I posed the question earlier, what’s better than a three-game sweep? The answer was and is obvious: a four-game sweep!
Tampa Bay took game four of the Citrus Series from the Marlins by a score of 5-2, after rookie RHP Alex Colome put together a solid 5-2/3 IP debut. Giving up one run (un-earned) on five hits and two walks, Colome struck out seven, while becoming the eighth Rays pitcher to win his debut outing.
Jamey Wright and Fernando Rodney also looked good, with Rodney putting together his fourth consecutive scoreless outing. Don’t look now, but Rodney’s given up only a walk in 3-1/3 innings of work.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge James Loney and Matt Joyce’s offensive contributions. Joyce went yard in the sixth, sending a two-run shot to right, while James Loney hit a solo shot to right in the seventh.
Tampa Bay heads to Cleveland Friday, just one game behind the second place Yankees. I’d reckon it’s kismet that the Yankees got swept in the Subway Series. The Rays are now five games over .500 for the first time this season, having won five games in a row.
We’ll post more later, including our series preview. Until then, Let’s Go Rays!