With just three games remaining on the Grapefruit League schedule, the Tampa Bay Rays took to the mean streets of Highway 275, en route to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Spring Training complex in Clearwater, for a game against Ryne Sandberg’s rag-tag crew. The Rays exited the proverbial slaughterhouse after leading the lambs (Phillies) into a 10-1 buzz saw of epic proportions. Who cares that this is just Spring Training. Sandberg and his crew deserved the pummeling after making Tampa Bay play without a DH, to which Rays manager Kevin Cash admitted to not quite understanding, “We don’t quite understand… But whatever.”
Category Archives: Lineups
Rays Spring Training Update, Day 39: Rays Blank Yanks 3-0, Game and Roster Notes
With three games left in the Grapefruit League season, the Tampa Bay Rays were able to walk away from Tampa with their 13th tally in the spring win column. The pitching staff stifled the Yankees, blanking them throughout course of the game and allowing only four hits and four walks. Meanwhile James Loney and Desmond Jennings combined to go 5-6 with three runs, an RBI, and two doubles.
Rays Spring Training Update, Day 38
The Tampa Bay Rays took on a pair of AL East foes Tuesday afternoon, facing off with the Boston Red Sox in their last home game of the spring in Port Charlotte, and the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota. Tampa Bay was able to eke out a 4-3 win against the Orioles, thanks to solid outings by Everett Teaford and Mike Montgomery. On the other hand, minor league prospects from the Class-A Stone Crabs allowed nine Red Sox to cross the plate in the top of the ninth inning, after holding a commanding 8-2 lead throughout the rest of the contest. Oh well, you win some and lose some.
Rays Spring Training Update, Day 36: Cash Readies Relievers for Consecutive Appearances
South on 75 — the Tampa Bay Rays made their way to Ft, Myers to take on the Boston Red Sox for the second consecutive day. Brad Boxberger, Grant Balfour, Ernesto Frieri, Jordan Norberto, Kirby Yates and Jhan Marinez all took the mound in what was called a bullpen by committee game. Tampa Bay ultimately fell to the dreaded Red …
Rays Spring Training Update, Day 35: Rays Fall 9-6 to Boston, Injured Pitchers, Etc
I’ve frequented the idea that win or lose, this is only Spring Training and these games are meaningless in the scheme of things. However, maintaining that perspective takes a little more effort in certain instances. Case in point, Saturday’s 9-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Under no circumstances do I find a loss to the dreaded Red Sox acceptable. I know, I know — this was a meaningless Spring Training game. Yet the Red Sox are composed of some pretty unlikable players — I’m looking at you Mike Napoli and David Ortiz — and there is nothing I like more than watching them fail, regardless of when. Oh well, at least Tampa Bay will get another shot at the worst team in the AL East, circa 2014, on Sunday.