A 2-1 loss to visiting Kansas City on Tuesday night time avoided the rays from equaling their all-time win streak of 12, set via Lou Piniella’s 2004 squad. However, the setback, in which 41-12 months-vintage lefty rich hill struck out a professional excessive 13, does now not reduce what has taken vicinity over the last couple of weeks.
A 14-8 win over the blue jays on Monday afternoon marked the third time at some stage in what became an 11-game win streak. That the rays had to overcome an early deficit of a minimum of five runs. Overcoming such deficits earlier inside the season became unthinkable given the team’s struggles at the plate.
Now, though, the sensation inside the Tampa bay clubhouse is that the team can win regardless of what in-sport demanding situations it can face.
“it’s a keep competing mentality,” said joey Wendel, who is hitting .392 with all six of his domestic runs on the street following Monday’s sport. “On a larger scale, looking at our season as a whole, we didn’t start off gambling hot. Now, via this streak, we’re prevailing games quite an awful lot each manner you likely can.”
During the streak, which positioned the rays in sole ownership of the first region in an American league east. This is very tight on the top; they outscored the opposition 95-forty three and scored at least 9 runs seven instances.
Staying power at the plate is a significant purpose for such lofty run manufacturing, and possibly the lovely example of this took place in the 9th inning of Sunday’s sport in opposition to Toronto.
The rays entered the inning down 4-2. With one out, a run-in, and the bases loaded. Austin meadows fouled off three instantly Travis bergen full-count services and drew a 9-pitch walk to force inside the tying run. It turned into the first of 3 instantly bases-loaded walks in a 6-four win.
It is such at-bats that have been supporting power the offense. Plenty of walks have been mixed in with critical hits in the course of decisive innings.
“regardless if we’re (trailing) or not, we recognize, with the roll that we have been. Something goes to happen,” stated Meadows. “we paintings first-class at-bats, and with the roll, we were on these days. The stress isn’t always on us, but the pitcher. Just preserve to paintings the at-bats and notice what happens.”
The rays entered Tuesday’s game in opposition to the royals 1/3 in the American League in average runs in keeping with the game at five. One and 5th in home runs with sixty-two. Even as they’re recognized greater for their pitching and defense, all people have been chipping in on the plate.
Mike Zunino has indeed been helping the rays’ motive on the scoreboard of past due. Although maintaining his high degree of protection and outstanding work with the pitching workforce, the offense has not come easy for the 30-12 months-vintage catcher during his time with the rays.