One more day in west coast nightmare

The last few days have become a nightmare for Rays fans.  After winning 5 of 6 at home against the Royals and Red Sox and picking up some ground in the wild card race, the Rays have completely fallen apart during the 1st 5 games of their west coast swing.  Right now, they've only won 1 of 5. Two of the games were winnable. The other 2 were blowouts. Last night was a blowout... even after it started so promising.

Like I've said before, anything can happen before the end of a baseball season.  Right now, I think the Rays are at the lowest point in the season.  All year there's been "time" to come back. But that "time" is ticking away and the Red Sox seem to be back on track. The Rangers are still out there and Seattle's beginning to make a move in the wild card standings.

Maybe today the Rays can end their little west coast nightmare with a win in a getaway. It would make the return home trip a little more tolerable. And it might give Rays fans a little sliver of hope in a season that's rapidly become a letdown.

Here are some things I noticed in the Angels 6-0 victory of the Rays:

• Yes, the Angels are that good. While it would be easy to blame the Rays for all their woes this week, a tip of the cap is due the Angels. Like the Yankees, you got to respect how good they are. They keep coming at you. They make you pay for your mistakes. They seem to be flawless. The Rays had trouble in Anaheim last year, so it's no surprise they're having trouble against one of the hottest teams in baseball.
  

• Dr. David and Mr. Price.  Things fell apart quickly for the Rays rookie. After 4 innings of no-hit ball... a single up the middle lead to a complete breakdown. The Angels aggressive base running and timely hitting allowed them to put up 3 on the Rays in the blink of an eye. They did it again the next inning making it an almost insurmountable lead.
  

• Glad Gregg Zaun decided to show. It seems like the Rays crusty new catcher was the only guy that decided to show up offensively... getting two hits off Ervin Santana. Evan Longoria got the only other hit.
  

• So long my old friend. Troy Percival will be calling it quits. Percy made a clubhouse appearance yesterday with the team. He told reporters that his body just isn't able to do it anymore.  I know Percy was a favorite whipping boy of Rays fans, but he was an extremely important piece to last year's squad. He helped the Rays early in the season both on the field and off the field. He was one of the veteran leaders that helped the young Rays realize their true potential.
  

5 Reasons Troy Percival is on the team this year

It's always tough for me to come up with real solid analysis after a loss like Wednesdays.  It felt like a 2007 game when the bullpen couldn't hold on to a lead. I could go on about Kaplar's base running, Maddon's use of pitchers, etc. Instead, judging from my e-mail, text messages and facebook posts, it looks like all of the Rays fans I know put the blame squarely on the shoulders of one Mr. Troy Percival.

Here are some of the texts:

- When percival gets in you know its bad!

- Percy is not great

- I'm not watching this team again until Percy is off the team.  By pitching him [Percy] Maddon is saying to his players her doesn't respect them

You get the point. So, for today's post-game analysis I've decided to break down the 5 reasons I think Percy is still on the team:

• He has juicy pics of Joe Maddon from a road trip when they were with Anaheim

• As the biggest doughnut consumer in Tampa Bay, Dunkin Doughnuts required he be on the roster before they continued the Rays win, You win promotion

• To give Yankee and Red Sox fan some hope that if they can keep it close, Percy can blow it in the ninth
  

• After the Yankees signed CC Sabathia, the Rays wanted to make sure they still have the fattest pitcher in the AL East
  

• Rays management wants to give "senior" fans at the Trop someone their own age to root for