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.
Eric Hinske, left, who doubled with two outs, congratulates Shawn Riggans for his two-run homer that made it 4-0 in the fourth.
[JAMES BORCHUCK | Times]
Scott Kazmir, who allowed three hits over six scoreless innings, says he’s still not back to full strength after a stint on the DL.
ST. PETERSBURG — Throughout the Rays' run to the American League's best record, there has been an element of surprise.
An unexpected star would emerge with each confidence-building win: Nathan Haynes' extra-inning single against Boston. Gabe Gross knocking in a run off unflappable Mariano Rivera.
"You never know who's going to be the hero that day," backup catcher Shawn Riggans said.
Thursday, it was Riggans' turn.
The 27-year-old rookie, playing for the first time in 11 days, delivered with two hits, including a two-run homer, to help lift the Rays to a 5-2 win over the Yankees in front of 19,976 at Tropicana Field. The victory was the third in four days over the Yankees, who dropped to last in the East, and gave the Rays their sixth series win in their past seven.
Tampa Bay (24-17) is alone in first for a club-record third straight day with a one-game lead over Boston. And it left for a six-game trip with an unprecedented feeling of confidence and small chip on its shoulder. The players believe in themselves. They're just waiting for the rest of the baseball world to catch up.
"It's a great feeling. Don't get me wrong," ace Scott Kazmir said. "But you listen to ESPN. … They talk about some guys, 'Oh I don't even know their names. They're going to finish (with) less than 82 wins or whatnot.' That motivates us. That really motivates us.
"So it's like, 'Keep doubting us.' We knew what we can do."
Kazmir knows his best is still yet to come. The left-hander, starting less than 24 hours after the announcement of his lucrative contract extension, pitched six scoreless innings — giving up three hits — and hinted he's "on the verge" of correcting some mechanical tweaks he has struggled with since starting the season on the disabled list with a strained left elbow.
His fastball command wasn't quite there, and neither was his velocity as he continues to open up his body near the end of his delivery. But he didn't need to be perfect; not with the defense played behind him.
On the game's opening play, Evan Longoria robbed Johnny Damon by diving to his left and snagging a sharp grounder.
"If that ball goes through, the Yankees have an entirely different vibe about the game," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
"That ball is caught, and the momentum comes right back to us."
Akinori Iwamura, who has hit .382 in his past 11 games, helped keep the momentum with a leadoff homer off Ian Kennedy.
And Riggans helped break it open with his two-run homer in the fourth, a 411-foot blast.
Riggans hadn't played since what he labeled a mistake-filled game on May 4 in Boston. But instead of dwelling on what he called "one of my toughest days in baseball," Riggans showed growth and maturity. The calmer catcher culled confidence from "just being on this team."
"It feels like every game we go out there, you can see in everyone's eyes that we know we can win," Kazmir said. "We trust ourselves. We believe in ourselves. It's fun to be a Devil Ray."
Kazmir smiled and quickly corrected himself.
"Or a Ray, sorry."
Joe Smith can be reached at joe smith@sptimes.com
Interleague interlude
With interleague play starting today, it's worth noting the Rays have been slightly better against NL teams (74-104, .416) than AL teams (595-885, .402). Their year-by-year interleague record:
Come on folks, these are the Rays. They will loose. Count on it. When the going gets tough the other teams will step up and kick the you know what out of the Rays. Just wait. You know I'm right.
by Richard
May 17, 2008 11:42 PM
Go Ray's, all 6 of your fans were in the stands. Let them pay for your new stadium.
by Murf
May 17, 2008 1:24 AM
After being a die hard fan from day one, it's great to enjoy the Rays success. I believe! GO RAYS!!!
by roger
May 16, 2008 1:31 PM
One things the Rays will find different in St Louis,is a packed ball park..Sunday is Stan Musial Day,honoring the Man,on the anniv of his 3000th hit.off Moe Drabowsky in Wrigley field.. I will be there to see the Rays.(and cheer for the Redbirds)
by John
May 16, 2008 10:37 AM
Yesterdays USA Today listed the Rays in the second slot behind Boston, even though our win % was .579 to Bostons .571....technically tied, but comon'...give us our due!! GO RAYS!!
by glenn
May 16, 2008 10:37 AM
90% of the MLB game is pitching & defense. If you have those two, you can be in most every game, as they tend to be more consistent than hitting. Ours are near tops in either league. Note last night our best hitters 2 thru 6 were 0 for 16.
by MaryD
May 16, 2008 10:06 AM
Getting better every day! Great momentum and competitive spirit. Rays want it more than ever. Win or lose, we are proud. Great effort always.
by Liz
May 16, 2008 10:00 AM
You Go, Rays ! As a die-hard Orioles fan, if it can't be use in 1st place - I'm glad its you. WAY TO GO !
by Chris
May 16, 2008 10:00 AM
It's great to be in mid-May and talking about first place instead of who are we going to takes as the first pick next year!
Go Rays!!!!!
by Stefan
May 16, 2008 9:49 AM
We are Germans, coming to Tampa since 1998 for 3 weeks in May and 3 in October. We ALWAYS go to at least 2 games - in May. We are pretty sure this year we will see them play in October - and we will be there ! Auf Wiedersehen Rays.
by Mark
May 16, 2008 9:49 AM
I feel for Scott. I watched PTI the other day, and both Mike Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser said the Rays would finish under .500 because the two of them couldn't name the manager or most of the players. They'll learn. Oh, they will definitely learn.
by steve
May 16, 2008 9:49 AM
They usually play music when the pitcher comes out. When Kaz came to the mound after signing his deal, they should have played ZZ Top: "Just got paid today; got me a pocket full of change." A pocket full indeed!
by Phil
May 16, 2008 9:48 AM
Break up the Rays! First place baby! I don't care if it is only May 16th- it feels good to be looking down on the AL East!
by Pete
May 16, 2008 9:48 AM
This Rays team is for real, and they will be in the playoff hunt. They are remarkably similar to the '91 Braves and '03 Marlins. Those teams were led by their young rotations, including Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, Beckett, Penny, and Willis.
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