News
Eighth-inning rally seals sweep
Bases-loaded walk the difference as Rays work magic
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
07/19/09 7:45 PM ET
KANSAS CITY -- Yet another eighth-inning rally took place Sunday as the Rays came away 4-3 winners over the Royals in front of 18,934 at Kauffman Stadium to sweep the weekend series.By winning, Tampa Bay gained ground on American League East-leading Boston, which fell to Toronto, 3-1, on Sunday, allowing the Rays to move to within 4 1/2 games.
Following the script from Friday and Saturday night's victories, the Rays erased a one-run lead in the eighth inning Sunday to take the win from the Royals.
"We came from behind in all three, and that's a really good way for your team to think that if you keep it close you can win it late," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It's great to be able to think those thoughts in a tight game. I believe that's become part of our culture regardless of who we are playing. We feel like we can beat you late."
Such a mind-set is a far cry from the start of the season, when the Rays got off to a 9-14 start in April.
"I would say in April we didn't have [that belief]," Maddon said. "It's been building pretty well, I think. I thought early on [in the season] we just didn't have our mental act together. We just didn't have it. We were trying.
"In my experience, coming off a World Series, that first month is a really dangerous month. You have to really traverse through it intelligently and avoid the pitfalls. And we fell a little bit. But we've rebounded nicely."
The Rays stepped to the plate in the eighth trailing, 3-2. After B.J. Upton flew out to start the inning, Carl Crawford reached base on an infield hit. He then went to third on a throwing error by the pitcher, Jamey Wright, who tried to pick off Crawford. Evan Longoria was then intentionally walked before Carlos Pena singled off John Bale to score Crawford and tie the game at 3. Bale subsequently walked Ben Zobrist to load the bases, prompting Royals manager Trey Hillman to bring in Roman Colon.
Colon successfully retired the first batter he faced, Pat Burrell, by striking out the Rays designated hitter. Colon didn't fare quite as well against Gabe Gross, who drew a bases-loaded walk to force home Longoria and put the Rays up, 4-3.
"We took the lead into the seventh inning in all three games," Hillman said. "Got out of the seventh today in good fashion, then the damage was done in the eighth."
Drawing a walk to win the game felt appropriate on an afternoon where the disciplined Rays hitters saw 166 pitches from Royals pitchers.
"I thought we had pretty good at-bats all day long," Gross said. "I thought [Royals starter Luke] Hochevar threw the ball well, but we had some pretty good at-bats against him. We hit the ball pretty well but didn't have much to show for it. And then finally we kept scrapping and came away with the win."
Maddon pointed out that the Tampa Bay lineup is full of hitters who appreciate nothing more than a free pass.
"We do strike out, we take our walks, so none of that surprises," Maddon said. "You're not surprised when Carlos draws a walk or Gabe draws a walk under those kinds of circumstances. There are certain guys who will really eyeball it. And they're willing to accept their walks.
"Too many guys get anxious and want to swing. And you have to understand, it's about not making an out there. It's not about getting a hit, just moving this conga line along."
Complementing the Rays' plate discipline was a stellar effort by the bullpen over the weekend. On Sunday, the combined efforts of Lance Cormier, Grant Balfour, Randy Choate and J.P. Howell brought four scoreless innings, which allowed Tampa Bay hitters to piece together runs while relievers stymied Kansas City's bats.
Howell earned his ninth save of the season and became only the second Rays pitcher in team history to save all three games of a series sweep. Troy Percival accomplished the feat April 22-24 last season against Toronto.
"[Using Howell] three days in a row, I'm a little bit concerned [in a] day game after a night game," Maddon said. "But he did hit 87 [mph] on their gun, which I took as a good sign that he was maintaining his velocity into the third day."
Billy Butler said Howell has stuff people overlook.
"Next thing you know, you look at his numbers and he's got dominant numbers," Butler said. "He shut us down in order all three games. Obviously he's got good stuff. That's all you can really say on that. He did his job."
Inside the Rays' clubhouse, the mood was light, as it should be.
"We did a lot of that [coming from behind] last year," Howell said. "So it's just another part of our game we can bring in, and it's a way to win."
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
