Rays' Thompson takes long road back to majors
May 19th, 2012
Clay Thompson wanted to visit the touch tank in center field, leave his sweet seat in the Tampa Bay Rays family section at Tropicana Field, turn his back on Thursday's game and pet a cownose ray.
Cobb ready to join rotation
May 19th, 2012
During the past few days, RHP Alex Cobb began preparing for a potential call-up to the big club.
Braves top Shields, Rays in series opener
May 18th, 2012
Interleague play often allows an opportunity for the Rays to shine.
Under manager Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay entered the start of interleague play this season with a 62-46 record, including 12-6 a year ago. Even Friday's starter, James Shields, proved a proponent of the mingling of opponents from the two leagues, winning three of his four starts against National League teams last season with three complete games and 42 strikeouts in 34 innings.
Those stats were thrown out the window Friday as the Rays dropped the first game of interleague play, 5-3 to the Atlanta Braves in the first of a three-game series.
Braves top Shields, Rays in series opener
May 18th, 2012
Interleague play often allows an opportunity for the Rays to shine.
Under manager Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay entered the start of interleague play this season with a 62-46 record, including 12-6 a year ago. Even Friday's starter, James Shields, proved a proponent of the mingling of opponents from the two leagues, winning three of his four starts against National League teams last season with three complete games and 42 strikeouts in 34 innings.
Those stats were thrown out the window Friday as the Rays dropped the first game of interleague play, 5-3 to the Atlanta Braves in the first of a three-game series.
Braves top Shields, Rays in series opener
May 18th, 2012
Interleague play often allows an opportunity for the Rays to shine.
Under manager Joe Maddon, Tampa Bay entered the start of interleague play this season with a 62-46 record, including 12-6 a year ago. Even Friday's starter, James Shields, proved a proponent of the mingling of opponents from the two leagues, winning three of his four starts against National League teams last season with three complete games and 42 strikeouts in 34 innings.
Those stats were thrown out the window Friday as the Rays dropped the first game of interleague play, 5-3 to the Atlanta Braves in the first of a three-game series.
Braves top Shields, Rays in series opener
May 18th, 2012
Tommy Hanson pitched seven effective innings, Freddie Freeman drove in two runs and the Atlanta Braves beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 on Friday night.
Rays recalling Cobb to start Saturday for injured Niemann
May 18th, 2012
Alex Cobb will be recalled from Triple A Durham and start Saturday for the Tampa Bay Rays against the Atlanta Braves at Tropicana Field, taking the turn of Jeff Niemann, whose right fibula was fractured Monday in Toronto.
Tampa Bay Rays news and notes: Joe Maddon’s hamstring barking; long wait for attention; in a hurry on the bases
May 18th, 2012
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 18, 2012
Rays vs. Braves
When/where: 4:10 today; Tropicana Field
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Probable pitchers
RAYS:
RH Alex Cobb (0-0, 0.00)
BRAVES:
RH Randall Delgado (2-3, 3.79)
On Cobb: Called up to replace injured RHP Jeff Niemann, Cobb went 3-2 with a 3.42 ERA in nine starts for the Rays last year. He was 1-4 with a 4.14 ERA in Triple-A Durham this season.
Tampa Bay Rays news and notes: Facing superstars; long wait for attention; in a hurry on bases
May 18th, 2012
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 18, 2012
Rays vs. Braves
When/where: 4:10 today; Tropicana Field
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Probable pitchers
RAYS:
RH Alex Cobb (0-0, 0.00)
BRAVES:
RH Randall Delgado (2-3, 3.79)
On Cobb: Called up to replace injured RHP Jeff Niemann, Cobb went 3-2 with a 3.42 ERA in nine starts for the Rays last year. He was 1-4 with a 4.14 ERA in Triple-A Durham this season.
Tampa Bay Rays lose to Atlanta Braves 5-3
May 18th, 2012
By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 18, 2012
ST. PETERSBURG — Rays right-hander James Shields was arguably one of the best pitchers in interleague play last season, winning three of four starts and throwing three complete games against National League opponents.
But Shields took the blame for Friday night's 5-3 loss to Atlanta after his two-out walk and his throwing error in the fifth inning sparked a two-run rally that gave the Braves the lead for good.