Rays' Shane McClanahan pulled vs Astros with neck tightness
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan was pulled in the fifth inning with neck tightness during a 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday night. McClanahan (12-6) was making his second start after returning from the 15-day injured list due to a left shoulder impingement. McClanahan walked Jose Altuve leading off the fifth, then threw three straight balls to Jeremy Peña. Peña hit a three-run homer, Altuve scored three runs and the Astros won for the ninth time in 10 games a day after clinching the AL West championship. Peña's 19th homer came in the third inning after Altuve's second hit, putting the Astros up 4-0.
wftv.comLowe and Díaz homer, Rays beat Guardians 6-4
Guardians Rays Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Yandy Diaz, right, celebrates with teammate Brandon Lowe after hitting a home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 30, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette) (Scott Audette)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Brandon Lowe and Yandy Díaz homered as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-4 on Saturday. The Rays had dropped two consecutive games, getting one run and 10 singles in 18 innings over the stretch. Andrés Giménez homered for the Guardians, who are 5-5 on an 11-game road trip. The Rays gave away a Devil Rays basketball jersey with Phillips' name on it to fans in attendance. Rays: LHP Jalen Beeks (right lower leg tightness) was reinstated from the 15-day IL and RHP Luke Bard was optioned to Triple-A Durham.
wftv.comRays trying to stay afloat as injuries hurt offense
Rays Yankees Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Ji-Man Choi swings at a pitch during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the New York Yankees, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (Bebeto Matthews)The Tampa Bay Rays came into the season with Wander Franco at shortstop, Brandon Lowe at second base and Mike Zunino behind the plate. Now all three of those players are injured, and Tampa Bay — along with the rest of the division — has been left behind by the New York Yankees. The Rays lost two of three at Baltimore over the weekend and dropped seven of nine overall on their road trip. That slump included a three-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees, who lead third-place Tampa Bay by 13 games and second-place Toronto by 11.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Rays put Franco on IL, Cortes excels for Yanks
Rays Rangers Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco, center, is escorted off the field by team staff after hitting a single in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Monday, May 30, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. Franco aggravated the injury running the bases in the ninth inning of Monday’s 9-5 loss at the Texas Rangers. The right quad has been bothering the 21-year-old Franco for a couple of weeks, and he is now sidelined along with second baseman Brandon Lowe. “It’s pretty obvious he’s been playing through a lot as of late,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said of Franco. MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELFIn a Yankees rotation with All-Stars, left-hander Nestor Cortes (4-1, 1.70 ERA) has been a standout this season.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Rays put Franco on IL, Cortes excels for Yanks
Rays Rangers Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco, center, is escorted off the field by team staff after hitting a single in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Monday, May 30, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. Franco aggravated the injury running the bases in the ninth inning of Monday’s 9-5 loss at the Texas Rangers. The right quad has been bothering the 21-year-old Franco for a couple of weeks, and he is now sidelined along with second baseman Brandon Lowe. “It’s pretty obvious he’s been playing through a lot as of late,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said of Franco. MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELFIn a Yankees rotation with All-Stars, left-hander Nestor Cortes (4-1, 1.70 ERA) has been a standout this season.
wftv.comRays working on no-hitter thru 8 innings vs Red Sox
Red Sox Rays Baseball Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jason Adam attempts to pick off Boston Red Sox's Trevor Story at first base during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 23, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) (Phelan M. Ebenhack)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays have a combined no-hit bid heading into the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night. J.P. Feyereisen opened for Tampa Bay and pitched two innings. Javy Guerra then got two outs before Jeffrey Springs pitched two innings. The Red Sox have five walks, and Trevor Story reached in the third when second baseman Brandon Lowe committed an error on the fielder's choice grounder. Tampa Bay has only two hits.
wftv.comIrvin pitches into 7th, A's take 3 of 4 from Rays, 6-3
Athletics Rays Baseball Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier misses a ball hit by the Oakland Athletics Sean Murphy during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, April, 14, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette) (Scott Audette)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla, — (AP) — Cole Irvin pitched into the seventh inning,and the Oakland Athletics beat Tampa Bay 6-3 Thursday to take three of four from the Rays. Irvin (1-1) allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings as the rebuilding A's under new manager Mark Kotsay improved to 4-3. “I was throwing strikes, getting outs the way I know how,” said Irvin, who struck out two and walked none. Margot was thrown out trying to advance to second by right fielder Billy McKinney on Mike Zunino’s fly ball. Please try on your cold gear!”MOVING DAYThe Rays selected the contract of right-hander Phoenix Sanders from Triple-A Durham, and designated righty Dusten Knight for assignment.
wftv.comIrvin pitches into 7th, A's take 3 of 4 from Rays, 6-3
Cole Irvin pitched into the seventh inning,and the Oakland Athletics beat Tampa Bay 6-3 to take three of four from the Rays, Irvin allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings as the rebuilding A’s under new manager Mark Kotsay improved to 4-3.
Kluber looks good, Rays beat Orioles 8-0 to complete sweep
Tampa Bay, which is 21-1 against the Orioles since the beginning of last year, also started 3-0 in 2002 and 2012. Kluber, pitching on his 36th birthday, allowed three hits, walked four and struck out five in an 87-pitch outing. Jason Adam, Jalen Beeks and Matt Wisler held the Orioles scoreless the rest of the way, finishing a combined six-hitter. Wells made his first major league start for the Orioles and didn’t get through the second inning. Rays: A seven-game homestand continues with RHP Luis Patiño (5-3, 4.31 in 2021) starting the first of four games vs. Oakland.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Rays' Brandon Lowe swings into action at Fenway
Rays Yankees Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in New York. Minnesota reliever Taylor Rogers was at Oracle Park to watch for the first time as his twin brother, Giants reliever Tyler Rogers, pitched in the majors. Taylor Rogers sat with Tyler’s wife, Jenn Rogers, who posted on Instagram that Taylor was getting odd looks from the San Francisco faithful. In his postseason debut, Tyler Rogers retired his only batter in the eighth inning of a 4-0 Game 1 win. “Had fun watching people get confused seeing (Taylor) in the stands thinking it was (Tyler) lol,” Jenn Rogers wrote.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Rays' Brandon Lowe swings into action at Fenway
Rays Yankees Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in New York. Minnesota reliever Taylor Rogers was at Oracle Park to watch for the first time as his twin brother, Giants reliever Tyler Rogers, pitched in the majors. Taylor Rogers sat with Tyler’s wife, Jenn Rogers, who posted on Instagram that Taylor was getting odd looks from the San Francisco faithful. In his postseason debut, Tyler Rogers retired his only batter in the eighth inning of a 4-0 Game 1 win. “Had fun watching people get confused seeing (Taylor) in the stands thinking it was (Tyler) lol,” Jenn Rogers wrote.
wftv.comLowe hits 3 HRs, Rays roll 12-2 to prevent Yankees WC clinch
Rays Yankees Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) (Adam Hunger)NEW YORK — (AP) — Brandon Lowe hit three home runs and the Tampa Bay Rays rolled to a 12-2 blowout of the Yankees on Saturday that prevented New York from clinching a playoff spot. He gave up a pair of early three-run homers to Lowe, who also went deep in the seventh against Michael King. Or, a victory in the regular-season finale Sunday against the Rays would guarantee the Yankees an AL wild card. Lowe batted in the eighth with an opportunity to match the major league record of four home runs in a game.
wftv.comRays clinch top seed in AL playoffs, stall Astros in West
Rays Astros Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Ji-Man Choi (26) celebrates with Brett Phillips after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, in Houston. The Astros lost for the fifth time in six games on a night they could have clinched their fourth AL West title in five seasons with a win. With the best record in the AL, the two-time AL East champions secured home-field advantage through the AL Championship Series. Choi’s three-run shot in the fifth pushed Tampa Bay's lead to 6-0 before the Astros got a runner on base. The Astros didn’t get a hit until the fifth inning Wednesday, a night after being held hitless until the sixth before rallying for a 4-3 victory.
wftv.comRays clinch 2nd straight AL East title, beat Marlins 7-3
Earlier in the day, Tampa Bay's magic number was cut to one when the New York Yankees beat Boston 5-3. Tampa Bay improved to 96-59 and won its fourth division title since becoming a major league team for the 1998 season. After the Marlins twice got within one, Lowe's RBI double in the seventh gave Tampa Bay a 5-3 lead. TEACHING MOMENTRays rookie Wander Franco doubled in the eighth off Miami catcher Sandy León on Friday night and went to third on defensive indifference with Tampa Bay ahead 8-0. “Not ideal,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said.
wftv.comFranco, AL East-leading Rays win 8th in row, top Red Sox 6-1
Brandon Lowe hit his career-high 31st homer on the first pitch from Boston starter Nick Pivetta, sending the Rays on their way. Bobby Dalbec hit his 18th homer for the Red Sox, who hold a two-game lead over Oakland for the second AL wild-card spot. The 20-year-old Franco tied Mel Ott for the fifth-longest on-base streak by a player under 21 with his hit in the eighth that made it 6-1. The Red Sox had their total of players on the COVID-19 related injured list increase to four when left-hander Martín Pérez and right-hander Matt Barnes were added before the game. The Rays went up 3-1 in the fourth.
wftv.comRays beat White Sox 8-4; McHugh earns first save
White Sox Rays Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Yandy Diaz, center, and Wander Cruz head for the dugout after scoring on an RBI-double hit by Brandon Lowe off Chicago White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius) (Steve Nesius)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Brandon Lowe, Manuel Margot and Joey Wendle each had two hits and two RBIs, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Chicago White Sox 8-4 on Saturday. Wander Franco also had two hits and scored twice as Tampa Bay won for the fifth time in six games. Luis Patiño (3-3) pitched six innings of two-run ball, and Collin McHugh got five outs for his first career save. The AL East-leading Rays finished with 11 hits while scoring at least eight runs for the 11th time in 15 games. ARCHER SET TO RETURNVeteran right-hander Chris Archer will rejoin the Tampa Bay rotation Sunday after missing four months.
wftv.comHer story: 1st time all-female broadcast crew calls MLB game
For the first time in Major League Baseball history, an all-female announcing crew called a game as the Tampa Bay Rays played the Baltimore Orioles. The YouTube broadcast featured Melanie Newman on play-by-play with Sarah Langs as the analyst. Alanna Rizzo was the on-field reporter, and Heidi Watney and Lauren Gardner hosted the pregame and postgame coverage. “Beyond excited for this, and so honored to be part of it,” Langs tweeted before the game. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.
wftv.comRed Sox bid for combined no-hitter vs Rays ends in 8th
Nick Pivetta and Josh Taylor combined to hold the Rays hitless through seven innings. Pivetta was pulled with a runner on second and two outs in the seventh after throwing 100 pitches. Austin Meadows reached with one out in the seventh when Red Sox first baseman Michael Chavis was charged with an error after misplaying a routine grounder. After Pivetta retired Yandy Díaz on a grounder, manager Alex Cora went to the mound to make a pitching change. Boston was trying to throw the seventh no-hitter in the majors this season.
wftv.comRed Sox have combined no-hitter through 7 against Rays
Red Sox Rays Baseball Boston Red Sox's Nick Pivetta goes into his windup against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 24, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Boston Red Sox pitchers Nick Pivetta and Josh Taylor have combined on a no-hitter through seven innings against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. Pivetta was pulled with a runner on second and two outs in the seventh after throwing 100 pitches in a scoreless game. Austin Meadows reached with one out in the seventh when Red Sox first baseman Michael Chavis was charged with an error after misplaying a routine grounder. Boston was trying to throw the seventh no-hitter in the majors this season. The Astros threw the most recent combined no-hitter in the majors, when Aaron Sanchez, Will Harris, Joe Biagini and Chris Devenski blanked Seattle on Aug. 3, 2019.
wftv.comPivetta has no-hitter for Red Sox through 6 against Rays
Red Sox Rays Baseball Boston Red Sox's Nick Pivetta goes into his windup against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 24, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (Chris O'Meara)ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Boston Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta has a no-hitter through six innings against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. Pivetta retired his first nine batters before Brandon Lowe walked leading off the fourth. Lowe also reached base in the sixth with two outs when he was hit by a pitch. Tampa Bay starter Michael Wacha took a no-hitter into the fifth before Christian Vázquez got the game’s first hit with two outs when he lifted a soft fly ball to center field on a half-swing against an 88 mph changeup. Pivetta has eight strikeouts and two walks.
wftv.comRays score 7 runs in 8th to complete 4-game sweep of Angels
The Angels capped one of the most stunning days in franchise history by blowing a late three-run lead as Tampa Bay completed a four-game sweep. The Rays then broke it open in the eighth, sending 12 batters to the plate and getting six hits off three Angels pitchers. Josh Fleming (2-3) got the win for the Rays, who have won five straight and posted their first four-game sweep at Angel Stadium since 2012. The left-hander allowed three runs in five innings after Collin McHugh opened with two shutout innings and five strikeouts. Shohei Ohtani hit his 10th home run of the season for the Angels, who have dropped a season-high five in a row.
wftv.comFreeman among trio of Braves on All-MLB first team
Freeman easily won the NL MVP award Thursday, Nov. 12, topping off a trying year that saw him become so ill with COVID-19 he prayed please dont take me. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)NEW YORK – National League MVP Freddie Freeman was one of three Atlanta Braves selected to the All-MLB first team on Wednesday night. San Diego had two players on the top team: shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado. AL MVP José Abreu of the Chicago White Sox was the first baseman on the second team, which also included Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto, Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and Indians third baseman José Ramírez.
Dodgers defeat Tampa Bay Rays to win 1st World Series title since 1988
Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner flies out against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays a baseball World Series Game 6 Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. ___10:10 p.m.With postseason star Julio Urías on the mound, the Los Angeles Dodgers are clinging to a 2-1 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays heading into the eighth inning. The Los Angeles Dodgers took a 3-2 World Series lead into Game 6 against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, one win from their first title since 1988. “I don’t know if we’ve got any Tampa Bay Rays fans here in Orlando,” Obama said. The Globe Life Field roof will be closed for Game 6 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays.
Dodgers 1 win from title after 32 years and more than $3.6B
FILE - In this Oct. 20, 1988, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser holds his World Series Most Valuable Player trophy following the Dodgers' decisive 5-2 win over the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Ca. Since Hershiser struck out Oaklands Tony Phillips for the final out of the 1988 World Series, the Dodgers have played 5,014 regular-season games and 113 more in the postseason in pursuit of their next title. The rookie right-hander hopes to keep the World Series from reaching a Game 7 for the fourth time in five years. The Rays and Cash have impressed Roberts with their relentlessness, evidenced by their ninth-inning rally to win Game 4. Hershiser, the 1988 World Series MVP, says each time the postseason is lengthened it adds another level of uncertainty to the competition.
Kershaw stops steal of home, hands Dodgers 3-2 Series lead
“I think a lot of credit goes to what he’s been able to do in this World Series for us.”Kershaw even prevented the Rays from stealing the tying run. Kershaw’s formidable resume has lacked two of the most satisfying achievements: a win deep in the World Series and a championship ring. “Kersh, a lot of credit goes to him for what we’ve been able to do in this World Series,” Treinen said. Provided a 3-0 lead, Kershaw allowed Tampa Bay to pull within a run in the third when Kiermaier singled, Yandy Díaz tripled on a ball down the right-field line that skipped past Betts and Arozarena’s single. He sets records with nine postseason homers allowed and three wild pitches in a Series game, tying a mark with two wild pitches in an inning.
Power surge: Home runs more than half of scoring in playoffs
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)ARLINGTON, Texas – For all the talk about pride in advancing runners and manufacturing runs, teams in the postseason have really dug the long ball. Home runs drove in 235 of the 456 runs in the postseason through World Series Game 4, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. That comes to 51.5%, up from 46.6% last year and highest since the postseason expanded beyond the World Series in 1969. That gave the Rays 33 homers in the postseason accounting for 52 of 76 runs (68.4%). The reason they’re in postseason, playing postseason baseball is because a lot of that coincides with great pitching and that’s what we’re seeing.
Bellinger back in CF for LA with roof closed for Game 5
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger celebrates their win against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the baseball World Series Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The roof will be closed Sunday night because of dreary conditions and an increasing chance of rain into the night. Bellinger, a National League Gold Glove finalist, was listed in center field for Game 5 after he was a late switch to designated hitter a night earlier because of back stiffness. Against Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow in Game 5, Pederson was in left and Taylor at second base. The rest was changed from Game 4, with left field Hunter Renfroe batting fifth, ahead of Wendle, shortstop Willy Adames, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and catcher Mike Zunino.
Arozarena slugs into WS history, stumbles into October lore
Rays defeated the Dodgers 8-7 to tie the series 2-2 games. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas – Hours after slugging his way into World Series history, Randy Arozarena stumbled into October lore. None of those three won the World Series. Center fielder Chris Taylor bobbled the hit, chased after the ball and threw toward the plate as Arozarena rounded third. Down in the dirt, Arozarena kept pounding the plate as the Rays rushed out to celebrate with him.
The Latest: Bellinger moved to DH for Game 4 against Rays
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas – The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):5:55 p.m. The Los Angeles Dodgers announced a tweak to their starting lineup just before they completed batting practice ahead of the start of Game 4. Just more than an hour before playing the Tampa Bay Rays, the Dodgers said Cody Bellinger would be the designated hitter and AJ Pollock would be in center field. The Rays started four right-handed hitters at the top of their batting order. Yarbrough threw 19 pitches in the World Series opener, his only action since pitching five innings against Houston in the AL Championship Series on Oct. 13.
Rays stack lineup with righties against Urías in Game 4
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner celebrates their win against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the baseball World Series Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Dodgers beat the Rays 6-2 to lead the series 2-1 games. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas – The Tampa Bay Rays started four right-handed hitters at the top of their batting order and seven in all against Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urías in World Series Game 4 on Saturday night. The Rays started four right-handed hitters at the top of their batting order. Yarbrough threw 19 pitches in the World Series opener, his only action since pitching five innings against Houston in the AL Championship Series on Oct. 13.
The Latest: LA leads Series 2-1 after dominant Buehler start
Justin Turner and Austin Barnes homered for Los Angeles, and Max Muncy had two hits and two RBIs heading into the eighth. ___7:25 p.m.Justin Turner put the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead 1-0 in the first inning, homering on Charlie Morton’s 14th pitch. That tied the team record set by Duke Snider over 36 games with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1954 to 1959. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the visiting team for Game 3 of the World Series, and batting first. An average of 10.42 runs have been scored in the postseason games in Arlington, including 21 total runs in the first two World Series games.
Parade of pitchers not a merry-go-round for Dodgers
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas – More was not merrier for Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers. By the end of the Dodgers’ 6-4 defeat Wednesday night, which evened the Series at one game apiece, it appeared the Dodgers are down to essentially a two-man rotation of Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw. Alex Wood (six outs) and Jake McGee (three) finished with shutout relief, but the damage yielded by the earlier parade of pitchers was too much to overcome. Gonsolin has a 9.82 postseason ERA, allowing eight runs in 7 1/3 innings, and May a 5.00 ERA, giving up five runs in nine innings. It remains to be seen whether this merry-go-round will be a fun ride for Roberts and the Dodgers.
Lowe homers twice, Rays hold off Dodgers 6-4 to even Series
After Lowe finally busted out in Game 2 of the World Series, the Rays and Dodgers are tied deep in the heart of Texas. Snell attacked with breaking pitches in the strike zone, not his usual pattern, against a Dodgers team that doesn't often chase. SHORT HOPSSnell’s nine strikeouts were the most in a World Series game by a pitcher who didn't last five innings. Dodgers: Buehler threw six shutout innings to win Game 6 of the NL Championship Series against Atlanta and force Game 7. His only previous World Series start was Game 3 against Boston in 2018, when he fired seven scoreless innings in the only game the Dodgers won.