I like the old Devil Rays team a lot better. When they changed their name to just the Rays, I think they got a whole new team. Their pitchers turned into Cy Young, Catfish Hunter, and Bob Gibson. At least that what it seemed like. We couldn't get our offense going in any of the games.
On Friday's game, we lost 5-4 in 11 innings. Wake brought his 19-3 record in Tampa to the mound but got hit for 3 earned runs in 6 innings. Our bullpen held them until the 11th when Timlin allowed the winning run. It was good to see Tek back even if he did just come in for Crisp who pinch ran for Cash. Papi went a horrible 0-6 but it was nice to see him try to beat out that infield hit at first. He went head first and maybe he messed up his knee. Hopefully he will be OK.
On Saturday's game, we lost 2-1 and Clay pitched a terrific game. He allowed just one hit into the 8th inning, but our bats could only give him one run to play with. In the 8th, he allowed a base hit and then a 2 run home run to put us behind. He pitched a complete game loss, three hitter. We really need to get our bats going soon. Now that Tek is back in the lineup, we now have Papi out of the lineup with a bruised knee. Manny, Youk and Tek went a combined 0-10. We won't score many runs that way. Beckett is on the mound tomorrow, we should be alright if we can score some runs.
Sunday's game was just more of the same. We lost 3-0 and was shutout by Shields who looked like Cy Young out there. We could only muster out 2 hits. Beckett did all he could, went 7 innings and struck out 13, but he gave up 2 runs (1 earned) and took the loss. If our bats don't come around soon, we won't be winning any games. Papi took the day off to nurse his knee - he needs to get back in the lineup and start hitting like he used to.
Tampa Bay really looks like a good young team. I wouldn't be surprised if in the next couple years, they start to make a run on the Yanks and us in the division. They have excellent pitching and good speed on the bases. We will see how they do next weekend in Boston.
We have now lost 5 straight and we have a day off on Monday. We have a 3 game set at home against Toronto coming up this week. We need to take at least 2 of 3 from them over the next couple of days. Speaking of coming home to play, Tuesday nights game is a sellout which is the 402nd consecutive sellout of Fenway Park. There hasn't been an empty seat at Fenway for a game since May 15th, 2003. We are expected to break the home consecutive sellout streak, which the fans will, on September 3 against the Orioles. That will be the 456th consecutive sell out, breaking the Indians record of 455 set from 1995-2001. One day, it sure would be nice to see a game there at home in Fenway. Until then, we will continue to root for them here and watch them when we can when they come to Texas.
Lowell should be back in the lineup come Tuesday which is good news. Now let's win some games !
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