Streaking Rays approaching record wins

by Gary Shelton on August 13, 2019 · 0 comments

in general, Tampa Bay Rays

Matt Duffy had four hits for the Rays./TIM WIRT

Tuesday, 4 a.m.

When they are on a streak such as this one, your imagination runs away with you.

They are 20 games over .500. They are on an eight-game road winning streak. They had 14 hits Monday night.

And so you ask:

Could this be the best Rays' team ever?

I know, I know. Now and then, the hitting dries up. Some days, they don't run the bases well. The recent problems of their bullpen are still memorable.

Content beyond this point is for members only.

Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using the handy "Sign In" button located in the upper right corner of the GarySheltonSports.com blog (it's at the far right of the navigation bar under Gary's photo)!

Not a member? It's easy to subscribe so you can view the rest of this column and all other premium content on GarySheltonSports.com.

Garcia had three hits including a home run./TIM WIRT

But the Rays ran their record to 70-50 in a 10-4 thumping of San Diego Monday night. It's the third best-record in the history of the Rays after 120 games (the three-quarter mark of the season) after 2010 (74-46) and 2008 (73-47). Despite the injuries to their pitching staff, despite the other problems, the Rays remain a pretty good team.

It is the fifth time in franchise history the Rays have reached 20 games over .500. Tampa Bay reached the post-season all four of those previous seasons.

The Rays led only 3-2 going into the seventh inning, but they scored seven runs in their next two at bats to pull away.

Matt Duffy had four hits for the Rays, and Avi Garcia had three, including a two-run homer. Jesus Aguilar and Willy Adames had two.

"He (Duffy) got it going," said Rays' manager Kevin Cash. "The first hit was an infield single and it built off of that. He and Avi had the big days. The big hit was when we had runners on second and third and  (Duffy) comes up and hits the ball over the third baseman’s head. That was huge.

"We know Duff’s capable of putting the bat on the ball. The timing has been a little inconsistent.  That s a matter of just not playing."

The Rays got four innings from Austin Pruitt (2-0).

"I thought  he did a god job," Cash said. "He competed well for us. He hasn’t been built up. Certainly, he made big pitches for us."

The Rays, once again, got a stellar defensive play from centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier to rob Francisco Mejia of a home run.

"It was outstanding," Cash said. "We've seen a lot of them. I'm sure we'll watch it on the highlights all day tomorrow."

The Rays play the Padres again tonight at 10:10 p.m. Brendan McKay will start for the Rays against Eric Lauer of San Diego.

 

 

{ 0 comments… read it below or Subscriptions }

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: