I love seeing this. Texas Rangers’ Josh Hamilton reacts after striking out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The last two series against the Bronx Bummers and the Rangers should serve as a good reminder to all of the numbskulls in America, (I’m looking at you Fox Sports and ESPN) that the Rays are indeed a contender in this pennant chase. Don’t count the out just yet fools! The Rays will get a day off tomorrow, then they’re off to Baltimore for a three game set against the Orioles.

What better way to close out the home-stand, than a two-hit complete game shutout, thanks to Juego G. Shields posted a killer 9.0 IP/2 H/0 R/0 BB/8 K line, on 101 pitches (71 for strikes) including 22 out-of 29 first pitch strikes. Shieldsy kept the ball down, inducing 11 ground balls, and at one point retiring 19 in a row. I do believe that he is deserving of his Big Game James nom de guerre after the way he’s pitched in his last seven starts.

Let’s not forget that the offense did their part, stepping to the plate and knocking in six runs on 13 hits. Oh yeah, did I mention that BJ Upton went yard three times? Upton had his first career three homer game, tying the Rays teams record also done by Evan Longoria in 2008, and Johnny Gomes in 2005. The thought that Tampa Bay would have absolutely demoralized the Rangers hadn’t they gone 1-6 wRISP, while stranding seven on the bags.

Bulleted stuffs below.

  • Carlos Pena was fairly impressive today, going 2-4 while driving a pair of base hits to the opposite field. Why can’t he do this consistently?!
  • Matt Joyce, (2-3, RBI, BB) it took you long enough to come back to form. Joyce doubled to left, driving home Ben Zobrist in the first and putting the Rays up 3-0 following BJ Upton’s first pitch tater.
  • Wha? Jose Molina (1-4, R, 2 RBI) was productive?! J Molina crushed a two run homer to left, driving home Pena who reached base on an opposite field base hit.
  • BJ Upton, (3-5, 3 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI) need I say more?
  • Roy Oswalt showed why the Rangers only committed to signing him to a minor league contract. Oswalt left the game early after giving up four runs on six hits. He ultimate lasted only two innings, getting pulled because of soreness in his elbow.
  • At the end of the day, Tampa Bay is a game behind the Orioles in the East and in the wild-card standings. The upcoming series in Baltimore will be huge, and not only determines the second place team in the East, but how solid of footing they may have. The Orioles were dealt a huge blow today, thanks to the human personification of Grimmace. CC Sabathia plunked Nick Markakis, breaking his thumb. I know, the Orioles stand between the Rays and those overpaid blowhards in the Bronx. However, I’ve opined all season that an AL East with the Rays and O’s at the top would be incredible. I honestly think it’d be better for baseball. I hope this doesn’t set them back far enough that they will no longer be in the race. I’d kill to have the Yankees suffer another injury instead of the O’s.
  • The Rays took two series from two big teams, ending the home-stand with a 4-2 record.

So cherish this victory, dear readers. After all, they’ve only six games of the gauntlet, that ends on game 162 against the O’s, under their belts. I reckon a little Celebration Rock is in order!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoa7dBSdJxc]

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