The girl in the window Three years ago detectives and a social worker arrived at a dilapidated house in Plant City and made a heartbreaking discovery: A tiny girl living in a dark closet.
Criss Angel escapes as Spyglass crumbles
Thousands on Clearwater Beach watch and wonder as Criss Angel escapes the Spyglass Resort just before the building is demolished in a series of explosions.
Best Super Bowl moment? To commemorate the Super Bowl's return to Tampa Bay next February, we chose 25 nominees for the most memorable play in the championship game's history.
ST. PETERSBURG — With the way the Rays have pitched and played defense lately, offense has become a perk.
Ace Scott Kazmir came through in his second start since coming off the disabled list, pitching six scoreless innings Saturday to extend the starters' streak to 23, as the Rays beat the Angels 2-0 for the second straight night.
The crowd of 25,512 showed its appreciation, making for what Carlos Pena called an "electrifying" atmosphere, with primarily blue-clad fans on their feet as Dan Wheeler pulled off another Houdini-like hold in the eighth and Troy Percival closed out his former team in the ninth. That tied a franchise record of 22 straight scoreless innings and set one of 31 at home.
"It's unbelievable how they've pitched," Pena said. "It's almost like they don't even need us. They don't need us to hit."
The second-place Rays (20-16), off to the best start in club history, did, however, need the help of their sparkling defense.
In Wheeler's jam in the eighth, Angels shortstop Erick Aybar surprised the Rays by not bunting with runners on first and second and nobody out. Pena stunned them back by making a diving stab on Aybar's sharp grounder, robbing him of extra bases.
"Carlos saved the game, there's no question," Wheeler said. "The game turns right there. Play of the game."
Shortstop Jason Bartlett made the game's second-best defensive play, racing up the middle to start a 6-4-3 double play, with Akinori Iwamura's quick throw getting speedy Torii Hunter.
That stopped a potential jam for Kazmir (1-1), who was far sharper than in his first start, setting up hitters and baffling them with his breaking balls. The left-hander struck out five in the first three, freezing Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero with two outs and a runner on third in the third.
"Everything felt a little better," Kazmir said. "I had to kind of stay within myself."
Angels lefty Joe Saunders (6-1), who went in undefeated in seven starts, walked four in the first three frames, but all Tampa Bay could muster was an RBI groundout by Evan Longoria in the first and a Pena sacrifice fly in the eighth. But it was more than enough for the Rays' hot hurlers.
Kazmir said the staff has simply followed its plan since spring training to "feed off each other." Edwin Jackson's eight scoreless innings sparked James Shields' shutout Friday, and so on.
The fans have apparently fed off it, too. Some players said Saturday was one of the best non-opening day atmospheres they've seen; as opposed to near sellouts where Red Sox and Yankees fans have taken over the building, Wheeler noticed a shift against one of the AL's best teams. "We were talking about it in the dugout; a lot of fans are cheering just for us," he said. "It's a nice feeling."
"We're on the verge right now of truly turning this into 'The Pit,' " manager Joe Maddon said. "That's exactly what we've been talking about since we came on board. This place can really be a homecourt advantage for us. That is the 10th man."
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.
Dropping goose eggs
The Rays have not allowed a run in 22 innings, tying a franchise record set in 2002:
2008
Thursday: Rays 8, Jays 3 (13)
Dan Wheeler (1 inning)
J.P. Howell (3)
Friday: Rays 2, Angels 0
James Shields (9)
Saturday: Rays 2, Angels 0
Scott Kazmir (6)
Trever Miller (1)
Wheeler (1)
Troy Percival (1)
2002
May 19: Rays 4, Orioles 0
Travis Harper (5)
Steve Kent (4)
May 20: Rays 1, Mariners 0
Joe Kennedy (9)
May 21: Rays 3, Mariners 2
Ryan Rupe (4)
Rays 2
Angels 0
31 Consecutive scoreless innings at home, a club record 23 Consecutive scoreless innings by starters, spanning three games, the longest streak in the majors
1.85 Rays ERA in past eight games
>>FAST FACTS
[Last modified: May 12, 2008 09:15 AM]
Comments on this article
by Tony
May 12, 2008 9:15 AM
Attendance doubled because of winning. That's what has been said all along. If they win, the fans will come. They won't come every night but they will come. Don't expect a sellout all the time. If they sweep the Yankees, look out.
by Laura
May 11, 2008 8:52 PM
I was at the game Saturday night....WOW, the electric backing by the fans that is so deserved by the Rays was certainly felt! Let's keep it up... especially when the stinkin' Yankees come to OUR house this week. GO RAYS!!!
by Kurt
May 11, 2008 8:52 PM
They have not won 8 straight at the Trop. Did you forget they played a series in Orlando. They swept the Red Sox (3 games) and have 2 on the Angels. That equals 5 straight wins at TROPICANA FIELD.
by JB
May 11, 2008 8:52 PM
What a difference a pitching staff makes, eh? If money (or injuries) don't screw things up, the Rays could be looking at one of the best starting staffs in the league for years to come - and that means respectability has finally come to Tampa Bay.
by MichaEL
May 11, 2008 8:51 PM
tHE rAYS ARE PLAYING GREAT AND THAT EQUALS FANS COMING TO SEE THEM.gO rAYS, LETS GET A SWEEP.
by ben
May 11, 2008 8:51 PM
GOOOOOOOOOOOOO RAYS!
by John
May 11, 2008 8:51 PM
Attendance doubled for several reasons 1. the game was on a saturday 2. it was a giveaway day 3. the rays won the night before.
by Lauren
May 11, 2008 8:51 PM
Sitting in the stands last night was something else. It was great to see more fans in the crowd and cheering for the team. And it was great for Kaz and team to win one. Great game!
by Alex
May 11, 2008 1:38 PM
I was there last night. I have never seen the trop that pumped and loud! It was awesome! Very few red shirts, got to love that!
by J
May 11, 2008 1:35 PM
A one hitter, a two hitter and a three hitter! Wow! Great going Rays!
by ben bolt fan
May 11, 2008 1:35 PM
I love Pena's comment of not being needed. He must be talking about himself.
by Dan
May 11, 2008 1:31 PM
This is so gratifying to see the seats filling with the wins. Players in all sports lose competitive spirit in an empty stadium. And fans love gritty in-your-face competition. Looks like like a relationship in the making here!!
by Walter
May 11, 2008 1:20 PM
This is great, Go Rays. I wish I were there to feel the excitiment. I was there opening day it was great. St. Pete. is a great city and the fans are real baseball fans not just winning team followers, GO RAYS YOU GOT TO LOVE THIS.
by Mark
May 11, 2008 11:10 AM
I was there for Friday's game, and how Saturday's attendance was doubled from Friday, I have no idea, but I love it. Keep it up for Mon-Thurs when those Damn Yankees come to town!
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.
News
