Rays get rolled by Royals 8-2

TAMPA - I don't really let my emotions get to me watching our beloved Tampa Bay area teams play.

I want them to win, but I don't sit there and hang on every throw or shift or at bat.

But after watching the Rays get smoked by the Royals 8-2, I'm done holding back.

For one, Sean Rodriguez needs to sit.  He is absolutely killing this team with errors.

Carlos Pena needs to start swinging the bat and making contact.

Yeh, yeh, I know they don't have Longo, and now Joyce or Peralta.

I don't care. 

This team has only one thing going for it, and that's pitching.

Even then, there are moments we care to remember, like tonight, or last night.

For the past tow months, the Rays have played .500 baseball. 

Frankly, that's a miracle.

It's a good thing there's an extra wild-card spot this year, because the Rays are going to need every bit of this season and a renewed lineup to get past October 3.

What I saw tonight was pathetic.

Two errors by Rodriguez on two consecutive pitches that crushed young Chris Archer's psyche.  For the season they have over 60 errors!  Come on!

Last night's errors led to two Royals runs and a tie game.

Unacceptable, and even Manager Joe can't sugar coat this one, though he might try.

For the past two months, the Rays have played like an average team in an average league and the best division in baseball.

They need Longo, Joyce, Peralta, Farnsworth, Hellickson and Scott back, and in a hurry.

Even then, they might end up playing themselves right out of the hunt before the All-Star break.

Pure luck got them into the postseason last year.

Can't happen again, can it.

Of course not.

This time they will have to earn it.