Lightning strikes: Rays host NHL team
Bishop leads way with 4 homers during BP at The Trop
ST. PETERSBURG -- After a tremendous season with the NHL Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning, goalie Ben Bishop looked like he was trying to add a spot on the Rays' roster to his resume.
The Rays hosted five Lightning players (Brian Boyle, Braydon Coburn, Alex Killorn, Steven Stamkos and Bishop) Tuesday at Tropicana Field, allowing them to visit the clubhouse and take batting practice prior to the game.
All of the Lightning players went deep during their hitting session on the field, with the exception of Stamkos, who said he was still waiting for the review of whether or not one of his hits clanged off the foul pole in left field.
Bishop led the way with four home runs, including being the first to launch one into the seats, prompting him to trot around the bases in celebration.
"I've done that a couple of times before, so this isn't my first time," Bishop said. "I grew up playing, and I got a couple of lucky swings."
Throughout the team's run through the Stanley Cup playoffs, Lightning flags and jerseys decorated the Rays' clubhouse, with multiple players making it to Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final after completing a day game against the White Sox on June 14.
This time, however, it was the Lightning's turn to show their support for their fellow Tampa Bay sports team.
"We definitely felt all of the support from the Rays during the playoff run," Stamkos said. "For them to allow us to come out here on a game day was pretty cool, and hopefully we bring them some luck."