Sheesh, what a difference a few days make. The end of the Orioles series left most of us on pins and needles, following a disastrous two runs over the course of three days offensive collapse. Compare that the most recent series where Tampa Bay scored 14 runs, and held the Blue Jays to just four.
The Rays even looked like a real offensive juggernaut today. Everyone in the lineup reached base, while Sam Fuld was the only Ray to go hitless. All told, Tampa Bay went 5-10 wRISP (woo-hoo, a 50% conversion rate), scoring seven runs on 13 hits, four walks, and one hit batsman. Most impressive, offensively speaking, the Rays had men on the base paths in every inning, scoring in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and eighth innings. They kept the pressure on from the get go, and never let up. A bulleted synopsis is below.
- To be fair, the Rays would have handed it to the Jays today even if Longoria wasn’t in the lineup. However, Longo going 3-5 and driving in two runs certainly doesn’t suck. I think it’s safe to say that Longoria’s bat is a welcome addition to the lineup. Longo went 4-12 with four RBI in the series.
- Oh Jose Lobaton, I love when you have multi hit, multi RBI days. Lobaton went 2-4 with three RBI following a pair of singles in the second and fifth innings. I’d imagine that he’d have more consistent at-bats if he were an everyday player, ahem.
- Keppinger again had another big day at the plate, going 3-4 and scoring a run in the second inning on Lobaton’s first single.
- The Rays were 10-28 wRISP during this series following a lackluster 0-10 wRISP showing against the Orioles.
- Matt Moore had a scary 34 pitch first inning, allowing a double, a walk, two stolen bases while balking in Toronto’s only run. Moore was almost flawless from then on, finishing of the day by posting a 6 IP/2 H/1 ER/2 BB/6 K line.
- JP Howell pitched another scoreless inning and has now gone 21 innings without giving up a run.
- Tampa Bay went 4-2 on this home stand, and 8-3 in their last 11 games with a 1.19 ERA. Even more spectacular, the Rays pitchers have posted a 0.70 ERA in their last 10 wins.
- Oh yeah you may not have heard, this happened!