McClanahan wins 10th game for Rays

June 12, 2023 general

Monday, 4 a.m. Greatness isn’t always about totaling up the strikeouts. It isn’t always about dominating the other hitter. Some of it is self-control, a large part of what makes Shane McClanahan the Rays’ stopper. Go back to the third inning of Sunday’s game. McClanahan was spinning out of control. The Texas Rangers already had […]

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Rays leaky in loss to solid Rangers

June 11, 2023 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. Not enough defense. Not enough pitching. For that matter, there wasn’t a heck of a lot of hitting, either. Saturday was a day the Texas Rangers struck back in their series against the Tampa Bay Rays.  The Rangers won 8-4, taking advantage of a lot of leaky play by the Rays. It […]

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Paredes takes over Rays-Rangers game

June 10, 2023 general

Saturday, 4 a.m. In the bedlam that is Randy Land, perhaps there is room for a suburb. Call it Paredes Place. Maybe Isaac Village. After all, that’s where his home runs land. Content beyond this point is for members only. Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using the handy […]

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Rays strike quickly to sweep Minnesota

June 9, 2023 general

Friday, 4 a.m. For most of the afternoon, the offense was asleep. There for a while, it may have been in a coma. And then they struck. Again. The Rays managed only four hits Thursday afternoon. Still, they won a 4-2 game over Minnesota, completing a sweep. Content beyond this point is for members only. […]

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Arozarena turns Tropicana into Randy Land

June 8, 2023 general

Thursday, 4 a.m. There are no lights too bright for him. There are no moments too big. There he was again Wednesday night, soaking up the energy of Tropicana Field, preening and posing and flashing that million-dollar grin of his. Once again, Arozarena had seized the day, and with one swing of the bat, he […]

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Raley makes an impression vs. Twins

June 7, 2023 general

Wednesday, 4 a.m. He left a dent in the center field wall. He left skid marks on the base paths. All in all, Luke Raley did a lot of damage Tuesday night. Raley, hitting .308 in his last 24 games, powered the Tampa Bay Rays to a 7-0 victory against the Minnesota Twins. Raley had […]

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McClanahan wins his ninth game against Sox

June 6, 2023 general

Tuesday, 4 a.m. This year, he shows no sign of slowing down. Shane McClanahan, the acknowledged ace of the Tampa Bay Rays, won another game Monday afternoon. He went six innings, and he allowed five hits, and he struck out six. In all, it looks like McClanahan’s best start since, well, last year. McClanahan is […]

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Rays’ aggressiveness pays off vs. Sox

June 5, 2023 general

Monday, 4 a.m. They have won games with power. They have won games with speed. During the hot start of the Tampa Bay Rays, they have won with pitching. They have won with defense. They have won by scoring early and by scoring late. And sometimes, they have won when their opponent forgets how to […]

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Siri, Ramirez lead Rays to win over Sox

June 4, 2023 general

Sunday, 4 a.m. You’ll talk about the catch. The terrific turning, diving, sprawling catch by Jose Siri hat ended the game. You won’t talk about the dropped popup by Brandon Lowe that allowed the Boston Red Sox to tie the game. You’ll talk about Harold Ramirez, and how his two-run double in the ninth inning […]

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Will the Rays level off during the summer?

June 3, 2023 general

Saturday, ,4 a.m. The first third of the season has been a stunning success. The Tampa Bay Rays have walked with history, and they have qcontrolled a competitive AL East, and they will have their fingerprints all over the All-Star game. Ah, but as the season turns to June, it’s proving-time all over again. Here […]

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