MLB: Don't forget about the Tampa Bay Rays

June 17, 7:19 PMMLB ExaminerTony DeMarco

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DENVER -- The defending American League champions got to Coors Field during their interleague interlude just in time to end the Colorado Rockies' winning streak at 11 games.

Smash it, actually, with five home runs and a club-record 11 extra-base hits in a 12-4 rout on Tuesday. And in case you haven't noticed, that extended their own winning streak to six and counting through Tuesday night -- the longest current streak in the majors.

Along the way in this week-long victory parade, the Rays reached the 62-games-down, 100-to-go mark exactly even at 31-31. They haven't lost since, and just as they are getting players back into their lineup, they have closed to within three games of the wildcard-leading New York Yankees and five of the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox.

Think the AL East is pretty good? And, figure it being a three-team fight for two playoff spots the rest of the way, because since April 30, the Rays have the AL's best record.

 "It's not about how you start,'' Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It's about how you finish. And we're getting healthier.''

Pat Burrell (neck strain) returned on Friday after missing 29 games, and made his first start defensively in right field on Wednesday. Shortstop Jason Bartlett and his hefty .376 batting average came off the DL on Monday (with two more hits, naturally).

And fret over Aki Iwamura's absence if you like, but longtime Maddon favorite Ben Zobrist has turned into a fantasy stud and legitimate middle-of-the-lineup force. As long as that keeps up, Zobrist will be getting the overwhelming majority of starts at second base, with Willy Aybar returning the infield utility role.

Through Tuesday, the Rays lead the AL in run scored (379, 14 more than the Yankees) -- and imagine if B.J. Upton and Dioner Navarro ever get going.

But pitching is what really got the Rays to the top of the AL heap last season, and likely will be the determining factor this time. Again, there is reason to believe numbers can improve, especially in the rotation. David Price is five starts into his second time around in the big leagues.

The walk total is too high (18 in 19 innings going into Wednesday night's start), but that hasn't hurt his 2.37 ERA. But the Rays are so convinced he will be a front-of-the-rotation starter, and very soon, they won't be messing with him as far as another bullpen stint goes.

"He's a young stallion,'' Maddon said. "He's got a really live arm. When he finds that consistent release point, that leads to better command. You have to use patience.''

Put an improving Price and a returning Scott Kazmir with James Shields and Matt Garza, and you could have a formidable playoff rotation. 

The bullpen is another issue -- with the current mix-and-match ninth-inning situation that might need another quality option. Meanwhile, Maddon is hoping for someone to step up.

"Guys here are going to have to take on that (late-inning) role,'' Maddon said.  

For more info: Rays @ MLB.com

Rays examiner Rob Quinn