View from the Catwalks: Rays and the Trop both lose power over weekend
It was not the best weekend, with disappointing losses and a frightening injury.
Rays News
- The power went out in the Trop on Sunday, and it couldn’t have been a more fitting metaphor for a hugely disappointing series for the Rays:
Lights are out at Tropicana Field and fans are trying to help with their flashlights pic.twitter.com/LM5kHR5BTw
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) May 12, 2019
A statement from us on the delay at Tropicana Field during today's Rays-Yankees game. pic.twitter.com/XeTwKjxfCN
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 12, 2019
- While the weekend did not go well, the Rays still got a victory and held on to 1st place in the AL East. Austin Meadows has returned from injury and he has not missed a step at all. Meadows has some good perspective too:
OF Austin Meadows remind #Rays fans that it's a long regular season, and the race is just getting started. pic.twitter.com/TlQy4djRks
— Steve Carney (@stevecarney) May 12, 2019
- Rays journal: Tyler Glasnow relieved at diagnosis of mild strain, 4-6 week absence - Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times: When Glasnow called over the trainer, all Rays fans and baseball fans alike feared the worst for a the brilliant young flamethrower. However, about as good a news as possible came through after the MRI scans revealed a “mild strain”.
- There are a ton of hard working players on the Rays and in MLB but I’m not sure there is a player who works harder than Tommy Pham:
#Rays outfielder Tommy Pham hitting off a tee after Saturday’s game: pic.twitter.com/DBq5pZRpz7
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) May 12, 2019
- Diaz hopes to reunite soon with mom in Cuba - Juan Toribio, MLB.com: Heartbreaking story about Yandy, and his experience being far from home and family.
- Travis d’Arnaud’s crazy cross-country scramble to join the Rays pays off in victory over the Yankees - Josh Tolentino, The Athletic: It’s been a wild week plus for d’Arnaud, who has been across the country twice, on his third team in that time, and in his first game as a Ray (or D-Ray as it were) showed off why the Rays traded for him.
- Speaking of catchers, the other backstop on the Rays did something rare by getting his start on Sunday:
Great note from @RaysBaseball PR on Anthony Bemboom:
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) May 12, 2019
According to Stats LLC, Bemboom was the 1st player to catch a reigning Cy Young winner in his ML debut since Boston's John Marzano, who caught Roger Clemens on July 31, 1987 at KC. Bemboom is the oldest rookie to ever do it.
- Austin Meadows is a great player and a really good dude:
Remember when #Rays OF Austin Meadows crushed a leadoff home run for Justin Verlander on opening day? He’s finally found that ball.
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) May 11, 2019
Meet four-year-old Cooper, who gets a meet-and-greet experience today and trade the ball for a signed bat from Meadows. pic.twitter.com/6Ld8xhJuRd
- Chirinos: HBPs ‘definitely not intentional’ - Juan Toribio, MLB.com: It appeared to most rational people that Yonny, who can struggle sometimes with control, did not intend to throw to hit a batter in a tie game.
- The journey of Tampa Bay’s ‘unsung hero’ Trung Cao - Tim Brown, Yahoo!Sports: Amazing story about the Rays strength and conditioning coordinator. A fascinating journey and an absolute must read.
- Sunday Notes: Rowdy Swings Maple, Mancini Swings Birch - David Laurila, Fan Graphs: Brandon Lowe talks about hitting in Laurila’s always excellent Sunday column.
Around the League
- Steven Souza Jr is featured in a Diamondbacks documentary following him during Spring Training. Souza will always be a guy root for to succeed, and he’s an easy guy to hope makes a full recovery back to the field.
- Old Friend Alert: former Rays prospect, Parker Markel made his major league debut with the Mariners on Sunday.