Friday, 4 a.m.
Through the hard times, the losing streaks and the underachievent, the offensive blackouts and the the losses left on base, there has been one reason for the Tampa Bay Rays to make you keep watching.
It's those amazing kids.
Despite a spotty season, the youngsters of the Rays have been a reason to pay attention. Hopefully, they will grow into something special in Tampa Bay.
You could see signs in the Rays 4-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday.
For instance:
-- There was Chandler Simpson, again. Simpson went three for four and drove in two runs. For the season, he is now hitting .301 after going six-for-eight in his last tw ga,es.
-- There was Jake Mangum, who had two hits increase his average to .293.
-- There was Carson Williams, who has had a tough time at teh plate. Buy he had two hits, including a home run, to contribute.
--- There was Shane Baz, who won his 10th game of the year. Baz isn't a rookie, but he's still 26. Baz threw five innings and allowed just two hits.
The Rays scored three times in the second inning on five consecutive hits -- by Hunter Feduccia, Carlos Williams, Bob Seymour, Simpson and Brandon Lowe. Simpson's hit drove in two runs. Lowe drove in Seymour for the third run.
Simpson drove in two runs in the second on a bases-loaded single. Brandon Lowe followed with a run-scoring single.
Willaims' fourth home run of the year finished the scoring in the sixth inning.,
The Rays open a three-game series against Boston tonight at 7:35 p.m. at Steinbrenner Field. Drew Rasmussen will start for the Rays against Garrett Crochet.
