MLB Team Report – Tampa Bay Rays – INSIDE PITCH
James Shields’ performance Tuesday was a perfect microcosm of the Rays’ season.
He pitched incredibly well — striking out 15, allowing two hits and walking none in a complete game — and lost. The Baltimore Orioles pulled out a 1-0 win over the Rays.
“The crime of the year,” manager Joe Maddon said.
“It honestly breaks your heart,” catcher Chris Gimenez said.
Shields took it as well as he could, calling it “probably the best game of my career right there. … I knew this was my last game, and I wanted to let it all hang out.
“I wanted to end on a good note, end on a bang.”
The only run of the night came on Chris Davis’ fourth-inning homer. Tampa Bay managed just three hits against four Baltimore pitchers.
Shields has a $10.25 million option for next season that the Rays are sure to pick up, but there’s no guarantee they won’t trade him. The 30-year-old right-hander said he wants to stay with the Rays and hopes to be back.
———————————————–
MLB Team Report – Tampa Bay Rays – NOTES, QUOTES
–RHP Fernando Rodney was selected the team MVP in voting by the Tampa Bay chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Rodney, who has 47 saves and a reliever-record 0.6053 ERA, received five of the eight first-place votes, finishing ahead of 20-game winner LHP David Price and SS Ben Zobrist. LHP Matt Moore was named the outstanding rookie, and RHP James Shields was the recipient of the Paul C. Smith champion award given to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of true professionalism on and off the field.
–C Chris Gimenez appears to be getting something of a tryout for next season, starting four straight games. The Rays’ catching plans are uncertain for next season and Gimenez, who spent most of the season at Class AAA, could be in the mix. “He’s done a really nice job,” manager Joe Maddon said. In the four starts, Gimenez has gone 6-for-11 with a homer and three RBI.
–3B Evan Longoria was in the lineup and likely will be again for Wednesday’s finale. Manager Joe Maddon originally said he would talk to Longoria, who has been limited by his previous hamstring injury, about playing, but he decided since the games mattered to the Orioles to “play it straight up.”
–CF B.J. Upton said he wasn’t thinking about it, but Wednesday is likely to be his last home game in Tampa Bay. He is expected to leave as a free agent. Upton came up with the Rays, a first-round pick in 2002 who has spent his whole career with the organization.
–RHP Jeremy Hellickson will start Wednesday’s regular-season finale wishing it meant more, but with a chance to get his 10th win and give the Rays five starters in double digits. Hellickson has posted a 2.99 ERA over his last 17 starts but has only five wins to show for it.
BY THE NUMBERS: 5 — 1-0 losses by the Rays in a 54-game span.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re playing at the top of our game right now, and I’ve got to go home and barbecue steak.” — Manager Joe Maddon, on the disappointment of being eliminated from the playoff chase.
———————————————–
MLB Team Report – Tampa Bay Rays – ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
–C Jose Molina (right quad strain) left the Sept. 25 game. He didn’t start Sept. 26-Oct. 2, though he came in to play defense twice.
–RHP Jeff Niemann (right rotator cuff inflammation) left his Sept. 1 start, and he is unlikely to return this season. Niemann had just returned Sept. 1 after being out since May 15 due to a fractured right leg. He played catch from 90 feet Sept. 25.
–C Robinson Chirinos (concussion) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 19. He was cleared in mid-August to resume baseball activities.
–OF Brandon Guyer (torn labrum in left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 13, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 29. He underwent season-ending surgery May 30.
ROTATION:
RHP James Shields
LHP David Price
LHP Matt Moore
RHP Alex Cobb
RHP Jeremy Hellickson
RHP Chris Archer
RHP Jeff Niemann (injured)
BULLPEN:
RHP Fernando Rodney (closer)
RHP Joel Peralta
LHP J.P. Howell
LHP Jake McGee
RHP Burke Badenhop
RHP Wade Davis
RHP Kyle Farnsworth
LHP Cesar Ramos
RHP Brandon Gomes
RHP Dane De La Rosa
CATCHERS:
Jose Molina
Jose Lobaton
Chris Gimenez
INFIELDERS:
1B Carlos Pena
2B Ryan Roberts
SS Ben Zobrist
3B Evan Longoria
DH Luke Scott
INF Jeff Keppinger
INF Elliot Johnson
INF Reid Brignac
INF Sean Rodriguez
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Desmond Jennings
CF B.J. Upton
RF Matt Joyce
OF Sam Fuld
OF Ben Francisco
OF Rich Thompson
UT Stephen Vogt
