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Rays honor slain Tarpon Springs police officer

 
Published April 19, 2015

Today: off

Next game: vs. Red Sox, 7:10 Tuesday, Tropicana Field

Probable pitchers: Rays — RH Chris Archer (2-1, 1.37); Red Sox — TBA

In memory

The Rays honored Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charles Kondek with a moment of silence before the game. Kondek was killed in the line of duty Dec. 21. The club also retired his official radio call sign, 285 — the fourth such honor the team has given to fallen police officers.

Bygone Balfour

A look at how RHP Grant Balfour, who was designated for assignment Saturday, fared in his first and second stints with Tampa Bay, with some help from Fangraphs:

2007-10: 203 games, 203 innings, 75 earned runs, 245 hits/walks, 93.5 mph average fastball

2014-15: 71 games, 66⅔ innings, 37 earned runs, 107 hits/walks, 91.5 mph average fastball

Quote of the day

"When I got to second, I thought I was going to pass out from the adrenaline rush I had. It was an awesome experience, for sure."

2B Ryan Brett, on his first career hit, a double off the left-centerfield wall to lead off the ninth inning

Rare sweep

The Yankees swept the Rays at Tropicana Field in a series of at least three games for the first time since Sept. 13-15, 2005. New York hadn't swept the Rays anywhere since winning all four at Yankee Stadium Sept. 7-9, 2009 (including a Sept. 7 doubleheader).

On deck

Wednesday: vs. Red Sox, 7:10. Rays — RH Nathan Karns (1-1, 4.51); Red Sox — TBA

Thursday: vs. Red Sox, 7:10. Rays — RH Jake Odorizzi (2-1, 1.74); Red Sox — TBA

Friday: vs. Blue Jays, 7:10. Rays — TBA; Blue Jays — TBA