6/6: RAYS 12, Texas 4
by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 6, 2008 11:14 PM EDT
in Games
8 comments
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RAYS 12, Texas 4
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| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | L | |
| RAYS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 7 |
| Texas | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 4 |
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- LHP Scott Kazmir's start this evening might not have been the Rays' best of the season, but it is quite possibly the most important. Coming off of a series in which the Rays used their bullpen for 12.2 innings, including seven innings last night, the Rays needed a strong outing from one of their starters to give the bullpen a day's rest. By pitching eight strong innings, Kazmir overcame long-standing troubles with high pitch counts to fulfill that need. The Rays used just one reliever this evening, an ineffective Al Reyes, who was just one of two bullpen members not to throw in last night's debacle. The other was Jason Hammel, who threw 2.2 innings on Wednesday night. Suffice it to say, Kazmir's start had positive ramifications for the game that go well beyond just this evening. His long outing spared a jet-lagged bullpen from a fourth straight stressful night, and most of the unit should be fully rested for tomorrow night's game.
- And then there was the matter of Kazmir's actual start itself, a masterful eight inning outing that marked the sixth straight quality start from the hard-throwing southpaw. Though Kazmir yielded more than one run for the first time since his season debut on May 4th, his eight innings were a season-high. I saw a real change for the better in that Kazmir took full advantage of Texas' penchant for swinging early in the count. Rather than continue to play his game, he adapted to the way the Rangers were playing and he was perfectly willing to pitch to contact. Further encouraging was the fact that Kazmir didn't walk anyone the whole night, and surrendered just six hits. This fits with a progressing trend of limiting walks and baserunners; his BB/9 is now down to 2.60 for the year, and his WHIP comes in at 0.91. While an ERA of 1.40 is obviously not sustainable, the gains Kazmir has made with regards to control and adaptation ability are worthy of praise. These improvements make him a more complete pitcher, and they only serve to enhance his already-strong game.
- Gotta be happy that Reyes' nine inning scoreless streak terminated with the team up 12-2. Still, aside from a four run inning in the second game of the season, Reyes has been a strong member of the bullpen when active this year. This hasn't gotten much notice, and I've ragged on him excessively myself, but until Marlon Byrd's RBI double, he had surrendered just one run in his last 12.2 IP. Hopefully Reyes won't expire at the All-Star break again this year.
- LF Carl Crawford was having a terrible game until his ninth inning triple, and even despite that, a 1 for 5 night is nothing to write home about when you're the last member of the starting lineup to reach base. Crawford continues to struggle with a .268/.316/.378 line, but more importantly he continues to struggle in the No. 2 spot in the order. You've got to figure that he will climb out of his slump eventually, but the Rays have played over one-third of their schedule with an unproductive No. 2 hitter. Perhaps it's time to adjust the lineup to reflect the fact that Crawford just isn't hitting enough to warrant his spot in the order.
- CF B.J. Upton continues to prove himself as the Rays' best hitter, and at this point it really isn't close. He scored three times in Friday night's game, while hitting his second home run of the season in the sixth inning to put the Rays ahead for good. All that's missing from Upton right now is his power stroke, and hopefully he can jump-start that with a nice weekend in one of the American League's premier launching pads. I've often quibbled with his baserunning decisions the past, but he clearly was not oblivious to the struggles of Rangers C Jarrod Saltalamacchia at keeping runners on, having stolen second and third base on back to back pitches in the eighth inning. He was driven home by 1B Eric Hinske's sacrifice fly in just about the closest thing to a "manufactured run" as you will ever see from this team. Though Upton did make a minor defensive miscue in the second inning on 3B Gerald Laird's double, misplaying the ball's carom off of the wall in rushing to throw, he had an excellent game otherwise.
- Also playing key roles in the win were 3B Evan Longoria and C Dioner Navarro, who each homered and had two hits. Longoria's solo shot in the fifth inning was an absolute monster into the second deck in left field. Measured at 442 feet, it was just the second home run by a visiting player to land in that second deck. Navarro's two-run eighth inning blast scored Longoria and put the game away at 6-1.
- The bottom of the order was huge for the Rays' offense in the win. Every hitter from No. 5 to No. 9 had two hits, while the other four hitters at the top of the order accounted for three combined. SS Jason Bartlett drove in two runs, while Hinske drove in three. RF Gabe Gross doubled among his two hits.
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Courtesy of Merriam Webster
1: one that brings to a halt or causes to stop operating or functioning : check: as a: a playing card that will stop the running of a suit b: a baseball pitcher depended on to win important games or to stop a losing streak; also : an effective relief pitcher
by GomesSweetGomes on Jun 6, 2008 11:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oops
It was the definition of “Stopper”
by GomesSweetGomes on Jun 6, 2008 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I voted for Evan. Our offense was looking pretty pathetic until that bomb
by matthan on Jun 6, 2008 11:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hi my name is Scott Kazmir
and I am the ACE of the Rays
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
BELIEVE in 08!
by SRQman on Jun 7, 2008 12:25 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Gabe Gross is impressing me
he seems to be getting better which is good. I like him.
ot: Anyone going to Price’s start tomorow? it is tomorow right?
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
BELIEVE in 08!
by SRQman on Jun 7, 2008 1:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nah
Too far of a drive. I will probably see a Florida State League game in Clearwater tomorrow, however. I can only hope that Price is still in Vero when the V-Rays come to play the Threshers later this month, but I somehow doubt that he’ll be in High A at that time.
by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 7, 2008 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
I was going to wait till they were in Sarasota or Clearwater to go. But idk if he will still be there and I got my Dad and a friend to go so it should be fun.
Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls
BELIEVE in 08!
by SRQman on Jun 7, 2008 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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