Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays End Series with 8-0 Throttling of Le Tigre

Jake Odorizzi entered Wednesday’s game with the lowest amount of run support in the American League. However, he was given run support in spades on this night, as the Tampa Bay Rays (68-71) tied a season-high, hitting four homers en route to an 8-0 win over the Detroit Tigers, completing a 4-5 road trip. With the win, Tampa Bay split the season series with Detroit at three games apiece.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Throttle Tigers, 10-2

For the second consecutive game, the Tampa Bay Rays scored five or more runs which allowed the team to shellack the Detroit Tigers by score of 10-2. In short, led by Curt Casali and Asdrubal Cabrera, the Rays’ bats came to life. Previous to Monday night, the team hadn’t scored more than four runs in a game since July 8. The two consecutive wins allowed Tampa Bay to get back to .500 (51-51), retake sole possession of third place, and clinch a series win against Detroit.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Fall in Extra Innings, 8-6

Optimism will make you suffer fools gladly. I’m holding out for you to do the right thing, emphatically.

– American Steel

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: The Rays Romp the Tigers, 7-2

The Tampa Bay Rays were in a prime position going into the contest agains the Tigers, Saturday. Just 8.5 games out of first, the Rays had an opportunity to end the day 7.5 games back if everything broke in their favor. Yet things didn’t look good until the fifth inning — dare I say it looked like as though they were in route for yet another low scoring game, or even another no hitter? But something happened: Logan Forsythe opened the door to an offensive onslaught with his solo shot in the fifth inning. The Rays walked out of Comerica Park with a big 7-2 win.

Looking backward While Moving Forward: Rays Take Second Game of the Series, 6-3

I mentioned yesterday, that the true test would be whether the Rays could bounce back from their 8-1 shellacking at the hands of the Tigers, Thursday. Bounce back the could, and did. Nine (total) runs, three hit-by-pitches, and an ejected manager later, Tampa Bay was able to close out its Fourth of July game with plenty of fireworks, beating Detroit 6-3.