Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Archer Goes Seven Strong in Rays Win Over the Orioles

This game was about Chris Archer. No one else, well maybe Desmond Jennings, but we’ll get to that. Archer, after getting touched for five runs in four innings against the Indians, came out swinging. After hitting Nate McClouth to start the game, Archer settled down and induced two ground balls, from the next two batters, the second being an inning ending double play. He cruised through the first two and two/thirds innings before hitting a rough patch, the only one he would hit all night, walking Chris Dickerson, then walking Nate McClouth followed by a line drive to center field by Manny Machado, scoring Dickerson for Batlimore’s only run. After that, he coasted through the next four innings, allowing only one more hit on a misplay by Jennings in center.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Lose to the Tigers 5-2, Enter the Orioles

Tampa Bay dropped the rubber match of the Tigers series Thursday by a score of 5-2, in gem of well pitched game by Max Scherzer. The same culprits that killed the Rays throughout the course of the series — Victor Martinez, Prince Fielder, and Miguel Cabrera — were responsible for Detroit’s five runs, while the Rays offense couldn’t muster enough umph in a game where a win was obtainable — at least when former Ray Joaquin Benoit took the mound in relief.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays, Cobb Shutout Tigers 3-0

With a pair of starting pitchers posting +55% ground ball percentages, most of us figured that Wednesday night’s match-up between Alex Cobb and Doug Fister would be a pitching dual of the ages. However, I’m not certain if any of us would have foreseen a double shutout going into the eighth inning. Though one pitcher had to lose, both Cobb and Fister were excellent Wednesday night. If I may, it’s just a damn shame that Alex Cobb couldn’t be credited with the win; after all, Cobb was incredible.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays, Matt Moore Clobbered 10-1

I’m still a bit punch drunk after the Tigers 10-1 shellacking of the Rays Tuesday night. I had the full intention of putting together a complete summary of the game, however I’d reckon it’d be just as easy for you to head to our Tumblr page where we live blogged the debacle in its entirety.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Thump the Indians, Take Series

And just when you petulant little whiners wanted to send Fernando Rodney packing, he put together a six pitch outing, peacefully putting the final three batters out of their misery. Look I get it it, Rodney still hasn’t fully regained my trust either. However before you find a new closer on your fantasy roster, there’s a little saying that the Rays abide by: Respect the process. They are being mindful of the process, and guess what? Rodney seems to be coming around. Rodney’s now strung together 5-1/3 consecutive innings of no hit baseball, while walking only one batter along the way. Will he be the Rodney of 2012? That’s highly improbable. Besides, it’d be foolish to assume that he could be that at this point. However that doesn’t negate his effectiveness from this point forward.