With just over a week to go until the Rays take on the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, Joe Maddon and company made their way to Ft. Myers for the first of two match-ups, in the last week of the Grapefruit League season, against the Boston Red Sox. The Rays absolutely pummeled the defending world champs by a score of 9-2, though the game was not without drama.
Tag Archives: spring training
Rays Lose 5-0, Put the Decision On the Fifth Starter On Hold For the Moment
The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a 5-0 shutout loss against the Blue Jays Friday, in a game where LHP Erik Bedard was given one last opportunity to prove his worth to the Rays roster and starting rotation. Much akin to his last four Spring Training outings, Bedard did himself not favors by putting together a 5.2 IP/4 ER/8 H/1 BB/4 K/1 HR outing on 94 pitches (63 strikes). Rays manager Joe Maddon said entering the game that Bedard was very much in the thick of the competition for that final starting job, and a final decision is expected Saturday — though now we’re hearing there’s a chance the announcement will be delayed at least until later Saturday.
The State of the Rays with Two Weeks Left of Spring Training
Back in February I received an interesting email from a fellow blogger. His challenge, if I chose to accept it: answer six simple questions (below) about the state of the Rays going into Spring Training and the 2014 season.
Wil Myers and Sean Rodriguez Power the Rays Past the O’s By A Score of 7-4
What a difference a couple of days make. Two days ago, Wil Myers was stuck in a Spring Training malaise — striking out more than he hit by a ratio of 6-to-4. Then Joe Maddon did what he is want to do; move the struggling batter to the lead-off spot, and thwack! Myers became uber productive, going (a combined) 5-for-7 with three doubles and a homer in the last two games. Myers lead the Rays to a 7-4 victory against the Orioles Wednesday, in Sarasota.
Rays Take the Knutson Cup in 11-3 Throttling, Roster Moves, Etc
Prior to Tuesday night, Wil Myers has put together a fairly lackluster spring. He struck out six times while only accruing four hits. All that changed on this fateful eve however. Bumped up to the lead off spot, Myers led the Rays 20-hit offensive charge against the Twins, going 3-for-4 with three doubles, two runs and an RBI. The Rays walked away from Hammond Stadium with the Knutson Cup for the second consecutive year following the 11-3 shellacking of Gardy’s crew.