Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays One-Hit the Indians in Marathon Game

I’m going to be honest with you, it’s insanely hard to summarize last night’s marathon between the Rays and Indians. One thing is certain though: Both the Rays offense and bullpen stepped up and throttled the Tribe Friday night/Saturday morning, handing the Tribe a 9-2 shellacking. The much maligned bullpen absolutely dealt, putting together a two-run (both unearned), one hit, two walk outing that should — if anything — show how deadly the Rays are when both the pitching and hitting are (close to) firing on all cylinders. It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that’s true, take a gander at the handful of screenshots below for a summary of last night’s game.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: The “How Good Was Hernandez Wednesday Night?!” Edition

Simply put, Roberto Hernandez was stellar in the Rays 3-1 win against the Marlins Wednesday night. Posting an excellent 8.2 IP/3 H/1 R/0 ER/0 BB/5 K slash line, Hernandez went 22-for-28 in first pitch strikes, induced 12 groundouts and nine fly-outs, and at one point retired 15 consecutive batters (26 out of 27) — all on 92 pitches.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Win 7-6 In Walk-off Fashion

One thing was evident upon entering the 2013 Citrus Series: The Rays needed to beat the Marlins. Without going into the why’s (editors note: I think the “why’s” are fairly obvious), the Rays have been successful thus far, snagging the first two games away from the Fish, while ending their most recent home-stand with a 3-2 record. The second half of the Citrus Series begins Wednesday at Carnival Cruise Lines Field…urm, Marlins Park.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Kelly Johnson Leads the Way to A 10-6 Win Sunday

Tampa Bay won the first game of a four game set against the Marlins Monday by a score of 10-6, in what could be construed as a (relatively) poorly pitched outing — at least as it related to Jake Odorizzi and Josh Lueke. The Rays persevered though, thanks to Kelly Johnson who had a huge two-homer, six RBI, day at the plate.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Salvage A Game Against the Yankees, Welcome In That Other Team From Florida

Tampa Bay was able to salvage the third game of the three game set against the Bronx Bummers Sunday, following a seven run, seven hit Shellacking of Grimmace and the New York Yankees, handily winning by an 8-3 score. The five-through-nine hitters impressively accounted for most of the Rays offense, combining to go 5-for-12 against CC, while driving in seven of the Rays eight runs.