and struck out 3, also a no-decision.

Twins reliever Blaine Boyer has thrown 16 straight scoreless innings tying him with the Royals' Wade Davis, he brought this ERA down from 15.00 to 2.37.

[Tobywan]

Roster moves: Jake McGee was activated from the DL, Matt Andriese optioned to the Durham Bulls.
Activated Nick Franklin from the disabled list, optioned Andrew Bellatti to the Bulls.




Today's line-up:

Kiermaier CF

Forsythe DH

Longoria 3B

Loney 1B

Guyer RF

DeJesus LF

Cabrera SS

Franklin 2B

Wilson C

Archer P

Dozier 2B

Hunter DH

Mauer 1B

Plouffe 3B

Escobar LF

Herrmann C

Rosario RF

Hicks CF

Santana SS

Gibson P

Kyle Gibson allowed one run on five hits in seven innings in his last outing against the Detroit Tigers, he got a no-decision in a 2-1 loss.
Chris Archer has not gotten a win since April 26th against Toronto, he struck out eight allowing 2 runs in seven innings last Tuesday against the Yankees.

[Tobywan]

The Rays kept from being swept, would have been nice ot have had some of these hits and runs spread out.


Chris Archer had his 20 2/3 scoreless innings on the road streak broken when Joe Mauer hit a a single in the first. He went 6 innings giving up one run on four hits, one walk and struck out 4.

The Rays collected 19 hits on the day, the only Ray that didn't was Asdrubel Cabrera. They got 8 hits off start Kyle Gibson and three runs in five innings. They touched the bullpen for 8 runs, a big five run inning in the sixth against relievers Duensing and Tonkin.

Each team had a challenged overturned to their benefit.
Rays won final game 11-3, without any homers.

On Deck:

[Tobywan]

Tonight's line-up:

Kiermaier CF

Souza Jr RF

Longoria 3B

Loney 1B

Forsythe 2B

DeJesus LF

Cabrera SS

Rivera C

Erasmo P

Peterson 2B

Ciriaco 3B

Freeman 1B

Markakis RF

Cunningham LF

Pierzynski C

Simmons SS

Maybin CF

Foltynewicz P

The Braves are coming off a three game sweep of the Miami Marlins including a performance by Shelby Miller where he came within an out of a no-hitter, in a 6-0 victory.

The Rays just lost a series to the Minnesota Twins but managed to collect 19 hits in an 11-3 win on Sunday.

Both teams were off yesterday.

Mike Foltynewicz is 2-0 with a 4.24 ERA in three starts, he went 6 2/3 innings last Tuesday where he gave up three runs (2 earned) with six hits, while striking out seven.

Erasmo Ramirez is 1-1 with a 6.66 ERA, it was originally slated to be Karns turn but manager Kevin Cash wants everyone to get an extra day off. He pitched five scoreless innings in a win against the Yanks.

The Braves recently called up Todd Cunningham, he went 8-for-12 with four runs in the Marlins series.
Freddie Freeman is hot, batting .388 in the last 20 games.

The Braves are 17-7 all-time against the Rays, 11-4 at the Trop and 6-3 at Turner Field and own seven of the eight series played between them. The Rays have not been to TF since 2010 when they lost the series 2-1.

[Tobywan]

The Rays got the offense started right away when Kevin Kiermaier tripled then scored on a single by Souza Jr., 1-0.

The Braves came back in the second, Nick Markakis led off with a walk. Todd Cunningham doubled, Pierzynski was hit by pitch to load the bases. Andrelton Simmons walked, Markakis scored, 1-1. Cameron Maybin singled, Cunningham scored, Jace Peterson grounded out, Pierzynski to the plate, 3-1 Braves.

In the third, Steven Souza Jr. singled then stole second, Longoria singled home Souza, 3-2. The Rays challenged a force out on Longoria off the bat of Loney, the call on the field was upheld Longo was out at second. Braves got out of the inning without further damage.

Asdrubal Cabrera led off the fourth with a homer, tying the game 3-3, that would be all they'd get.

In the 5th, Loney walked then went to second on a wild pitch. Logan Forsythe singled, Loney scored .David DeJesus doubled, Forsythe went home, 5-3 Rays.

Trevor Cahill replaced Mike Foltynewicz at the top of the sixth and Xavier Cedeno replaced Erasmo Ramirez in the bottom and neither bullpen let up anymore runs, Rays take game one.

Ramirez pitched 5 innings giving up 3 runs on two hits, two walks and struck out five.
Foltynewicz also went 5, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits, one walk and struck out seven.



Meanwhile down on the farm....
Listed as the TB Rays #9 prospect, starting pitcher Blake Snell currently with the Montgomery Biscuits has now pitched 49 scoreless innings.


Problem child Taylor Guerrieri is making his way back to active play, he pitched three innings early in an extra inning 1-0 loss. He has had a long recovery from a July 2013 Tommy John surgery.