The Rays that played in the third game against the Chicago White Sox once again looked like a completely different team than the one that played the first six games of the 2011 season. True, they still lost this game 4-2. Also true is the fact that 2 runs on 6 hits is little better than the 1-on-4 they rocked for the opening four games. However this is a different on-field product than the crap they were selling opening weekend. You can see a hunger alongside the natural talent of this team and the two augmenting each other is going to make for a hell of a ball team if they can get it together.
This one got out to a rather inauspicious start, with Rays starting pitcher Wade Davis and opposing starter Phil Humber each getting a quick 1-2-3 in their respective halves of the first inning. The Rays then displayed some smart batting from the days of old in the second; Dan Johnson got aboard with a walk to lead off the frame. Ben Zobrist picked up a two-base hit to score Johnson and give the Rays their second lead of the season.
Unfortunately for Rays fans, it was short-lived.
This article appears in Apr 7-13, 2011.