After a 1-6 road trip, the Rays returned home last week to face two division leaders – Tigers and Astros.
It’s no secret that the Rays play better at home (9-4) than they do on the road (1-6). At some point, they’ll need to perform better away from Tropicana Field.
Last week the bay-area boys welcomed the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros for three-game sets. Both teams entered the series with the Rays atop their respective divisions.
Bats Break out Against Tigers
Rays Up:
- Rays scored 20 runs during the three-game sweep of Detroit. Steven Souza Jr (.462 BA during the series) was a big reason why.
- Everyone contributed. On Tuesday, it was big things from the 7-8-9 hole – Wednesday, the 1-5 hitters combined for 12-of-14 hits. Thursday, everybody on the team reached base.
Rays Down:
- During the three games they had a total of 24 left-on-base.
- Chris Archer and Erasmo Ramirez only managed to go five innings.
- Third-most bullpen innings (67.1 IP) in American League.
[Pause here and take in what may be one of the best National Anthems you have ever heard]
Our National Anthem had a little extra soul tonight thanks to @bkjacksonsax. You’ll want to hear this. ???????? pic.twitter.com/ZHXPfYxhks
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 21, 2017
Blast-off against Astros
Rays Up:
- HR’s from Corey Dickerson, Evan Longoria, Logan Morrison, and Souza Jr.
- Austin Pruitt: 2.1 IP – 0 H – 2 K, lowered ERA by more than two runs. (5.2 IP – 7 K – 0 ER last week)
- Last three hits for Longoria have gone for extra bases (HR – 2 doubles). Plus, 7-for-22 in last five games.
Rays Down:
- Injuries in the bullpen (Xavier Cedeno and Tommy Hunter placed on the 10-day DL).
- Ryan Garton (1.0 IP) and Danny Farquhar (1.1 IP) allowed 2 ER in their appearances.
- All five Astros HR’s were off starters: Alex Cobb (1), Blake Snell (2), Matt Andriese (2).
Best. Birthday. Ever.
Today is Souza Jr’s birthday, and with his exceptional performance last week, he was named AL Player of the Week.
Not a bad way to spend your 28th birthday.
Your AL and NL Players of the Week:@SouzaJr: 5 R, 5 XBH, 9 RBIs, .414/.433/.759@Bharper3407: 10 R, 7 XBH, 7 RBIs, .550/.667/1.200 pic.twitter.com/LCcwY07S2j
— MLB (@MLB) April 24, 2017
This Week in Rays Baseball
at Baltimore (12-5)
at Toronto (5-13)
