Hey Tampa Bay Rays, Thanks For Finally Showing Up Last Night

Under normal circumstances, winning a Sept. 14 game against the Baltimore Orioles would be a big one.

Under normal circumstances, David Price's seven strong innings or Reid Brignac's 4-for-4 night would be a cause for elation.

But under normal circumstances, the Tampa Bay Rays wouldn't be just getting over an 11-game losing streak.

What is there to get excited about any more this year?

Even a win reminds us that this team was only a few games out of the American League Wild Card spot less than two weeks ago.  

How disappointing have the last couple of weeks been?

Considering the Rays collapse against Detroit, one would figure that they would pick themselves up and fight even harder. What they did was concede the season.

Any reason to keep watching?

I don't know but I hope every player in the Tampa locker room feels just as much frustration as the fans do. I hope they know just how close the opportunity was. Then, take that anger into next season.

This team is still young. You could make the argument that we should have seen something like this coming. But after last year? After all the heart they showed? No one could have expected an 11-game losing streak. 

At this point, all fans can hope for is that the Rays scratch out a couple more games, remember what winning feels like and have some confidence going into next year.

So that gives us one reason to watch the rest of the games.

Right?

-s