Here they go again ....
Just when you thought it was safe for the Devil Rays to take a big lead, they blew another one, turning a 7-1 fourth inning advantage into a 10-8 loss on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.
Al Reyes, who'd been perfect as the closer, gave up a two-run homer to tie the game in the ninth and then, in his first multi-inning apperance of the season, another two-run shot in the 10th.
Reyes said he felt fine, and just made some "mistakes" with his his pitches.
Manager Joe Maddon said the Rays "have to stop" blowing big leads. He also said that Reyes, who threw 44 pitches, will not be available Wednesday under any circumstances.
He went with Reyes for the second inning because his only other option was Brian Stokes, and he wanted to save him in case the game was extended. Plus, Stokes has struggled in late situations.
Follow Tampa Bay Rays baseball from spring training to the World Series with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the St. Petersburg Times sports staff. From Evan Longoria to B.J. Upton and Scott Kazmir, we're your source for Tampa Bay Rays scores and schedules.
With all the saves and great work Reyes has done this year, I can't blame him for this loss. When we're up 7-1, it should never get to the point that Reyes has to come in. While the bullpen is getting better, we still don't have the talent to keep the other team down when we get a big lead.
Posted by: Doug | June 20, 2007 at 08:09 AM
I agree. Even the best closers blow a save from time to time. I'll take 16 out of 17 any day of the week. It was a group effort. We'll get them today. I think Shields will rebound in a big way from his last start.
Posted by: Mark | June 20, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Stu, do whatever needs to be done to get some ML caliber pitchers in here asap. If not for this crap bullpen, the Rays would be in wild card contention. Do something now, please.
Posted by: Wanted: ML Pitchers | June 20, 2007 at 01:33 PM
THE 8 RUNS DID LOOK SAFE FOR AWHILE]--[ REYES IS STILL THE ACE TILL PROVEN NOT ]--[I AM IN FAVOR OF A QUICK MOVE]--[REMOVE THE NEW GUY WITASICK HE IS WILD]--[IT IS TIME WE LOOK AT THAYER THE TOP CLOSER OF THE BISCUITS WITH AN ERA NEAR 2.00 / AND [ 5-0 ]-- I FORGOT HIS K'S AND HOW MANY SAVES ? LIKE SALAS THEY ARE WORTH A GOOD TRY !! WE WILL HAVE SALAS BACK SOON.
Posted by: REB | June 21, 2007 at 10:58 AM
fire maddon and hickey. that's the only cure to our pitching woes.
Posted by: TonyC | June 21, 2007 at 06:00 PM
What does it take to get friedmans attention, say's he has to evaluate the situation about DUKES - Dah everyone else is sick of him why not management??????????
Posted by: cliff vaughn | June 21, 2007 at 06:57 PM