"Mo" took the mound and shut the Marlins down 1,2,3 in the top of the first. This was all the Devil Rays needed to "POP" this one open.
"Berger" led off the bottom of the 1st with a double, "Hollywood" was hit with a pitch, and "King" walked to set the stage for "Martini" to come up with bases loaded. After an 0-2 count, "Martini" smacked a double to clear the bases giving the Devil Rays a 3 run lead. "Smiley" knocked in one more in the inning to give the Rays a 4-0 lead in the 1st.
If that wasn't bad enough for the Marlins, an 8 run 2nd inning did not help their cause much. "Coach" led with a 2 out walk, "Berger" singled, "Hollywood" walked again, and "King" walked for his second time (RBI on the BB bringing in "Coach"). This put "Martini" at the plate again with bases loaded. "Martini" hit a single for 2 more RBI's, "Teta" walked, "Smiley" was hit with a pitch, and "Catch 14" was walked bringing up "Bro-Dog" to the plate. "Bro-Dog" slapped a hard single clearing the bases for 3 RBI's before getting caught in a run down.
In the 3rd, it was much of the same with "West" walking, "Coach" hitting a 'bomb', "King" hitting a single, and "Martini" getting his third hit (a triple) before being thrown out at the plate. "Bro-Dog" was thrown out at the plate in the 4th as well leaving "Coach" holding his bat on deck. Also in the 4th, "Catch 14" had his first hit of the year knocking in the 16th run sending the Marlins home in the 5th (NO MERCY FROM "CATCH")
Defensively, there was nothing to talk about other than "Catch 14" making a sweeping tag to keep the lead runner off the bases. They don't call him "Catch" for nothing.
Pitching was incredible. "Mo" came out and shut them down. 1 H and 1 ER in 4 innings. "Havana" came in to close the game striking out 2 of 3 to end the game.
Everyone is talking about the Devil Rays. Lets keep giving them something to talk about. Devil Rays 16 Miami Marlins 1
RECORD: 1 - 0
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
MOISES "MO" GOMEZ 4 INN, 1 ER, 1 H, 4 K, 4 BB, 1HBP, AND THE WIN
JAVIER "HAVANA" CALERO 1 INN, 2 K (ONE LOOKING)
JOSE "MARTINI" MARTINEZ 3 for 3, 1B, 2B, 3B, 6 RBI, 2 RUNS
RYAN "BERGER" ROTHENBERG 2 for 3, 1B, 2B, 1 RBI, 2 RUNS
Moises "Mo" Gomez pitched 6 beautiful innings giving the Devilrays an opportunity to take the lead early. After 6 complete, Mo left the game with a 4 - 2 lead. Ed "Scooper" Cooper, Demi "Teta" Arteta, and Ryan "Burger" Rothenberg lead the offense with a multiple hit day. Scooper and Burger picked up RBI's. Bert "Swamp Dragon" Montero drove in one with a sacrifice fly. Other hitters included David "Hollywood" Krochmal, David "Too Tall" Blanco, Jose "Martini" Martinez, Brian "The Hammer" Stone, and Pete "Catch14" Enriquez.
One important note, Scooper made 3 plays that stand out, all of which were game ending if not made. From jumping and stretching to throwing cross diamond, Scooper did it all. Thanks for keeping us in it Scoop!!!
Now we move to the bottom of the last inning where Kenyon "Shutdown" West took the mound with a 2 run lead. Struggling with 5 walks in just 2 innings, Shutdown managed to get two outs with a runner on 3rd and still a 1 run lead. He took the next batter to a full count and threw a beautiful pitch that should have sent the D'backs packing. However, the umpire, who called this pitch ALL DAY, did not squeeze the trigger and the batter walked to first base. Shutdown then got ahead on the next batter 0 - 1, but laid up a high fastball that the batter caught up to sending a rocket shot over the right field fence giving the D'backs the victory with a 6 - 4 Win.
This was only the 2nd blown save by Shutdown in 2 seasons. He will be out there again next week to bring it home.
D'backs beware, this one was for pride. The next one ends your season!!!!
RECORD: 1 - 1
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Mo 6inn, 2 ER, 5 BB, 1 HB, 2 K
Scooper 2 - 4, 1 R, 1 RBI (unbelievable at 1st base)
Teta 2 - 4
Burger 2 - 4, 1 RBI
Shutdown took the mound for his first start this season. He retired the side in the first inning, but struggled in the 2nd and 3rd innings giving up 4 runs. Only 3 earned runs were posted as 1 run was scored on a defensive error.
Mo finally made it to the game, along with Havana, and took the mound in the 4th. He pitched 3 innings giving up 1 hit and no earned runs.
Now, going into the bottom of the 6th inning, the Devilrays were down 5-4. How this team could maintain a lead through 5 innings was puzzling, but then the storm broke. Teta hit a two run shot to put the Devilrays ahead 6-5 and they never looked back.
Teta, Too Tall, and Super Fly had 3 hits each to lead the team. Swamp Dragon went 2-4, marking his first multi-hit game of the season. Smiley came in to pinch hit and ropped a double for 2 RBI's. With 16 hits posted in this game, most came in the bottom of the 6th making this the longest inning so far this year. 12 + men to the plate and 45 minutes later, the Devilrays were up 14-5.
Havana took the mound in the 7th to close the game. Once again, he posted 3 up 3 down with 3 strikeouts. All than can be said is Havana "walks the walk".....
Final score: Devilrays 14 UM Dodgers 5
RECORD: 2 - 1
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Mo 3inn, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K and the WIN
Havana 1 inn, 3 K's
Teta 3 - 4, 1 R, 1B, 2B, HR, 5 RBI's
Super Fly 3 - 4, 1 R, 3 H, 1 RBI, 2 SB
Too Tall 3 - 4, 2 R, (2) 1B, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 SB
Swamp Dragon 2 -4, RBI, 1 R
Game started slow with neither team scoring until the D'rays struck first in the top of the 2nd inning. Hollywood started the rally with a 1 out single. Swamp Dragon then walked, The Hammer walked, and Hollywood came home to score on a past ball. The D'rays will score anyway they can.
In the top of the 3rd, after a very brief rain delay, play resumed and the D'rays put some more runs up. Shutdown led off with a double, a walk by the King, and back to back singles by Martini and Teta, and a sacfly by Hollywood put the D'rays up 4 - 0.
But the story unfolds in the 4th. Just as quickly as the threat was forgotten, it returned in full force. The sky opened and the rain came. This time hard enough that several players started removing their spikes. Puddles had formed in several places in the infield giving little chance that this one would continue. But, just as all hope was fleeting, the rain STOPPED, the sun poked its' face out for the first time, and the Umps decided to let this one play.
This turned out to be a great thing for the D'rays and their catcher they call the King. He came up in the top of the 4th, behind a single by Super Fly and walks by others, to stand at the plate with bases loaded. In came the pitch and it left the field quicker than it came to the plate. The ball was actually SCREAMING on its' way out as it was sent flying into a palm tree trunk on the otherside of the left field fence. This was only the 3rd Grand Slam in D'rays history. The first by Burger and the other by Catch 14.
3 more runs came in on walks and a single by Teta in the 7th closing this one in 7 innings by the Mercy rule.
The pitching staff kept up their end of the deal by shutting them down 7 straight. Only one came in and we will give that earned run to the rain.
GREAT GAME GUYS. LET'S DO IT AGAIN.
Final score: Devilrays 12 Florida Whitesox 1
RECORD: 3 - 1
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Mo 4inn, 4 K's, 1 BB, and the WIN
Havana 3 inn, 1 H, 6 K's
Teta 3 - 4, 2 RBI's, 1 SB
King 1 -1, 1 HR (GRAND SLAM), 3 R, 1 BB, 2 HBP
The Devilrays were visitors and came to the plate in the top of the 1st to score two runs and shake up the Cards starter, David Moore, real early in this one. Rey came up with 2 outs and ripped his 2nd home run of the year. There is a rumor that someone on the team bet him on each of his blasts and he is up a 'grand slam' and a 'value meal'. Jose walked next, Demi singled, and Freddy singled to get the RBI and make it a 2 - 0 game.
In the second, David K. reached on an error, but with hussle and great base-running, managed to score the 'Rays third run to take a 3 - 0 lead.
In the third, David B. led off with a single and a stolen base to later score behind some sloppy fielding by the Cards. This made it 4 - 0.
In the fifth, David B. hit a 1 out double and scored behind Kenyon's single to give the 'Rays a 5 - 0. But in the bottom of the fifth, the Cards got one back. With a 1 out walk, and two back-to-back hits, they managed to squeeze one across to give them, what would prove to be, their only run of the game.
In the sixth, Jose led off with a double, Demi hit a sac, Freddy singled, and David walked creating another two runs for a 7 - 1 lead.
In the seventh, the 'Rays exploded with a 7 run inning. Hits by Ryan R., Rey, Jose, Demi, Freddy, Bert, and David B., proved to be the final blow completely destroying any hopes the Cards had in this one.
And of course, lets not forget the pitching and defense in this one. Moises gave up 1 in 6 innings with 3 hits and 5 K's. Javier closes with a brilliant performance once again with 2 K's. Demi was a vacuum at shortstop making play after play. That's all she wrote!! Good luck next season Cards...
Final score: Devilrays 14 Miami Cardinals 1
RECORD: 4 - 1
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Moises 6inn, 5 K's, 2 BB, 1 run, and the WIN
Javier 1 inn, 1 H, 2 K's
Multiple hit day by Demi, Freddy, David B., Jose, and Rey
**Demi-Defensive player of the game
In the 1st, Kenyon lead off with a solo HR shot to left-center field that landed in the next block. Next, David K. hit a single setting the stage for another blast. Rey hit a 2 run shot to left field putting the Devilrays up 3 - 0 early.
In the 5th, Kenyon hit a single to start a 2 out rally that produced 3 more runs. David K., Rey, Jose, and Demi assisted in making it a 6 - 0 game after 5 innings.
In the 6th, Freddy singled and Brian reached. Pete hit his second single to drive in Brian to make it a 7 - 0 game. Pete went on to go 3 - 4 in this one.
In the bottom of the 6th, after a dropped 3rd strike on the third out of the inning, the Yankees had life left with a man reaching first base. Javier pluncked the next two batters to load the bases. A couple of hits later, the game was 7 -5. Finally, Javier struck out the last batter to end the inning. Javier had a 4 inn, 8 K game with no earned runs.
In the 7th, Bert lead off with a walk, David K. singled again, Rey walked (again), Demi singled, and Freddy walked to put 3 more on the board and the game out of reach.
Final score: Devilrays 10 Miami Yankees 5
Moises had a great game again. 5 inn, 2 H, 4 K's. He is now 5 - 0.
Another great defensive effort as well...
RECORD: 5 - 1
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Moises Gomez, Pete Enriquez, Kenyon West, David Krochmal, Rey Nunez, Demi Arteta, and Freddy Burmudez
GREAT JOB GUYS!!
RECORD: 6 - 1
The Devil Rays came out against the Miami Dade Mets a little flat scoring only one run in the first 3 innings. But then the bats lit up with multiple hits by Demi, David K., and Kenyon and 4 more hits put up by the rest of the squad to produce 12 runs to win this one.
Why I say that the score looks better than the game is Moises Gomez through a perfect game through 7 with an 8 run lead. His pitching this season has made it easy for this offense to rally around him. Whether he does better with a strong offense or the offense does better knowing "MO" is on the mound, the end result is the same, another knotch in the win column.
Final score: Devilrays 12 Miami Dade Mets 4
Moises was brilliant. 8 inn, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, and 13 K's. He is now 6 - 0.
RECORD: 7 - 1
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Moises Gomez
Believe it or not, Fred Krochmal took the mound to open this one up. That's right, the old man that usually spends most of his time in the box at third base or on the bench. His team needed him to throw until their Ace showed up.
Things were very close through the first three with the D'rays holding on to a 1 run lead. Then in the fourth, with their Ace warming up, the Royals managed to score two in the top of the inning. The D'rays struck back with back to back hits from Brian and yes, Fred, to score 1 and give Moises the mound in the 5th with a 2-2 game.
Moises worked his magic from that point forward and the D'rays put 6 more runs up to end this one 8 to 3. Moises earned his 7th win with this one. A perfect 7-0.
All of the offensive production came late, but better late than never as they say. Multiple hit day for: Freddy B., Fred K., Ryan R., Brian, and Kenyon. Other hits where put up by Demi, Pete, and JP.
Defensively, the D'rays were flawless. 6 of 9 defensive positions were filled by the bench or players shuffled from their starting positions. The way they played, no one would have known the difference.
Many have asked the question,"why does the D'Ray coach keep 18 on his squad?" And the answer is, "because ALL 18 can play and always come to play ball...!!!"
Final score: Devilrays 8 Dade Royals 3
RECORD: 8 - 1
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Kenyon West 3 for 5, 2 2B, 1B, 2 R, and 1 RBI
Moises Gomez 5 inn, 1 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 8 K, and the WIN!!
Fred Krochmal 4 inn, 2 R, 2 H, 8 BB, 3 K--2 for 4, 1 RBI, and 1 SB
Final score: Devilrays 12 Miami Angels 1
RECORD: 9 - 1
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
The entire team!!!!!
This was close through most of the game. The Devil Rays posted a run early off of several walks and a clutch hit by Freddy Bermudez in the first.
In the second inning, Moises ran into trouble. After 3 walks, a double, a sac, and a hit batter, the Athletics took a 2-1 lead going into the top of the third.
But that was the last time the Devil Rays looked back. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, after two walks putting men on 1st and 2nd, David B. and Demi came through with back to back hits to give the D'rays a 3-2 lead.
In the 6th, Demi reached on a hit and Freddy B. had his 2nd hit and 2nd RBI to score Demi and give the Devil Rays a 4-2 lead.
Demi started a late rally in the 8th when he reached base for the 3rd time, this time on a single. After a stolen base and a sac by Rey to move him to 3rd, Demi scored on a past ball and took the Devil Rays lead to 5-2.
Now, in the top of the 9th, after 3 unsuccessful attempts at the plate, and with an 0-2 count, Jose Martinez "ROCKED" one over the left field fence for his first dinger this year. This was the nail in the coffin. The Devil Rays now where heading to the bottom of the 9th with a 6-2 lead.
That was how it ended. Moises shut them down 1,2,3 in the 9th and the Devil Rays extended their record to 10-1. Moises now has a perfect 10-0 record. Congrats MO!!!
Final score: Devilrays 6 Coral Gables Athletics 2
RECORD: 10 - 1
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Moises Gomez 9 innings, 2 ER, 3 H, 6 BB, 10 K, 2 HB, and the WIN!!!
Freddy Bermudez 3 for 4, 2 RBI, 1 SB
Demi Arteta 3 for 4 with a double, 1 RBI, 1 SB, 2 R
Although close and tight, the Devil Rays dropped this one to end the season with 2 losses.
Final score: Red Sox 5 Miami Devil Rays 2
RECORD: 10 - 2
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
Everyone who showed up for this one!!!
What a day for baseball. A perfect temp. with a clear blue sky was the setting for this one. Although missing some key players, the Devil Rays were ready to show the Yankees why second place teams DO NOT belong in the playoffs.
It started out slow with the Devil Rays picking up one run in the 2nd created and manufactured by Demi and Ryan R. A single and a stolen base put him in position to score on Ryan R.'s single.
In the 3rd, David B. and Kenyon combined for back to back hits with bases loaded to break this one open 5-0. On defense, Ryan R. and Moises made a put out at the plate on a past ball to the fence to keep the Yankees scoreless. Hats off to you guys, first time I have ever seen that play completed for an out.
In the 5th, Brian, David B, and Kenyon combined for 3 consecutive hits to put Jose in position to knock them in. Kenyon also scored on a past ball.
In the 6th, the Devil Rays gave up their only run when Moises gave up a hit and several walks to put a man in positon to score on a past ball. Again, there was a play at the plate, but this time, the runner squeaked by.
In the 7th, the Devil Rays put the icing on the cake by scoring 4 more to Mercy Rule the Yankees. Bert lead off with a SHOT hitting the fence in the air. It ended up being the longest single I have ever seen. Kenyon, Freddy, Demi, and Ryan R. combined for consecutive hits (they intentionally walked Jose) to put this one away.
PLAY OF THE WEEK
I do have to mention the play made by right fielder Ryan Ennis. Early in the game Ryan, from the right field fence, gunned a runner on his way to second with a one-bounce throw that was picture perfect. This was a HUGE boost for the team as the game was still tight 1-0 at the time.
Final score: MIAMI DEVIL RAYS 12 MIAMI YANKEES 1
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: (all had multiple hit day)
Kenyon West
David Blanco
Demi Arteta
Ryan Rothenberg
Moises Gomez -- 7 INNINGS, 7H, 6BB, 9K, AND NO EARNED RUNS-what a game!!
