Rays off to record start; Beat Tigers 10-9

Who would ever think this story would start to get old? The Rays win again! The boys in blue are 4-0 in spring for the first time in franchise history. Most teams wouldn't be this excited, but the Rays have been preaching that this season is different and the results are showing on the field. Today the Rays picked up a victory over the Detroit Tigers 10-9 in what turned out to be quite the offensive show.

The Rays were held homer-less in their first three victories, but Jonny Gomes brought the big stick today with a home-run in the 6th. Gomes finished the day 2-3 with the solo homer. For the second day in a row, Andy Cannizaro forces his way into the recap going 1-2 with a two run blast of his own in the 7th inning. Carlos "The Cool" Pena also chipped in with two hits.

On the bump it was ugly for the Rays. New Rays pitcher Matt Garza had a rough start giving up two ER's in 1.2 innings of work. However, he wasn't the only Rays pitcher to struggle. Chris Mason gave up three runs in 1 inning and Chad Orvella gave up four in 1.1 innings. The Rays did get some good pitching from Grant Balfour, J.P. Howell and Andy Sonnanstine. Balfour and Howell provided the Rays with 1.2 innings of scoreless ball a piece. Sonnanstine pitched a perfect 9th inning for the save. Those three pitchers have combined to give the Rays a scoreless 6 innings of work in the first four games.

The Rays return to St. Petersburg tomorrow to face the twins. Edwin Jackson makes his second start of the spring, going against Gibbs graduate The Slimmer Boof Bonser. I wonder if Delmon Young will make the trip.

Rays of sunshine move to 3-0;Beat Pirates 7-5

The Rays keep rolling this spring season, running their record to 3-0. Tampa Bay's boys of summer defeated the Pirates 7-5. The game was 7-1 at one point, but the Rays let the Pirates back in the game before James Houser slammed the door.

Former 1st Rd Pick Jeff Niemann, got the start for the Rays, but only lasted one inning due to a high pitch count. Scott Munter pitched two innings giving up one run. Another Rays top pitching prospect struggled late in the game. This time it was big right hander Wade Davis, who struggled similar to how Jake McGee did in his first spring appearance. However, James Houser did an impressive job of getting out of a ninth inning jam and earned the save.

At the plate the Rays were led by BJ Upton who had a 2RBI triple. Jonny Gomes and Cliff Floyd both had hits as well. Evan "Encore" Longoria showed he was a little bit human, but hey even God rested on Sunday.

Besides the 3-0 record, one thing that has impressed me early on is the patience in the young line up. For example, today the Rays saw 154 pitches as a team. It's just one of those little things you like to see in spring.

Rays start spring 2-0; Beat Jays 5-2

Break up the Rays! The new look Rays continued their winning ways this spring, beating the Jays in the home exhibition opener 5-2. Co-Ace James Shields started the game and pitched 2 innings, giving up 1 run, 1 walk and 1 K. Al Reyes pitched in with a perfect inning of his own. In fact the only other Rays pitcher to give up a run was Trever Miller, giving up 1 run in his only inning of work. Dan Wheeler, Scott Dohmann, J.P. Howell, Gary Glover and Mitch Talbot all pitched scoreless innings. Glover received the win and Talbot picked up the save.

On the Offensive side, Evan Longoria continued to state his claim on the 3rd base job, hitting a triple, collecting 2 RBI, and a walk. Elliott Johnson also had a productive day at the dish going 2-2 with 2 runs scored. Willy Aybar started at 3rd base, but went 0-2. Cliff Floyd made the start in RF going 1-2. Rocco Baldelli saw his first spring action as the DH, going 0-2, but keeping both hamstrings in tact. Finally, Ben Zobrist played some 3B again and also continued swinging the hot bat with a triple.

BOXSCORE

Rays win Spring Opener 7-6

Rays start off 2008 with a win in their spring opener behind Edwin Jacksons scorless 2 innings and Evan Longoria's RBI Double. Ben Zobrist went 2-3 and Andy Sonnanstine Pitched 1 perfect inning. Jake McGee and Jason Hammel weren't as effective. McGee have up 4 runs without retiring a batter and Hammel gave up 2 runs in 2 innings with 2 walks. Bullpen candidate Grant Balfour also pitched 1 scoreless inning. Sarasota's own James Houser picks up the W and Chris Mason gets the save. Ben Zobrist and Evan Longoria were the only two players to see time at 3rd. However, Willy Aybar and Eric Hinske did split DH duties, and Joel Guzman played some 1B.

Here's the best box score I could put together, but it ain't pretty