In what is the longest road trip of the season for the Vero Beach Devil Rays in 2008, 4 games at Clearwater and 4 more at Sarasota, the boys are off to a nice start. A team that struggled in the first half away from Holman stadium in Vero, has managed to kickstart the second half on the road in winning form.
A 3 games to 1 series win over the Clearwater Threshers, in which the team recorded 39 hits in the four games did not slow down one bit last night in the series opener against the Sarasota Reds. The Devil Rays racked up 12 more hits and walked away 6-1 winners. Trailing 1-0 after the first Vero Beach scored 4 runs in the top half of the second and added two more in the 7th.
Carlos Pena, the Tampa Bay Rays first baseman was with the ball club on a one game minor league rehab and went 0-4 with an rbi. Rocco Baldelli continued his rehab assignment with Vero Beach in a pinch hitting role. Each day Rocco continues to get stronger and the hopes of returning to Tampa in the second half of the season look promising.
The Devil Rays are now 5-3 after starting the second half with two straight losses agains the St. Lucie Mets, a team in which Vero did not lose to in the entire first half of the Florida State League.
The series against the Sarasota Reds continues tonight through Sunday, with an off day on Monday. You can hear the Devil Rays once again on the radio network starting Tuesday when the Palm Beach Cardinals come to town for a three game series.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Road Trip Series Win
The Devil Rays started the second half road trip on the right foot with a 3-1 series win over the Clearwater Threshers at Brighthouse Field. The boys tallied 39 hits in the 4 game series which included a 1 hit 7 inning performance by Jeremy Hellickson, on Sunday earning him a promotion to double A Montgomery.
The west coast road trip continues tonight with a series opener against the Sarasota Reds, a team that the Devil Rays were able to take 3 of 4 against at Holman near the end of the first half. The Reds were mostly recently swept by the east leading St. Lucie Mets in 4 games.
That's right, I said the east leading St. Lucie Mets. Wow, what a difference a half makes along with a few fresh faces. Has anyone payed close attention to their short stop Ruben Tejada? Just 18 years old and has been off to a fantastic start in this second half for the Mets.
Should be another exciting series for the Devil Rays and keep a close eye on both Matt Fields and Ryan Royster as the two continue to swing hot bats. Fields now has 12 home runs on the year and Royster batted .416 in the Clearwater series. Can't wait for the boys to return home next week for three against the Palm Beach Cardinals and of course you can hear all the action live on the Vero Beach Devil Rays radio network.
The west coast road trip continues tonight with a series opener against the Sarasota Reds, a team that the Devil Rays were able to take 3 of 4 against at Holman near the end of the first half. The Reds were mostly recently swept by the east leading St. Lucie Mets in 4 games.
That's right, I said the east leading St. Lucie Mets. Wow, what a difference a half makes along with a few fresh faces. Has anyone payed close attention to their short stop Ruben Tejada? Just 18 years old and has been off to a fantastic start in this second half for the Mets.
Should be another exciting series for the Devil Rays and keep a close eye on both Matt Fields and Ryan Royster as the two continue to swing hot bats. Fields now has 12 home runs on the year and Royster batted .416 in the Clearwater series. Can't wait for the boys to return home next week for three against the Palm Beach Cardinals and of course you can hear all the action live on the Vero Beach Devil Rays radio network.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Movin On Up...to Montgomery
It was only a matter of time that David Price would make his way to Montgomery, to play with the Biscuits at the AA level. He won't be heading there alone. Jeremy Hellickson (7-1) and JT Hall will be joining him in Alabama.
Price finished 4-0 in six starts with the Vero Beach Devil Rays, and his most recent victory came this past Saturday night over the St. Lucie Mets. 7 walks and 37 strikeouts is just a piece of what David did during his time in Vero.
Jeremy Hellickson on the other hand, was the Florida State League strike out leader with 83 and just finished a one hitter through 7 innings in Clearwater before receiving the good news. Price and Hellickson combined for an 11-1 record and 120 strikeouts. Montgomery's rotation went from good to quite the eye opener. It was fun to watch these two young men continue to get better each and every time out on the mound and only great things await them in Montgomery and beyond.
As for JT Hall, I am sure going to miss seeing him come out of the clubhouse some 15 or 20 minutes before his teammates to start stretching. It was also fun to watch him capture the FSL home run derby crown with his family present.
I wish all three nothing but the best and can't wait to see them in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform.
Price finished 4-0 in six starts with the Vero Beach Devil Rays, and his most recent victory came this past Saturday night over the St. Lucie Mets. 7 walks and 37 strikeouts is just a piece of what David did during his time in Vero.
Jeremy Hellickson on the other hand, was the Florida State League strike out leader with 83 and just finished a one hitter through 7 innings in Clearwater before receiving the good news. Price and Hellickson combined for an 11-1 record and 120 strikeouts. Montgomery's rotation went from good to quite the eye opener. It was fun to watch these two young men continue to get better each and every time out on the mound and only great things await them in Montgomery and beyond.
As for JT Hall, I am sure going to miss seeing him come out of the clubhouse some 15 or 20 minutes before his teammates to start stretching. It was also fun to watch him capture the FSL home run derby crown with his family present.
I wish all three nothing but the best and can't wait to see them in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Halfway Home
In order to finish first, you have to first finish. With half the season in the books and the Devil Rays finishing 34-35 just one game below the .500 mark, there are several positive thoughts for the second half.
Vero finished very strong down the stretch. They took 2 of 3 against the Manatees and now welcome in the St. Lucie Mets, a team in which they have no lost to this season. The pitching has been strong not only from the starters, but from the bullpen as well. John Matulia came back off the DL a few weeks ago and has added consistency to an already talented lineup.
One concern that many had early on in the first half was the lack of wins on the road. However, the ball club was able to put together a few wins late in the first half away from Holman stadium, signs of a team destined for good things in the second half.
How long will David Price stay in Vero Beach? One thing is for certain, he will pitch again this Saturday, but after that a move to Montgomery could be looming soon. It's exciting to be back on the air tonight and begin the second half with the listeners. Hoping to talk with Matt Fields for our player profile on the Bud Light pre-game show.
Keep listening and continue to send your emails. I appreciate every one and will do my best to reply in a timely fashion. Also, include where you are listening from. That's my time. Go Go Devil Rays!
Vero finished very strong down the stretch. They took 2 of 3 against the Manatees and now welcome in the St. Lucie Mets, a team in which they have no lost to this season. The pitching has been strong not only from the starters, but from the bullpen as well. John Matulia came back off the DL a few weeks ago and has added consistency to an already talented lineup.
One concern that many had early on in the first half was the lack of wins on the road. However, the ball club was able to put together a few wins late in the first half away from Holman stadium, signs of a team destined for good things in the second half.
How long will David Price stay in Vero Beach? One thing is for certain, he will pitch again this Saturday, but after that a move to Montgomery could be looming soon. It's exciting to be back on the air tonight and begin the second half with the listeners. Hoping to talk with Matt Fields for our player profile on the Bud Light pre-game show.
Keep listening and continue to send your emails. I appreciate every one and will do my best to reply in a timely fashion. Also, include where you are listening from. That's my time. Go Go Devil Rays!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Hellickson "Blisters" Reds
Jeremy Hellickson may be asking himself what could have been. Hellickson sent the first 15 Reds batters down in order before being removed from the ballgame with a blister on one of his throwing fingers. Halfway to a perfect game, Jeremy took the mound in the sixth, but had to be pulled before his warmups by the skipper Jim Morrison.
Hellickson had struck out 7 batters before turning it over to Brian Baker. The Reds managed to record their first hit in the eighth inning after a run in the seventh. Say what? The Reds loaded the bases on a hit batter and two walks before a one out fc ground ball.
The Devil Rays held on for the victory 5-1 and moved back to an even .500 on the season. Hellickson picked up his sixth win on a night in which John Matulia played for the first time in over a month and a half. Welcome back John! A perfect 4-4 night with a double and an rbi. The Devil Rays as a team managed to hit 6 doubles all together. Quick note; It appears that Matt Fields has found his swing again. Fields went 3-4 with a double and now has 6 hits in his last three games.
Same two teams on Friday night with a rare 6:30 start. Bud Light pre-game show begins at 6:15.
Hellickson had struck out 7 batters before turning it over to Brian Baker. The Reds managed to record their first hit in the eighth inning after a run in the seventh. Say what? The Reds loaded the bases on a hit batter and two walks before a one out fc ground ball.
The Devil Rays held on for the victory 5-1 and moved back to an even .500 on the season. Hellickson picked up his sixth win on a night in which John Matulia played for the first time in over a month and a half. Welcome back John! A perfect 4-4 night with a double and an rbi. The Devil Rays as a team managed to hit 6 doubles all together. Quick note; It appears that Matt Fields has found his swing again. Fields went 3-4 with a double and now has 6 hits in his last three games.
Same two teams on Friday night with a rare 6:30 start. Bud Light pre-game show begins at 6:15.
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