Hard to believe that the Tampa Bay Rays are still hovering at the top of the AL East. With a real lack of Superstar leadership offensively and defensively, the young Rays continue to make plays, score runs, and beat the odds to still be legitimate contenders in what is arguably the American League’s toughest division.
Biggest loss so far is Evan Longoria. Longo has had hamstring issues in the past, but this one seems to be the worst. I’m sure that it hasn’t help the situation any that he is spending his off field time with Playboy Playmate Jaimee Edmondson. I guess if I was a young multi-millionaire sports superstar I may get enticed into that lifestyle. But for Evan, this hamstring problem is becoming a habit and a pure indicator that his illustrious career may not last as long as many of the big names that have played the game before him. In other words, he better get focused on the short time he has left to make his living. (follow Evan Longoria on Twitter @Evan3Longoria)
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ONE TOUGH FELLA
Rays pitcher pitched on broken leg
Jeff Niemann took a liner off his right leg in the first inning but continued on and finished out the inning. It was later discovered that his leg was fractured by the ball.
Rays happy with road trip despite injuries
If you had known that by mid-May there would be eight Tampa Bay Rays players on the disabled list, where would you have predicted the team to stand in the AL East?
If you had known that the roll call of injuries included such key names as Evan Longoria, Desmond Jennings, Jeff Niemann, Kyle Farnsworth and earlier on B.J. Upton, how far down in the standings would you have projected...
Rays retroactively place Jennings on 15-day DL
TORONTO (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Rays have placed outfielder Desmond Jennings on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 12, and recalled utilityman Stephen Vogt from Triple-A Durham.
Vogt was expected to join the Rays in time for Monday night's game at Toronto.
Jennings left a May 6 game against Oakland with a sprained left knee, but has made two pinch-hit appearances since...
How Many Games Can a MLB Manager Win or Lose for His Team in One Season?
With all the injuries currently plaguing the Tampa Bay Rays, manager Joe Maddon might be the most recognizable name on the roster remaining. The crazy part is, that might not be such a bad thing. Despite all the names missing from the lineup due to injuries -- Evan Longoria, Kyle Farnsworth, Jeff Niemann, Desmond Jennings -- the team hasn't missed a beat, thanks in large part...
Rays Roundup: Injured Rodriguez Becomes Hero
In today's edition of Rays Roundup: Infielder Sean Rodriguez may have been hurt Sunday, but that didn't stop him from helping the Rays seal their 9-8 victory over the O's, Desmond Jennings is still hobbled by a sore knee, Hideki Matsui is one step closer to the major leagues and B.J. Upton has a game he'll soon want to forget on Mother's Day.
Hellickson, Rays outlast BoSox in bizarre game
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Jeremy Hellickson pitched six solid innings, Luke Scott had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Boston 2-1 on Wednesday night, snapping the Red Sox's five-game winning streak.
Hellickson (4-0) allowed one run and five hits en route to winning a career-best sixth consecutive decision, dating to Sept. 4. The right-hander struck...
Joyce's heady baserunning allows Rays to edge Red Sox
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Matt Joyce read it and then chanced it, and his audacious bolt for home in the sixth inning helped the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 Wednesday night in a game that was interrupted by a scary incident. Tampa Bay infielder Will Rhymes fainted in the eighth inning but didn't need a hospital visit. With the game tied 1-1, Joyce opened the...
Rays Roundup: Niemann Out with Broken Leg
In today's edition of Rays Roundup: Starter Jeff Niemann becomes the latest player to hit the disabled list after fracturing his fibula on Monday, Desmond Jennings heads to the DL after all, Elliott Johnson is swinging a hot stick and Sean Rodriguez plans to play through a muscle strain. All of that and more inside.
Kenny Diekroeger’s Season
In 2009, Menlo High School shortstop Kenny Diekroeger was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the second round and was reportedly offered just over a million dollars to join the organization. He chose Stanford and stayed close to his Northern California roots. Most players, when faced with a similar choice, follow suit.
Diekroeger has no regrets. And he thinks this season has been...
Red Sox Must Deal With More Than Just Tampa Bay Rays When Visiting Tropicana Field (Video)
Why are all the ballparks in Florida so... unique? The Red Sox are trying to extend their winning streak to six games on Wednesday against the Rays, but they may be up against more than just the baseball team. They'll also need to deal with the wacky goings-on at Tropicana Field, from the cowbells to the catwalks and everything in between. NESN Nation's Dan Duquette explains...
Red Sox, Rays Pitching Staffs Learn How to 'Balk This Way' Thanks to Trigger-Happy Umps (Video)
What a weird game for the Red Sox. The team snaps two streaks -- one winning, another of quality starts -- and somehow manage to commit three balks to help the Rays escape with a 2-1 victory. The Rays scored on one of those aforementioned balks, a goofy sacrifice fly and somehow held on. The craziest part, though? The umps probably got all three calls right. NESN Nation's Dan...
How we see it goin' down: Sox - Rays series
First Pitch: Wedneday 7:10, Thursday 7:10
Arms: Wednesday: Clay Buchholz, RHP (4-1, 8.31 ERA) vs. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP (3-0, 2.95 ERA)
Thursday: Felix Doubront, LHP (3-1, 4.46 ERA) vs. Matt Moore, LHP (1-3, 5.31 ERA)
Yard: Tropicana Field Watch it: NESN (ESPN - WED.) Hear it: WEEI
The Matchup
...
Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays Pitching Matchups: 5/16-5/17
Note: Pitching matchups are subject to change
Wednesday, May 16 @ 7:10 PM
Clay Buchholz, RHP (4-1, 8.31) vs Jeremy Hellickson, RHP (3-0, 2.95)
TV: NESN, ESPN, MLB.tv
Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio
Thursday, May 17 @ 7:10 PM
Felix Doubront, LHP (3-1, 4.46) vs Matt Moore, LHP (1-3, 5.31)
TV: NESN, MLB Network, MLB.tv
Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB...
Game 37: Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays
Time: 7:10 PM ET
TV/Radio: NESN,ESPN/WRKO
Red Sox (17-19)
Sweeney CF
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Gonzalez 1B
Middlebrooks 3B
Saltalamacchia C
Ross RF
Nava LF
Aviles SS
Pitching: RHP Clay Buchholz (4-1, 8.31)
Rays (23-14)
Zobrist RF
Upton CF
Joyce LF
Pena 1B
Scott DH
Rodriguez 3B
Rhymes 2B
Molina C
Johnson SS
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May 15, 2012




