Evan Longoria is greeted in the dugout after scoring on a hit by David DeJesus in the sixth inning on Sunday. Both Longoria and James Loney drove in the runs. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Evan Longoria is greeted in the dugout after scoring on a hit by David DeJesus in the sixth inning on Sunday. Both Longoria and James Loney drove in the runs. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Jim Mone)

The Tampa Bay Rays avoided a three-game sweep at the hands of the Twins on Sunday, demolishing Minnesota to the tune of an 11-3 score. The team collected a season high 19 hits although, interestingly enough, only four went for extra-bases — all doubles. Nary a home run was hit, and the meat of the production came on 14 singles and three walks.

It was particularly nice to see Evan Longoria and James Loney drive in six total runs (three apiece) on six combined base-hits. Neither attempted to over swing or do too much, rather they were given scoring opportunities and did what was expected of them. See ball, hit ball as it were. Consider Sunday’s game the yin to last Monday’s yang. After all, the Rays did to the Twins what the Yankees did to Tampa Bay almost a week ago — put up 11 runs.

The team now owns a 21-18 record with a run differential of 17, seated just one game out of first place in the AL East. Juxtapose that with the 2014 Rays, who posted a 16-23 record after 39 games, along with a gaudy -17 run differential. All this in spite of the fact they’re missing starters Alex Cobb, Drew Smyly and Matt Moore (who is expected back before July), DH John Jaso and outfielder Desmond Jennings.

The team has been resilient, and has not allowed its shortcomings to get in the way. Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) wrote about the team’s resiliency,

…The reasons they have been able to overcome is longer, from the rotation-leading efforts by Archer and Jake Odorizzi, a dominating bullpen, usually tidy defense, and contributions from some unexpected places such as Logan Forsythe sharing the team lead in RBIs, David DeJesus their top hitter, Steve Geltz a key part of the pen.

Next stop Atlanta, where the Rays are set to start a two-game, intraleague series against the Braves on Tuesday. They’ll follow with a four-game set against the West Coast Rays…urm, Oakland A’s on Thursday. Since Tampa Bay won’t be playing the Yankees or Red Sox, I fully anticipate crowds greater than 14,000.

I digress.

As of now, the Rays have anywhere from a 21.3% – 48.7% chance of a postseason berth (per FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus, respectively). While one fourth of the way through a marathon-like season does not a playoff contender make, the prospect of being a contender past September is much better than chronically scratching at the eight-ball. …And it didn’t even take some trite motivational stunt to get them there  — no offense, Joe.

FYI: This post was modified from the one I wrote previously for DRaysBay.

Noteworthiness

— And here I thought Chris Archer got the flu started in the clubhouse with his gutsy performance back on April 26th.

— The newly reactivated Jake McGee breezed through his seventh inning appearance on Sunday, ringing up a pair of batters and coaxing a foul-out. Among his efficient 14 pitches (nine for strikes), McGee mixed in two curveballs. The lefty told the media it was comforting to know he hit 97 mph several times:

It was good to get out there and feel good and throws strikes and get ahead of guys.

— Matt Moore’s return is imminent! Moore will throw a simulated game in Port Charlotte on Monday, which should be his last batting practice outing before an extended spring game then a rehab assignment.

— According to Beyond the Boxscore, the Rays rank third in baseball by FIP-. Additionally Jake Odorizzi is the fifth best pitcher in baseball by, you guessed it, FIP-.

— The best tweet of the week comes courtesy of Empty Seats Galore:

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