Rays End 10 Game Trip 6-4 After Loss To Jays

by Erik Hahmann on Jul 26, 2009 4:28 PM EDT

When the Rays started this 10 game road trip I think everyone would have been satisfied with a 5-5 record. Instead the Rays come home having won six of the ten games. What is their reward after a 10 game, three city, no days off trip? A three game series against the Yankees. Oh boy.

-Jeff Niemann finally came back down to earth today. We've been saying it for awhile now, but there was just no way he could continue to be as good as he was over his last couple of starts. Niemann only walked one batter, but his control just wasn't there today. As you can see, he was all over the place.

via brooksbaseball.dustinkikuchi.com

It didn't seem like he had the same confidence in his curveball that he had shown in his past couple of outings. In his July 21st start against the White Sox he threw 100 pitches, and 22 were curveballs. Those curveballs had a strike percentage of 68. Compare that with today's numbers of 94 pitches and only 10 curveballs that registered a strike percentage of 50. If he is going to continue to succeed this season and beyond he needs to be able to locate that curveball. Whatever the reason was, Niemann did not have it today. At least his next start will likely come against the punchless Royals and not the Yankees.

-The Rays were either tied or were trailing in every game of the road trip going into the 7th inning, yet somehow managed to win six of those games. It was a very odd trip overall. The three comeback wins over the Royals where Joakim Soria somehow never threw a pitch, the comeback against Jenks, the bizarre 7th inning in the third game of that series, the Buehrle perfect game, the Garza/Halladay duel, the eight run comeback, etc.

-It was an eventful road trip for J.P. Howell. He recorded five saves and one win over the 10 games. He only allowed one hit in 5.2IP while striking out 10 and walking one. He good.

-The offense continues to have problems with young left handed starters. Brett Cecil pitched very well today.

-The Rays 1-5 hitters accounted for all of the team's five hits today. The bottom of the order with 0-17 with 5Ks and only 1BB.

-The bullpen only had to throw 20 pitches today, so that's something.

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Comments

I felt bad no one was commenting for you Erik.

So here is your first one. Woohoo!

by Doug09 on Jul 26, 2009 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

this was indeed a very weird road trip

I don’t care if 20 people are in the stands, it will be nice to be back home.

by Dbullsfan on Jul 26, 2009 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

Tomorrow's game, more or less than 20K?

by Raymondo on Jul 26, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Can something be done with PTB

sit him like the sox did with ortiz? or………….another trip to the DL and have aybar and dillon DH in the mean time?

by MassRayFan on Jul 26, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Why sit pat

In last 10 games ,Longo has 9RBI,Pat has 8RBI.The 2 leaders on the team.

by Landlord on Jul 26, 2009 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

RBI is pretty irrelevant.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 26, 2009 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions

This

Seriously

Come ON Pat the Bust, Navi can not have more homers than you

by 4QB on Jul 26, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions

A Monday against the Yankees?

30K

Into the Wall : Sarcasm for the Soccer Guy

by ReasonableDoubt on Jul 26, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

OT: Here is the latest Lee/Martinez news

3:50pm: Rosenthal now suggests that the young starter could indeed be one of Billingsley or Kershaw:
“Lee would replace either left-hander Clayton Kershaw or right-hander Chad Billingsley — it is not known which the Dodgers would part with in the package — giving manager Joe Torre the more experienced starter that he covets.”

3:21pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers and Indians are in serious discussions about a trade that would send both Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez to Los Angeles in exchange for James Loney, a young starting pitcher, and prospects.

So there you have it. The dodgers are the new Yankees. Just snatching up everyone

"Doesn't Manny Ramirez look like the monster from Predator??" - Will Farrell as Harry Carey

by Gone Phishing on Jul 26, 2009 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

Of course, Rosenthal is an idiot

4:26pm: Rosenthal now says that both clubs have “strongly denied” the previous reports that the teams were in serious talks about Martinez and Lee. Rosenthal says the clubs are talking, but the question now, becomes: about what? The Dodgers have had interest in Lee, but including Martinez is a new development, if it’s true. The names in previous reports have surfaced in talks, but club officials say that trade is not currently in the works.

"Doesn't Manny Ramirez look like the monster from Predator??" - Will Farrell as Harry Carey

by Gone Phishing on Jul 26, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly the Dodgers giving up Loney to get Martinez to play first makes no sense

not to mention why would Cleveland want Loney when they have Ryan Garko?

by Dbullsfan on Jul 26, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Through trades

mind you

Come ON Pat the Bust, Navi can not have more homers than you

by 4QB on Jul 26, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

rosenthal is an idiot

just a cluless talking head

by gjsor on Jul 26, 2009 5:33 PM EDT reply actions

its funny that 5 and 5 was our goal at the outset

And yet at 4 and 3 there were quite a few who thought the world was coming to an end. Even with an end of 6 and 4 it still feels like we have a bad taste in our mouths. But maybe that’s just ending on a loss.

by jqueipo on Jul 26, 2009 5:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

5-5 was our goal? who said that?

KCR, CHW and TOR are not exactly three playoff teams

by Raymondo on Jul 26, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Except when the team is eight games under .500 on the road, and the teams you're chasing are hovering around .500 on the road. Winning roadtrips become more of a necessity then.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jul 27, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Jake McGee 1.1 IP Charlotte 1 K 1 HR 3 ER

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jul 26, 2009 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

Any word on speed?

Swav or Die (>'-')> <('-')> <('-'<)
For the lulz

by SRQman on Jul 26, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Stay away from caffeine

by Raymondo on Jul 26, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Char pen combined for 7.2 innings of 1 hit ball, but the Crabs fell short 3-2

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by FreeZorilla on Jul 26, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

way to go KC

by Dbullsfan on Jul 26, 2009 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

OT: this trade deadline crap as my head spinning

by Dbullsfan on Jul 26, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

hmm a urine giveaway

That Frank White must piss alot.

"Doesn't Manny Ramirez look like the monster from Predator??" - Will Farrell as Harry Carey

by Gone Phishing on Jul 26, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Pitches all over the place

How can you say he has no control because his pitches were all over the place.Would you rather have a pitcher that throws pitches in one place.

by Landlord on Jul 26, 2009 6:07 PM EDT reply actions

I'm sure Niemann intended to throw pitches 3 feet off the plate.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 26, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions

3 feet off plate

Then they are not on that chart.Lets go 2 feet.That makes 6 pitches.I don’t see control issues with that.

by Landlord on Jul 26, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I rounded the pitch on the far right of the plate from 2.7 to 3.

by R.J. Anderson on Jul 26, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually its much less than that

Off the chart is two feet off the plate. The chart measures from the center of the plate?

But either way he wasn’t very accurate today

by matthan on Jul 26, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions

6 pitches and he is judged as not being accurate.

Those low outside were thrown to get a batter to chase a slider or curve.Those high inside were thrown to move batter off plate.Those high over the middle are thrown to change batters eye level focus.1 walk ,no hit batters.Could he have done better, yes.Did he have control or accuracy issues today ,no.Spreding pitches around like that is a good thing in my opinion.

by Landlord on Jul 26, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I just don't see any other pitcher getting this dissected

He didn’t have his best stuff. It’s one start. Yes he gave up a HR and he was due. No big deal when you look at what else he did. Good swinging strikes, averaged about a K/IP, and didn’t have walk issues. He didn’t get rocked and he wasn’t at his best. He’s still showing positive signs of progress.

by raysfaninminnesota on Jul 26, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

This isn't little league; the only time a pitcher normally throws balls that far outside of the strike zone is on intentional walks.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Jul 27, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Well this was the Rays at last years deadline

"Doesn't Manny Ramirez look like the monster from Predator??" - Will Farrell as Harry Carey

by Gone Phishing on Jul 26, 2009 6:24 PM EDT reply actions

Then they went to the World Series!

Swav or Die (>'-')> <('-')> <('-'<)
For the lulz

by SRQman on Jul 26, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

The Rays were in first place at last year's deadline

by acablue on Jul 26, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Ryhne Hughes just hit a bomb

off a lefty, I’m not real high on him but he is doing his best to prove me wrong.

by Dbullsfan on Jul 26, 2009 6:24 PM EDT reply actions

he is on a tear, 3-3, triple shy of the cycle tonight.

by Dbullsfan on Jul 26, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions

At this point he's having a better year than Joyce

But he’s a 1B/DH

by Raymondo on Jul 26, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

9-12 4 2b and a HR past 2 days

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by FreeZorilla on Jul 26, 2009 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Last year we kept NY out of the playoffs, how about BOS this year?

by Raymondo on Jul 26, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

It wasn't Niemann's best outing, but it wasn't that bad either

Very few pitchers have great control or great stuff every outing. It’s learning to do with what you got on any given day that separates the good pitchers from the bad. Niemann should’ve been taken out after 6 innings, but Maddon was trying to save the pen after yesterday’s marathon. 6 innings and 4 runs isn’t good, but it isn’t that bad either. It’s still enough to keep your team in it…that is a team that scores more than 1 run (something Shields knows all about).

Niemann’s strike out rate was good, kept his walks down, and made a mistake pitch with two on. Yes he was due for a HR, and, he was due for an average or so-so game. No one is mistaking him for our new ace. But he’s shown enough potential for him to be considered a candidate for ROY and that he could be a long-term answer in a rotation.

by raysfaninminnesota on Jul 26, 2009 8:57 PM EDT reply actions