The way their bullpen has performed through the first two games in the playoffs, the Rays would have felt confident taking a one-run lead into the ninth inning Friday night. ...more

October 4, 2008

They pick up the starters, and then they pick up each other. "It's the same thing that's been going on all year long," pitching coach Jim Hickey said after the Rays' bullpen delivered a second consecutive dose of postseason excellence. ...more

October 4, 2008

Jon Lester flirted with a no-hitter in his final tuneup before the playoffs, finishing with six innings of two-hit ball on Thursday night and leading the Red Sox to a 6-1 victory against the Indians. ...more

September 26, 2008

The line of blue, waist-high coolers on wheels lined up in the corridor off the visitors' clubhouse told the tale Thursday afternoon. ...more

September 26, 2008

Pitching was about all the Rays had to hang their hat on Monday, as their offense was hardly clicking on all cylinders against a series of mediocre Orioles pitchers. ...more

September 23, 2008

Six feet. Six little feet. A testy putt, to be sure, but one that defines the legacy of a player such as Phil Mickelson. ...more

September 21, 2008

BOWLING Owning a pro shop at Mariner Lanes helped Vic Oliver learn the mental part of bowling and become one of the top bowlers in the county. ...more

September 8, 2008

Looking for a microcosm of how the Rays have played lately? Check out Akinori Iwamura's at-bat in the eighth inning of Saturday's game. ...more

August 24, 2008

Here's how bad it was for Boston lefty Jon Lester: Vernon Wells turned on the best pitch he threw and drilled it for a two-run homer. ...more

August 24, 2008

This is the time of year in baseball when the panic button's allure can be intoxicating. September is looming and pennant races are heating up with the close of each and every ballgame. With only about 40 contests left for most teams, every close loss and each nagging injury can make that button look bigger, brighter and ever more tempting to slam down for that quick fix. ...more

August 17, 2008