WEATHER ALERT
Replay reviews unavailable in Blue Jays-Tigers game after power failure disrupts both broadcasts
Replay reviews were unavailable to the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers throughout much of their game at Comerica Park because of a technical issue that affected both team broadcasts.
Schneiderโs two-run homer off Hader in ninth lifts Blue Jays to 2-1 win over Astros
Davis Schneiderโs two-run homer off closer Josh Hader with two outs in the ninth inning lifted the Toronto Blue Jays to a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros.
Chapman, Kiermaier win 4th Gold Gloves; rookies Volpe and Doyle also win
Toronto third baseman Matt Chapman and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier won their fourth Gold Gloves, while New York Yankees rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe and Colorado rookie center fielder Brenton Doyle were among 13 first-time winners.
Acuรฑa's encounter and Guaranteed Rate Field shooting raise questions about safety of players, fans
A shooting that likely happened inside of Guaranteed Rate Field, followed by a scary moment for Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuรฑa Jr. in Colorado.
Cole no-hit bid into 8th, Yanks beat Rays 4-2 for 50th win
Gerrit Cole took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, Aaron Hicks hit a tiebreaking triple in the ninth as Manuel Margot slammed into the right-field wall and the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 for their 50th win.
Rizzo HR in 9th, Yanks edge Rays for 14th straight home win
Anthony Rizzo hit a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning and the streaking New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 for their 14th straight home win.
McClanahan wins 5th straight start, Rays sweep 3 from Cards
Shane McClanahan pitched eight superb innings to win his fifth consecutive start and the Tampa Bay Rays completed a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals with a 2-1 victory.
Kluber, Cole duel, Rays end Yankees' 4-game winning streak
Corey Kluber and Gerrit Cole dueled evenly for six impressive innings before the Tampa Bay Rays scored a pair of late runs to beat the Yankees 3-1, ending New Yorkโs four-game winning streak.
Arozarena's 2 HRs spoil Rutschman's debut as Rays top O's
Randy Arozarena hit a pair of homers, Jeffrey Springs threw shutout ball into the sixth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays spoiled the debut of Baltimore Orioles top prospect Adley Rutschman with a 6-1 victory.
Rays snap 3-game skid, hold off Angels 4-2 in 10 innings
Vidal Brujรกn got an RBI double leading off the 10th inning for his first hit of the season, and the Tampa Bay Rays rebounded from their no-hit loss with a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Angels lefty Reid Detmers has no-hitter thru 7 against Rays
Los Angeles Angels rookie Reid Detmers has a no-hitter through seven innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, a bid that survived a borderline error call in the seventh.
Kiermaier, Rays rally for wild 3-2 win against Red Sox
Kevin Kiermaier capped Tampa Bayโs three-run 10th inning with a game-ending homer, and the Rays beat the Boston Red Sox 3-2 after losing their bid for a combined no-hitter in the top half of the final frame.
Irvin pitches into 7th, A's take 3 of 4 from Rays, 6-3
Cole Irvin pitched into the seventh inning,and the Oakland Athletics beat Tampa Bay 6-3 to take three of four from the Rays, Irvin allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings as the rebuilding Aโs under new manager Mark Kotsay improved to 4-3.
Kluber looks good, Rays beat Orioles 8-0 to complete sweep
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber looked good in his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching into the fifth inning to help the defending AL East champions beat Baltimore 8-0 and complete a season-opening sweep of the Orioles.
Rays' remarkable season comes to sudden end at Fenway Park
The AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays saw their record-setting season come to a sudden end Monday night when they lost to the Boston Red Sox 6-5 in Game 4 of their Division Series and were eliminated in the best-of-five playoff.
Defending AL champ Rays poised to open ALDS against Red Sox
The Tampa Bay Rays have won more games than any other team in the American League over the past two seasons, going about their business with a quiet confidence that has the full attention of the Boston Red Sox.
Yanks' rally fizzles, AL wild-card race tightens as Rays win
Gary Sรกnchez and Rougned Odor both struck out with two runners on to blunt a ninth-inning rally and the New York Yankeesโ lead atop the AL wild-card race got even tighter with a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Rays clinch 2nd straight AL East title, beat Marlins 7-3
The Tampa Bay Rays clinched their second straight AL East title, with Mike Zunino hitting a go-ahead homer and Brandon Lowe later adding a pair of RBI doubles to beat the Miami Marlins 7-3.
Kiermaier hit after scouting report flap; Rays to playoffs
Kevin Kiermaier was hit by a pitch after scooping up a Toronto scouting report two days earlier, and the Tampa Bay Rays clinched a postseason berth with a 7-1 victory over the Blue Jays.
Kiermaier shocked by reaction to taking scouting card
Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier says he is shocked by reaction to his scooping up a scouting a card that fell out of Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirkโs wristband.
Rays' Cash apologizes after Kiermaier takes, keeps data card
Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash apologized to Blue Jays management a day after Rays veteran Kevin Kiermaier scooped up a scouting data card that fell out of Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirkโs wristband and refused to give it back.
Franco, AL East-leading Rays win 8th in row, top Red Sox 6-1
Wander Franco extended his on-base streak 30 games with a two-run single, fellow rookie Luis Patiรฑo pitched neatly into the sixth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays won their eighth in a row, beating the Boston Red Sox 6-1.
Phillips' slam caps Rays' comeback in 9-6 win over Orioles
Brett Phillips capped his first career two-homer game with a tiebreaking grand slam in the eighth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied to beat the Baltimore Orioles 9-6 for a three-game sweep.
Kiermaier ends combined no-hit bid, Rays top Red Sox 1-0
Kevin Kiermaier broke up a combined no-hit bid by the Boston Red Sox with a one-out double in the eighth inning and Manuel Margot scored on a wild pitch in the ninth to give the Tampa Bay Rays a 1-0 victory.
Franco HR, double in debut, but Rays lose to Red Sox in 11th
Wander Franco hit a three-run homer and doubled in his big league debut for the Tampa Bay Rays, who lost their seventh straight in falling to the Boston Red Sox 9-5 in 11 innings.
Frazier's 11th-inning HR lifts slumping Yankees over Rays
Clint Frazier hit a game-ending, two-run homer with two outs in the 11th inning after making a game-saving catch in the eighth, and the slumping New York Yankees beat the rival Tampa Bay Rays 5-3.
Rays win for 16th time in 17 games, Hill beats Yankees 3-1
Rich Hill finished May with the lowest monthly ERA in 75 years of a pitcher in his 40s, and the Tampa Bay Rays won for the 16th time in 17 games by keeping up their domination of the reeling Yankees with a 3-1 victory.
Rays' 11-game win streak ends, fall to Keller, Royals 2-1
The Tampa Bay Raysโ 11-game winning streak came to an end when Brad Keller pitched seven strong innings and Salvador Perez hit a tiebreaking RBI single to give the Kansas City Royals a 2-1 victory.
Rays win 11th in a row, score 7 in 11th to beat Toronto 14-8
Francisco Mejรญa hit a tiebreaking, two-run single during a seven-run burst in the 11th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays won their 11th straight game, outlasting the Toronto Blue Jays 14-8.
Rays rally with 5 walks in 9th, top Jays for 10th win in row
Austin Meadows, Manuel Margot and Mike Brosseau drew consecutive bases-loaded walks with two outs in the ninth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied for their 10th straight win, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4.
Meadows, Margot lead Rays over Astros 5-4 to avoid sweep
Austin Meadows hit a three-run homer and later scored the go-ahead run on Manuel Margotโs pinch-hit single in the seventh inning as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Houston Astros 5-4.
Rays finish Bronx sweep, last-place Yanks lose 5th straight
The last-place New York Yankees lost their fifth straight game as Yoshi Tsutsugo hit a tiebreaking double off Gerrit Cole in the seventh inning that lifted the Tampa Bay Rays to a 4-2 win and a three-game sweep.
Mad Bum gets opener for D-backs; Kluber is Yanks' No. 2
He was 2-1 with a 6.35 ERA in three spring starts, including allowing six earned runs against Cincinnati on Friday. Alec Bohm had two hits, including his fourth double. AdFreddie Freeman had two hits, including a double and his first homer โ a two-run shot in the sixth. Victor Robles had three hits, including his sixth double, with an RBI, and Kyle Schwarber doubled and walked three times. Adalberto Mondesi singled and homered and Jorge Soler had two hits, including a double.
Cashed Out: Rays manager roasted for pulling Snell in Game 6
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell leaves the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 6 of the baseball World Series Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Blake Snell turned away from his manager and yelled an expletive as Kevin Cash headed to the mound. The team that reached the World Series leaning largely on analytics was undone by the data โ and a decision sure to become part of October lore. Iโm not going to ask any questions, but he was pitching a great game," Betts said. It was the Cy Young Snell that pitched tonight.โCount Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, himself a frequent target for criticism over pulling starters, among those happy to see Snell go.
The Latest: Dodgers' Turner tests positive for coronavirus
Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner flies out against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays a baseball World Series Game 6 Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)ARLINGTON, Texas โ The Latest on Game 6 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays (all times local):11:10 p.m.Justin Turner was removed from the Dodgersโ World Series-clinching victory after testing positive for the coronavirus. ___10:10 p.m.With postseason star Julio Urรญas on the mound, the Los Angeles Dodgers are clinging to a 2-1 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays heading into the eighth inning. โI donโt know if weโve got any Tampa Bay Rays fans here in Orlando,โ Obama said. The Globe Life Field roof will be closed for Game 6 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays.
Dodgers 1 win from title after 32 years and more than $3.6B
FILE - In this Oct. 20, 1988, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser holds his World Series Most Valuable Player trophy following the Dodgers' decisive 5-2 win over the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Ca. Since Hershiser struck out Oaklands Tony Phillips for the final out of the 1988 World Series, the Dodgers have played 5,014 regular-season games and 113 more in the postseason in pursuit of their next title. The rookie right-hander hopes to keep the World Series from reaching a Game 7 for the fourth time in five years. The Rays and Cash have impressed Roberts with their relentlessness, evidenced by their ninth-inning rally to win Game 4. Hershiser, the 1988 World Series MVP, says each time the postseason is lengthened it adds another level of uncertainty to the competition.
Like Margot's steal attempt, Rays come up short in Game 5
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Manuel Margot snuck a few steps down the line and took off toward home plate, trying to steal a run for Tampa Bay. He came up a little short โ just like the rest of the Rays in their attempt to nab Game 5 and go ahead in this World Series. Needing a win to force a deciding Game 7, the Rays are set to start 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell on Tuesday night. The lefty struck out nine in 4 2/3 innings when the Rays won 6-4 in Game 2 last Wednesday. The Rays weren't able to get back up in Game 5.
Kershaw stops steal of home, hands Dodgers 3-2 Series lead
โI think a lot of credit goes to what heโs been able to do in this World Series for us.โKershaw even prevented the Rays from stealing the tying run. Kershawโs formidable resume has lacked two of the most satisfying achievements: a win deep in the World Series and a championship ring. โKersh, a lot of credit goes to him for what weโve been able to do in this World Series,โ Treinen said. Provided a 3-0 lead, Kershaw allowed Tampa Bay to pull within a run in the third when Kiermaier singled, Yandy Dรญaz tripled on a ball down the right-field line that skipped past Betts and Arozarenaโs single. He sets records with nine postseason homers allowed and three wild pitches in a Series game, tying a mark with two wild pitches in an inning.
Power surge: Home runs more than half of scoring in playoffs
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)ARLINGTON, Texas โ For all the talk about pride in advancing runners and manufacturing runs, teams in the postseason have really dug the long ball. Home runs drove in 235 of the 456 runs in the postseason through World Series Game 4, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. That comes to 51.5%, up from 46.6% last year and highest since the postseason expanded beyond the World Series in 1969. That gave the Rays 33 homers in the postseason accounting for 52 of 76 runs (68.4%). The reason theyโre in postseason, playing postseason baseball is because a lot of that coincides with great pitching and thatโs what weโre seeing.
Bellinger back in CF for LA with roof closed for Game 5
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger celebrates their win against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the baseball World Series Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The roof will be closed Sunday night because of dreary conditions and an increasing chance of rain into the night. Bellinger, a National League Gold Glove finalist, was listed in center field for Game 5 after he was a late switch to designated hitter a night earlier because of back stiffness. Against Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow in Game 5, Pederson was in left and Taylor at second base. The rest was changed from Game 4, with left field Hunter Renfroe batting fifth, ahead of Wendle, shortstop Willy Adames, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and catcher Mike Zunino.
Jansen blows save, Dodgers squander Game 4, Series tied at 2
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen pacts after their loss against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Kenley Jansen threw a cutter inside to Brett Phillips for a ball, then a cutter and a sinker for called strikes. Jansen threw a cutter to the left-handed batter, over the middle and knee high. It was only the fifth Series game that ended in a walk-off that included an error, the first since Game 3 in 2013. Uncertainty ahead going into Game 5, when Clayton Kershaw starts against Tyler Glasnow in a rematch of the opener.
Arozarena slugs into WS history, stumbles into October lore
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Hours after slugging his way into World Series history, Randy Arozarena stumbled into October lore. None of those three won the World Series. โIt feels really good to be able to break the record and be on top of that record board,โ Arozarena said through a translator. Center fielder Chris Taylor bobbled the hit, chased after the ball and threw toward the plate as Arozarena rounded third. Down in the dirt, Arozarena kept pounding the plate as the Rays rushed out to celebrate with him.
Stumbling stunner! Rays shock Dodgers in 9th, tie Series 2-2
during the == inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Rays defeated the Dodgers 8-7 to tie the series 2-2 games. Those homers came during a frantic stretch when the teams combined to score in eight consecutive half-innings, a first in World Series history. It was the sixth consecutive World Series game for the Rays that their starter didn't finish at least five innings. His drive to straightaway center was his 12th career postseason homer, breaking a tie with Hall of Fame center fielder Duke Snider for the most in franchise history.
World Series notes: Kershaw could have title-clinching shot
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Clayton Kershaw could take the mound Sunday night with a chance to close out the Los Angeles Dodgersโ first World Series title since 1988. Now the 6-foot-1, 260-pound Rays first baseman is doing full splits in the World Series. Choi is the first Korean-born position player to appear in a World Series game, which he called an honor while crediting the โspecial group of guyโ โ his teammates and them getting there together. Clayton felt the same way.โBetts is a four-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner who helped the Red Sox beat the Dodgers in the 2018 World Series. โJust understanding that if we do things the right way in spring training, weโll do those things all the way through the World Series.
The Latest: Rays beat LA 8-7, tie Series at two games each
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)ARLINGTON, Texas โ The Latest on Game 4 of the World Series (all times local):11:20 p.m. Pinch-hitter Joc Pederson delivered a two-run single with two outs in the top of the seventh that put Los Angeles ahead 6-5. At least one run has scored in seven straight half innings, a first in World Series history. Randy Arozarena and Hunter Renfroe also connected for Tampa Bay, which is trying to tie the Series at two games apiece. Yarbrough threw 19 pitches in the World Series opener, his only action since pitching five innings against Houston in the AL Championship Series on Oct. 13.
Rays stack lineup with righties against Urรญas in Game 4
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner celebrates their win against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the baseball World Series Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Dodgers beat the Rays 6-2 to lead the series 2-1 games. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas โ The Tampa Bay Rays started four right-handed hitters at the top of their batting order and seven in all against Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urรญas in World Series Game 4 on Saturday night. The Rays started four right-handed hitters at the top of their batting order. Yarbrough threw 19 pitches in the World Series opener, his only action since pitching five innings against Houston in the AL Championship Series on Oct. 13.
World Series Notebook: Urรญas, 4-0 in postseason, set for G4
The left-hander finished that series with three perfect innings, the last two protecting a 4-3 lead in Game 7 and sending LA to the World Series against Tampa Bay. Yarbrough threw 19 pitches out of the bullpen in Game 1 of the World Series. โIโm going to throw until they take the ball out of my hands,โ Yarbrough said. Thatโs how you win a World Series,โ said Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts, who was part of the Red Sox when they beat Los Angeles in the World Series two years ago. Turner's 75th career postseason hit was a double that set up Max Muncy's two-run single in the third.
The Latest: LA enters 9th up 6-1 behind Buehlerโs dominance
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas โ The Latest on Game 3 of the World Series (all times local):10 p.m. Justin Turner and Austin Barnes homered for Los Angeles, and Max Muncy had two hits and two RBIs heading into the eighth. Tampa Bay starter Charlie Morton settled down with a 1-2-3 second after allowing Turnerโs shot and a single in the first. ___7:25 p.m.Justin Turner put the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead 1-0 in the first inning, homering on Charlie Mortonโs 14th pitch. That tied the team record set by Duke Snider over 36 games with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1954 to 1959.
Kershaw, LA stars shine, Dodgers top Rays 8-3 in WS opener
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw warms up before Game 1 of the baseball World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts โ the Los Angeles Dodgers stars all shined. โConstantly keep putting that in your brain: tomorrow, win tomorrow, win tomorrow, win tomorrow. Eight of the last 10 teams to win Game 1 went on the title, all except the 2016 Indians and 2017 Dodgers. โBetts became the first to hit a home run, steal two bases and score twice in a Series game.
World Series Notebook: LA has several G2 pitching options
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)ARLINGTON, Texas โ The Los Angeles Dodgers have several options for pitching Game 2 of the World Series, and manager Dave Roberts preferred to keep it that way. SWIPING BASESThe Dodgers became the first team with three stolen bases in the same inning of a World Series game since the New York Giants against the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 in 1912. Now Cash is leading the Rays in their first World Series since 2008, which is being played in the Rangers' new $1.2 billion stadium with a retractable roof. OPEN ROOFLike it was throughout the National League Division Series and NLCS games that the Dodgers played there, the retractable roof at Globe Life Field was open for the World Series opener. It was a pleasant night for the first World Series game played in Arlington since 2011, when the Rangers played in their second consecutive World Series.
The Latest: Pentatonix to sing national anthem for Game 1
Members on the Los Angeles Dodgers take warms up during batting practice before Game 1 of the baseball World Series Series against the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)ARLINGTON, Texas โ The Latest on Game 1 of the World Series (all times local):___4:37 p.m.Pentatonix will sing the national anthem before Game 1 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Grammy-winning a cappella group from Arlington, Texas, prerecorded the song that will be shown on video at Globe Life Field. ___4:22 p.m.Cody Bellinger was in his normal spot in the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Right fielder Mookie Betts was leading off for the Dodgers against Tampa Bay right-hander Tyler Glasnow.
Rays, Dodgers set lineups for Game 1 of the World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger celebrates his home run with Enrique Hernandez against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in Game 7 of a baseball National League Championship Series Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas โ Cody Bellinger was in his normal spot in the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The rest of the Rays lineup had second baseman Brandon Lowe batting second, ahead of Randy Arozarena, who has seven homers this postseason. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe was batting fourth, followed by left fielder Manuel Margot, third baseman Joey Wendle, shortstop Willy Adames, center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and catcher Mike Zunino. Kiermaier was still dealing with a sore left wrist after getting hit by a 99 mph fastball in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series against Houston.
Few fans, masked umps, muted celebrations for World Series
Most of the seats of a new $1.2 billion, 40,518-capacity will be empty among the smallest crowd to view a World Series game in more than a century. Buzz figures to be dampened, with attendance down to about 11,000 in the smallest crowd for a Series game since roughly 1909. "We joked when I left that we would meet in the World Series someday. โJust being able to be a normal person again.โThis will be the first World Series entirely at one ballpark since 1944 between the Cardinals and Browns at Sportsmanโs Park in St. Louis โ and the fourth overall. โThey didnโt make it to the World Series on accident,โ Dodgers star Mookie Betts said.
LEADING OFF: Rays, Dodgers all set to meet in World Series
A look at what's happening around the majors on Monday:SERIES SETIn a most unpredictable season, the teams with the best records in each league are set to meet in the World Series. The Dodgers and Rays will open in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday night after each finished memorable League Championship Series matchups this weekend. They also won a Game 7, topping Houston 4-2 in the ALCS and earn the second World Series trip in franchise history. FIRST LOOKKevin Kiermaier, Mike Zunino, Blake Snell and the Rays are expected to work out at Globe Life Field a day before Game 1 of the World Series. BIG QUESTIONThe loaded Braves are in position to contend for the World Series again next year after they were eliminated by the Dodgers in the NLCS on Sunday night.
Arozarena, Rays top Astros 4-2 in Game 7, reach World Series
Arozarena homered again, 36-year-old Charlie Morton was brilliant against his former team and the Rays silenced the Houston Astros 4-2 to reach the World Series for just the second time. The Rays will face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Atlanta Braves in the World Series in Arlington, Texas, starting Tuesday night. Tampa Bayโs only other World Series appearance was in 2008, when it lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games. Under new manager Dusty Baker, the Astros were trying to reach the World Series for the third time in four seasons. โCash made the right move again โ shocker,โ kidded ace Tyler Glasnow, now lined up to start the World Series opener.
Rays' offense stuck in neutral again as Astros force Game 6
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)SAN DIEGO โ Except for an occasional homer, the Tampa Bay Raysโ offense has fallen largely silent on the brink of the World Series. โThat big hit has continued to elude us with guys on base,โ Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. Tampa Bay went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position in Game 5 after going 1 for 4 in Game 4. โWeโve been streaky throughout the course of these playoffs,โ Tampa Bay outfielder Kevin Kiermaier said. That's something of a rarity in this postseason, when Tampa Bay has been practically perfect in each game.
Correa hits walkoff homer to keep Astros alive in ALCS
The Astros defeated the Rays 4-3 and the Rays lead the series 3-2 games. The Astros forced Game 6 on Friday, a rematch of the first game started by left-handers Blake Snell of Tampa Bay and Valdรฉz. Otherwise, big league clubs leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven postseason series are 37-1. Correa also hit a walkoff homer in Game 2 of the 2017 ALCS off Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees. Houston became the first team with a leadoff and walk-off home run in a postseason game.
Springer, Altuve homer to keep Astros alive in ALCS
Beating the Tampa Bay Rays three more times to reach the World Series won't be easy, but the Astros believe they can do it. With Altuve atoning for his poor defense in this series, the Astros finally got their offense going after being pushed to the brink of a sweep. The Rays remain one win from advancing to the World Series for the second time in franchise history. Altuve hit a homer in the first and an RBI double in the third for a 2-0 lead. It was the third home run of the postseason for Springer, the MVP of the 2017 World Series.
Rays beat Astros 5-2, move within 1 victory of World Series
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)SAN DIEGO โ Kevin Kiermaier and the Tampa Bay Rays โ with big assists from two former Padres who know Petco Park's outfield well โ are one win from the second World Series berth in franchise history. โWeโve played just tremendous defense all season long,โ Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. Kiermaier, the longest-tenured Tampa Bay player, said it was โan amazing feelingโ to be so close to going to the Fall Classic. Wendle lined a single off third baseman Alex Bregman's glove to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead. Paredes hit Kiermaier on the hand to load the bases and then grazed Willy Adames on the pinkie with a pitch to bring in another run.
Astros fall to Rays 5-2 in Game 3 of ALCS, trail series 3-0
Tampa Bay reached the World Series in 2008 but lost to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Astros got into the postseason with a 29-31 record before going 5-1 to reach the ALCS. Losing pitcher Josรฉ Urquidy held Tampa Bay to two singles through five scoreless innings before Randy Arozarena singled leading off the sixth. Wendle lined a single off third baseman Alex Bregmanโs glove to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead. Paredes hit Kiermaier on the hand to load the bases and then grazed Willy Adames on the pinkie with another pitch to bring in another run.
Altuve's 2 early throwing errors doom Astros in ALCS Game 2
โWe were down 0-2 in the World Series last year with (ALCS Game 3 starter) Josรฉ Urquidy and (ALCS Game 4 starter Zack) Greinke coming up next to pitch for us,โ shortstop Carlos Correa said. The Astros have made three errors in two games, while the Rays have played sparkling defense all across the diamond. Iโm sure heโll do that.โAfter the second error, Correa moved into the spot normally occupied by Altuve in the shift. Altuve's first error put the Astros in a hole they never escaped, even with a superb start from McCullers. After getting nine hits and just one run in Game 1, the Astros ended their 13-inning scoreless streak with Correa's homer.
Margot's homer, catch highlight Rays' 4-2 win over Astros
Asked which was bigger in the 4-2 victory against the Houston Astros, Margot said through a translator: โDefinitely the home run. He played one game in right field in 2016 and the rest of his time in San Diego was spent in center. โTo have the ability to know where youโre at, and kind of be able to say, โForget it, I know Iโm going to hit something but Iโm going in,โ and still hang on to the ball, was really, really impressive,โ manager Kevin Cash said. It was an unbelievable play that he made on the right field line, putting himself in a dangerous place. โEverybody is really, really supportive of him and just so happy for what he's accomplished.โMorton improved to 4-0 with a 0.90 ERA in the last two postseasons.
Bad-boy Astros, fun-loving Rays set to face off in ALCS
The Astros are in the ALCS for the fourth straight year, looking for a third trip to the World Series in that span. The Rays are trying to get to their second World Series after losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. You start fresh and go from there,โ said George Springer, MVP of the 2017 World Series. Bakerโs San Francisco Giants lost to the Angels in seven games in the 2002 World Series. The former big league catcher played parts of eight seasons with five teams, including 20 games with the Astros in 2010.
Arozarena powers Rays past Yanks 8-4 for 2-1 lead in ALDS
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)SAN DIEGO โ The Tampa Bay Rays are unanimous in their praise of Randy Arozarena, who is living up to his nickname, โThe Cuban Rocket." Arozarena hit a shot deep to left leading off the fifth Wednesday night to chase Masahiro Tanaka and give Tampa Bay a 5-1 lead. The Rays took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five Division Series. On Tuesday night, Rays starter Tyler Glasnow called Arozarena โthe best baseball player on earth right now. He lasted two-thirds of an inning against the Rays on Sept. 2, allowing two-run homers to Arozarena and Mike Brosseau.
Rays hit 4 homers, Glasnow fans 10 in 7-5 win against Yanks
It was reminiscent of the mammoth shots he hit in winning the Home Run Derby here in 2016. Stanton has three homers this series and five in four postseason games. His grand slam in the ninth inning Monday night was the Bronx Bombersโ fourth homer in the 9-3 Game 1 win. Stanton, whoโs from Los Angeles, joined Reggie Jackson and Lou Gehrig as the only Yankees to homer in four straight postseason games overall. His 10 strikeouts surpass the previous Rays postseason record of nine, done three times.
Rays' Kiermaier: `They donโt like us, we donโt like them'
(AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)SAN DIEGO โ After losing eight of 10 games in a contentious regular-season series, the New York Yankees just canโt shake the AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays. โThey got the best of us this year, arguably the best team in baseball,โ Gardner said of the Rays, the ALโs top seed. He went 2-0 with a 0.57 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay in last yearโs ALDS. COMFORTABLE SNELLSnell was injured last year when the Rays visited the Padres, but he loves Petco Park. โItโs going to be even more weird when itโs like, โThe Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Yankees at San Diego.โ Itโll be weird but Iโm enjoying it.
Pandemic playoffs: Brewers, Astros in despite losing records
Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game to earn a playoff birth Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in St. Louis. Thatโs when the Brewers, at 29-31, open their series against Los Angeles ace Walker Buehler at Dodger Stadium. In a win-and-youโre-in game, St. Louis clinched by beating Milwaukee 5-2. Thatโs how you see it,โ Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. St. Louis played a total of 58 games โ it was prepared for a doubleheader in Detroit on Monday if needed to settle the playoff picture.
Rays beat Mets 8-5, clinch 1st AL East title in 10 years
Tampa Bay Rays' Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, right, of Japan, celebrates with teammates after a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York. The Tampa Bay Rays, long accustomed to doing more with less, figured out a way to maximize the division-clinching celebration they were allowed to enjoy during a 2020 season shortened by the coronavirus. Randy Arozarena homered twice and the Rays clinched their first AL East title in 10 years Wednesday night with an 8-5 victory over the New York Mets. Tampa Bay will be home at quirky Tropicana Field for a best-of-three first-round playoff series beginning next Tuesday. Tampa Bay, which began play in 1998, also won the AL East, home of two big-spending powers in the Yankees and Red Sox, in 2008 and 2010.
Glasnow overpowers Yanks as Rays go to 7-1 vs NY this season
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow winds up during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)NEW YORK After a decade spent chasing their big-budget AL East rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays are pummeling the New York Yankees. The AL East leaders improved to 7-1 against the Yankees this season and stretched their division cushion to 4 1/2 games. TRAINER'S ROOMRays: 3B Yandy Daz was pulled with left hamstring tightness in the fifth and is day to day. UP NEXTYankees RHP Masahiro Tanaka (0-1, 3.48 ERA) will start on extended five days' rest against Rays RHP Trevor Richards (0-0, 4.71).