Mid-way through May, the Rays were hoovering around the .500 mark. Since May 12th, Tampa Bay has won three straight series. This week they took on the Los Angeles Angels before heading to Minnesota to face the Central Division-leading Twins.
After the first 11 days of the month, the outlook appeared bleak for the Rays. A press conference after the Thursday loss to the Royals had one consistent feeling; hopefully things will change on the road.
And boy did they. Since that game, Tampa Bay has won all three series they played, which included A.L. East division rivals Boston and New York, as well as the defended American League Champions from Cleveland.
Going into the last full week of the month, the Los Angeles Angels came to the Trop for a four game series, before the Rays went north to take on Minnesota.
So how did did they do?
Halo Split
Rays Up:
In game three of four, Tampa Bay bats combined for three home runs, two of which came off the bat of Steven Souza Jr, practically overshadowing Albert Pujols‘ 597th career homer in the first inning.
Matt Andriese had his best start of the season thus far on Thursday, throwing 8.0 shutout innings and only allowing six hits. Andriese improved his already team best record to 5-1, while dropping his ERA to 3.24.
.@MAndriese wasn’t messing around yesterday. pic.twitter.com/B3JkspPEMn
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 26, 2017
The shutout victory on Thursday gave the Rays the series split, meaning a fourth straight series without a loss.
Rays Down:
Corey Dickerson and Logan Morrison homered in the first inning of the first game of the series. But after those two runs, the Rays were held scoreless for 18 consecutive innings.
Bullpen struggles continued and were never more evident that in Monday’s loss, when what would be the game-winning run came home on a wild pitch from Jumbo Diaz.
After four games, Tampa Bay ended the series where they started it; right at .500.
After a 4-3 homestand, the Rays hit the road for a 10-day road trip. First up, the Minnesota Twins.
Extended Stay in Twin Cities
Heading into a long road trip on the back of a shutout, the Rays were hoping their hot streak would continue.
Tampa Bay took 2-of-3 from the first-place Twins, sending them above .500.
Why is this important?
While the Rays have gone 6-4 over the last 10 games, the Baltimore Orioles have gone 2-8, bringing Tampa Bay only a half game back of third place in the East.
Rays Up:
On Friday night, Chris Archer continued his turnaround from a couple rough starts. Archer went 7.2 innings and struck out 11 Twins on his way to his fourth win of the season.
On Sunday, after starting the series 0-for-11, Evan Longoria hit a double in the ninth, driving in one run and bringing the Rays within one. Just moments later, Souza Jr. hit a single to right, Longoria tied the game with a close slide at home. So close, it had to be confirmed by an umpire review.
As if that wasn’t enough, in the top of the 15th inning…yes, the 15th…Longoria hit what would be the game winning home run, followed back-to-back by Morrison’s insurance home run.
The last time Longoria hit a game-winning homer in extras? The infamous “Game 162” in 2011, that sent the Rays to the postseason for the third time.
Evan Longoria crushes a clutch solo home run to left field to give the Rays a 7-6 lead in the top of the 15th inning!!! #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/G9xS1TChMR
— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB) May 29, 2017
Oh, and that 15 inning game took six hours and 26 minutes, which is the longest in the majors so far this season. The Rays were definitely feeling it as the innings went on.
Sleep tight, there’s more baseball tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/hvieXRbDEx
— MLB (@MLB) May 29, 2017
Rays Down:
After a strong, although short start by Jake Odorizzi on Saturday, the bullpen could not hold it together late, giving up three runs in the eighth inning.
Sunday’s game required the use of eight pitchers. After Alex Cobb pitched a solid 5.0 innings only allowing one run, Minnesota again took a late lead. The outcome was different, but having to burn through starter Erasmo Ramierz to close the game is not something Tampa Bay was happy doing.
Make it Five Straight
With the series win against the Twins, the Rays have now won or split five consecutive series between May 12th-28th.
This week, Tampa Bay (27-26) travels to Arlington to take on the Texas Rangers (25-26) in a three game set. Then after a much needed day of rest on Thursday, head to Seattle for a weekend series against the Mariners (22-29).
