Rays News

Lethargy does in Rays as they fall to the Rangers
Comment
July 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"Maybe it was the day off with nothing much to do that preceded Friday's game, or maybe it was the suffocating game-time temperature that checked in right at 100 degrees. Whatever the case, the Rays just didn't seem themselves as they opened a series against the surprising second-place Rangers with a quiet 3-1 setback. Aside from not being able to generate much of anything at the plate in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks around, the Rays were uncharacteristically sloppy in the field, making key errors in the fourth and fifth innings that led directly to Texas runs and looking generally lethargic most of the night as they reached the 81-game midway point in their season. "We did not ..."
Cleveland Indians add yet another bullpen pitcher, acquiring Winston Abreu from Tampa Bay: Indians Insider
Comment
July 3
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Make room for one more. Nineteen of the 25 pitchers who have played for the Indians this season have made at least one relief appearance. No. 26 arrives soon, and he'll be a reliever, as well. The Indians on Thursday acquired right-hander Winston Abreu from Tampa Bay. They sent the Rays right-hander John Meloan from Class AAA Columbus and cash. Abreu, 32, is expected to join the Indians over the weekend in Cleveland. A player will be dropped to make room for him. The Indians have been trying to rebuild one of the worst bullpens in baseball on the fly. The results have not been encouraging. Since June 27, they have added Jose Veras from the Yankees, Chris Perez from the Cardinals and ..."
Tampa Bay Rays' 1-2 punch of B.J. Upton and Crawford is finding its mark
Comment
July 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Rays bench coach Dave Martinez played with the speedy duo of Marquis Grissom and Delino DeShields when they wreaked havoc atop the Montreal Expos batting order in the early 1990s. Martinez also got a close look at the Cardinals' All-Star 1-2 punch of Vince Coleman and Willie McGee as an opponent. But when Martinez tries to compare them to the dynamic duo of B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford, the coach said the Rays tandem offers more, with a blend of speed and power that has no peer in today's game. "B.J. and C.C. bring a lot more to the table because of their power," Martinez said. "Not only can they steal, they can drive the ball, drive in runs. I was trying to think the other day of two guys ..."
Howell quietly taking over closer's role
Comment
July 3
Tampa Tribune
 
"When you think "closer," you think intimidation. A big, nasty hombre striding purposefully out of the bullpen - preferably to a nerve-rattling theme song - prepared to shut down the opposition by force of will if nothing else. J.P. Howell doesn't even come close to fitting that description. He's the smallest, least imposing guy on the Rays' roster, though he is creatively listed at 6-foot, 180 pounds. And despite his ability to focus on the task at hand when he's on the mound, he's a laid-back dude with no small measure of goofiness off the field. But each time he takes the ball lately, more often than not with the game on the line, an evolution of sorts continues its progress. The Rays ..."
Rays trade Abreu to Tribe in reliever swap
Comment
July 3
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays traded relief pitcher Winston Abreu to the Cleveland Indians on Thursday for right-handed reliever John Meleon. Meleon, 24, has pitched in seven games in the major leagues, two with the Indians in 2008 and five with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2007. Over parts of five minor league seasons, he is went 15-16 with 22 saves, a 3.75 ERA and 384 strikeouts while averaging 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Meloan has spent the entire 2009 season with Triple-A Columbus (AAA), where he went 0-0 with a 5.52 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 17 walks in 44 innings pitched and 25 appearances. Abreu, 32, was a non-roster invitee to the Tampa Bay's spring training who made two appearances for ..."
Tribe acquires righty Abreu from Rays
Comment
July 2
MLB.com
 
"On Thursday, the club acquired right-hander Winston Abreu from the Rays in exchange for right-handed relief prospect John Meloan. Abreu will join the Tribe's bullpen in the coming days, with a corresponding roster move to be announced at that time. The 32-year-old Abreu has made 35 appearances in the Majors with the Orioles, Nationals and Rays since 2006, compiling an 0-1 record and a 6.43 ERA. He pitched in the Japanese Pacific League in '08. Abreu, a fastball/slider pitcher, made two appearances for the Rays this year, allowing a run on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. He was called up from Triple-A Durham on June 14 and designated for assignment last ..."
Cleveland Indians swap relievers with Tampa Bay
Comment
July 2
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians have acquired right-hander Winston Abreu from Tampa Bay. They sent the Rays right-hander John Meloan, who is pitching at Class AAA Columbus, and cash. Abreu, 32, is expected to join the Indians over the weekend in Cleveland. A player must be dropped to make room for him. He will wear No. 36. This year Abreu has spent much of the season at Class AAA Durham where he went 3-0 with 10 saves and a 1.41 ERA. He struck out 49, walked 10 and allowed five runs in 32 innings. He appeared in 23 games. He joined the Rays on June 14 and appeared in two games before being designated for assignment. Triple-A hitters batted .123 (14-for-109) against Abreu. Right-handers hit .061 (4-for-66). ..."
Swaggering Romero shuts down Rays
Comment
July 2
Toronto Star
 
"Protecting a 2-0 lead against the Tampa Bay Rays, Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero walked second baseman Ben Zobrist to load the bases with one out in the seventh inning. Sensing a game-changing moment, veteran catcher Rod Barajas walked to the mound to reassure the rookie pitcher that the situation wasn't as dire as it seemed, and that Romero could escape the inning unscathed if he could make the right pitches to Pat Burrell, who was digging in at home plate. After the game, Barajas said the focus in Romero's eyes and the confidence he exuded on the mound even as three Rays waited on base showed him the 24-year-old left-hander didn't need much pumping up, and Romero quickly delivered the ..."
Tampa Bay Rays are shut out by Blue Jays, ending seven-game winning streak
Comment
July 2
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Right-hander James Shields has found himself on the wrong end of some hard luck this season. The Rays ace leads the staff with 10 quality starts, but his offense hasn't always backed him up. That was the case in Wednesday's 5-0 loss to the Blue Jays in front of a spirited Canada Day crowd of 30,533 at Rogers Centre, snapping the Rays' seven-game winning streak. Shields gave up two earned runs through the first seven innings before getting tagged for two solo homers in the eighth. But that was more than enough for Jays rookie left-hander Ricky Romero, who has now pitched 20 consecutive scoreless innings, including shutting down the Phillies and Rays in back-to-back starts. "We just got ..."
Rays, Shields draw blanks
Comment
July 2
Tampa Tribune
 
"This particular script is getting old for James Shields. Once again Wednesday afternoon, the Rays' Opening Day starter pitched well enough to win, holding the Blue Jays to two earned runs through seven innings before they tacked on a pair of solo homers late. And once again both he and the Rays came up frustratingly short, their 5-0 loss at the left hand of rookie starter Ricky Romero snapping a season-high seven-game winning streak. As Manager Joe Maddon said the previous evening after a hard-fought victory, success generally begins and ends with pitching. But the Rays - rather adamantly - found no fault with Shields' work in the series finale. "It's like I told him - you're not going to ..."
Day off helps Zobrist get back in the zone
Comment
July 2
Tampa Tribune
 
"Ben Zobrist had only six hits in his previous 40 at-bats before getting Monday off, but that one night out of the lineup worked exactly as Manager Joe Maddon hoped it would. In eight trips to the plate Tuesday and Wednesday, Zobrist produced four walks, three singles and a sacrifice fly - each the product of a patient at-bat. "That's what I was looking for," Maddon said. "Just take a break, step back, reevaluate what you're doing. Don't change anything; just think in a little bit clearer way." It wasn't as if Zobrist was mired in a horrible slump - he has been one of the Rays' best hitters for the past month or so. But Maddon thought Zobrist had been expanding his strike zone, and he ..."
Lefty specialist Randy Choate delivers in another big situation for Tampa Bay Rays
Comment
July 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Another night and, as manager Joe Maddon said, "another big moment for Randy Choate." There have been plenty of them in the past month for Choate, 33. The left-hander spent most of the past two years in the minors but has made the most of his opportunities since getting called up in late May. Choate entered Tuesday's game in the eighth with two on, one out and the tying run at the plate and retired two tough lefties, Adam Lind on a strikeout and Lyle Overbay on a flyout. "That," Maddon said, "was awesome." Choate has dominated left-handed hitters, who are 1-for-22 against him this season. He has gotten the big outs, from Ryan Howard to Joe Mauer, and considering he entered this season ..."
Solid Matt Garza is backed by three homers as Tampa Bay Rays win seventh straight
Comment
July 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays are arguably the hottest team in baseball. And like most of the times they have put a winning streak together, manager Joe Maddon said, "It pretty much starts with pitching, and it pretty much ends with pitching, too." On Tuesday, it was right-hander Matt Garza who continued the starting rotation's recent string of success, giving up just one run over seven innings in the Rays' 4-1 win over the Blue Jays in front of 15,477 at the Rogers Centre. He wasn't as dominating as in his last outing, an eight-inning gem against the Phillies, but he showed poise in working out of jams and winning without feeling like his best. He has given up three earned runs or fewer in 10 of his past 12 ..."
Niemann, Rays outduel Halladay, Jays
Comment
June 30
Tampa Tribune
 
"As Jeff Niemann entered the start that would mark the halfway point of his season Monday, the Rays weren't sure what they would get from the towering right-hander. That sense that the game could break one way or another in a hurry remains with Niemann, even when he isn't matched up with one of the sport's elite pitchers. And perhaps it was the experience of pitching against Roy Halladay that helped draw out the Niemann who can be awfully impressive himself when he's on. Because on this night, aided by pitch-count restrictions on Halladay in his first start off the disabled list, the Rays got the better of Toronto's ace, handing him only his second defeat of the season as they prevailed ..."
Florida to review Romero incident
Comment
June 30
Camden Courier-Post
 
"The case involving a flare-up between Phillies relief pitcher J.C. Romero and a Tampa Bay Rays fan last week at Tropicana Field has been turned over to the Florida attorney's office, a St. Petersburg Police Department spokesman said. Robert Eaton, a 25-year-old from New Port Richey, Fla., filed a complaint against Romero after alleging the pitcher grabbed him by the neck after Thursday's game. The officer who received the complaint classified it as "simple battery," a misdemeanor in Florida, according to spokesman George Katjsa. The police report has been forwarded to the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office for further review and a determination of whether prosecutors will charge ..."
Doc's return spoiled
Comment
June 30
Toronto Sun
 
"Roy Halladay's return was just about everything the Blue Jays could have expected, victory excepted. After 15 days on the disabled list with a mild groin strain, the doctor came back as dominant as he had been pre-injury in amassing the best record in the American League. Unfortunately for Toronto, as good as he was on this night, Halladay wasn't the most effective pitcher in the game. That distinction went to Tampa Bay's Jeff Niemann, who frustrated the Blue Jays lineup, allowing just four hits over 71/3 innings on his way to a 4-1 decision. In the first meeting between the Jays and an AL East opponent in nearly a month, the game swung, essentially, on rare back-to-back mistakes by ..."
Rays set record with 100th homer
Comment
June 30
Toronto Sun
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays became the fastest team to reach 100 homers and 100 steals by the all-star break when B.J. Upton homered in the third inning of yesterday's game against Florida. Upton's solo homer on the first pitch in the bottom of the third off Andrew Miller was the Rays' 100th this season. Tampa Bay, which started the day with 116 stolen bases, accomplished the feat in 77 games. The previous fastest were Cincinnati (1977) and Cleveland (1994), who both did it in 84 games according to Stats LLC."
Doc Halladay dinged in return
Comment
June 30
Toronto Star
 
"The Blue Jays have bigger things to consider than coming up with a popgun offence and ruining Roy Halladay's comeback game last night. Indeed, they couldn't hit a lick against Tampa Bay starter Jeff Niemann in a 4-1 loss at the Rogers Centre. But the Jays are also a falling star in the American League East. In coming up with only two hits in support of their ace and five overall, the Jays dropped their third consecutive decision and fourth in the past five games. Over that span, they've been getting smaller in the Rays' rear-view mirror. Tampa, behind Carl Crawford's two-run blast off Halladay in the third, claimed their sixth straight win and are now firmly in command of third place in ..."
Rays ruin Halladay's return
Comment
June 30
Boston Globe
 
"Carl Crawford and Pat Burrell homered and the Tampa Bays Rays ruined Roy Halladay's return with their sixth straight victory, 4-1 over the Blue Jays last night in Toronto. Halladay (10-2) came in having won his past seven decisions, the longest streak in the majors, but lost for the first time since April 21 against Texas. The Blue Jays have dropped three straight. Halladay was starting for the first time since June 12 against Florida, when he left two pitches into the fourth inning with a sore groin that landed him on the disabled list. The righthander allowed two runs and five hits in six innings, failing to pitch at least seven innings for only the second time in 15 starts. He walked ..."
Rays hoping to build on interleague success
Comment
June 30
Tampa Tribune
 
"The American League's superiority over the NL has been well established the past few years in interleague play (if not the World Series, much to the Rays' dismay) and that was the case again in 2009. AL teams went 137-114, topping the NL for the sixth consecutive year, and the Rays at 13-5 were second only to the Angels (14-4) in interleague success. Coming off a run of 15 consecutive games against NL opposition to dive back into AL East play Monday with their first matchup against the Blue Jays this year, the Rays hoped to build on the positive momentum they gained in a bid to pick up even more ground in the division. "I think it's going to be a tight race all year, and playing division ..."
Niemann, Rays up to the challenge
Comment
June 30
Tampa Tribune
 
"As Jeff Niemann entered the start that would mark the halfway point of his season Monday, the Rays weren't sure what they would get from the towering right-hander. That sense that the game could break one way or another in a hurry remains with Niemann, even when he isn't matched up with one of the sport's elite pitchers. And perhaps it was the experience of pitching against Roy Halladay that helped draw out the Niemann who can be awfully impressive himself when he's on. Because on this night, aided by pitch-count restrictions on Halladay in his first start off the disabled list, the Rays got the better of Toronto's ace, handing him only his second defeat of the season as they prevailed ..."
Improved two-strike approach helping Tampa Bay Rays offense rank among baseball's best
Comment
June 30
St. Petersburg Times
 
"LF Carl Crawford may have delivered the biggest hit of Monday's game, a two-run homer in the third inning off Blue Jays ace RHP Roy Halladay. But it was his single up the middle with two strikes in the first that served as an example of what manager Joe Maddon calls one of the club's biggest improvements since last season and a reason why the Rays are among the majors' best in several offensive categories. Tampa Bay entered Monday's game with the majors' second-best two-strike batting average (.213), behind only Toronto (.218), a huge jump from last season, when the Rays ranked 23rd at .182. "Our two-strike batting average has been great," Maddon said. "I've been really looking at that ..."
Niemann outpitches Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay
Comment
June 30
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Rookie right-hander Jeff Niemann admits he's still a "work in progress in terms of being consistently good." The 6-foot-9 Texan has shown flashes of dominance, such as in a complete-game shutout against the Royals. He also has dealt with the struggles that often come with young pitchers. But though Niemann, 26, is still adjusting to the big-league learning curve, he passed a big test Monday night against the Blue Jays. Niemann was impressive in outdueling Jays ace Roy Halladay, giving up just one run in 71/3 innings to lift the Rays to a 4-1 victory over Toronto in front of 15,665 at the Rogers Centre. Not only did Niemann pick up his staff-leading seventh win, veteran reliever Randy ..."
Rays' bullpen continues to sparkle
Comment
June 29
Tampa Tribune
 
"After an up and down first two months, the Rays' bullpen has regained the edge that made it one of the best in the majors in 2008. Tampa Bay relievers have pitched to a 1.11 ERA (seven runs, 562/3 innings) since June 8, and in the six-game homestand that concluded with Sunday's 5-2 win against Florida, the pen allowed one run in 181/3 innings. No component of the team's play was more critical to the Rays taking five of six against the Phillies and Marlins and climbing to seven games over .500 for the first time this year. In the Marlins series, LHP J.P. Howell got two wins and a save. Overall, Rays relievers have a 3.24 ERA (83 earned runs in 2302/3 innings). That's third best in the ..."
Tampa Bay Rays give Florida Marlins state of the art beating
Comment
June 29
Miami Herald
 
"They're the Florida Marlins, but they're not the team in Florida. Not anymore. The unofficial title clearly belongs to the Tampa Bay Rays, who drove home the point in a series sweep that culminated Sunday in a 5-2 victory that seemed more like 15-2. ''They've beaten up on us pretty good the last two years,'' said Marlins outfielder Cody Ross. Said manager Fredi Gonzalez after the latest setback: ``I'm glad we only play 'em six times because they're a good ball club right now.'' The Rays splashed cold water on the Marlins, who rode in on a five-game winning streak but head home on a three-game skid, a game below .500 and three games behind the Philadelphia Phillies. On Sunday, the Rays ..."
Another stinging loss
Comment
June 29
Miami Herald
 
"It has been a royal feast for the Marlins against the American League East -- except when it has concerned the Tampa Bay Rays. Their cross-state rivals did it to them again Saturday, as Jason Bartlett raced home from third on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to give the Rays a 3-2 victory at Tropicana Field. The Rays have now won four of five games from the Marlins this season, and have taken 9 of 11 over the past two. They will be going for a series sweep Sunday. These aren't your older sibling's Rays, a team that used to pitch a tent in the basement of the AL East standings less than month into the season and reside there until the end. They are the defending AL champions and ..."
Price leads Rays past Marlins
Comment
June 29
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"As the forlorn Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! packed up for the short journey back to South Florida on Sunday after the torrid Rays completed the three-game sweep, manager Fredi Gonzalez joked he would've taken June off if someone had told him his club would go 10-8 against the rugged AL East in interleague play. Unfortunately, the Rays are also in that division, and Florida's hitters took the lost weekend off as they scored seven runs while batting .208 (21 of 101). In the preceding five-game winning streak, the Marlins averaged 6.2 runs with a .311 average. More glaring was their inability to hit with runners in scoring position as they were 2 for 23, including 1 for 7 in Sunday's ..."
Bullpen continues to sparkle
Comment
June 29
Tampa Tribune
 
"After an up and down first two months, the Rays' bullpen has regained the edge that made it one of the best in the majors in 2008. Tampa Bay relievers have pitched to a 1.11 ERA (seven runs, 562/3 innings) since June 8, and in the six-game homestand that concluded with Sunday's 5-2 win against Florida, the pen allowed one run in 181/3 innings. No component of the team's play was more critical to the Rays taking five of six against the Phillies and Marlins and climbing to seven games over .500 for the first time this year. In the Marlins series, LHP J.P. Howell got two wins and a save. Overall, Rays relievers have a 3.24 ERA (83 earned runs in 2302/3 innings). That's third best in the ..."
Call was tough one for Rays
Comment
June 29
Tampa Tribune
 
"On the surface, looking strictly at the numbers, the move the Rays made late Friday night to bring Scott Kazmir back into the rotation might have seemed the obvious call. Measured by his overall body of work this season, Andy Sonnanstine without question has been the Rays' least effective starter. His 6.61 ERA in 15 starts says enough, but consider also that the 60 earned runs he has allowed this year are the most of any pitcher in the American League, and the 103 hits he has surrendered rank fourth. In most fantasy leagues, Sonnanstine probably hit the scrap heap long before Friday. But this was no point-and-click decision. In fact, it's probably fair to say the Rays agonized over this ..."
Tampa Bay Rays fastest to reach 100 steals and 100 homers
Comment
June 29
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays had a little difficulty sorting out their place in history, research showing they were the fifth team, not the first, to total 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases before the All-Star break. But, reflecting the speed and power required for such a feat, they did so in fewer games, 77, than any team. And with 100 homers and 118 steals, they could achieve more history. They're on a pace for 210 homers and 248 steals. Only the 1996 Rockies finished with at least 200 of each. "It speaks to the athleticism of the group," manager Joe Maddon said. "I think we have a great combination of speed and power. Everybody looks at us and always talks about how fast we are and how well we run and all ..."
Tampa Bay Rays complete three-game sweep of Marlins to move into third place in AL East
Comment
June 29
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The focus was on the left-hander who started the game, and David Price did well, working into the seventh inning and showing enough progress for the Rays to believe he'll soon be the consistent winner they envision. But the focal point Sunday was the left-hander who finished the game. J.P. Howell closed out his busy weekend by closing out a 5-2 series-sweeping win over the Marlins, then insisted he not be called the closer. Howell was the winner as the Rays rallied late Friday and again Saturday, and he was the savior Sunday, striking out the last two Marlins with the bases loaded, then pounding his glove in an unusual show of emotion. "It was intense," Howell said. "We wanted to finish it ..."
Bradford's return boosts Rays' bullpen
Comment
June 28
MLB.com
 
"Still a month before the Trade Deadline, the Rays may feel like they've made two acquisitions already. The return of starter Scott Kazmir earned the most notoriety. More under the radar -- though perhaps no less significant -- was the activation of reliever Chad Bradford off the disabled list on Friday. Bradford, the unorthodox submarine-style right-hander, is a boost to a bullpen that has emerged as one of the best in baseball over the past few weeks. An 11-year veteran with his fifth professional franchise, Bradford, 34, has a career ERA of 3.24 in 541 appearances. Bradford had a 1.42 ERA in 21 games with the Rays last season after being acquired from Baltimore in early August. He also ..."
Phillies confirm confrontation in Tampa
Comment
June 28
ESPN.com
 
"The Philadelphia Phillies confirmed Saturday that one of their players was involved in a confrontation with a fan following Thursday's game at the Tampa Bay Rays. The Phillies did not identify the player in their statement. The Rays also confirmed the incident but did not release details. The St. Petersburg Times reported on its Web site Saturday that Phillies reliever J.C. Romero grabbed and shoved Robert Eaton, 25, of New Port Richey, Fla., after the fan made two comments about steroids. "What did he say? That he was drunk and got into a fight?" Romero said of the fan's complaint Saturday. "I'm not going to comment on it. I'm trying to be professional, and I don't really want to get into ..."
Aftermath of Series: Phils glad, Rays not
Comment
June 28
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Which team has benefited more at the box office from last year's World Series? Attendance increases are about the same - 3,396 per game for the Rays, 3,361 for the Phillies - but the Rays are bummed and the Phillies are not. Crowd counts in Philly have risen from fifth in the majors to second, an average of 43,785 a game while the Rays rank 25th in attendance (up from 28th) at 22,524 a game. Furthermore, the Rays had embarrassingly small crowds last week for a World Series rematch. The Phillies visited for three games, and the crowds averaged 19,537. Rays president Matt Silverman told the St. Petersburg Times the team's projection for full houses throughout the series was a "huge miss," ..."
Marlins lose 'Heartbreaker' to Rays and Benatar
Comment
June 28
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"The combination of a postgame concert by '80s rocker Pat Benatar, an injury-riddled bullpen and the Rays' speed was too much for the Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! to overcome in Saturday's 3-2 loss. On Friday, the combination of Renyel Pinto and Brian Sanches turned Josh Johnson's 3-3 outing into a 7-3 loss. On Saturday, with relievers Matt Lindstrom and Kiko Calero residing on the disabled list, Burke Badenhop took over in the ninth and gave up a walk-off sacrifice fly to pinch-hitter Willie Aybar to spoil Chris Volstad's second consecutive solid start (two runs in six innings). "I thought Chris showed poise and grit, throwing 116 pitches and keeping us in the ballgame,'' Marlins ..."
New Kaz is back, but will he last?
Comment
June 28
Tampa Tribune
 
"Scott Kazmir and the head he rode in on - hopefully not the one he rode out on - were back on the mound at Tropicana Field on Saturday night. Rays owner Stu Sternberg, who popped into town to see if anyone had built a new stadium while he was gone, didn't once try to count the house while in the Rays dugout before the game with the Marlins. Sternberg was chatty, but mum on team president Matt Silverman's recent comments on disappointing attendance. Sternberg did herald the return of Kazmir, among others. "It's like we're getting the band back together," he said. But what kind of music will Kaz make? The kind you celebrate, or the kind you clean the rug after? So far, so good. "I thought it ..."
Aybar's pinch-hit sacrifice fly gives Tampa Bay Rays fourth straight win
Comment
June 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Rays didn't need to hit the Marlins with their best shot. A ninth-inning bloop single and stolen base by Jason Bartlett, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Willy Aybar were enough for a thrilling 3-2 win that extended their perfect Saturday night concert series record to 11 straight over two seasons before '80s rocker Pat Benatar took the stage. "Kind of a cool thing," manager Joe Maddon said. "We should have them more often." The result was important, as the Rays moved to six games over .500 for the first time this season at 41-35 and moved into a tie for third place with Toronto, six games behind the Red Sox. Their 33-21 record since April 30 is the best in the AL (following their ..."
Fan says Phillies pitcher assaulted him over steroids remark
Comment
June 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"A New Port Richey man says he was assaulted by a Philadelphia Philies player following Thursday's game against the Rays. Robert Eaton, a 25-year-old father of two, said Phillies pitcher J.C. Romero grabbed him by the neck and pushed him after he made a comment about steroids. Romero initially had no comment when approached by Philadelphia media after Saturday's game in Toronto, but when asked by a Daily News reporter if he wanted to hear the accusation, Romero replied: "What'd he say - that he was drunk and got into a fight? ... I'm not going to comment about it. I'm trying to be professional and I don't really want to get into that. Don't make a story out of nothing. I don't know what's ..."
Tampa Bay Rays' decision to demote Andy Sonnanstine easier than it looked
Comment
June 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The decision to send down Andy Sonnanstine to clear space in the rotation for Scott Kazmir's return really wasn't difficult. The Rays just made it that way. The more they assessed options, it was obvious Sonnanstine - with a 6.61 ERA through 15 starts that was highest of all regular starters in either league, a losing record despite the majors' best run support and a .305 opponents average - was the one to go. But they'd remember fondly what he did for them last year, winning 13 games, and they'd stop to talk about other things to stall a decision. They'd reflect on his guts and ponder scenarios to keep him in place of Jeff Niemann or David Price. And there was a lot involved - Niemann's ..."
Coghlan happy to hear about Iwamura
Comment
June 27
Palm Beach Post
 
"Marlins left fielder Chris Coghlan received good news this week that had nothing to do with his team climbing in the standings. Coghlan said it was "exciting" to learn that Akinori Iwamura's knee injury was not as serious as first thought and the Rays' second baseman could return by mid August. Iwamura was injured May 24 on a Coghlan slide. Iwamura was expected to be out for the season. "I prayed for him," Coghlan said. "You don't want anybody to get hurt." Coghlan, who lives in Tarpon Springs and played at East Lake High in Pinellas County, sought out Iwamura that night to apologize. Friday was Coghlan's first game in Tampa since Iwamura's injury. Rays manager Joe Maddon was asked ..."
Report: Phillies Player Fights With Rays Fan
Comment
June 27
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Still in the process of gathering information about this, but evidently, a Phillies player got into an altercation with a fan after Thursday night's game at Tropicana Field. The police reportedly were involved. The identity of the player is not yet known. The story was initially reported by the St. Petersburg Times."
Marlins Depleted bullpen falters against Rays
Comment
June 27
Miami Herald
 
"The Marlins bullpen is hurting, and Friday it showed. With three prominent relievers sidelined with injuries, what remained of the team's battered bullpen fell apart late, and the Tampa Bay Rays broke away for a 7-3 victory at Tropicana Field. The Rays took advantage of a pair of walks, a wild pitch and a key, two-out double by B.J. Upton in the eighth inning to snap a 3-3 tie and bring the Marlins' five-game winning streak to an end. ''Late in the games, putting guys on with walks, it's going to come back and haunt you,'' Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said. ``You're asking for trouble.'' In the decisive eighth, the Rays coaxed two walks out of left-handed reliever Renyel Pinto and a wild ..."
Rays beat Marlins 7-3 as Upton leads the way
Comment
June 27
St. Petersburg Times
 
"B.J. Upton is showing the blend of speed and power from the leadoff spot that the Rays envisioned. The speedy centerfielder started the season slow at the plate, partly due to a spring spent rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery. But Upton has been putting things together and, as teammates say, has thrived in clutch situations. Upton did just that Friday night, coming through with a three-run double with two outs in the eighth to lift the Rays to a 7-3 victory over the Marlins in front of 20,972 at Tropicana Field. "The big moments, he's feeding off that now," said J.P. Howell, who earned the win with 11/3 scoreless innings of relief. "He's playing with zero percent fear, and he's ..."
Rays swipe late win
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June 27
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Proving the old adage that 'speed kills,' the Tampa Rays stole a 7-3 victory from the Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! Friday night to snap their five-game winning streak at Tropicana Field. Perhaps more annoying to Fredi Gonzalez' crew is that they blew an opportunity to move into a first-place tie for the first time since May 9 as the floundering Phillies lost again. While Marlins young ace Josh Johnson turned in his customary six-inning, quality start (his 14th), he was victimized by not paying attention to details such as holding the Rays runners close. Johnson allowed three runs on seven hits as the Marlins fall to 12-4 in his starts. The lightning-quick combination of B.J. Upton ..."
Interesting homecoming for Coghlan
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June 27
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"To the more than 100 family members and friends who came to cheer for Tampa-grown Chris Coghlan Friday night at Tropicana Field, the Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! rookie left fielder is a hero. But to Coghlan, the one family member missing, younger brother Kevin, is the true hero. He recently finished two terms in Iraq with the Marines, and is currently debriefing in Hawaii before ending his four-year stint in September. "I look at him as the hero,'' said Coghlan, who is batting .329 over his last 19 games. "He looks at that way, too, calling me, asking about baseball because he wants to know about stuff going on in the world. Every time I see him I tell him how proud and how much ..."
Kazmir replaces Sonnanstine in Rays' rotation
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June 27
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Andy Sonnanstine was dropped from the Rays rotation to Triple-A Durham to make room for LHP Scott Kazmir to start tonight. The Rays also designated RHP Winston Abreu for assignment so RHP Chad Bradford could be activated. Sonnanstine was the odd man out as the Rays opted to keep LHP David Price and RHP Jeff Niemann in the rotation. Price will start Sunday, Niemann was bumped to Monday. Sonnanstine, a 13-game winner last season, was 6-7 this season despite the best run support in the majors, had a 6.61 ERA that was highest of all regular major-league starters and allowed a .305 average. Manager Joe Maddon said the decision was a combination of Sonnanstine's performance and others factors; ..."
Tampa, Hillsborough included as possible relocation site for Rays
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June 27
Tampa Tribune
 
"Will the Tampa Bay Rays be coming to downtown Tampa? Not if St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker has anything to say about it. A group studying whether the baseball team should leave Tropicana Field has included three sites in Hillsborough County – downtown Tampa, the West Shore district and the state fairgrounds east Hillsborough – in a list of potential locations for a new stadium. Since the Rays withdrew plans for a waterfront facility in downtown St. Petersburg last year, the A Baseball Community coalition, which is headed by Progress Energy CEO Jeff Lyash, has been searching for a new home for the Mayor League Baseball team. Until now, the coalition has not publicly raised the option of ..."
Upton leads Rays past Marlins
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June 27
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Rays' mission against the hot Marlins was clear Friday night: Keep the game close and get it to the bullpens, where Tampa Bay had an advantage. They did exactly that, breaking out with four runs in the eighth inning against Florida relievers to beat their South Florida neighbors 7-3. The Rays moved to a season-high five games over .500 (40-35) and 3-1 on a six-game homestand that included three against the defending World Series champion Phillies. Tampa Bay also has taken 10 of the past 12 in the Citrus Series. After an expected pitching duel between James Shields and Josh Johnson materialized, the Rays got a three-run double from surging B.J. Upton in the bottom of the eighth against ..."
Sonnanstine is the odd man out
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June 27
Tampa Tribune
 
"LHP Scott Kazmir is back in the rotation, RHP Chad Bradford is back in the bullpen and RHP Andy Sonnanstine, a mainstay in the rotation since the start of last season, is being sent down to Triple-A Durham. The Rays waited until almost 11 p.m. Friday to announce their much-anticipated moves, which also included designating RHP Winston Abreu for assignment. Manager Joe Maddon's office door was still closed late Friday. Kazmir, on the disabled list for more than a month to get his mechanics straightened out, will pitch tonight against the Marlins. LHP David Price will pitch as scheduled Sunday, and RHP Jeff Niemann, who was supposed to pitch tonight, will take his turn Monday at Toronto. ..."