The Tampa Bay Rays are on their way to the ALDS after beating the Cleveland Indians soundly Wednesday night on the road. Never mind that the Indians are hungry for a World Series titles and the crowd was buzzing, Alex Cobb, the Rays' bullpen and Desmond Jennings motored Tampa Bay into the next round of the MLB Playoffs.
Cobb pitched scoreless ball despite surrending eight hits and pitching through trouble throughout the game. When Cobb left the mound, though it looked as the the Rays were in trouble, their bullpen stepped up and closed the doors on the Indians, providing 2.1 innings of shutout baseball. Fernando Rodney shot at the moon and the Rays celebrated in the Indians' infield. For the second time they were on the road and they won.
In consecutive fashion, the Rays eliminated two of baseball's hottest teams down the stretch. First, it was the Texas Rangers, who had won seven consecutive games. Then, the red hot Indians fell next after concluding the season 10-0.
Delmon Young got things going in the top of the third with a solo shot and then Jennings added more insurance in the third with a two-run double down the left field line plating two. With a 3-0 lead, Cobb went to work and that was all she wrote for the hopeful Indians.
Now the Boston Red Sox will have to try and slow down a smoking Rays team that has not lost on the road in the 2013 postseason. Though Game 163 is technically an extension of the regular season, the pressure was on and it was an elimination game. The Rays have played like a team when facing adversity, turning double plays and rescuing their pitchers when the opposition threatened. It was Evan Longoria with a big hit in Game 163 that game David Price enough room to breath and today, Jennings and Young provided the pop for the victory.
The Rays will next be in action on Friday as all eight teams remaining in the 2013 postseason will play. Check back with Sports World Report as we bring you predictions, commentary with analysis on anything and everything that happens during the 2013 MLB Playoffs.
