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[drtooth]

5 in a row---Rays sweep Jays 12-0.

David Price sets the team record for strikeouts in a game with 14 (TB set team record of 18 in a game). Desmond Jennings goes 4 for 5 with 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R and 1 SB. Matt Joyce, John Jaso and Sean Rodriguez (2-run HR) each had 2 RBI.

[LesterFan]

BenBadler Ben Badler
Desmond Jennings: 8 HR, 14 BB, 149 PAs. Carl Crawford: 9 HR, 18 BB, 434 PAs

[drtooth]

Tampa falls to Toronto 7-3.

Wade Davis (8-8) gives up 6 runs on 9 hits in 4.1 IP. Johnny Damon has his 1st 2 HR game since 2008 and drives in all 3 Rays' runs.

[drtooth]

Rays mange 3 hits in 2-0 loss to Rangers.

Jeremy Hellickson gets the loss, giving up 2 runs in 6 IP. 2nd start in a row Tampa shutout in a Hellickson start

[drtooth]

Rays topple Rangers 4-1.

James Shields (13-10) throws 8 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits with1 walk and 7 K's. Tamps gest RBI from Desmond Jennings, Johnny Damon (solo HR), Matt Joyce and John Jaso.

[drtooth]

Tampa manages just 4 hits in a 7-2 loss to Rangers.

Jeff Niemann (9-6) allows 5 runs in 5 innings. Kelly Shoppach (solo HR) and Matt Joyce drove in the TB runs.

[drtooth]

Rays manage 5 hits (9 in 2 2 games) and fall to O's 2-1.

David Price K's 11 in 7 innings but still falls to 12-12. Evan Longoria's 1st inning double accounted for both of Tampa's runs.

[drtooth]

Tampa tops O's 6-3.

Wade Davis labors through 6.2 innings (5 H, 3 R, 4 bb, 5 K, 112 pitches) but still raises his record to 9-8 with the win. Kyle Farnsworth earns his 23rd save. BJ Upton dives in 5 runs while Matt Joyce has the other RBI.

[drtooth]

Rays rout O's 8-1.

Reid Brignac, who went from Opening Day SS to AAA after failing miserably, hit a 3rd inning 3-run 2B to blow the game open. Sean Rodriguez had a 2-run 2nd inning HR and Matt Joyce added a solo shot in the 6th. Jeremy Hellickson (12-10) threw a CG 4-hitter, throwing only 97 pitches.

[drtooth]

Tampa shuts down Texas 5-1.

James Shields (14-10) throws his 11 CG, allowing 4 hits with 2 BB and 6 K. Evan Longoria and BJ Upton each homered while Casey Kotchman drove in 2 runs

[drtooth]

Rays smoked by Texas 8-0.

CJ Wilson throws a CG 5-hitter. Jeff Niemann (9-7) allows 7 runs on 9 hits (2 HR) in 4.2 IP

[drtooth]

Rays top Rangers in 10--5-4

Desmond Jennings homered in the bottom of the 10th for the walk-off. Ben Zobrist drove in 2 and Brandon Guyer added a solo HR

[drtooth]

Rays now 3 out of WC. 5-2 over O's

Jeff Niemann gets his 10th win, allowing 2 runs, 7 hits over 7.2 innings. Ben Zobrist drive in 3 runs (3 hits as well) while Johnny Daman and Sean Rodriguez drive in the other TB runs.

[drtooth]

Rays now 4 out in WC with a tough 4-2 loss to Balt.

Matt Wieters 2-run 8th inning HR off JP Howell (2-3) gives the O's the win. Evan Longoria's 2-run HR in the 6th accounted for all the TB scoring.

[drtooth]

Tampa loses 2 of 3 to Balt 6-2.

Wade Davis fall to 10-9 as he allows 4 runs in 6.1 innings. Top prospect Matt More make his ML debut, allowing a 2-run HR to Matt Wieters in the 8th. Matt Joyce drove in both Rays runs.

[Lose Remerswaal]

You're making that up, Matt.

[drtooth]

Rays 2.5 back--Fall to Jays 5-1.

David Price falls to 12-14 as he allows 5 runs (2 ER) in 6 innings. Rays offense slumps again as they manage just 3 hits. Matt Joyce drove in the only Tampa run.

[drtooth]

As the Rays try to catch up in the WC, the issues that have plagued this team all year reared it's ugly head again. If you eliminate the 15 run game against a hung over (likely-just clinched the night before), TB has scored 5 runs in their 4 losses. There is only one player above .300 on this team (Kotchman) and the next highest avg is a slumping Desmond Jennings (.283). This team is next to last in the AL in avg and hits (middle of the pack in runs scored). The Rays have had issues with going stretches of scoring very little offense. They have scored 2 or less runs in 51 games this year (36 for Sox, 27 for Yanks).

[drtooth]

Rays now 1.5 out-- 6-2 over Toronto.

Interesting strategy by Maddon tonight. Apparently Jeff Niemann had nothing in the pen before the game and the same in the first inning, allowing 2 runs and throwing 38 pitches. Maddon went to rookie Alex Torres, who went on to throw 5 scoreless innings of relief to get his 1st ML win. TB tied the game by scoring 2 unearned runs in the 1st. They took the lead in the 4th on Ben Zobrist's 18th HR. Johnny Damon put the game away in the 8th with a 3-run HR. Alos of note was that closer Kyle Farnsworth pitched his 1st game since the Sept 10 disaster vs Boston. He threw a scoreless 9th with 2 K's.

[drtooth]

Now 1/2 game out and may be tied by the end of the day. 5-2 over Jays.

Rays hit 4 HR (Upton, Longoria, Zobrist and Shoppach) to back 8 innings of 3 hit, 2 run ball by Wade Davis (11-10). Joel Peralta closes it out for his 6th save.

[drtooth]

Matt Moore will be the game 1 starter in the ALDS. James Shields will start game 2

[Saby]

Matt Moore will be the game 1 starter in the ALDS. James Shields will start game 2

Is this confirmed? If so, that is a very very wise choice by the Rays. Price, I assume will go Game 3.

[VORP Speed]

Is this confirmed? If so, that is a very very wise choice by the Rays. Price, I assume will go Game 3.

This decision is emblematic of how differentiated and unique the Rays' approach and organizational mindset is from the "powerhouses" of the league. A lack of financial wherewithal is always held up as a major obstacle to be overcome, but in the case of the Rays it seems to have actually been liberating, allowing them to unlock a certain vein of youth and dynamism and on the rise talent that has been stifled at the larger market clubs.