6-3-07 Game Thread; Royals @ Rays

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 3, 2007 12:35 PM EDT

Akinori Iwamura took a ball off the eye last night, and for his efforts he'll miss 4-5 days as a precautionary measure, missing the Toronto series however he should return for the Florida Marlins series this coming weekend. J.P. Howell faces his old team today, the same team that dealt him for 2B Fernando Cortez and CF Joey Gathright, neither of whom are in the Royals 'clubhouse today.

Royals:
Esteban German, 3B
David DeJesus, CF
Mark Grudzielanek, 2B
Mike Sweeney, DH
Mark Teahen, RF
Emil Brown, LF
Ryan Shealy, 1B
Tony Pena, SS
Jason LaRue, C

Scott Elarton, P

Devil Rays:
Elijah Dukes, CF
B.J. Upton, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Greg Norton, DH
Carlos Pena, 1B
Ty Wigginton, 3B
Delmon Young, RF
Dioner Navarro, C
Brendan Harris, SS

J.P. Howell, P

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Hopefully J.P. can pick up a win today

Obviously I've been driving his train for awhile now. I am going to be in Coors Field to catch the Rockies and Cincinnati this afternoon, so I will have to follow the game via exciting manual out of town scoreboard action! That's how I followed last night's game. I didn't even need to see the "36" next to "TB" to know how the Royals were loading up on runs. I swear, those scoreboard people must think we're a pain in the ass, because they just kept changing Kansas City's score all night. It was like a slow death for me. Hopefully we can beat the Royals today. Losing a home series to Kansas City is unacceptable.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 3, 2007 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

So good, so far

Three up, three down.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 3, 2007 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Hopefully J.P. can pick up a win today

Your wish, his command.

8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER.

ATTA-BOY JP!

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 3, 2007 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: 7-3-07 Game Thread; Royals @ Rays

Yeah, I think I like this J.P. Howell fella

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 3, 2007 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

The lack of fastball velocity concerns me

As does the Kansas City Royals factor, but I'm glad he put together a good start.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 4, 2007 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: 7-3-07 Game Thread; Royals @ Rays

J.P. freaking Howell!

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 3, 2007 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

Re: 7-3-07 Game Thread; Royals @ Rays

Good win for J.P. He wasn't overwhelming (with his velocity he never will be), and yes he did need some good fortune (high strand rate). But J.P. earned his way out of trouble twice, and controlled the pace.

He gives us a chance to win when he pitches, which is something Seo, Fossum, and Jackson cannot do.

by RayFanNY on Jun 3, 2007 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

Presence

Just like Shields, you could tell Howell was running this game. What composure. Bases loaded and he didn't lose his composure like some of out past prospects-turned-Brazeltons.

by JWallace on Jun 3, 2007 4:29 PM EDT reply actions