Rays reel in a franchise record
Steve Rawlins
Posted on: 12 August 2008 - 15:34
Baseball
By beating Seattle on Sunday, not only did Tampa Bay clinch the series against the Mariners with three out of four wins, they also secured a place in history, surpassing an MLB Eastern League franchise record by reaching over 70 victories in a single season. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the previous record was also set by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2004 under Lou Piniella, who managed to achieve a 70-92 record.
Record breaking in style
Away from home to the team propping up the AL West, the Rays managed to secure a resounding 11-3 win. Tampa Bay first got on the score sheet in the second inning when Aybar hit a three-run home run to left field with Hinske and Floyd on base. At the bottom of the second there appeared to be some hope for the home side when Lopez hit a solo home run to bring the Mariners within fighting distance. However, Rays pitcher Jackson would ensure that any hope for the Rays was quickly squashed, shutting them out for the rest of the time he was pitching. The Devil Rays, on the other hand, continued to plow on unabated, scoring in every inning except the eighth with Riggans hitting the second three-run homerun of the game to solidify the Rays dominance
Rocco’s back
To further add to the celebrations of reaching a record number of season wins, outfielder Rocco Baldelli made his long anticipated appearance back at the plate. On the disabled list since Spring training with a mitochondrial disorder (an ailment that causes severe fatigue and greatly prolongs muscle recovery time), Baldelli played in his first game since May 2007 when a hamstring injury put an end to his season.
Dogged by injuries his whole career, on Sunday Baldelli made an overdue return that clearly pleased the already buoyant road fans in the crowd. Talking after the match, in which he went 1 for 4 with an RBI single, Rocco commented that "there were times when I didn't know if I was going to be playing anymore, I honestly didn't know. There were some scary times too, but all of that is behind me know hopefully and things look good. I came out feeling good. I'm just really, really happy right now.”
Easing in for the long haul
Despite the happiness surrounding Baldelli’s ability, who seemed to ease himself back into the game just fine, Joe Maddon, the Tampa Bay manager, made it clear that "It's not about him playing right field and getting a hit today. It's just a matter of him getting back out, getting back in the fray and I think that's going to, in the long haul, benefit him in a lot of different ways."
Currently at 71-46, the Rays have the chance to set an even greater record throughout the rest of the season. However, more important to Maddon is winning the American League East and securing a place in the World Series. “It’s going to take more than that” he told the media after the game.
Looking good at the top
As a result of the victory and the failure of the second place Red Sox to beat the White Sox on Sunday, who squeezed out a 6-5 victory, the Rays extended their winning margin at the top of the league to 4 ½ games. Despite Maddon’s bluntness, at the moment the Rays are looking like a surefire bet to win the Eastern League. They are currently on a three-run streak and only three wins under .500 on the road. With Baldelli back healthy, even Maddon might have something to smile about soon.