Wander Franco drives in 3 as Rays beat Blue Jays 10-5
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Wander Franco had three RBIs, Jonathan Aranda homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-5 on Thursday night in the opener of a big four-game series between playoff contenders. José Berríos (11-6) was tagged for six runs and seven hits in two innings. Manuel Margot’s infield RBI single, and run-scoring hits by Franco and Arozarena put the Rays up 6-3 in the second. One out later, Merrifield tied it at 3 with his solo shot, giving him seven hits, including two homers, in nine at-bats against the left-hander. Yarbrough left in the third with right side discomfort.
wftv.comRays make MLB history with all-Latin lineup on Clemente Day
TORONTO — (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays made major league history on Thursday by starting nine Latin American players against the Toronto Blue Jays. It happened as baseball celebrated Roberto Clemente Day, honoring the late Hall of Fame outfielder from Puerto Rico. The designated hitter was Manual Margot, who is from the Dominican Republic, followed by left fielder David Peralta, who is from Venezuela. Clemente won four NL batting titles and helped the Pirates win the World Series in 1960 and 1971. Left-hander Shane McClanahan, an American, was activated off the 15-day injured list before the game to start for the Rays.
wftv.comHicks benched after missing 2 flies in Yanks' loss to Rays
Aaron Hicks was removed midgame after failing to catch consecutive drives to left that landed for run-scoring doubles in the fourth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 4-2 Friday night to close within 3 1/2 games in the AL East. Randy Arozarena had an RBI double in the first off Frankie Montas (5-12) to put the Rays ahead to stay. Wander Franco hit a two-out, two-on drive in the fourth that dropped out of Hicks’ glove along the left-field foul line just in front of the wall.
news.yahoo.comWander Franco had $650,000 in jewelry stolen from his car while on rehab assignment in Florida
(Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco had $650,000 in jewelry stolen from his car while was on a rehab assignment in June, according to ESPN. The team was in Jacksonville when Kahlil Eugene Mathis, 24, reportedly broke into Franco's car and stole a $60 safe that contained the jewelry. Officers arrested Mathis after he sold a few of the items at a pawn shop near the hotel where Franco parked his car. Officers also found the safe, and some of the jewelry, in a hotel room used by Mathis. The break-in occurred while Franco was on a rehab assignment from that injury.
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 snap 3-game skid, hold off Angels 4-2 in 10 innings
Rays Angels Baseball Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) throws during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, May 11, 2022. The game was a 1-0 pitchers' duel until the eighth, with Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan barely outpitching Shohei Ohtani. Kiermaier hit a hanging slider from Ohtani into the right field bleachers in the second, ending Tampa Bay’s 12-inning scoreless skid. Wander Franco was Tampa Bay's designated hitter to give him extra rest. Angels: Ward missed the previous two games against Tampa Bay with a hamstring injury.
wftv.comCabrera could be the last for a while to reach 3,000 hits
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (Carlos Osorio)Miguel Cabrera reached the 3,000-hit mark on a weekend afternoon in front of an adoring crowd at his home ballpark. In an era of high strikeout totals and low batting averages, there aren't any other players who seem likely to reach 3,000 hits any time soon. Among active players, the next man on the career hits list is Robinson Canó with 2,631. Part of what helped Cabrera to the milestone was that he reached the big leagues at age 20. He has 103 hits in his first 85 games, but even if Franco goes on to have a Hall of Fame career, it'll obviously be a while before has a chance to threaten a milestone like 3,000 hits.
wftv.comKluber 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.comScherzer, Seager get big-money deals ahead of CBA expiration
Right-hander Max Scherzer agreed to a record-setting $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets and shortstop Corey Seager struck a $325 million, 10-year deal with the Texas Rangers as players and teams rushed to reach agreements before an expected lockout.
Defending AL champ Rays poised to open ALDS against Red Sox
ALDS Red Sox Rays Baseball Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier answers a question during a news conference before an American League Division Series baseball practice Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Rays play the Boston Red Sox in the best-of-five series. The Red Sox beat the Yankees 6-2 at home in the AL wild-card game Tuesday night, advancing to face the Rays. Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash lauded the 41-year-old slugger for his leadership on and off the field. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was a Tampa Bay player and coach before being hired by Minnesota.
wftv.comWith MVPs out, new stars set to shine in MLB postseason
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip)A funny thing about this year’s likely MVPs — none were valuable enough to push their teams into the postseason. Other big names remain — Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Jose Altuve and Aaron Judge are plenty familiar to fall audiences. Of course, they were all there last year, too, when Tampa Bay rookie Randy Arozarena stole the show. After hitting 21 homers combined in his first three big league seasons, the 26-year-old Canadian had 34 to form a dangerous mid-order trio with All-Stars Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. A 6-foot-1 rookie with tree-trunk legs, Garcia was 11-8 with a 3.30 ERA over 30 games, including 28 starts.
wftv.comYanks' rally fizzles, AL wild-card race tightens as Rays win
Rays Yankees Baseball Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Andrew Kittredge (36) and catcher Francisco Mejia celebrate after they defeated the New York Yankees in a baseball game, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, in New York. New York needed a win plus a loss by either Boston or Seattle to clinch its fifth straight playoff appearance. Instead, the Yankees fell short against the AL East champion Rays in the opener of a season-ending three-game series. Rookie Wander Franco gave the Rays a 4-1 lead by chopping a grounder up the middle for a two-run single in the ninth. After Franco gave the Rays a three-run lead, the Yankees nearly pulled off a comeback.
wftv.comCorrea, Astros clinch AL West, open playoffs vs White Sox
Rays Astros Baseball The Houston Astros celebrate after beating the Tampa Bay Rays in a baseball game to win the American League West Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip)HOUSTON — (AP) — Carlos Correa hit his career-high 25th homer with a three-run shot and the Houston Astros clinched the AL West with a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. Manager Dusty Baker's Astros will open the AL Division Series on Oct. 7 against the Chicago White Sox — home field for that best-of-five matchup is still to be determined. Correa followed with his towering shot that smashed off the wall in left field to put the Astros up 3-0 against Ryan Yarbrough (9-7). Astros: Houston hasn’t set its rotation for a weekend series against Oakland.
wftv.comCorrea, Astros clinch AL West, open playoffs vs White Sox
Jose Altuve got straight to the point when asked what Carlos Correa means to the Houston Astros after his mighty swing launched them into the playoffs Thursday night. Correa hit his career-high 25th homer with a three-run shot and the Astros clinched the AL West with a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. “That sounds pretty special," Correa said.
news.yahoo.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 rookie INF Wander Franco returns from hamstring injury
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays rookie Wander Franco was reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Friday after missing two weeks with a right hamstring injury. The AL East-leading Rays, who started a three-game series with Miami on Friday night, clinched a postseason spot on Thursday. Franco extended his on-base streak to 39 games, then exited in the first inning against Detroit on Sept. 10. After being examined by team trainers, Franco left the game and was replaced at shortstop by Joey Wendle. Franco started at shortstop in a minor league game Thursday with Triple-A Durham.
wftv.comCabrera 9 hits in row, Schoop, Tigers win; Rays' Franco hurt
Miguel Cabrera got his ninth straight hit before the string ended, Jonathan Schoop launched a grand slam and the Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 10-4 Friday night. Rays rookie shortstop Wander Franco extended his on-base streak to 39 games, then left in the first inning with tightness in his right hamstring. “We'll know more, but hopefully we caught it early enough,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
news.yahoo.comRays' Franco extends streak, exits with apparent leg injury
Rays Tigers Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco hits a single against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya)DETROIT — (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays rookie Wander Franco extended his on-base streak to 39 games, then exited in the first inning with an apparent leg injury against Detroit on Friday night. With one out in the first, Franco lined a single. After being examined by team trainers, Franco left the game and was replaced at shortstop by Joey Wendle. The 20-year-old Franco came into the game hitting .282 with seven homers in 61 games for the AL East leaders.
wftv.comCruz, 41, oldest to hit 3O HRs in year, Rays bop Bosox 12-7
The Red Sox again missed a chance to move ahead of the Yankees for the top AL wild-card spot. “As a group (the Rays) did a good job covering the bottom part of the zone,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. Danny Santana also homered for the Red Sox. Down 12-1, Dalbec and the Red Sox scored four times in the eighth and twice more in the ninth. McClanahan, making his first career start at Fenway Park, has faced the Red Sox twice this season, going 1-1 (4.09).
wftv.comCruz oldest to hit 3O HRs in a season, Rays bop Red Sox 12-7
Rays Red Sox Baseball Tampa Bay Rays' Nelson Cruz tosses his bat as he watches his two-run home run during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. The Red Sox again missed a chance to move ahead of the Yankees for the top AL wild-card spot. Down 12-1, Dalbec and the Red Sox scored four times in the eighth and twice more in the ninth. Red Sox: OF Kike Hernandez, on the COVID-19-related injury list since Aug. 27, was activated before the game. McClanahan, making his first career start at Fenway Park, has faced the Red Sox twice this season, going 1-1 (4.09).
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Franco ties a Mantle mark, Civale returns
The 20-year-old Franco tripled in his first at-bat Monday at Fenway Park. Franco is hitting .290 and has scored 48 runs and driven in 36 since making his big league debut this year. HAPPY RETURNSAaron Civale returns to the mound when the Cleveland Indians host Minnesota. The right-hander made three minor league rehab starts, going 1-0 with a 0.79 ERA. In a matchup of playoff contenders, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole (14-6, 2.73 ERA) starts the second game of a four-game seies.
wftv.comMeadows, Rays rally from 6 runs down, beat Bosox 11-10 in 10
The Red Sox missed a chance to move ahead of the Yankees for the top AL wild-card spot. Richards gave up an RBI single to Jordan Luplow in the sixth to allow the Rays to trim the lead 7-6. Red Sox: LHP Josh Taylor was reinstated from the COVID-19 list, leaving 10 players on that list since a recent outbreak of cases. He is 0-0 with a 2.53 ERA in four appearances against the Red Sox. Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (11-7, 4.88) tossed six scoreless innings in a win last week at Tampa Bay.
wftv.comRays win 9th in row; Red Sox star Bogaerts tests positive
Bogaerts hit an RBI single in the first inning, but the star was replaced defensively in the second. It was announced before the game that Boston reliever Hirokazu Sawamura tested positive as a virus surge that started last week continues having a daily impact on the playoff-contending Red Sox. Devers picked up his 97th RBI with an eighth-inning single as Boston outhit the Rays 10-5. Red Sox left-hander Martín Pérez and right-hander Matt Barnes were added to the COVID-19 IL on Monday. ANOTHER CHANCEThe Rays are expected to recall veteran reliever David Robertson from Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
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.comLEADING OFF: Báez, Mets barb home fans, anger team president
Javier Báez and his New York Mets teammates get a day to cool off after the derogatory gestures they directed toward frustrated fans at Citi Field angered club management. Booed at home during a rough August, Báez said Mets players have been turning double thumbs down on the crowd in reponse. The major league record among players 20 and under is 43 in a row for Cincinnati in 1956. ANOTHER NEWBIEFor the third time in six games, the Texas Rangers will have a starting pitcher making his major league debut. Starting pitchers Mike Foltynewicz, Dane Dunning and Spencer Howard are among seven Texas players currently on the COVD-19 related injured list.
wftv.comBirthday boy Turner ties mark with 3rd cycle, Nats top Rays
Rays Nationals Baseball Washington Nationals' Trea Turner (7) slides on his way to stealing second against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, left, during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Washington. Two innings later, Turner hit a ball into the right-field corner, and the Nationals Park crowd immediately stood anticipating a play at third. Mike Zunino belted his 18th home run and fourth in his last five games for Tampa Bay. ... Tampa Bay placed RHP Ryan Thompson on the 10-day injured list with shoulder soreness, retroactive to Monday. Nationals: RHP Daniel Hudson (right elbow) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session and will throw another on Friday.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Rays rookie Franco slumping, Harper plunked
Franco is hitless in 16 at-bats since his first game, dropping his batting average to .105. He went 0 for 4 with a bases-loaded walk in a 13-3 win over the Angels on Saturday. Harper was plunked with a changeup, ran the bases and exited after the inning ended Saturday. I was horrible.”Kershaw (8-7, 3.43 ERA) goes against Cubs rookie Adbert Alzolay (4-6, 4.19) at Dodger Stadium. The third time, however, came after Philadelphia manager Joe Girardi requested an inspection.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Ohtani back on mound, Franco's smashing start
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound, taking on Kevin Gausman and the Giants at Angel Stadium. Ohtani (3-1, 2.70 ERA) will make his 11th start, his most in any season since 2016, when he started 20 times in Japan. ... Marlins lefty Trevor Rogers (7-3, 1.87), who leads all MLB rookies in wins, ERA and strikeouts, is scheduled to start at home against Toronto. PITCHING PROBLEMSMajor league wins leader Aaron Civale will be checked by a doctor because of soreness in the middle finger on his pitching hand, another setback for the Cleveland staff. But I think we’re prepared that he’s going to miss some time.”Civale exited Monday night’s start in the fifth inning.
wftv.comFranco HR, double in debut, but Rays lose to Red Sox in 11th
Rafael Devers hit a hard grounder that went between first baseman Yandy Díaz’s legs for a two-run double during Boston’s four-run 11th off Pete Fairbanks (1-3). Hunter Renfroe homered for the AL East-leading Red Sox. Batting second and debuting at third base, Franco alertly began a double play in the eighth. Franco fielded Renfroe's grounder and ran toward Devers, who was called for running out the base line trying to advance. Francisco Mejía drove in a run with an infield single in the first, with Franco scoring the second run on shortstop Xander Bogaerts’ errant throw to second trying to get a forceout.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Ohtani back on mound, Franco's smashing start
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound, taking on Kevin Gausman and the Giants at Angel Stadium. Ohtani (3-1, 2.70 ERA) will make his 11th start, his most in any season since 2016, when he started 20 times in Japan. ... Marlins lefty Trevor Rogers (7-3, 1.87), who leads all MLB rookies in wins, ERA and strikeouts, is scheduled to start at home against Toronto. PITCHING PROBLEMSMajor league wins leader Aaron Civale will be checked by a doctor because of soreness in the middle finger on his pitching hand, another setback for the Cleveland staff. But I think we’re prepared that he’s going to miss some time.”Civale exited Monday night’s start in the fifth inning.
wftv.comTop prospect Wander Franco homers in MLB debut for Rays
Franco drew a nice ovation when he went on the field to run pregame, and got a partial standing ovation when the Rays’ lineup was announced over the public-address system. The salute grew to full standing ovation with fans in the left-field stands chanting "Wander Franco” as he walked to the plate to bat in the first. Rays manager Kevin Cash said Franco will also get playing at time at shortstop and second base. Franco was 5 for 17 with a long home run in seven spring training games for Tampa Bay this year. Tampa Bay had lost six straight entering Tuesday, dropping a half-game back of the first-place Red Sox in the AL East.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Franco debut, Kershaw vs Snell, Hendricks hot
Franco hit .315 with seven homers and 35 RBIs in 39 games this season at Triple-A Durham. He was 5 for 17 with a long home run in seven spring training games for Tampa Bay this year. Tampa Bay has lost six straight, dropping a half-game back of the first-place Red Sox in the AL East. He was pulled from Game 6 of the World Series by Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash with the Rays leading the Dodgers 1-0 in the sixth inning last year. STICKY STUFF FOCUSYankees ace Gerrit Cole (8-3, 2.31 ERA) makes his first start since Major League Baseball started mandatory checks by umpires on all pitchers for banned grip-enhancing substances.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: Franco debut, Cole focus, Hendricks streak – WFTV
Franco hit .315 with seven homers and 35 RBIs in 39 games this season at Triple-A Durham. He was 5 for 17 with a long home run in seven spring training games for Tampa Bay this year. Tampa Bay has lost six straight, dropping behind a half-game back of the first-place Red Sox in the AL East. STICKY STUFF FOCUSYankees ace Gerrit Cole (8-3, 2.31 ERA) makes his first start since Major League Baseball started mandatory checks by umpires on all pitchers for banned grip-enhancing substances. Hendricks' is succeeding despite an average four-seam fastball velocity of 87.1 mph, 183rd among 184 qualified pitchers.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: MLB begins checking pitchers for sticky stuff
Pitchers will be ejected and suspended for 10 games for using illegal foreign substances to doctor baseballs in a crackdown by Major League Baseball that will start June 21. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) (Mark J. Terrill)A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday:STUCK UPMajor League Baseball begins its crackdown against pitchers using sticky substances when umpires start making regular, random mound checks. “I think I’m in the same boat as everyone else, just waiting for this to play out,” he said. Pitchers will be ejected and suspended for 10 games if caught using foreign substances to doctor baseballs. Kansas City lost 19 straight in 2005, the longest drought since baseball began having wild-card playoff teams in 1995.
wftv.comRays set to promote SS Wander Franco, MLB's No. 1 prospect
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays infielder Wander Franco, considered the best prospect in the minors, is set to make his major league debut. The Rays say they plan to promote the 20-year-old Franco from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. Tampa Bay is off Monday and hosts the Red Sox on Tuesday night. Franco went 5 for 17 with a long home run in seven spring training games for Tampa Bay this year. The Rays had the best record in the majors this year until their current six-game losing streak.
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