Japan used a five-run fourth inning to beat the U.S. 9-4 and advance to the championship game of the World Baseball Classic against South Korea. ...more

March 23, 2009

CHICAGO This night was what the Rays had in mind more than six years ago when B.J. Upton was drafted second overall in the land. "The sky is the limit," the former general manager said that day, but it seemed like the sky was falling on him most of the time. ...more

October 7, 2008

Tampa Bay's magical 2008 season motored ahead Monday as the Rays topped the White Sox 6-2 to win their best-of-five Division Series 3-1. ...more

October 7, 2008

Star Of The Game: B.J. Upton Upton, who labored with a shoulder injury and had only nine home runs in the regular season, saved the brightest moments of his career for Monday. The Rays defeated the Chicago White Sox 6-2 in the clinching Game 4 of the American League Division Series. Upton's solo home runs in the first and third innings provided a 2-0 lead and the Rays never looked back. "He White Sox starter Gavin Floyd left two fastballs over the plate," Upton said. "I got them up in the air and, well, this is the Windy City for a reason." Upton was 5-for-17 in the ALDS, but he heated up at the end. There was a triple to the center-field wall in Game 2. Then came Upton's four at-bat flurry, bridging the final two games - homer, single, homer, homer. ...more

October 7, 2008

Goggles, plastic sheeting, change of clothes, 200 or so champagne bottles ready to be set free. The trappings of success suddenly have become very familiar to the Tampa Bay Rays. ...more

October 7, 2008

The Rays are four victories away from the World Series. ...more

October 6, 2008

No one was particularly surprised that the White Sox played well Sunday in beating the Rays. Joe Maddon said he expected it and swept aside any notion that Chicago's 5-3 win in Game 3 of the division series was anything to be concerned about. ...more

October 6, 2008

If the Rays are going to sweep the White Sox today at U.S. Cellular Field, they're going to have to go through the pitcher who got that team into the postseason. ...more

October 5, 2008

Alexei Ramirez spread his arms wide, raced around the bases like a little kid and jumped into Paul Konerko's embrace at home plate. ...more

September 30, 2008

Mark Buehrle gave the White Sox the veteran performance they needed on short rest. Now it's up to a youngster to keep their season going against a familiar foe. ...more

September 29, 2008