This is the type of series that the Rays needed to get their confidence and get a little momentum going.
The Rays took three out of four against one of the best teams in baseball the New York Yankees.
The Yankees came to Tampa as one of the best hitting teams in baseball and were able to score just 14 runs in four games.
Eight of those runs came in game one of a doubleheader on Saturday.
The Yankees scored zero, eight, three, and three against the Rays pitching this weekend.
This is why no one should sleep on the Rays. Their pitching is starting to come around and look like the Rays pitching that we expected to see this season.
Two big differences in this series against the Yankees were the play defensively and hitting with runners on base.
The Rays had just one error in the four-game series.
This was the second bullpen game for the Rays in as many days as Charlie Morton was only able to go two innings.
Trevor Richards, John Curtiss, and Ryan Thompson pitched the rest of the way to keep the Yankees in check.
Michael Brosseau hit his second home run of the season, and Brandon Lowe hit his third of the season in the 4-3 win.
If the Rays can play defense like this the rest of the season, that will go a long way to helping the Rays reach their goal of a deep playoff run.
The Rays started to host with runners in scoring position this weekend. In the 4-3 win today, Michael Perez got the winning hit with two out and runners on second and third.
The return of Austin Meadows has helped the offense. Meadows was back in his leadoff role against the Yankees.
Overall the Rays offense continues to struggle as they are hitting .205, which is next to last in the American League.
The big difference is the Rays are getting hits when they need them, That is what helped them take three out of four from the Yankees.
Charlie Morton was pulled from the game today after two innings. Morton has what they are calling inflammation of the shoulder.
Morton said he couldn’t get loose when he went out to start the third inning. He said after the game that he is not overly concerned.
Morton said he will see how it feels in the next 24 hours and go from there.
The Rays continue to tweak their roster. Oliver Drake was put on the 10-day disabled list with biceps tendinitis.
John Curtiss was called up to take Drake’s spot on the roster. Ryan Thompson was recalled and added to the 40 man roster. Thompson pitched in relief today and got his first major league win today.
The Rays designated catcher Kevan Smith and pitcher Sean Gilmartin. Both players are free to seek employment with other teams. Kevin Cash said if no one claims the two, the Rays would like to have them back and would assign them to their camp at Port Charlotte.
The Rays also activated Manuel Margot from the bereavement list. The Rays are expected to activate pitcher Jose Alvarado from the paternity list tomorrow.
