Game 1: The Rays prevailed in a rain-shortened game, getting the better of the Tigers 7-3 when the proceedings were halted in the top of the 7th. As a result Tony Guzman (9-5) was credited for a complete game in his final regular season start after going 6 7 3 3 2 4. But the bats were the story today led by Manny Flores, who clubbed a pair of homers and drove in 3, giving him 15 Rays homers and 17 overall. Also going yard were Jayden Woodard with a 2-run shot (#8) and who else but Angel Gonzales (#41) who went solo as part of a 3-3 day.
Game 2: Erik Witten got a rare start for Tampa Bay but was downright horrible (3 10 6 6 0 3, 2 HR). It didn't matter thought as his teammates with the sticks picked him up and outslugged Detroit 9-8. A solo shot from (broken record alert) Angel Gonzales (#42) and a 2-run Joel Bland jack (#25) spotted Witten with a 3-run first inning lead but he ended up giving all of it back even with Jesus Avalos adding a solo shot (#36) in the 3rd. But they tied it back up in the 6th and an inning later went ahead for good on a 3-run homer from Aaron White (#8), the second-sacker's first since coming off a lengthy IL stay. Joe Rose (2-0) got the win in relief and Devin Tadlock picked up the shakiest of saves (#31), allowing 2 runs on 4 hits in the 9th to almost lose the lead.
Game 3: The Rays closed out the regular season on a 7-game win streak, sweeping the Tigers in another wild one 9-6. Randy Mastropietro got the ball for the finale, going a typical 6 7 4 4 0 4 but in line for the win before Victor Boria allowed one of Mike Alexander's men to tie it in the 7th. And as so often happened this year Boria (10-0) vultured the win when Alex Gonzalez's sac fly broke the deadlock and Manny Flores went deep again (#16/18) with a 2-run homer in the 9th to pad the lead. Josh Meenach finished up for his 2nd save. Earlier, Jesus Avalos got the start on the final day at 97 RBI with the hope he'd hit the century mark and he did just that with a 3-run 3rd-inning homer (#37) and he then added an RBI single for good measure.
Final Regular Season Record: 112-50. Next up: Game 1 of the ALDS at Publix Park against either the White Sox or the Yankees as those two square off in Chicago for a winner-take-all game.
MLB Playoff Race Update: Three days ago it looked like we could have maximum chaos in the AL West and with the second NL Wild Card but Texas took control of the former and Indianapolis finished one game ahead of a crowded field in the latter. It's the first postseason appearance for the Comets in their 10th year of existence and they'll play a single game at Colorado for a NLDS berth.
Meanwhile could it have been anyone else?
Final standings/stats post next.