Monday, 4 a.m.
Through nine games, they have shown everything.
The undefeated, scalding-hot Tampa Bay Rays have shown great offense. They've shown dominating pitching. They've shown breathtaking defense.
Oh, and this.
Hustle.
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The Rays had a lot of highlights in Sunday's 11-0 bashing of Oakland. Starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen threw seven innings of one-hit, shutout baseball. The team pounded out three more home runs. Brandon Lowe completed a two-day span with eight RBI.
But if you ask the Rays, it was back-to-back effort plays by Harold Ramirez in the fourth inning that highlighted the win.
Ramirez, who finished with three hits, reached base on a routine grounder to third that he ran into a hit. Then, with two out, he beat a throw to second base to keep the inning alive. Lowe followed with a grand slam to break open the game.
"If Harold doesn't beat that out, I don't have an at-bat," Lowe said. "I owe him a steak sometime during the season."
The Rays swept their third series of the year, scoring 30 runs in three games against the A's. And their offensive statistics became even more impressive.
-- In 75 offensive innings this year, the Rays have scored in 36 of them.
-- They have 75 runs and 87 hits.
-- They have 24 home runs.
-- They have outscored their opponents by 57 runs.
The pitching hasn't been bad, either. Rasmussen allowed only one hit and no walks in his seven innings.
"Everything's clicking," said Rays' manager Kevin Cash.
The Rays now face the Boston Red Sox in a four-game series beginning at 6:40 p.m. today at Tropicana Field. Jalen Beeks is slated to start for the Rays against Nick Pivetta.