MLB: Tampa Bay Rays Blog

2008-11-26T07:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Here's an interesting story about Baldelli winning the Conigliaro Award (goes to those that overcome adversity) that's very fitting for tomorrow's holiday. Cheers!

2008-10-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

Come on Florida! Let's make sure we all win! Go vote next Tuesday, November 4th!

2008-10-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

All I can say is, "Whoop!" Unbelievably awesome! Read this if you're still on cloud 9 like me!

Best in the League!

2008-08-20T12:04:00.001-07:00

Tuesday's win over the Angels tipped the scales in our favor to make us the best in the AL! It may be close right now, but we are on a great streak. 9 of the last 11 games? Let's keep that going!

Ballparks

2008-05-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the design for the new ballpark? It won't be around until 2012, but the photos are pretty cool. It looks like a cross between a spaceship and sailboat. For now I'm content with what we've got. If you look for Tropicana Field information, you can see it's keeping busy. No lame duck here!

Strikes While He's Hot!

2008-04-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

I like Kazmir as much as the next guy, but I kinda feel like we shouldn't mess with Sonnanstine's streak right now. Maybe Scott could take it easy just a little longer...?

Under a Rock

2008-04-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

Where have I been? Living under a rock? I just realized it's been so long since my last post that I still had "Devil Rays" in there. I'll admit I preferred the old name, as I can be wicked and evil myself sometimes. But ya gotta roll with the changes.

I just go into sports hibernation when baseball season is over. I've bought my fair share of NCAA sports tickets, but most pro sports just don't hook me in like baseball. Something about cold beer under the warm sun...

Carlos Pena is MLB's AL comeback player of the year

2007-10-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

Well, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays may not have had the best season (to put it gently) but things are looking up for Carlos Pena. It just shows you how some players can really turn things around - this honor comes just one season after 3 teams released him. Of course, the Devil Rays are still missing the playoffs, but it's best to focus on the positive!

A pickup for Tampa Bay?

2007-06-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

Anyone know why there's any question as to picking up Witasick for the Devil Rays? His salary's actually somewhat reasonable, and he's good! Seriously, he could be exactly what we need. He's left-handed, he's effective when he wants to be, and he could give a lot of confidence to the rest of the team. I say it's a lock. Anyone else?

2007-01-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have yet to release an official statement about Elijah Dukes' arrest this week. He was pulled over Monday night because of a loud music violation, and the cops then charged him with misdemeanor marijuana possession after smelling pot and searching the car. Dukes just seems like one of those young punks who thinks he doesn't have to play by the rules. Kick him off the team--he sure can't pass a drug test now.

Kazmir Making His Return in 2007

2006-12-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays star Scott Kazmir is expected to be at 100% by spring training. Kazmir missed most of the second half of the 2006 season with of a shoulder injury on his throwing arm. Kazmir was the lone Devil Ray that made it to the All-Star game last year with a record of 10-8 and an ERA of 3.24 in 24 starts. Kazmir said, "My shoulder feels great. It's 100 percent."

Devil Rays Looking Spread the Love

2006-12-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are supposedly in negotiations with Disney World, to play a few games at their field instead of at Tropicana Field. The Devil Rays organization is saying they are trying to broaden their team's fan base. Hey, I have an idea! Why don't you put a good team together that won't lose 100 games and maybe that will help increase your fan base.

BRIAN MEADOW'S OPTION DECLINED

2006-11-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

The option for right -hander Brian Meadows was declined by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last week, which now makes the veteran a free agent. He was originally signed at the end of spring training and he pitched well in spurts. He was forced into a closer role after an injury.

IS ERIC WALKER DEAD?

2006-10-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

I just read that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Minor League pitcher Erik Walker is missing after his canoe flipped while riding rapids on the New River in Virginia. Does anyone know if he is alive or dead? Things are not sounding good, and I can't find anymore info on the Devil Ray's website.

HELLO, JEFF RIDGEWAY!

2006-10-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays welcomed Jeff Ridgeway to the roster this last Monday. He will be taking the place of first baseman, Kevin Witt. Ridgeway has a combined 2-4 with 2 saves, 67 strikeouts and 20 walks in 58 innings.

Witt's highlight was on the 3rd of September. He hit an eighth-inning three-run homer that gave the Devil Rays a 7-6 win. Unfortunately, he struggled during the 19 games he played.

Good luck, Kevin, in whatever you do.

Tampa Bay Still A Buy

2006-10-11T17:04:00.000-07:00

It's nice to know that Tampa Bay Devil Ray tickets have hardly increased this next year. I hope they stay that way. Actually, the upper deck tickets have gone down just a little and I heard they're remodeling. Way cool! I don't care where I'm sitting at, as long as I get to see Jae Seo and Brian Meadows in action!

The Top of Some List

2006-10-02T22:36:00.000-07:00

Well, someone has to have the worst record in Major League Baseball. For those Tampa Bay loyalists who’ve been kind enough to visit my blog, I apologize, but there hasn’t been much to celebrate this season.
Giving credit where credit is due, we can at least be proud of Norton and the dedication and hard work he showed in the final week of an otherwise miserable season for the team.

The calm before the storm.

2006-06-25T20:48:00.000-07:00

The mid-summer rain has been oppressive here in Florida and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are not doing very spectacular. I was pretty caught up in the NBA Finals this month so I missed some games. I really dread these slow months when there are no sports except for baseball to entertain me. It has driven me to watch poker on the Travel Channel and World Cup Soccer.

I like soccer a lot. I had no idea how much until recently. The English are an amazing team and that David Beckham is a god among athletes. The news about crazy football fans from Europe and their post match antics are pretty entertaining as well. I thought NASCAR fans were fanatical drunken morons but it seems I had no idea what extreme lengths these soccer freaks would go to embarrass the sporting world and humiliate their countries in celebration and debate over who is the best team. Like a train wreck, I have to watch the bedlam each time they televise the chaos on the news. Mesmerizing and astonishing stuff happens at these games all the time. I am glad American sporting events are much calmer than that.

Stanley Cup Still Warm

2006-06-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

I know I'll get back to Devil Ray stuff soon, but these summertime playoffs are distracting me more than I would have thought. Really surprising to find myself watching hockey, but when the Tampa Bay Lightning took the Stanley Cup the last time, you had to take notice. This wasn't their year to repeat, but at least we kept the Cup down South: way to go, Carolina Hurricanes! And now, Miami Heat, the ball's in your court!

Rays not catching wins and Heat fishing for the championship.

2006-05-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are not having the best season. The Miami Heat, on the other hand, are in the second round of the playoffs and look like my favorite to win in the Eastern Conference finals. The Shaquille O’Neal factor has been too much for the struggling New Jersey Nets.

Gomes is Awesome This Season

2006-04-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

What a great start for right-fielder Jonny Gomes of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays! He’s already slammed 9 home runs and is racking up the runs quicker than anyone else on the team. I wish they were winning more games but they’ve won match-ups that matter and later in the season that will be what counts. In the meantime I need some more Devil Rays tickets to see Gomes and his home run derby in full-effect.

Take me out to the ball game.

2006-04-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays regular season home opener is going to be a blast. I’ve got tickets to the game and the team has invited fans to attend a picnic in the park celebration. Baseball is back and my life is complete. Break out the peanuts and cracker jacks; I’m headed for the ballpark.

Young Pitcher Makes Big Impression

2006-03-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

I am impressed with what I have heard about Tampa Bay Devil Rays pitcher Edwin Jackson. His first spring start impressed catcher Toby Hall so much he was quoted as saying:

"His stuff is electric,"

The question of who will be our biggest weapon for the season still remains. What are your thoughts on the 22-year old Jackson?

New Coach, New Attitude

2006-02-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

It will be interesting to see how all the changes around the Devil Rays will affect the actual players on the field. New owners, new management, and new coaches…well, they can’t hurt. I’ll be especially watching Joe Maddon, who apparently told the team, “I want you to have a blast—short of going to jail.” Wouldn’t we all like a boss like that? Just so the fun is mainly on the field—that’s the kind that translates to fun for us folks buying the tickets.

What’s In a Name?

2006-01-30T17:55:00.000-08:00

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are considering a name change. It is no wonder with a whopper like that, but their proposed moniker off the Tampa Bay Rays just doesn’t roll off the tongue right. Why not the Tampa Bay Devils or Tampa Bay Mantas?

Three Cheers for Nomo

2005-06-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

It finally happened for Hideo Nomo. He finally got his 200th career win. Like I mentioned before the wins are a combination of his time spent in Japan and the United States. It took Nomo 7 innings last night against the Brewers to achieve his accomplishment, but he got the win holding the Brewers to just 2 runs. He is now qualified for Meikyukai (Golden Players Club) which is a very high honor in baseball over in Japan.

No Nomo

2005-06-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

Well it seems like Hideo Nomo is going to have to wait for another opportunity to pitch to get what he so desires. It was a failed attempt once again as Nomo tried to capture his 200th career win. Against the Mariners he gave up 5 runs and 11 hits in six innings, in what turned into a 6-5 loss. Nomo’s next opportunity is against the Pirates on the 11th. Stayed tuned.

More Nomo

2005-05-31T17:23:00.000-07:00

Last we talked about Hideo Nomo; I said he just won his third game of the season. Well now the magic number is four, because if Nomo gets his 4th win of the season then he gets his 200th career win. Of course that is carrying over his wins from Japan. Despite where he won his games, if Nomo were to get the win he would join a club in Japan called the “Meikyukai''. I hope you do it Nomo.

Nomo

2005-05-26T16:34:00.000-07:00

April 19th is the date of importance here. Why, because that was when right-handed- pitcher Hideo Nomo won his last baseball game, with the exception of last night. Nomo pitched 6 innings worth of baseball and came away with a much needed win against the Athletics. That means that 2 of Nomo’s only 3 wins have come against the A’s. I hope he the D’ Rays play the A’s more often.

Rookie or Not?

2005-05-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

Some ball players spend their whole career in the Minors just waiting for that opportunity to break into the Majors. Well utility outfielder Damon Hollins finally was able to achieve his goal.

At the age of 30 he is now just a rookie in the Majors, and is probably the most experienced rookie as well. Hollins spent 13 years playing Minor league ball, only playing in 15 Major league games in that 13 year stint. Hollins has defiantly paid his dues to get where he is.

Put me in Coach

2005-05-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

from Foxsports.com

RHP Travis Harper has been a durable and largely effective reliever since moving to the bullpen in 2002. His main pitches are a sinker, curveball and changeup. His low-key temperament and indifference to the limelight make him well-suited to his role as a long and middle man.

Ins and Outs

2005-05-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

from Foxsports.com

The club ranks among the worst in the A.L. in defense, which has forced its pitchers to throw more pitches. The starters are lasting fewer innings because they're reaching their pitch counts earlier in games.

DH Josh Phelps has hit well at Tropicana Field this year and says the park's newer FieldTurf gives hitters an advantage because the older artificial surfaces get, the slower they become, slowing ground balls that otherwise might get through the infield.

Adjusting

2005-05-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

Moving LF Carl Crawford from leadoff to third in the order is an interesting option for manager Lou Piniella as he tries to kick-start an offense that entered the week 10th in the A.L. in runs. Crawford has more power than CF Alex Sanchez and SS Julio Lugo, who often bat second and third behind Crawford.

Getting Routed

2005-04-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

(AP), from Espn.com

The New York Yankees answered George Steinbrenner with a record-setting blowout.

Alex Rodriguez, Tino Martinez and the Yankees broke out for 13 runs in the second inning Monday night en route to a 19-8 rout of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, ending a four-game skid.

One day after Steinbrenner lashed out at his $200 million team for its 4-8 start, the Yankees quickly showed just how powerful their offense can be.

"George challenged us, and the team responded really well," Rodriguez said. "We needed to stop the bleeding."

Rodriguez homered twice, doubled twice and finished with five hits. He drove in six runs and scored five times. Martinez hit a grand slam and knocked in six runs. Bernie Williams had three hits and Jason Giambi scored three runs, making a winner of Jaret Wright (2-1) despite his poor outing.

In a little more than three hours, the Yankees boosted their team batting average from .258 to .277.

"Maybe it'll relax us at the plate," Martinez said. "We needed a win -- period."

It all started in the second, New York's biggest inning ever at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees sent 17 batters to the plate during an incredible outburst that lasted 34 minutes. They got 11 hits, including seven in a row, and 10 consecutive hitters reached safely.

"It felt like it lasted for hours," Tampa Bay outfielder Carl Crawford said. "That was a tough inning. I just hope it doesn't happen again."

Hideki Matsui drew a leadoff walk before Rodriguez hit a two-run shot off Rob Bell (1-1).

Giambi doubled, Jorge Posada grounded out and Martinez hit an RBI single. Tony Womack followed with a single off the first base bag, and Derek Jeter drove in a run with a single.

Williams and Gary Sheffield followed with consecutive RBI singles, and Matsui singled to load the bases.

Rodriguez hit a two-run double to left, making it 8-0 and chasing Bell.

"We got a lot of breaks, too. Some of the balls were just out of their reach," Yankees manager Joe Torre said.

Giambi was walked intentionally by reliever Lance Carter, and Posada hit an RBI single. Martinez then hit a 3-1 pitch over the right field fence for his 11th career slam and a 13-0 lead.

With one out in the second inning, every New York starter had a hit and a run scored.

The last time the Yankees scored 13 runs in an inning was June 21, 1945, in the fifth inning of a 14-4 victory at Boston. The franchise record is 14 runs in the fifth inning on July 6, 1920, against the Senators in Washington.

The last time New York got 11 hits in an inning was April 11, 1987, against Kansas City. And the Devil Rays set a team record for most runs allowed in an inning.

Rodriguez added a two-run homer off Carter in the third and just missed his third career three-homer game when he doubled off the right-center fence in the seventh.

"Over the last 10 years in my career, when I've had a lot of success, it's been spraying the ball all over the field," Rodriguez said.

Tampa Bay fought back against Wright, who barely lasted long enough to earn the easy win. He was charged with eight runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings.

"I stayed focused. I felt fine going back out there. I just lost it and I had to work to get it back. The tendency is to try harder when you need to back off, just throw strikes, and I didn't do that," Wright said. "The guys swung the bats well, I didn't pitch well."

Aubrey Huff hit a three-run homer for Tampa Bay, which has lost 11 straight at Yankee Stadium and four in a row overall. Julio Lugo had three hits and two RBIs.

Pitching on only three days' rest, Bell gave up 10 runs and nine hits in 1 1/3 innings, raising his ERA from 4.50 to 10.80.

"That's no excuse for what happened. I felt prepared, I felt ready to go. It was some bad pitches on my part and some good hitting on theirs," Bell said. "That's one I'm going to put in its proper place and not look back."

Pitchers & Power Hitters

2005-04-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

The pitchers earned praise this spring from manager Lou Piniella, who was pleased with their ability to throw strikes. This is not a staff of strikeout pitchers; one of the keys to success this season will be getting hitters to put the ball in play while staying away from their power zones. . . .

The Devil Rays are short on power hitters, so manufacturing runs will be a priority. Expect the club to bunt (including implementing frequent squeeze plays), steal bases and hit-and-run--anything to put runs on the board. Piniella also believes in being proactive in creating matchups that favor his hitters.

Tough Call

2005-03-30T11:17:00.000-08:00

from Foxsports.com

Is he in or not? That's been the spring-long question regarding Hideo Nomo. The veteran righthander is coming off an injury-plagued 2004 campaign and has shown gradual improvement every time out. Piniella has said to the media that the word he had on Nomo was to be patient, and by the end of spring he would be ready. With little time remaining in spring training, Nomo's chances of making the club seem improved, but not in an overwhelming fashion.

What to Do

2005-02-22T12:53:00.000-08:00

Tampa Bay Devil Rays manager, Lou Piniella, has not yet decided what he wants to do with a talented outfielder in Danny Bautista. The decision will probably be made after several spring training games.

Bautista will more than likely play the left field position since Aubrey Huff seems more suitable to play right. In 2003 Huff had a good year in right, and in 2004 Huff didn’t seem to promising in left.

On the to-do List

2005-02-09T17:07:00.001-08:00

from Foxsports.com

It would be nice if, before spring training starts, the Rays could sign one or two more starters like Hideo Nomo. They used 14 different starters last season and, other than getting Seth McClung back from surgery, haven't added appreciably to the mix. Their main tasks this spring will be setting the rotation order (no obvious opening day starter) and setting the lineup.

Hall and Lugo resigned

2005-01-31T16:04:00.000-08:00

From sports.yahoo.com:

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays reduced their list of arbitration cases to four Friday by signing catcher Toby Hall and shortstop Julio Lugo to one-year contracts.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but Lugo's deal includes a club option for 2006.

Hall, 29, made $320,000 in 2004 and was seeking a $2.225 million contract. Tampa Bay countered with a $1.7 million offer.

In 119 games last season, Hall batted .255 with eight home runs and a career-high 60 RBI. He owns a career .260 average with 31 homers and 180 RBI in 387 contests.

Lugo, who was asking for a $3.8 million deal, was offered $3.1 million by the Devil Rays. He made $1.75 million last season.

After belting a career-high 15 homers in his first year with Tampa Bay in 2003, Lugo's total dropped to seven last season. But the native of the Dominican Republic drove in a career-best 75 RBI while hitting .275 in 157 games.

Lugo has played in 640 career contests with Houston and Tampa Bay, batting .271 with 50 homers and 242 RBI.

The Devil Rays have arbitration cases pending with lefthander Trever Miller and righthanders Jesus Colome, Travis Harper and Jorge Sosa.

Lets get excited Tampa Bay!

More and more Talks...

2005-01-26T15:06:00.000-08:00

From sports.yahoo.com:

Former American League Rookie of the Year Marty Cordova agreed Thursday to a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

The team also announced minor league deals with infielder Shane Halter, outfielder Dee Brown, right-handed pitcher Brian Sweeney and left-hander Mark Guthrie, who agreed to terms last week on a contract that will pay him $600,000 if he makes the major league roster.

All of the players will be invited to major league spring training.

Cordova was AL Rookie of the Year in 1995, hitting .277 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs with Minnesota. The 34-year-old outfielder missed all of 2004 and appeared in just nine games two years ago after undergoing a pair of operations on his right elbow.

In 10 seasons with Minnesota, Toronto, Cleveland and Baltimore, Cordova has batted .274 with 122 homers and 540 RBI's in 952 games.

Halter has played for four teams -- Kansas City, Detroit, Anaheim and the New York Mets -- during a seven-year career, hitting .246 with 45 homers and 197 RBI's in 690 games. He split last season between Anaheim and Triple-A Salt Lake.

Versatile defensively, Halter has played all four infield positions in addition to the outfield. If he makes the major league roster, he'll earn $550,000.

Brown hit .251 with four homers and 24 RBI in 59 games for Kansas City last season.

Sweeney was 11-4 with 3.38 ERA for Triple-A Portland in 2004. He appeared in seven games, including two starts, for the San Diego Padres, going 1-0 with a 5.65 ERA.

Lets hope we can have a better season this year.. starting from the ground up. If we can get a strong minor league team, it will give us more oppurtunity for the upcoming season. Lets get'em Devil Rays!

Unit's status may not be resolved

2004-12-23T13:57:00.000-08:00

By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

Don't count on a resolution to Randy Johnson's status with the Diamondbacks before the New Year.

Despite a desire on the part of the Diamondbacks and Johnson to have something done by Dec. 31, the collapse of the three-team mega trade Tuesday makes that unlikely.

"Maybe the end of the year won't be a deciding point," Arizona lead general partner Ken Kendrick said.

Kendrick said Wednesday he planned to put aside Johnson talks until after Christmas.

"We're all in a holiday mode starting today, basically,'' Kendrick said. "You never know what to expect in the baseball world, but I think right now our focus is to get to our families and let everybody have a little down time."

Johnson has expressed a desire to pitch for the Yankees and while the Diamondbacks have him under contract for next season, they agreed to try and find a way to fulfill the 41-year-old's request. Kendrick has said the team wanted to put the matter to rest by the end of the year so it could focus on preparing for the 2005 season.

The Diamondbacks thought they were headed in that direction when the Dodgers approached them last week about being the middlemen with the Yankees. Arizona would have received outfielder Shawn Green, pitchers Brad Penny and Yhency Brazoban along with minor leaguer Brandon Weeden. In return, the Diamondbacks would have sent Johnson to New York and Mike Koplove to Los Angeles.

Originally, the Diamondbacks were pursuing free agent outfielder Jeromy Burnitz to play right field and had a meeting scheduled with him for last Thursday. But when the trade talks with the Yankees and Dodgers began last Wednesday, general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. called Burnitz's agent, Howard Simon, and cancelled the meeting.

Simon, who had flown to Phoenix from Connecticut for the meeting, was upset and had some unflattering things to say about the way the situation was handled. With Green now seemingly out of the picture, the Diamondbacks could turn their attention back to Burnitz, who is believed to want a two-year deal.

"I don't know what they're planning to do," Simon said Wednesday morning. "If they should contact us, we'll have to see where things are at that time."

Another complication to getting a Johnson deal done before the New Year is that the big left-hander recently left town for a vacation and will not be back until Dec. 28.

"Since any decision we make is going to have to include Randy's input, nothing is going to occur until he returns," Kendrick said. "It's not impossible that something could happen before than, but I would say it's highly unlikely."

After the signings of Troy Glaus, Russ Ortiz, Royce Clayton and Craig Counsell, the Diamondbacks feel they can compete next year in the NL West so they are unwilling to trade Johnson simply for prospects.

The Big Unit is scheduled to make $16 million in 2005, the final year of a two-year extension he signed during Spring Training in 2003. With that money already in the budget, the Diamondbacks don't have to trade Johnson.

"We're not going to make a deal that would reduce our competitiveness next season," Kendrick said. "If we can't make a deal that benefits us for 2005, then Randy will pitch for us next year."

If a trade occurs, the Diamondbacks and Yankees will likely need to get a third team involved, though it is possible they could work something out on their own. The complication is that every proposed deal from here on out will be stacked up against what Arizona would have gotten from the Dodgers.

"We were pretty pleased with what we were going to get back," Kendrick said.

Whether the Diamondbacks can find the same level of satisfaction with another team remains to be seen, but the answer probably won't come until 2005.

Piniella's contract goes through 2006

2004-09-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

From Espn.com

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella made his strongest statement Tuesday about remaining with the Devil Rays next season.

"I'm staying here," Piniella said before his team played Kansas City. "All these things that have been talked about, they're all somebody's speculation. Nothing's ever come out from me. I'm signed here two more years. With me, it's always been nothing but speculation. That's all it is."

Piniella's name has been mentioned as a potential successor to New York Mets manager Art Howe, who will not return next year.

Tampa Bay, with a payroll around $23 million, is attempting to finish higher than the AL East cellar for the first time this season.

The Devil Rays offered all of Piniella's coaches, and senior adviser Don Zimmer, two year contract extensions Tuesday through 2006, which is also when Piniella's four-year deal ends.

"It's the right decision because they do a very professional job and they care," Piniella said. "They have loyalty to this organization. I'm very appreciative that our organization is going to extend these guys."

Zimmer said Monday he hadn't decided yet if he will return next year for his 57th season in baseball. He said his other options are to retire or return to coaching if a team is interested.

Go D-Rays!

The Kazmir Strip

2004-09-15T09:20:00.000-07:00

"Taking warmup pitches before the game, I had to stop myself and ask. Is this really happening? Am I pitching against Pedro Martinez in Fenway Park? And there was Pedro, Manny, all of them. I was sitting at home not that long ago just watching them on TV." - Scott Kazmir

Scott Kazmir is only 20 years old and is pitching for your Tampa Bay Devil Rays. And there is good reason why. Kazmir(2-1) pitched 6 complete innings, gave up 3 hits, 3 walks, no runs, and had 9 strike outs. Not bad for the youngster.

Kazmir will be a great addition to this team. At least that's how the coaches feel.

"He did a job tonight. He got out of a (bases-loaded, one-out) jam there in the second and got better and better as he went on. It's refreshing to see a young man compete like that... Sitting on the bench between innings, the kid was cool. You can see he was confident. And against a legend out there in Pedro. It was pretty impressive." - Lou Piniella

What Happened?

2004-09-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

So it's seems the playoffs are becoming out of reach. Yesterday's loss to the Yankees made it 9 strait losses in a row for the Devil Rays. This is the Rays fourth longest losing streak compared to their 15 game losing streak from April 21 through May 10 of 2002. The Rays are now 18-40 since having a season high of 2 games over .500 on July 3 against the Marlins. And their road record has been lackadaisical 4-20 since they played in New York in early July as well. What Happened?

Go Rays!!

Aubrey Huff is Fed Up

2004-09-02T16:28:00.000-07:00

Tampa Bay lost its sixth straight game before an announced crowd of 9,019. The Devil Rays (59-74), who have never won more than 69 games since joining the AL in 1998, have a payroll around $23 million.

``For this organization to turn the corner, you're going to have to spend and go out to get players in the offseason ... be aggressive and go out there and get them,'' Huff said. ``Regardless of what happens or who we put on the field, I go out there and prepare to play. It's tough to get up for a game when you come out here and there's nobody in the stands. You get the same music playing all the time. It's feeling like it's groundhog here every day and nothing ever changes. You really want some changes here and it's just not happening.''

The Devil Rays were outscored 31-8 by Baltimore in a span of three days.

``Every day is important to me,'' Huff said. ``I don't care who you play. You don't want to go out there and get embarrassed like we've been the past few days. It feels like you're playing a high school game out there right now. It's how bad it feels.''

Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella said Thursday's loss should be a wake-up call.

``If it doesn't wake you up a little bit, well then, you're going to sleep for a while,'' Piniella said. ``All I want these guys to do is play hard. I can accept anything else. That's all I ask. If they don't play, then I'm not going to be pleased.''

Rays Cruz to win

2004-08-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

from MLB.com:

The Devil Rays feel as if they've been through the gauntlet, but they survived, and they're ready to continue learning how to win.
The Rays just finished a stretch in which they played the playoff-contending Red Sox, Rangers, Angels and A's. They came away with a 3-10 record against the four contenders, winning the first game of the stretch and the last, on Sunday, against the A's.

"We are not going to quit. We are going to battle until the end," said Jose Cruz Jr., who drove in both of his team's runs, with a home run and a sacrifice fly, on Sunday.

In addition, Dewon Brazelton pitched seven strong innings as the Rays topped the A's, 2-1, before 17,599 fans.

Brazelton was backed by several nice plays in the field, including three double plays that got him out of potential jams.

"We won that game with our defense," said manager Lou Piniella. "That was fun watching our guys play defense. We turned some nice double plays."

Brazelton takes mound tonight at Fenway

2004-08-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

The Rays are beginning to find success in hitting at Fenway. Tonight was a loss, but with lots promising hits. Dewon Brazelton will head up the defense tonight, having pitched impressively in his last four starts. In 26 1/3 innings he has allowed just four earned runs with a 1.37 ERA. Boston will send Derek Lowe to the mound, so we should have an edge on pitching tonight. Let's look for a win in Boston tonight and a confidence boost for tomorrow!

GO RAYS!!!

Time to step up to the Sox

2004-08-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

We've already sustained two losses in a three game series, so there's no way to make it quite the winning situation you'd hope for, but we do have one chance left to see off the Red Sox in dignity.

From MLB.com:

As if the Devil Rays needed another reminder that they are not yet able to compete with the Red Sox and Yankees, along came Curt Schilling with a nine-inning statement.
Schilling threw a complete-game six-hitter and Bill Mueller drove in three runs as the Red Sox topped the Devil Rays, 5-2, before 20,882 at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night.

"He was good,'' said Aubrey Huff, who went 2-for-4 with a run scored. "He stayed away, stayed away, stayed away. He throws hard, has a good angle on the ball and doesn't give you much to hit.

"He doesn't make many mistakes. The fastball I hit was on the outside corner. I had to go out and get it.''

The Red Sox have clinched the series with wins in the first two games. It is the Rays' first series loss at home since the Yankees won two of three on May 28-30. The Rays are 1-7 against the Red Sox this season and 34-68 all-time.

Rocco Baldelli hit a solo home run off Schilling in the sixth inning. It was Baldelli's 10th homer of the season, leaving him one shy of the total he hit in 2003.

"I struck out twice against him, so it wasn't all good,'' Baldelli said. "He's tough and when he leaves a fastball over the plate you have to hit it.''

The Rays are now a combined 5-17 against the Red Sox and Yankees this season and 45-39 against all other opponents.

Tonight, however,

The Rays will send veteran John Halama to the mound on Wednesday. Halama has been solid lately, despite losing four of five decisions.

The left-hander has a 2.41 ERA at Tropicana Field this season and is 1-1 with a 1.76 ERA in his last two starts at home.

Pitching matchup
TB: LHP John Halama

5-5, 4.50 ERA in 2004
0-0, 1.23 ERA vs. BOS in 2004
2-4, 3.43 lifetime vs. BOS
BOS: RHP Bronson Arroyo

4-7, 4.08 ERA in 2004
0-0, 0.00 ERA vs. TB in 2003
0-0, 0.00 ERA lifetime vs. TB

GO DEVIL RAYS!!!

Tampa Bay 10; Kansas City 1

2004-07-29T09:46:00.000-07:00

Mark Hendrickson is earning the confidence of Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella.

Hendrickson gave up four hits in his second complete game in three starts and Tampa Bay handed the Kansas City Royals their sixth straight loss, 10-1 Wednesday night.

Jose Cruz Jr., Aubrey Huff and Tino Martinez homered for the Devil Rays, who have won two in a row following a six-game losing streak. Tampa Bay hit just 17 homers in the previous 24 games.

Hendrickson threw 117 pitches, striking out five and walking none in his third career complete game. His other complete game this year came July 18 in a 7-2 win against Baltimore.

Cruz put the Devil Rays up 1-0 with a homer in the second. It was his 15th homer, which set a team record for a switch hitter. Randy Winn hit 14 in 2002.

The Royals failed to score after Ruben Mateo tripled with one out in second. After Mateo's hit, Hendrickson allowed just one more runner through eight innings. He hit Angel Berroa with a pitch in the fifth.

Huff hit a two-run homer during a three-run third that made it 4-0. He added an RBI single during a two-run sixth and has driven in 14 runs in the past 13 games.

Rey Sanchez extended the Devil Rays advantage to 5-0 on an RBI double in the fourth.

Cruz had run-scoring triple and Martinez hit a two-run homer to make it 8-0 in the fifth. Martinez didn't have an RBI in his previous 13 games.

The Losing Streak is Over!

2004-07-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

Rocco Baldelli used his all-around game to help Tampa Bay get back on track.

Baldelli had an RBI double and threw a runner out at the plate Tuesday night to help the Devil Rays end their six-game losing streak with a 6-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Tampa Bay looks for its second straight victory over Kansas City as they continue their three-game set at Tropicana Field.

Wish them luck on tonights game

6 games is 5 too many

2004-07-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

What the hell is this 6 game losing streak. And the last 3 were against the last-place Blue Jays! That puts us 16.5 games behind the Yankees. Maybe this upcoming 3 games at home, against the last place team in the AL Central will help end this horrific streak. Thats right KC Royals, I'm talking about you.

won't lose to Minnesota again

2004-07-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

I'm taking over for my husband, Andrew, while he's in London on business. He's too busy to blog, and I'm too bored to not blog....

Well, wednesdays game against Minnesota was quite a dissappointment with the score ending as 2-12. But I have faith in todays game, where it seems that currently the score is an even match at 5-5.

Carl Crawford homered for the Devil Rays, who have lost 11 of 16 since moving a season-high two games over .500 on July 3. Crawford finished 1-for-4, extending his hitting streak to a season-high 12 games.

The All-Star outfielder, who leads the majors with 40 stolen bases, is batting .333 (18-for-54) with a homer, six triples and seven RBIs during the streak.

We'll see how todays game turns out but it looks like we're on our way to a win!!!!

Looking for the sweep

2004-07-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

Tonight's game in Tampa Bay promises to be exciting as the Rays look for a sweep against the Yankees - definitely a notch in our belt. After a split series w/ Baltimore, a 2-0 series would be nice, wouldn't it now?

Look for our ace, Victor Zambrano, on the mound tonight. And did I mention the 8 doubles in last night's game? I believe that's some sort of record :-)

OUCH!!!

2004-07-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a miserable weekend. The Rays lost 4 straight to the Yankees after splitting a series with the Orioles, dropping to 42-45 (.483). From MLB.com:

Despite all that, the Rays finished the first half of their season with their best record ever (42-45). Their previous best was 39-49 in 1999. The Rays' record from May 20 on was 31-16, among the top five in the Major Leagues.

I suppose we can be happy about that, at least. That's more of a lasting victory than a few wins against NY would have been, although I sure would have liked to see a winning series.

Piniella did get a warm reception on Old Timers' Day. Seems they haven't forgotten him up in NYC.

"Looooooouuuuuuuu," came the call from crowd.

Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella is still immensely popular in New York. The fans appreciated the way he played game, going all out and getting the most out of his ability for 11 years in pinstripes (1974-84).

He hit .319 in four World Series with the Yankees. Piniella then went on to become a Yankees hitting coach, manager, general manager, special advisor and even had a year-long stint as a broadcaster.

One more thing: Good Luck, Carl Crawford, during your return home to play in the All-Star game!!!

GO RAYS!!

Can Devil Rays split series at Camden?

2004-07-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

The Devil Rays are sitting at .500 right now (41-41), and seem to be steadily improving. A win tonight, even if a small victory in reality, would be an enormous psychological victory, putting us over the edge with a winning average. This can only add to our current momentum and help us maintain progress.

As far as tonight's game, the Orioles will most likely start southpaw John Parrish on the rubber. Bell's pitching against Baltimore hasn't been especially strong in the past (perhaps we can rearrange those numbers a bit?). Geoff Blum has getting solid hits for extra bases lately, so that will hopefully be a strong point tonight. Until next time,

GODSPEED, YOU UNHOLY DEVIL RAYS!!!

Just getting started

2004-07-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new Rays blog! I'll be learning more about this as I go, so bear with me for a while. A little about me: I'm a 38 year old civil engineer living in Omaha, Nebraska, but I'm happy to call Tampa Bay my true home. These posts are a nice way for me to be home even while away for a while. Unfortunately, we don't always get Devil Rays games televised here, but I'm an avid fan and when I can't watch, I always follow box scores, news reports, other blogs, etc.

Anyhow, that's all I have for the moment, I'll be posting regularly though. Thanks for visiting! Go Devil Rays!