Bloody Hell Mate

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 1, 2008 10:29 PM EDT

That was quite a grouse performance eh? A ripper of a performance by Garza, seven innings, five hits, three strikeouts, and no walks while throwing around 63% strikes. Garza gave way to offsiders J.P. Howell and Grant Balfour, and no knock on Howell but things got interesting when Balfour rocked up.

Balfour's mid-to-upper 90's fastball made the Sox hitters look like swagmen as the Rays became tall poppies for the third straight game, picking up his second save since going Troppo last July. Balfour's emergence becomes even larger as Troy Pecival is currently as useful as an ashtray on a motorcycle.

Oh and Percival to the DL, Mitch Talbot has been called up. Welcome to the show bloke, make us proud!

2 recs | Comment 28 comments

She doesn't look like she's "really" screaming anyway

Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; but if a thing is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach.

by Orlando Rays on Jul 1, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah, looks more like

AAAAAooohh. You’re just an Australian.

B Rad the Ray Fan

by B Ray on Jul 1, 2008 10:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

Mitch Talbot....hmm.

by Cory Alexander on Jul 1, 2008 10:43 PM EDT 0 recs

Talbot!

by P Brady on Jul 1, 2008 10:43 PM EDT 0 recs

"Swagmen"? "Tall poppies"?

RJ, you been drinking?

B Rad the Ray Fan

by B Ray on Jul 1, 2008 10:44 PM EDT 0 recs

Drinking the Aussie culture mate.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 1, 2008 11:01 PM EDT up 0 recs

So Foster's?

It’s “Australian for Beer” like Balfour is “Australian for Baseball”

by Jacob Larsen on Jul 1, 2008 11:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

He'll come to when he gets to the vegemite

Do not think that what is hard for you to master is humanly impossible; but if a thing is humanly possible, consider it to be within your reach.

by Orlando Rays on Jul 2, 2008 6:52 AM EDT up 0 recs

I dont understand the Talbot move...

Why not bring someone that has experience as an reliever?

by td32 on Jul 1, 2008 10:44 PM EDT 0 recs

I am not feeling good about talbot...

But, I hope he proves me wrong. Good luck Mitch. Congrats on the promo.

The line it is drawn/The curse it is cast/The slow one now/Will later be fast/ As the present now/Will later be past/The order is/Rapidly fadin'./And the first one now/Will later be last/For the times they are a-changin'..- Bob Dylan

by thebaddancingraysfan on Jul 1, 2008 10:48 PM EDT 0 recs

Results were there for Garza but he gave up a lot of warning track shots or hard liners.

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jul 1, 2008 10:51 PM EDT 0 recs

The liners were offset by the cheap hits they got...he pitched great

by td32 on Jul 1, 2008 10:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Agreed...

I commented during the game how no one was getting great contact. There were some deeper shots but majority of the contact was very weak.

by tallyray on Jul 2, 2008 12:41 AM EDT up 0 recs

The Talbot move boggles my mind.

9 = 8

by websterjtc on Jul 1, 2008 10:51 PM EDT 0 recs

I refuse to question the wisdom of the current management.

They’ve made me look silly too many times.

B Rad the Ray Fan

by B Ray on Jul 1, 2008 10:52 PM EDT up 0 recs

What was price's final line tonite?

totally off topic, i know

by stpetelawyer on Jul 1, 2008 10:57 PM EDT 0 recs

Price

He went 6 innings giving up 5 hits, 2 BBs, 0 runs and got 5 Ks. He got the win.

And Tim Beckham went 2 for 4 with a stolen base and run scored.

by bobr on Jul 1, 2008 11:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

Evan Longoria

Top Web Gem of the night on BBTN.

www.citadel-insurance.com

by SeanDubbs on Jul 1, 2008 10:59 PM EDT 0 recs

Just got back from the game

Garza was amazing. Did those of you watching on TV feel he was getting squeezed on a lot of borderline strikes?

by GomesSweetGomes on Jul 1, 2008 11:07 PM EDT 0 recs

They showed the overhead on FSN

And the ump was pretty much right on, but he was literally a 1/2 inch off the plate.

www.citadel-insurance.com

by SeanDubbs on Jul 1, 2008 11:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

PECOTA comps for Talbot: Bob Wickman, Ricky Stone, Shane Reynolds, Sean Bergman, Jose Guzman

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 1, 2008 11:17 PM EDT 0 recs

has talbot ever relieved before? if so, know where we can see those numbers?

by davidsmarch on Jul 1, 2008 11:25 PM EDT 0 recs

There bringing someone up that has options...

So when Reyes is ready they dont have to DFA anyone

by td32 on Jul 1, 2008 11:27 PM EDT 0 recs

also, talbot has been good in the minors, why all the hate?

by davidsmarch on Jul 1, 2008 11:31 PM EDT 0 recs

Talbot>Glover

And Talbot>Dohmann

That’s all that needs to be said. Let’s see what he can do.

by RayFanNY on Jul 1, 2008 11:50 PM EDT 0 recs

Back to Balfour

Is it our belief he may become the de facto closer, at least while Percival is out? He looked hellacious tonight.

by RayFanNY on Jul 1, 2008 11:51 PM EDT 0 recs

He won't pitch tomorrow...

And he was probably only in there today because Wheeler was out. They actually had Miller warming during the last two batters of the ninth.

That said, Maddon has to keep going to him while he is this dominant. If he can throw strikes early than he’s gonna get a lot of hitters to chase the unhittable high fastball.

by tallyray on Jul 2, 2008 12:44 AM EDT up 0 recs