Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Rays Rally From Three-Run Deficit to Win 4-3

The Tampa Bay Rays came back from an early 3-0 deficit Saturday, taking the second game of their current three-game set by a score of 4-3. Roberto Hernandez FINALLY earned his fifth win of the year after giving his best David Price impersonation — That is to say, he gave up a few runs (3) in the first inning, then turned it on thereafter, retiring 10 of the last 11 batters he faced. Fernando Rodney was credited with his 22nd save of the year.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Zobrist, Rays Win in Walk-Off Fashion

The Rays won by a score of 4-3 last night, thanks to Ben Zobrist’s fourth career walk-off in the wee hours of the night. Tampa Bay has won a season high four consecutive games, and looks to sweep the Twins Thursday afternoon. Today’s game comes on the heels of the four hour, 13 inning marathon of a game, and the Rays will take the field a mere 12 hours after dog-piling BenZo at first base. Suffice to say, I’m a bit haggard, and not just because I stayed up to watch the game in its entirety. Bulleted highlights are below.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Chris Archer, Rays Post Consecutive Wins

The Rays rolled to their sixth consecutive win by a score of 4-1 Tuesday night, as Chris Archer put together a good 6 IP/3 H/1 R/2 K outing against the Twins. You guessed it, it’s time for another edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Argyle: A Bulleted Game Summary.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Zobrist, Escobar, and Scott Muscles Tampa Bay Past Minnesota

In the series preview, I wrote, “They’ve (the Twins) averaged almost five runs per game over the last 15 games, while the pitching has given up (on average) almost six. This bodes well for the swarming offense of the Tampa Bay Rays.” I’m not calling myself Nostradamus or anything, but it does emphasize that the Rays 7-4 win against the Twins Monday night is par for the course, for what Minnesota has done over their last 15 games. That’s not to belittle Tampa Bay in any way, shape, or form. Rather, it should show that the Rays are doing exactly what they need to be doing in the pre All-Star Break stretch.

Looking Backward While Moving Forward: Matt Moore, Rays Blank ChiSox 3-0

It may have not been the offensive outburst of the previous night, however the Tampa Bay Rays, with Matt Moore at the helm, beat the Chicago White Sox by a score of 3-0 Saturday at the Trop. He may not have been perfect, but Moore did just enough to stifle a sluggish White Sox offense, making the big pitches when necessary over the course of his 6-1/3 inning outing. There’s just something about Matt Moore… At least the 2013 model — things don’t seem to phase him. Case in point, a nerve racking pair of innings in which the White Sox could have broken the game open, but didn’t.