RAYS 6, Orioles 2: Rays in first place, on pace for 162-0 season
By Scott Caruso | March 31st, 2008 | Posted in Game Recap
Now this is what an Opening Day is supposed to be like. There was an electric buzz in the Rays of Light chat room today as the Boys of Summer picked up their weapons and began the long battle towards October. Though few actually expect the Rays to reach the post-season in 2008, the young, idealistic dreamer in all of us believes that this could be the year that the Rays go from laughing-stock to playoff-bound.
Whether you’ve been with the team since that first pitch in 1998 or are a new convert, you can feel the buzz. It’s the sound of a winning attitude, and that winning attitude took its first baby-step forward today as the Rays put out a very professional, very matter-of-fact Game 1 win over the Orioles.
Am I being a little poetic about just one win against the team that many assume will be the laughing stock of the American League? Absolutely. Am I going overboard about a win in which James Shields was going up against a clearly inferior pitcher? You bet. Is this how most of the Raysheads (don’t worry Cork, the royalty check is in the mail) are feeling right now? It sure is.
Today was all about what could be. Today was all about what’s coming up down the pipe. Most importantly, today was about putting an all import W into the record books. 1-0 is 1-0. And 1-0 means first place in the AL East, even if just for one day.
James the Great: It wasn’t vintage Shields by any means today. He struggled a bit with his command - particularly with the changeup - but he made big pitches when he needed to. The Orioles helped him out a bit by swinging early and often in the count, often hitting into easy pop-ups and ground balls. At the end of the day, he gave the Rays 7 innings of 2-run ball; I like my chances to win that game every single time out.
I think most telling was that he didn’t implode after a couple of mistakes behind him in the first inning. He kept his California cool and pitched the Rays to what turned out to be a relatively easy win.
Pen Pals: I kept waiting for the ghosts of Shawn Camp and Brian Stokes to trot out of the bullpen, but it didn’t happen. Thank God. Instead, we got a nice healthy dose of Trever Miller, Al Reyes, and Dan Wheeler who took care of the Orioles in the 8th and the 9th innings. Though I’m not quite as optimistic as the one chatter who told me that he feels like the Rays have gone from the worst bullpen to the best in a matter of a few months, the Rays have clearly built a relief corps that - if healthy - can rank among the best in the league. I certainly like what we have - top to bottom - better than most of the other teams.
Feeling Situational: Last year, the biggest problem the Rays had was their inability to put bat to ball and move runners around the basepaths. Way too many strikeouts with runners on base. Not so tonight. Especially in the 3-run 3rd inning, the Rays did a great job of putting bat to ball and just moving the train along.
Prediction: Dioner Navarro is going to hit over .300 this season. He picked up right where he left off, tallying 3 hits in 4 at bats today. More importantly, he was taking some great hacks up there, lining the ball sharply to all fields. Even his out was hit pretty well. This could be a breakout year for the short, pudgy one. Just watch.
Did You See That? I love rare plays. Today, we got one when the Rays turned a type of strike-em-out-throw-em-out double play without Dioner Navarro having to make a throw. After Al Reyes buckled Melvin Mora with a changeup, Mora crossed in front of Navarro, causing him to be unable to try and throw out Brian Roberts. Roberts was ruled out, and the Rays got out of the 8th inning without allowing a run.
Did You See That? Volume 2: Dioner Navarro was thrown out trying to steal home. It wasn’t a straight steal of home, mind you, but the back end of a double-steal. The Orioles played it well, but Navi nearly snuck in there ahead of the tag. At first glance, I almost thought he was safe. Interesting play by the Rays, probably just trying to catch the O’s off-guard. I definitely wasn’t against the move at all.
First Pena, now Hinske? Okay, so it was just one game, but Eric Hinske DID hit the first home run of the season for the Rays. (By the way, it was a SHOT.) I’m not saying he will be as good as Carlos Pena was last year, but he could be quite the pickup for this team. Rumors abound that other teams are interested in him as well.
New Guys: Cliff Floyd doubled and scored a run, Willy Aybar got his first hit as a Ray, Hinske drew a walk to go along with the aforementioned home run, and Jason Bartlett was on base twice and knocked in a run.
There had to be SOMETHING bad, right? Akinori Iwamura took a bunch of AWFUL swings at the plate. A lot of really weak contact off of his bat. I know that he steps way in the bucket even when he’s going well, but when he looks bad he REALLY looks bad. He needs to put bat to ball.
Up Next: An off-day Tuesday followed by Game 2 against Baltimore on Wednesday night at 7:05 PM. Matt Garza makes his Rays debut. Let’s make it 2-0.
Tags: Rays win
March 31st, 2008 at 7:31 pm
No you didn’t. I can’t stand it when people say projections for the year after 1 game. Shame on you. No more baby gift for you.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:19 pm
It’s why I like Shields. He has an idea out there; he adjusts within the game. I am hoping that Sonnanstine can develop into the same kind of pitcher, not necessarily as good, but someone who keeps it together even if his stuff is off or the team is not helping out much.
My single favorite moment last year was a Shields game against Minnesota when he loaded the bases on a hit batter and and two bunts that went for hits and then struck out Mauer and got Morneau to hit into a DP. It was a wonderful moment.
April 1st, 2008 at 6:27 am
Point of interest: “Rays turned a type of strike-em-out-throw-em-out double play without Dioner Navarro.” It was ruled Strike out and Put out by Catcher for interference. Go Rays
April 1st, 2008 at 8:46 am
I was there yesterday, 2 rows from the field, and it was a magical experience to be there yesterday, it was like re-birth seeing the team do so well… It was also great getting yelled at by all the O’s fans in the 1st inning “how bet them Rays huh?” to “crickets chirping by the 5th” Shields did not have good stuff at all, and really dug deep, and still only allowed 2ER, I was do impressed… I got a few good pics and am exhausted at work today after a 5 hour ride home, but well worth it…
April 1st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I am a newcomer to this site but have followed the Rays religiously since 2004. I have been unashamed to wear my Rays gear here in Naples all this time and have taken the heat from all the Boston and New York homers that live here. I was at my local sports bar for opening day and relished all the Stankee fans forced to watch the Rays due to their rainout. By games end most of the Stanks fans were chatting me up about the Rays!!! We’ll see if this promising start translates to a good season, but i’m holding my head high today!! Go Rays!!
April 1st, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Welcome aboard, Chuck! I love when we can welcome new people into the fold. Hope you enjoy the site!