AL East Round Up: Drama Edition

May 30, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; An official talks to Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price (14) after hitting Boston Red Sox left fielder Mike Carp (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays continued their descent into the basement of the AL East this week. While they were sinking in the standings, they refused to lose their dignity. They did not back down from  the Red Sox one bit. In fact, they sent a very clear message that commands respect.

Some think the David Price/ Red Sox issue started last season in the playoffs. This week was the first time Price had the opportunity to face Ortiz since he gave up 2 bombs to Big Papi.

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Betsided

If you were listening during the Rays/ Red Sox video above, you would have heard the Rays announcers talk about Ortiz “pimping” his post season homerun. So, Price felt like a little payback was in order.

Here’s Tamp Bay’s response to the silliness.

Here is what Price had to say to Ken Rosenthal in his defense. Basically, Price acknowledges the respect David Ortiz has earned, but he says that Big Papi is not bigger than the game of baseball. Boom! Finally, someone said what I’ve been thinking for years. Price hit the nail on the head, or the ego in the rump as it were. Ortiz carries himself in a way that rubs me the wrong way. As evidenced by the Civil Rights celebration previously, there are things that ARE bigger than the game of baseball. David Ortiz needs to realize he’s not one of them. Good on David Price.

Moving on…Wil Myers suffered a bit of a wrist injury on Friday night as he collided with Desmond Jennings. HERE is the link. To add insult to injury, the hit they were trying to catch allowed the Red Sox to walk off with the victory.

Rays’ Roman Ali Solis was removed from Saturday’s game after being hit by a pitch…sort of. The ball was thrown in the dirt and it bounced right back up and hit Solis on the nose. CHECK IT OUT.

Given their place in the standings, I will not spend a lot of time on how far out of the division lead they are. It is obvious. I will not discuss the dramatic climb they have ahead of them. Things are better off with us resting assured that the Rays are not going to go quietly and let other, more arrogant teams walk all over them.