OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond

Moriarty9 · 12-12-2008, 08:20 PM

Devil Rays get Key start, runs
Mariners pounded by Tampa Bay bats
May 31, 1998

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The offense was alive and recently acquired Jimmy Key featured a few lively pitches as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays drubbed the Seattle Mariners, 9-1, at Tropicana Field.

Making his Devil Rays debut, Key held the Mariners to one run on three hits and four walks over 7 1/3 innings of work. With the win, his first with Tampa Bay, he improves to 3-2 on the season. Key struck out just one Seattle batter, watching as the defense recorded eight ground outs and a dozen fly ball outs.

"These guys played pretty well out there tonight and made my job a hell of a lot easier," Key said. "When you don't have to try to strike everyone out because the offense is giving you run support and the defense is making the plays, then it makes the pitcher's job a lot easier."

Ron Coomer, Edgar Martinez and Alex Rodriguez combined for Seattle's three hits.

Danny Graves, Greg Cadaret and Paul Quantrill teamed up to work the final 1 2/3 innings of the ballgame, holding Seattle to no runs, no hits and one walk during that time.

Offensively, the Devil Rays were strong in the middle innings and added a few insurance runs late. Jose Hernandez and Ryan Radmanovich had three hits a piece. Hernandez hit a solo home run off Josias Manzanillo in the eighth inning while Radmanovich had two doubles. Wilton Guerrero, batting in the leadoff spot, had just one hit in five at bats but drove in three runs, highlighted by a two-run shot in off Manzanillo in the eighth. Greg Vaughn hit his 14th home run of the season - a solo blast off Dennis Martinez in the fourth inning - and Will Clark hit his first triple of the year.

12-12-2008, 08:20 PM	#26 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Devil Rays get Key start, runs Mariners pounded by Tampa Bay bats May 31, 1998 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The offense was alive and recently acquired Jimmy Key featured a few lively pitches as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays drubbed the Seattle Mariners, 9-1, at Tropicana Field. Making his Devil Rays debut, Key held the Mariners to one run on three hits and four walks over 7 1/3 innings of work. With the win, his first with Tampa Bay, he improves to 3-2 on the season. Key struck out just one Seattle batter, watching as the defense recorded eight ground outs and a dozen fly ball outs. "These guys played pretty well out there tonight and made my job a hell of a lot easier," Key said. "When you don't have to try to strike everyone out because the offense is giving you run support and the defense is making the plays, then it makes the pitcher's job a lot easier." Ron Coomer, Edgar Martinez and Alex Rodriguez combined for Seattle's three hits. Danny Graves, Greg Cadaret and Paul Quantrill teamed up to work the final 1 2/3 innings of the ballgame, holding Seattle to no runs, no hits and one walk during that time. Offensively, the Devil Rays were strong in the middle innings and added a few insurance runs late. Jose Hernandez and Ryan Radmanovich had three hits a piece. Hernandez hit a solo home run off Josias Manzanillo in the eighth inning while Radmanovich had two doubles. Wilton Guerrero, batting in the leadoff spot, had just one hit in five at bats but drove in three runs, highlighted by a two-run shot in off Manzanillo in the eighth. Greg Vaughn hit his 14th home run of the season - a solo blast off Dennis Martinez in the fourth inning - and Will Clark hit his first triple of the year.