Rays 5, Red Sox 1
Record: 38-23
Attendance: 36,803
The Rays' win tonight was critically important, but before the happy recap, one last word about Craig Kimbrel, whose free agency ended yesterday when he agreed to a $43 million deal with the Cubs over a very competitive offer from the Rays.
Kimbrel was quoted in the morning Tampa Bay Times that the Rays' low attendance was a key factor in his decision: "One things that's important to me . . . is being able to play in front of a fan base that is as passionate about the game as I am." He said he had experienced that in Boston and didn't want to give it up. "I'm a very adrenaline-based player. And knowing that each and every night, that the seats are going to be full, that definitely played a huge part in this decision."
Just as a reminder, the Rays' average attendance is 13,802, and on the just-finished homestand they drew the lowest crowds in franchise history, 5,786 and 6,166, both against the Blue Jays. It isn't any wonder Kimbrel picked the Cubs over the Rays, and it wouldn't be at all surprising if power-hitting Nelson Cruz didn't use the same thinking when he picked the Twins over the Rays last winter.
It's pointless to urge people to attend games they don't want to come to, but it's important to recognize the consequences. We are losing free agent players, and it won't be long now before we lose the team. Who could blame Rays' management if they left for a city that will turn out big crowds night after night?
As depressing as that line of thinking is, the game played tonight against the Red Sox was an exhilarating example of what the 2019 version of the Tampa Bay Rays can be. Yonny Chirinos, the starter tonight, not the Bulk Man, threw a brilliant eight innings against the potent Red Sox lineup. He was perfect through five (for the second time this season) and ended up giving up only two hits and two walks and no runs through 101 pitches. Emilio Pagan pitched the ninth and gave up a pair of doubles that ruined the shutout, but Rays dominance was clear from the get go.
Ji-Man Choi drew first blood with a second-inning homer, but it was Kevin Kiermaier (3 for 4 on the night), who was the offensive star. In the fourth he drove in two runs with a single to right then in the sixth he homered to open the lead to 5-0.
Tomorrow is a day-night double header. Manager Kevin Cash has announced Ryan Yarbrough with his 6.23 ERA will be the first game starter, but as yet he has not named a pitcher for the second game to face ex-Ray David Price (3-2, 2.83).
Thursday, June 6. Game 60: d'Arnaud to the rescue
Rays 6, Tigers 1
Record: 37-23
Attendance: 21,442
Travis d'Arnaud, the newest backup catcher on the Rays, the one the players call "Lil d," carried the team to victory in today's game, hitting a pair of long home runs to the deepest part of center field. He doesn't look like the 6-2 he's listed as in the program, and though he has had 49 home runs over a seven year career (tops was 16 in 2017), his Rays production this year has been spotty.
But that was just fine for the Rays' management and the Rays' fans because he was an emergency pickup to take the place of Mike Zunino and Michael Perez, their full-time catchers who both went on the injured list at the same time. He had to learn everything about a pitching staff and about a new league on the fly. He was what the Rays needed, a warm body to put behind the plate. That was enough for fans to forgive his slow offensive start, 1 for 22 and his .171 batting average.
So it was an eye-opening display of power Lil D put on to single-handedly beat the Tigers, 6-1 with his two two-run homers. Well, he wasn't exactly alone. Willy Adames, who had a pair of hits to raise his BA to .256, hit a solo homer in the eighth, and Austin Meadows, playing left field today, drove in a run with a single in the first. In fact there were 14 hits overall, Yandy Diaz leading the way with a 3 for 5 day.
The pitching remained strong for the second day in a row. Building on yesterday's shutout, today's one run gave the Rays' pitchers a total of one run surrendered in 19 innings. And that run was lucky, a trickler that crept through the left side of the infield. It barely made it to the outfield. Ryne Stanek gave up the run in the first of his two innings. Jalen Beeks took the mound for four and a third innings in the third to pick up (very quietly) his fifth win this season without a loss. In the seventh, eighth, and ninth, came Chaz Roe, Hunter Wood, and Diego Castillo. (Jose Alvarado is unavailable as he has been tending to personal affairs for a few days.)
The Craig Kimbrel story took another frustrating turn as news emerged that the Rays were indeed deeply involved in the bidding, topping out at $39 million over three years. He reportedly signed with the Cubs for $43 million, part of which came from the $9 million saved on ex-Ray Ben Zobrist's salary as he has left the club to manage a messy divorce. Rays' fans are feeling the same frustration and anger at the baseball gods that they experienced when Nelson Cruz chose Minnesota over the Rays last winter. So close. We remain hopeful, however, that someone will shake loose either as a closer or a traditional starter as we approach the July 31 trade deadline. It is still possible that some much needed help can be found for a serious pennant run.
Record: 37-23
Attendance: 21,442
Travis d'Arnaud, the newest backup catcher on the Rays, the one the players call "Lil d," carried the team to victory in today's game, hitting a pair of long home runs to the deepest part of center field. He doesn't look like the 6-2 he's listed as in the program, and though he has had 49 home runs over a seven year career (tops was 16 in 2017), his Rays production this year has been spotty.
But that was just fine for the Rays' management and the Rays' fans because he was an emergency pickup to take the place of Mike Zunino and Michael Perez, their full-time catchers who both went on the injured list at the same time. He had to learn everything about a pitching staff and about a new league on the fly. He was what the Rays needed, a warm body to put behind the plate. That was enough for fans to forgive his slow offensive start, 1 for 22 and his .171 batting average.
So it was an eye-opening display of power Lil D put on to single-handedly beat the Tigers, 6-1 with his two two-run homers. Well, he wasn't exactly alone. Willy Adames, who had a pair of hits to raise his BA to .256, hit a solo homer in the eighth, and Austin Meadows, playing left field today, drove in a run with a single in the first. In fact there were 14 hits overall, Yandy Diaz leading the way with a 3 for 5 day.
The pitching remained strong for the second day in a row. Building on yesterday's shutout, today's one run gave the Rays' pitchers a total of one run surrendered in 19 innings. And that run was lucky, a trickler that crept through the left side of the infield. It barely made it to the outfield. Ryne Stanek gave up the run in the first of his two innings. Jalen Beeks took the mound for four and a third innings in the third to pick up (very quietly) his fifth win this season without a loss. In the seventh, eighth, and ninth, came Chaz Roe, Hunter Wood, and Diego Castillo. (Jose Alvarado is unavailable as he has been tending to personal affairs for a few days.)
The Craig Kimbrel story took another frustrating turn as news emerged that the Rays were indeed deeply involved in the bidding, topping out at $39 million over three years. He reportedly signed with the Cubs for $43 million, part of which came from the $9 million saved on ex-Ray Ben Zobrist's salary as he has left the club to manage a messy divorce. Rays' fans are feeling the same frustration and anger at the baseball gods that they experienced when Nelson Cruz chose Minnesota over the Rays last winter. So close. We remain hopeful, however, that someone will shake loose either as a closer or a traditional starter as we approach the July 31 trade deadline. It is still possible that some much needed help can be found for a serious pennant run.
Wednesday, June 5. Game 59: Stability. Charlie Morton. Whew
Rays 4, Tigers 0
Record: 36-23
Attendance: 14,272
The Rays turned once again to Charlie Morton to give their rotation stability and stop a slide, and he delivered in spades, pitching seven scoreless innings, giving up only five hits, walking no one, and striking out eight. The 32-year-old journeyman Oliver Drake pitched two perfect innings to wrap up the night's business. And suddenly the Rays are breathing a little easier after four straight losses. Stability. Charlie Morton. Whew.
Oliver Drake is a 6-4, 32-year-old journeyman pitcher acquired by the Rays from the Blue Jays for $70,000 back in January of this year. It was a typical under-the-radar move by the Rays' front office. Drake was drafted out of the Naval Academy in the 43rd round in 2008 by the Baltimore Orioles but didn't make his major league debut until 2015. But then he began his travels, two teams in 2017 and five teams in 2018.
The Minnesota Twins claimed Drake off waivers from the Blue Jays in August 2018 but in November they put him up on waivers again and the Rays claimed him, but 20 days later they designated him for assignment and he was signed by the Blue Jays, but on December 30 they too designated Drake for assignment. At that point the Rays stepped in again, this time to buy his contract for $70K.
And if yesterday's relief appearance to finish up Charlie Morton's game, the Rays may have gotten themselves another bargain basement player who has knocked around for a few years before finding a home at Tropicana Field. He joins a bullpen that has been struggling and one that could use an infusion of new blood.
The offense was as good as it needed to be, picking up four runs at intervals, one in the third, two in the fifth and one more in the eighth. The only drama in the game was Austin Meadows' drive to right center in the third which split the outfielders and bounced off the wall. Meadows, in full throttle, slid safely into third, and when the ball bounced back to the fence, he sprinted home. The runs in the fifth came from an Avisail Garcia double and Ji-Man Choi single. The add-on run in the eighth scored on a fielder's choice. Very efficient. And they took advantage of sloppy Tiger defense, three errors on the night.
Tommy Pham is expected back to the lineup for today's matinee, when the Rays are expected to start opener Ryne Stanek and follow him with Bulkman Jalen Beeks.
It was always a pipe dream that the Rays might land closer Craig Kimbrel, but it seems all but official now that he will be signed by Traitor Joe Maddon's Chicago Cubs. The numbers were not so far out of sight that the Rays might match them as reported by ESPN online: $10 million this year and $16 million for the next two. Many observers however are concerned that he's long past his high point as a reliable closer and that his erratic showing in last season's post-season may be a sign that a long-term contract is a questionable decision.
Record: 36-23
Attendance: 14,272
The Rays turned once again to Charlie Morton to give their rotation stability and stop a slide, and he delivered in spades, pitching seven scoreless innings, giving up only five hits, walking no one, and striking out eight. The 32-year-old journeyman Oliver Drake pitched two perfect innings to wrap up the night's business. And suddenly the Rays are breathing a little easier after four straight losses. Stability. Charlie Morton. Whew.
Oliver Drake is a 6-4, 32-year-old journeyman pitcher acquired by the Rays from the Blue Jays for $70,000 back in January of this year. It was a typical under-the-radar move by the Rays' front office. Drake was drafted out of the Naval Academy in the 43rd round in 2008 by the Baltimore Orioles but didn't make his major league debut until 2015. But then he began his travels, two teams in 2017 and five teams in 2018.
The Minnesota Twins claimed Drake off waivers from the Blue Jays in August 2018 but in November they put him up on waivers again and the Rays claimed him, but 20 days later they designated him for assignment and he was signed by the Blue Jays, but on December 30 they too designated Drake for assignment. At that point the Rays stepped in again, this time to buy his contract for $70K.
And if yesterday's relief appearance to finish up Charlie Morton's game, the Rays may have gotten themselves another bargain basement player who has knocked around for a few years before finding a home at Tropicana Field. He joins a bullpen that has been struggling and one that could use an infusion of new blood.
The offense was as good as it needed to be, picking up four runs at intervals, one in the third, two in the fifth and one more in the eighth. The only drama in the game was Austin Meadows' drive to right center in the third which split the outfielders and bounced off the wall. Meadows, in full throttle, slid safely into third, and when the ball bounced back to the fence, he sprinted home. The runs in the fifth came from an Avisail Garcia double and Ji-Man Choi single. The add-on run in the eighth scored on a fielder's choice. Very efficient. And they took advantage of sloppy Tiger defense, three errors on the night.
Tommy Pham is expected back to the lineup for today's matinee, when the Rays are expected to start opener Ryne Stanek and follow him with Bulkman Jalen Beeks.
It was always a pipe dream that the Rays might land closer Craig Kimbrel, but it seems all but official now that he will be signed by Traitor Joe Maddon's Chicago Cubs. The numbers were not so far out of sight that the Rays might match them as reported by ESPN online: $10 million this year and $16 million for the next two. Many observers however are concerned that he's long past his high point as a reliable closer and that his erratic showing in last season's post-season may be a sign that a long-term contract is a questionable decision.
Tuesday, June 4. Game 58: Snell surrenders Cabrera's Grand Slam, loses again
Rays 6, Tigers 9
Record: 35-23
Attendance: 15,420
Miguel Cabrera was off balance and had to compensate by flailing at the off speed pitch by Blake Snell. His right hand came off the bat and his left followed through the strike zone, but tens of thousands of swings over a lifetime put his muscle memory to work and he got the barrel of the bat on the ball sending it over the left field wall for a grand slam, the sixth of his career but the first since 2013. It was a grand moment for the gimpy 36-year-old former star and future Hall of Famer, and he trotted around the bases like royalty to the cheers of the 15,000 fans and a dugout full of younger players who will never forget the moment.
Unfortunately for the Rays, the moment was also a sign of the season slipping out of control.
Cabrera's Grand Slam broke open a tight game, the Rays 2-1 lead changing to a Tiger 6-2 lead. They added three more to make it 9-2, which was plenty big enough as a lead to absorb the other Grand Slam of the day, Willy Adames's in the top of the eighth. And that was it, 9-6.
Except it was worse than that because Cabrera's heroics came off ace Blake Snell, who left the game after the fateful pitch: four and a third innings, six runs, seven hits, two walks, a pair of wild pitches, and the loss (3-5). Fans, management, broadcasters, and teammates are tired of waiting for their Cy Young pitcher to begin pitching like Cy Young. Not enough fast balls. Too many off speed pitchers. Bad command of the strike zone. Too many balls into the dirt. In short, he's been as erratic as Alvarado and Castillo--and several others on the Durham-St. Pete shuttle. These guys are going to have to step up or the season can get ugly very fast.
Hitting, pitching, defense, each has suddenly become way off the high water mark of April's fast start. It's not too late to right the sinking ship, and as usual these days, it's going to be up to Charlie Morton (6-0) to make it happen.
Record: 35-23
Attendance: 15,420
Miguel Cabrera was off balance and had to compensate by flailing at the off speed pitch by Blake Snell. His right hand came off the bat and his left followed through the strike zone, but tens of thousands of swings over a lifetime put his muscle memory to work and he got the barrel of the bat on the ball sending it over the left field wall for a grand slam, the sixth of his career but the first since 2013. It was a grand moment for the gimpy 36-year-old former star and future Hall of Famer, and he trotted around the bases like royalty to the cheers of the 15,000 fans and a dugout full of younger players who will never forget the moment.
Unfortunately for the Rays, the moment was also a sign of the season slipping out of control.
Cabrera's Grand Slam broke open a tight game, the Rays 2-1 lead changing to a Tiger 6-2 lead. They added three more to make it 9-2, which was plenty big enough as a lead to absorb the other Grand Slam of the day, Willy Adames's in the top of the eighth. And that was it, 9-6.
Except it was worse than that because Cabrera's heroics came off ace Blake Snell, who left the game after the fateful pitch: four and a third innings, six runs, seven hits, two walks, a pair of wild pitches, and the loss (3-5). Fans, management, broadcasters, and teammates are tired of waiting for their Cy Young pitcher to begin pitching like Cy Young. Not enough fast balls. Too many off speed pitchers. Bad command of the strike zone. Too many balls into the dirt. In short, he's been as erratic as Alvarado and Castillo--and several others on the Durham-St. Pete shuttle. These guys are going to have to step up or the season can get ugly very fast.
Hitting, pitching, defense, each has suddenly become way off the high water mark of April's fast start. It's not too late to right the sinking ship, and as usual these days, it's going to be up to Charlie Morton (6-0) to make it happen.
Monday, June 3. Off day.
Blake Snell, the Rays' best pitcher and last year's AL Cy Young Award winner, didn't face the MLB's best Minnesota Twins in the four-game series that ended with three straight losses, but will pitch the first game of the upcoming series starting Tuesday against the Tigers, one of the worst teams in the major leagues with a 22-34 record, twelve games under .500.
Wouldn't you think that two weeks ago the Rays might have done a little juggling with the starting rotation so that Snell would have had a shot against the Twins and given them a better chance at a W than the pitchers they did use--Stanek, Chirinos, and Yarbrough? Maybe they wouldn't be looking at a demoralizing three-game losing streak right now. Just a thought.
With respect to Blake Snell's performance this year, the Tampa Bay Times ran some interesting numbers this morning, June 4. In his last five starts, his ERA has been 1.78 and opponents' batting average against him is .198. But his overall record is 3-4 (3.06 ERA). With June, July, and August on us already, this may be Blake Snell's time to lead the Rays to the top of the AL East. They can't do it without him. And keeping him out of a key series against a playoff team like the Twins doesn't seem like the best strategy.
Wouldn't you think that two weeks ago the Rays might have done a little juggling with the starting rotation so that Snell would have had a shot against the Twins and given them a better chance at a W than the pitchers they did use--Stanek, Chirinos, and Yarbrough? Maybe they wouldn't be looking at a demoralizing three-game losing streak right now. Just a thought.
With respect to Blake Snell's performance this year, the Tampa Bay Times ran some interesting numbers this morning, June 4. In his last five starts, his ERA has been 1.78 and opponents' batting average against him is .198. But his overall record is 3-4 (3.06 ERA). With June, July, and August on us already, this may be Blake Snell's time to lead the Rays to the top of the AL East. They can't do it without him. And keeping him out of a key series against a playoff team like the Twins doesn't seem like the best strategy.
Sunday June 2. Game 57: Regroup and move on
Rays 7, Twins 9
Record: 35-22
Attendance: 14,616
The Twins showed the Rays how a good team finds a way to win. Like Byron Buxton's play in the third going back to the center field wall for a Yandy Diaz fly ball and then throwing a strike to first base to double up Austin Meadows by half a step. Or like Jake Odorizzi going six innings giving up just three hits and a walk while striking out nine and lowering his league-leading ERA to 1.96 and picking up his eighth win against only two losses.
Ryan Yarbrough, whose last two outings were solid, reverted back to the form that led to his demotion to triple A Durham. He gave up ten hits, two walks, and seven runs in seven innings, lowering his record to 4-2 and raising his ERA to 6.23. Chaz Roe continued his inconsistent work by giving up a two-run homer in the eighth to Jonathan Schoop, runs that proved to be the difference as the Rays scored two in the bottom of the eighth on Christian Arroyo's two-run homer. But just like yesterday, Arroyo also threw a ball away for an error.
The Rays five-run seventh was all small ball, a couple of infield singles, a sharp line-drive single to center by Austin Meadows, and a throwing error. On the night, the Rays struck out 15 times and left 15 men on base. With runners in scoring position, they were 3 for 8, a respectable .375.
The defense was sketchier than anyone likes with a pair of errors and less sharpness than the Rays are accustomed to and need. But they did turn four double plays and Kevin Kiermaier did throw out Miguel Sano at third. Kiermaier, however, lost center field honors to Buxton who in addition to his impossible play doubling up Meadows at first in the third inning, also went 2 for 4 (including his 20th double) and added a stolen base (his 10th).
The Rays are still a good team with the same weaknesses they had coming into this series with the current best team in baseball. Maybe they learned a few things and can get back on track against the Detroit Tigers in a three-game set that begins on Tuesday in Detroit. It's time to regroup and move on.
Record: 35-22
Attendance: 14,616
The Twins showed the Rays how a good team finds a way to win. Like Byron Buxton's play in the third going back to the center field wall for a Yandy Diaz fly ball and then throwing a strike to first base to double up Austin Meadows by half a step. Or like Jake Odorizzi going six innings giving up just three hits and a walk while striking out nine and lowering his league-leading ERA to 1.96 and picking up his eighth win against only two losses.
Ryan Yarbrough, whose last two outings were solid, reverted back to the form that led to his demotion to triple A Durham. He gave up ten hits, two walks, and seven runs in seven innings, lowering his record to 4-2 and raising his ERA to 6.23. Chaz Roe continued his inconsistent work by giving up a two-run homer in the eighth to Jonathan Schoop, runs that proved to be the difference as the Rays scored two in the bottom of the eighth on Christian Arroyo's two-run homer. But just like yesterday, Arroyo also threw a ball away for an error.
The Rays five-run seventh was all small ball, a couple of infield singles, a sharp line-drive single to center by Austin Meadows, and a throwing error. On the night, the Rays struck out 15 times and left 15 men on base. With runners in scoring position, they were 3 for 8, a respectable .375.
The defense was sketchier than anyone likes with a pair of errors and less sharpness than the Rays are accustomed to and need. But they did turn four double plays and Kevin Kiermaier did throw out Miguel Sano at third. Kiermaier, however, lost center field honors to Buxton who in addition to his impossible play doubling up Meadows at first in the third inning, also went 2 for 4 (including his 20th double) and added a stolen base (his 10th).
The Rays are still a good team with the same weaknesses they had coming into this series with the current best team in baseball. Maybe they learned a few things and can get back on track against the Detroit Tigers in a three-game set that begins on Tuesday in Detroit. It's time to regroup and move on.
Saturday, June 1. Game 56: Wake up!
Rays 2, Twins 6
Record: 35-21
Attendance:14,381
The Rays drifted through a lazy air-conditioned afternoon at Tropicana Field, dropping a 6-2 decision to the more aggressive Twins, who routinely took advantage of every opportunity the laid back Rays gave them. There was nothing spectacular about the Twins work ethic, but they kept at their jobs until they had scored two in the third, and one each in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. The Rays' Travis d'Arnaud singled in a run in the second but then the bats went silent for the next five innings, until rookie Christian Arroyo (who came to the Rays from the San Francisco Giants in the Evan Longoria trade in December 2017 and has languished at triple A Durham most of the time since then) homered to center in the eighth. And that was it.
Before we conclude that Arroyo was a bright spot with his homer, he also allowed the leadoff hitter to reach and later score with his throwing error in the seventh, and he grounded weakly to second to make the third out with the bases loaded in the second inning. He may have a future as a major leaguer, but not many people think he's arrived quite yet.
Yonny Chirinos was the starter, not the bulkman, but he left after five and a third having given up nine hits, one walk, and four runs. He took the loss, which brought his record to 6-2. Hunter Wood came on to surrender two more runs before the clean mop up work by Oliver Drake and Jose Alvarado, who gave up a hit and struck out two in a meaningless outing. Lefty Adam Kolarek was optioned before the game to Durham to work out a few recent kinks in his effectiveness. The bullpen is key to any hope the Rays may have for the post-season, but it continues to be a work in progress.
The lackluster offensive performance today may reasonably be attributed to the absence in the lineup of three top hitters, Avisail Garcia, Tommy Pham (both day-to-day) and Yandy Diaz (who may be activated from the IL for today's game). Maybe with them in the lineup there would not have been 18 men left on base, and maybe their BA with runners in scoring position would not have been an embarrassing .125 (1 for 8).
Power hitting Nate Lowe was called up from Durham to play first base today. Struggling Daniel Robertson was benched. Ji-Man Choi continues to underperform as a regular in the lineup. And if he continues to improve, Willy Adames may one day soon become an average major league shortstop.
Citing the terrible recent attendance figures at Tropicana Field, John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times, commented in the paper of June 2. "Crowds of 6,000 or less for a team on pace to win 101 games are not just alarming they are unprecedented. . . . It's getting late in the game to save major league baseball in Tampa Bay."
Record: 35-21
Attendance:14,381
The Rays drifted through a lazy air-conditioned afternoon at Tropicana Field, dropping a 6-2 decision to the more aggressive Twins, who routinely took advantage of every opportunity the laid back Rays gave them. There was nothing spectacular about the Twins work ethic, but they kept at their jobs until they had scored two in the third, and one each in the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. The Rays' Travis d'Arnaud singled in a run in the second but then the bats went silent for the next five innings, until rookie Christian Arroyo (who came to the Rays from the San Francisco Giants in the Evan Longoria trade in December 2017 and has languished at triple A Durham most of the time since then) homered to center in the eighth. And that was it.
Before we conclude that Arroyo was a bright spot with his homer, he also allowed the leadoff hitter to reach and later score with his throwing error in the seventh, and he grounded weakly to second to make the third out with the bases loaded in the second inning. He may have a future as a major leaguer, but not many people think he's arrived quite yet.
Yonny Chirinos was the starter, not the bulkman, but he left after five and a third having given up nine hits, one walk, and four runs. He took the loss, which brought his record to 6-2. Hunter Wood came on to surrender two more runs before the clean mop up work by Oliver Drake and Jose Alvarado, who gave up a hit and struck out two in a meaningless outing. Lefty Adam Kolarek was optioned before the game to Durham to work out a few recent kinks in his effectiveness. The bullpen is key to any hope the Rays may have for the post-season, but it continues to be a work in progress.
The lackluster offensive performance today may reasonably be attributed to the absence in the lineup of three top hitters, Avisail Garcia, Tommy Pham (both day-to-day) and Yandy Diaz (who may be activated from the IL for today's game). Maybe with them in the lineup there would not have been 18 men left on base, and maybe their BA with runners in scoring position would not have been an embarrassing .125 (1 for 8).
Power hitting Nate Lowe was called up from Durham to play first base today. Struggling Daniel Robertson was benched. Ji-Man Choi continues to underperform as a regular in the lineup. And if he continues to improve, Willy Adames may one day soon become an average major league shortstop.
Citing the terrible recent attendance figures at Tropicana Field, John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times, commented in the paper of June 2. "Crowds of 6,000 or less for a team on pace to win 101 games are not just alarming they are unprecedented. . . . It's getting late in the game to save major league baseball in Tampa Bay."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
A day to gear up for the Red Sox series starting tomorrow. The demotion of Ryan Yarbrough to Durham came after he had a couple of bad outi...
-
The Rays have a day to get ready for a rare appearance at Tropicana Field of the 31-17 L.A. Dodgers, who will start superstar lefty Clayton ...
-
Rays 10, Astros 3 ALDS Record: 1-2 in best of five series Attendance: 32,251. Tropicana Field. It was a loud and rowdy, all-Rays ful...
