Rays fall to the Yankees 10-2 in game one of the four game series.
Last night was a disaster, to put it kindly. It was the one game of the series that the Rays should have won. They had their ace on the mound, and all day yesterday everyone went on and on about how terrible CC Sabathia has been historically against the Rays. Well, Sabathia was not terrible last night. The Rays defense was less than spectacular, the pitching allowed the Yankees to score in six separate innings and collect nine extra base hits, and every time the offense had runners in scoring position, the bats fell silent as the Rays were 0-7 with runners in scoring position. Oh, and just in case you missed it, the Yankees turned a triple play against the Rays as well last night which was just the cherry on top. If you like to relive torture, head on over to Hatfield’s recap for a more in-depth review of the game.
Tonight, the Rays send Erik Bedard to the mound to face Hiroki Kuroda of the Yankees for game two of the four game series. Should be a fun one to watch!
Temporary defeat does not equal failure.
— Chris Archer (@ChrisArcher42) April 18, 2014I promise you every team will have a moment like this. It's how you handle it. When you let it bother you that's when it gets more profound.
— Joe Maddon (@RaysJoeMaddon) April 18, 2014Links:
-Over at Dock of the Rays, Jason Hanselman is rethinking park factors.
-The Hardball Times featured an article examining park features in play and if a homefield advantage does exist.
-David Schoenfield of ESPN’s Sweetspot blog seems to think that managers keep making bad lineups.
-Rob Neyer takes a look at why pitching is rigged for younger pitchers.
-Somehow a fan brought in fireworks to AT&T Park and managed to light and throw it into a crowded pedestrian concourse, injuring at least five people.
-Matthew Kory of Sports on Earth shows how pitchers are regressing at the plate.
-Mariners prospect Ji-Man Choi has been suspended 50 games for use of the PED methandienone.
-In other AL East news, the Toronto bullpen melted down yesterday against the Twins.
-Munenori Kawasaki is back with the Blue Jays and is still providing fantastic interviews.