Dateline: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida. I finagled an invitation to the Rays' series with Boston. For Rays affiliates this is like having a relative in Florida with a house on the beach. You’re inclined to invite yourself down for a visit.
After an 8-14 start, their worst since ’04, the Thursday headlines were “Rays need to find spark” and "Maddon faces greatest leadership test.”
It’s an entirely different story Friday morning after the Ray’s totally spanked Boston 13-0. Matt Garza pitched a one-hitter with ten strike-outs, and the Rays’ bats came to life. Today's headlines: “Near perfect” and “Have a little more faith.”
And there was icing on the cake for the Durham Bulls. On the shuttle back to the hotel I overheard a dejected Boston fan observe that the Rays have the best farm system in MLB. A wise Red Sox fan, indeed!
