Major League Baseball: David Price avails Tampa Bay Ray milestone of a 16th win in a season
The series was all squared before last night’s encounter in Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Florida side were playing hosts to the Toronto Blue Jays, who have been dubbed as one of the most unpredictable sides of the American League this season. Both teams were 1 – 1 and it was this match that was bound to break the tie up between the two East Division rivals.
The Toronto Blue Jays have seen success in the recent days where they beat the New York Yankees in a series and squared their game set with the Detroit Tigers. However, the Rays are a different bargain altogether and the team has been under much pressure, as of late, to do more against their opponents. The fact that the Tampa Bay ball club have been chasing the Yankees for the title gave them enough space to torment the runner-ups. Shaun Marcum was called on for pitching but the 28 year old fumbled the chance, as his fellow relievers lost the game in the bottom 8th. He conceded 8 hits, 1 run and 2 walks. All the while, he took out 7 players in the process.
The Rays, on the other hand, were bolstered by the inclusion of David Price to the side. Knowing what he’s done for the team must have bolstered the side and much was to be gained as well. The Tampa Bay ball club have been chasing the Yankees now, since their defeat from the previous game. Fortunately, Price pitched 107 times and struck out 7 hitters in his 8 innings of play. He conceded a monumental 4 hits and 1 run. The ball thrower finally reached a record, 16 wins for any Rays starting pitcher.
The blue birds have been in good habit to start their hitting in the late innings and last night was no exception, as it took a one man stand to bring up the first run for the team and the match. The action was pretty much silent till the bottom 4th after which the scoring run came in the top 5th, thanks to John Buck who smashed a 381 feet homer to the left. That was the first concession from David Price, who had been looking for his 16th win of the season.
Much to the delight of the Blue Jays, the match now swayed their way and it wasn’t to be the case for the remainder of the game as the Rays had an idea of their own. In the bottom 5th, they responded athletically, when Sean Rodriguez got to the plate. The power hitter came in after Carlos Pena grounded out to third and he made short work of Shaun Marcum by banging his pitch for a 418 feet homer down the left side of the park. That brought an equalizer and relieved the team of another lag in their quest for the division title.
David Price and Shaun Marcum were relentless for the entirety of their play. While the Blue Jays ace man retired after 6 innings of play, his counterpart kept on pitching till the end of the top 8th. During that time, both went on without conceding any second run. However, the blue birds had a weaker bullpen and the Rays made the team pay as Shawn Camp’s pitching got Ben Zobrist to walk to the first base. Scott Downs then replaced camp and got hit by Carl Crawford for a single. When Evan Longoria walked on to the plate to face the relieve pitcher, the veteran made a simple single to the left. All the while Zobrist made a sprint for the last from the second, running through the diamond with lightening fast speed. The Tampa Bay side had scored their 2nd of the night and that was the last scoring hit of the night.
The game ended with the Rays sneaking past the Blue Jays with a 2 – 1 margin. For what it’s worth, the Rays got a pitcher to go past the 15 wins mark. Management would be happy for David Price and most importantly, the title race still hangs in the balance, as the side are chasing the New York Yankees by just one win. It looks like a thrilling ride to the playoffs and it’s a wonder who’s going to top the East Division this season.
Tags: