Rays 3/7/12 Box Score; The Streak Is Over At Four, Now with “Big Game” James on Getting the Opening Day Nod

"Big Game" James Shields threw two perfect innings in his first spring training start. (Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE)

I tell you what, unless you actually make it out to any spring training games, unless they’re on the TV or the radio, dissecting any given game is a daunting task to say the least. Fortunately for those of you that have an MLB.TV subscription, you get to see the replay of today’s game vs. the Yankees tomorrow at 9:00 AM sharp.

In any case, I’ll try my darndest to sum up the game based on the line and box scores. First off, the Rays beat the Yankees 4-0 on a stellar four hit shut out by the pitching staff.

Courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Shields, Badenhop, and Lueke went two innings a piece, giving up only two hits while striking out four. Both Lueke and Shields pitched perfect innings against some of the Yankees big boys including Swisher, Jeter, Granderson, and Cano. I know it’s only spring training, but taking care of business against those overpaid numbskulls is always fun. Sanchez, De La Rosa, and Colome rounded things out by going an inning a piece, giving up two hits while walking one, and striking out two.

To see Shields do well in his first spring training start is encouraging. It’s safe to say that the odds are against Big Game James to perform as well as he did last season. Most people feel as though Shields had a career season in 2011. However, seeing him pitch well, right out of the gate, is great. Even 75% of his 2011 effectiveness would find a very solid, dependable starter. I also like hearing that he’ll be taking the hill opening day Rays against the evil empire.

Box Score, Courtesy of Yahoo Sports

On the offensive side of things, Brignac, Keppinger, and Vogt had big days at the plate, collectively hitting five of the Rays 10 hits, and scoring three of the Rays four runs. Vogt drove in two of those four runs while Molina and Feliciano drove in the other two. Suffice to say, Keppinger, Brignac, and Rodriguez are making the battle for shortstop/middle infielder very interesting.

Box Score Courtesy of Yahoo Sports

Check out an interview with “Big Game” James here, not to mention the video (below) of “Big Game” James talking about getting the opening day nod:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/TNYXkwRsfdwp=1=player_embedded]

Tampa Bay Rays rookie Stephen Vogt may be dark horse in battle for backup catcher – Tampa Bay Times (Re-post)

I can’t stress it enough, the Rays do not feel 100% confident that Jose Lobaton or Robinson Chirinos are where they should be, development wise, at the moment. Could we see Vogt and Gimenez platooning the back-up catching spot behind Jose Molina similar to what we saw last year with Chirinos/Lobaton and Jaso behind Shoppach? If one thing is certain, the rookie certainly is making a case for himself at the plate. Only time will tell. Tampa Bay Rays rookie Stephen Vogt may be dark horse in battle for backup catcher – Tampa Bay Times.

Elliot Johnson’s Tim Kurkjian Impression

Back by popular demand…

I think this piece would also be aptly titled as Nobody on the Rays could do an impression of John Kruk, because nobody on the roster looks like a blood sausage.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IExTQXBOqsE&list=UUSTtBg1MCjBONMek3W1cIcA&index=1&feature=plcp=1=player_embedded]

Rays Vs. the Twins, Part 3: The Saga Continues

The Rays are getting ready for the third of nine scheduled exhibitions against the Twins. At this rate, those nine exhibitions will be done in approximately three hours, but I digress.

Jeff “The Big Nyquil” Niemann will take the hill for the first time this spring, as the ongoing battle for the coveted spot on the opening day roster, with Wade Davis, continues. He will, reportedly, take a measured approach in this outing, by not putting any more emphasis on it than he normally would. Carlos Pena will make the first of his second stint with the Rays today as well.

Don’t expect to see Longoria for at least a few more days. Longoria, who was hit by a pitch in an intrasquad game on March 1, has been MIA ever since. “It’s slowly going in the right direction,” said Longoria I’m as impatient as everybody. My tendency is to push it, but I think right now the smart decision is to just let it run its course. All it is, is swelling, getting the swelling out of there.” Longoria tested the strength in his hand the last couple of days by taking dry swings, but resigned himself to needing a few more days until he can fully re-acclimate himself.

The Rays 3/6/12 Starting Lineup:

Jennings DH
Rodriguez SS
Peña 1B
Guyer RF
Salazar CF
Gimenez C
Rhymes 2B
Mangini 3B
Feliciano LF
Niemann P

 

Oh My Goodness, the Rays Drop Their First Two Games to the Twinkies! Time to Panic!

Ha, not really. Seriously, all that should be expected of the Rays at this point is that the regulars perform well. And they have been doing well so far in their limited performances.

Yesterday Hellickson threw 22 pitches over the course of two innings, and gave up only one hit. True, he only threw a few change-ups, didn’t strike anyone out, and hit a batter. Then again, most pitchers are only throwing fastballs at this point in spring training, Hellickson really isn’t a big strike out pitcher, and no pitcher walks into spring training with dominant command of any of his pitches. Peralta, Howell, and Sanchez also had strong performances, cumulatively giving up only one hit and striking out six in four innings of work. Rhymes, Rodriguez, Chrinos, and Joyce all had strong days at the plate, either driving, in or scoring, the bulk of the Rays runs on the day.

Rays infielder Sean Rodriguez, who is battling for the starting shortstop job, slides hard into Twins shortstop Jamey Carroll at second base to break up a double play and allow Matt Joyce to reach first base. Photo by: James Borchuck/Tampa Bay Times

To that end, Rodriguez continues to be impressive in the battle for SS, both on the field and at the plate. SeanRod reached base three times on two hits and a hit by pitch. He also scored a run, and slid hard into second breaking up a double play allowing Matt Joyce to reach first. On the subject his strong performance so far this spring, Rodriguez told the Times, “I have to be playing basically like if it’s the regular season. That’s how it should be always, but it makes it a little more fulfilling knowing they’re going to be watching your every move.” In short, I’m not too concerned at the moment. Besides, forget not that the Rays lost the majority of the games they faced against the Twins in spring training last season, yet took seven out of ten games from them when it mattered.

Interestingly enough, plan on seeing a lot of the Rays on ESPN today. Baseball Tonight is down in Port Charlotte covering the Rays. I’m sure Kruk and company will have some flattering things to say about the crappy fan following the Rays have, or just how crappy we Rays fans are in general.

The 3/5/12 Starting Lineup Vs. the Orioles:

Brignac SS
Upton CF
Zobrist 2B
Joyce DH
Keppinger 1B
Molina C
Mangini 3B
Johnson RF
Guyer LF
Davis P