Catching Some Rays: 9/18-9/24

After a disappointing end to the series in Baltimore, the Rays are in the same spot they were when the series began. However, there's no time for them to feel sorry about it. The only thing they can do at this point is to win games. They'll have to fight off one team out of the race and one trying to fight for one of the final two spots in the Wild Card race. They can't watch the scoreboard to see how Baltimore is playing. If they handle their business, they may return to the top and win the division. 

Tuesday 9/19

Rays 6, Angels 2

WP- Robert Stephenson (3-4), LP- Aaron Loup (2-3)

The Rays returned home to begin their final homestand of the regular season. They immediately found themselves ahead after a lead-off double by Yandy Diaz and a two-run home run by Randy Arozarena put them up after two batters in the bottom of the first. The offense went quiet after that. Taj Bradley put in a strong start, pitching five innings and striking out six, with his only mistake coming on a solo home run by Logan O'Hoppe in the fourth inning. Kevin Kelly pitched two nearly-perfect innings in relief as the 2-1 lead remained intact. It would stay that way as Zach Neto knocked a two-out game-tying home run in the eighth inning off Robert Stephenson. The Rays didn't take it lightly, loading the bases with one out on two walks and a single against Aaron Loup, setting the stage for Osleivis Basabe to drive a two-run double to the fence in center field, scoring two runs, and giving the Rays a 4-2 lead. Rene Pinto added to the fun with a two-run single to cap a four-run inning. Shawn Armstrong closed the game in the ninth, allowing the Rays to keep pace in the AL East with the Orioles.

Player of the Game- Osleivis Basabe (TB) (1-for-3, 1 run, 1 walk, Go-ahead 2-R 2B in the 8th)

Baltimore Watch- The Orioles defeated Houston, 9-5 (Rays- 2.5 GB)

Wednesday 9/20

Angels 8, Rays 3

WP- Andrew Wantz (2-0) LP- Aaron Civale (7-4)

It was evident early in this game the Rays wouldn't be on the right side of the decision. By the end of the second inning, the Angels had built a 6-0 lead, highlighted by a three-run home run in the second inning by Brandon Drury. Isaac Paredes got the Rays on the board with an RBI single in the third. Drury's second homer of the day, a two-run shot in the sixth, was more than enough for the Angels to secure their victory. A two-run double by Yandy Diaz in the bottom of the sixth helped to close the gap, but it's all the Rays would muster in this one. 

Player of the Game- Brandon Brury (LAA) (3-for-5, 2 runs, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs)

Baltimore Watch- The Orioles lost to Houston, 2-1 (Rays- 2.5 GB)

Thursday 9/21

Rays 5, Angels 4

WP- Andrew Kittredge (2-0), LP- Carlos Estevez (5-5)

This was a very frustrating game to follow because it felt like there was no hope for the Rays to win this series. Isaac Paredes began the scoring for the Rays with an RBI double in the first. David Fletcher put the Angels ahead in the fourth with a two-run single, but it was meant in the bottom of the inning on an RBI groundout by Jonathan Aranda. A two-run homer by Jo Adell in the top of the sixth felt like a huge gut punch. Manuel Margot brought the Rays within one on an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth, but they were still down a run heading into the bottom of the ninth. With Carlos Estevez in to try and close the game, the Rays went to work. Two singles to lead off the inning would allow Paredes to pick up another RBI with a single and tie the game at four. With the bases loaded and two outs, Margot blooped a ball over first base, allowing the winning run to cross the plate as the Rays took the series, and drew a game closer in the race for the AL East. 

Player of the Game- Manuel Margot (TB) (2-for-4, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 HBP, 1 stolen base)

Baltimore Watch- The Orioles lost to Cleveland, 5-2 (Rays- 1.5 GB)

Series Review

• The Rays beat the Angels, 2-1
• The Rays tied the Angels, 14-14
• The Rays tied the franchise record for most Ks thrown during a 9-inning game (19) on Wednesday
• Series MVP- Yandy Diaz (6-for-11, 3 runs, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 4 walks)

Friday 9/22

Blue Jays 6, Rays 2

WP- Chris Bassit (15-8), LP- Tyler Glasnow (9-7), SV- Jordan Romano (36)

Like many games recently for Tampa Bay, this was a frustrating one. The Rays led 1-0 for most of the game after Harold Ramirez opened the scoring in the first on an RBI single. Tyler Glasnow was mowing through the Toronto lineup, allowing one hit through five innings. In the top of the sixth, the game unraveled for Glasnow. After retiring the first batter, George Springer's single would kick off a streak of seven straight batters reaching base. The sequence featured three hits, three walks, and a hit by pitch, allowing the Blue Jays to push across four runs in the inning. The Rays never recovered. Curtis Mead cut the deficit in half with his first MLB home run in the seventh, but Toronto would add two more runs in the ninth to take the first game of the series in convincing fashion. 

Player of the Game- Daulton Varsho (TOR) (2-for-4, 1 run, 1 home run, 2 RBIs)

Baltimore Watch- The Orioles lost to Cleveland, 9-8 (Rays- 1.5 GB)

Saturday 9/23

Rays 7, Blue Jays 6

WP- Chris Devenski (5-4), LP- Jordan Romano (5-6)

Add this to the pile of games that got ugly when they didn't need to. The Rays were riding on East Street for most of the game, thanks to a four-run first inning as Yandy Diaz led off the inning with a solo shot, and Josh Lowe added to it with a three-run bomb. Making his MLB debut, top prospect Junior Caminero made a lasting memory, recording a single for his first MLB hit in front of his family. To keep the good times rolling, Christian Bethancourt hit a solo home run in the fourth to make it 5-0. Then, almost as if by magic, the sixth inning hurt the Rays again. After Zack Littell retired the first two batters, a throwing error by Curtis Mead and a batter reaching on a dropped third strike allowed George Springer to drive in two runs. By the end of the inning, Toronto had scored four runs, trailing 5-4. With two outs in the eighth, Pete Fairbanks was called upon to shut things down. He wouldn't record an out, allowing three walks and hitting a batter, allowing Toronto to score twice in the inning to take the lead. For the second time in three days, it would take a miracle. Diaz led off the inning with a double, and after Harold Ramirez singled to put runners on the corners, Curtis Mead tied the game with an RBI single. With two on and one out, Caminero looked like he'd grounded into an inning-ending double play, but his hustle down the line, and a challenge by Kevin Cash, overturned the call. This allowed Lowe to step up and deliver the walk-off single, completing another comeback. 

Player of the Game- Josh Lowe (TB) (3-for-5, 1 run, 1 home run, 4 RBIs)

Baltimore Watch- The Orioles beat Cleveland, 2-1 (Rays- 1.5 GB)

Sunday 9/24

Blue Jays 9, Rays 5

WP- Trevor Richards (2-1), LP- Taj Bradley (5-8)

When history looks back on when it felt like the Rays had officially lost the division, this will be the day. The game had started well, with Isaac Paredes and Junior Caminero driving in runs on RBI singles, the first career RBI for Caminero, but Toronto hit back for five runs against Taj Bradley in the top of the second. A two-run single by Whit Merrifield and a three-run inside-the-park homer by George Springer would get Toronto off an early lead. Taylor Walls would cut the deficit to two runs with an RBI single, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a solo shot in the sixth to get the run back. Paredes kept his strong game going with his 30th homer of the season, a two-run blast, in the seventh. Back-to-back homers in the ninth by Bo Bichette and Guerrero Jr. would seal the deal as Toronto took the series, dealing a death blow to the Rays' division hopes. 

Player of the Game- Vladimir Guerrero Jr (TOR) (2-for-5, 2 runs, 2 home runs, 2 RBIs)

Baltimore Watch- The Orioles beat Cleveland, 5-1 (Rays- 2.5 GB)

Series Review

• The Blue Jays beat the Rays, 2-1
• The Blue Jays outscored the Rays, 21-14
• The Rays will either be the top seed in the AL or the 1st Wild Card after Saturday's win
• Series MVP- Josh Lowe (5-for-13, 2 runs, 1 double, 1 home run, 4 RBIs, 1 stolen base)

Injury Report & Other News

It was a very bad week for the health of the team. Jason Adam was re-instated from the IL, only to end up right back on it after one appearance. Brandon Lowe is going to miss the next 4-6 weeks with a patellar fracture. Luke Raley is on the 10-Day IL. Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena each left games early this week. It was like a perfect storm of terrible news right before the start of the postseason. 

The Week Ahead

It's the final week of the regular season for the Rays before they try and capture their first World Series. They'll finish the season on the road. The week will start with a short two-game trip to Boston before facing the Blue Jays again for three more in Toronto. This series could serve as a potential Wild Card Round preview. 

In the Hunt

Baltimore (97-59, +2.5 games in the AL East)

Last week- 2-1 at HOU & 2-2 at CLE. This week- 2 games vs. Washington & 4 games vs. Boston. 

Toronto (87-69, 7.5 GB for the 1st WC)

Last week- 2-1 at NYY & 2-1 at TB. This week- 3 games vs. New York (AL) & 3 games vs. Tampa Bay. 

Houston (85-71, 2.0 GB for the 2nd WC, +0.5 games for the 3rd WC)

Last week- 1-2 vs. BAL & 0-3 vs. KC. This week- 3 games at Seattle & 3 games at Arizona. 

Seattle (84-71, 0.5 GB for the 3rd WC)

Last week- 3-0 at OAK & 0-3 at TEX. This week- 3 games vs. Houston & 4 games vs. Texas.