Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Take Game One to the Rockies, 7-4

Four home runs were hit Friday night: A pair by Nolan Arenado and Michael Cuddyer for the Rockies, and a pair by Desmond Jennings and Kelly Johnson. And though all four were well struck, none of them looked like homers off the bat. At the same time, there were other well struck fly-balls that seemed to be carrying, but stayed in the park. Confusing and somewhat disorienting? You betcha!

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: The “Beware the Ides of May” Edition

Another night, another loss that didn’t need to be. The Rays pitching staff once more gave up an early lead, only to leave Tampa Bay on the wrong side of the win/loss column. This time it was Jeremy Hellickson’s turn to crap the proverbial bed, after the offense jumped out to an early 5-0 lead thanks in part to a pair of back-to-back Matt Joyce and Ben Zobrist solo shots in the first inning. The Rays have now fallen to 12-15 on the season, and seven games out of first place.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: “The Great Unraveling” Edition

Last night was James Shields’ night, plain and simple. Forget the fanfare surrounding the three players who returned to the lineup Tuesday — including Luke Scott who was playing his first game of the 2013 season. And forget that Alex Cobb seemed like a reasonable replacement for Big Game James. No, this was all Shields.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: A Kerfuffle and A Win in Chicago, Onward to Kansas City

The Rays walked away from Chicago Sunday having given David Price his first victory of the season, while also salvaging the last two games of their previous four game set following an 8-3 win against the White Sox.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Crush the White Sox, 10-4

I wrote yesterday, “If anyone on the staff is capable of pulling the Rays out of this funk, it is Moore.” Holy moly, those words held true, in spades, Saturday night!

A sputtering Rays offense snapped back to life, scoring a season high 10-runs on 19 hits, while Matt Moore absolutely dominated the White Sox, posting a 6 IP/3 H/1 R/1 ER/1 BB/9 K/1 HR slash line on 101 pitches (61 for strikes).