Ben Zobrist Crushes, Jeff Niemann Cruises, Rays Win 4-1

by BWoodrum on Aug 11, 2011 4:34 PM EDT in Game Recaps

The renaissance of Jeff Niemann continued today as the Rays (63-54) beat the Kansas City Royals (49-69) by a score of 4-1. One might say the Rays are officially hot now, owning an pleasant 7-3 record in the month of August.

Niemann hit trouble in the first, but was able to dance out of too much damage, allowing only one run despite two Royals singles and a walk. With the Royals leading 1-0 early, Niemann quickly locked it down.

In typical NyQuil fashion, Niemann eased in and out of trouble, allowing a few singles here and there, but always escaping unharmed. In the sixth, the Royals finally put together a legitimate threat, loading the bases on -- you guessed it -- singles only to have Alex Gordon strike out and end the inning.

Meanwhile, the Rays' speedy outfielders kept their hot hitting hot. Desmond Jennings hit his third triple of the season (already?!) and Sam Fuld doubled in the bottom of the fourth, but Ben Zobrist took the cake and ate it by himself, hitting a double and a key, two-run triple in the third that put the Rays up 2-1.

Jennings' triple led to another run on an Evan Longoria sac fly in the fifth, putting the Rays up 3-1. Then, in the eighth, Sean Rodriguez singled Zobrist home for the final score, 4-1.

Notes:

Sean Rodriguez had a rangy, over-the-shoulder catch in the top of the third. His defense continues to impress and improve, but, man, will the power he showed in the minors ever come?
Fortunately, Niemann went 6 and 1/3 innings, so the Rays were saved from needing to use their Failpen, instead using their one-two combo of Joel Peralta and Kyle Farnsworth to close out the game (J.P. Howell faced one batter in the seventh, but left after giving up yet another single). Kyle Farnsworth: Best Rays reliever signing ever?
The Rays will be in New York tomorrow to start three game series. I don't mean to jinx it or anything, but a sweep there means the Rays are just 5.5 back from the Yankees with a month and a half left to play. Maybe it could happen? Who knows?

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Comments

How would anyone feel about signing Farnsworth to a Wheeler-esque extension

3/10.5 with a club option for a 4th year.

@staplemaniac

by staplemaniac on Aug 11, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

No thanks--he'll turn 40 sometime during your proposed deal

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Aug 11, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Not necessarily on a 3 year deal, with a club option

I’m actually surprised to hear that opinion from you, oh hater of Rays relievers

@staplemaniac

by staplemaniac on Aug 11, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

i like Farnsy just fine--but i'm also fine with simply picking up his '12 option and moving on afterward

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Aug 11, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't be opposed to that

but I think that over the next three years the marginal value of a good high-leverage reliever will make it worth our while. I would hate to have a great team in 2013 and fail because we don’t have enough high-leverage bullpen arms.

@staplemaniac

by staplemaniac on Aug 11, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Are thgere still JP Howell apologists out there, or are they chilling out for the moment?

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Aug 11, 2011 4:55 PM EDT reply actions

He's recovering from a major surgery and his control/command isn't there at all

If they aren’t there by next season, I’ll say they’re gone. He’s obviously not good now, but now’s the time for him to work through it so he can hopefully be ready for next season. If he’s not, then he’s not. It’s not like there are a whole lot of better options at the moment.

@staplemaniac

by staplemaniac on Aug 11, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

LH relievers are a dime a dozen

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Aug 11, 2011 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Tell that to Milwaukee

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Aug 11, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Or the Yankees

I put the screw IN THE TUNA!

by Transplanted on Aug 11, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

If he can get back to what he was before than he's worth the risk

It’s a risk/reward scenario, and he has the chance to be very effective against all hitters.

@staplemaniac

by staplemaniac on Aug 11, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

So you loved Trever Miller?

Werent you pissed when Choate wasnt retained?

I'm not a fanboy, I'm a _______

by Jason Collette on Aug 11, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Tigers have more LH relievers than they know what to do with

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Aug 11, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

One's who once dominated both hands are not.

He’s not the type of player you throw away without an extended look.

by Whelk on Aug 11, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly. We're basically letting our entire bullpen work through issues right now.

Nothing too wrong with it.

I love Casey Fossum. Now try and take me seriously. -- @steveslow

by Steve Slowinski on Aug 11, 2011 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Glad we were throwing him out there when we were actually still in the race

No way the Rays had the same thoughts on JP that you do

by Sveet on Aug 12, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

i think theyre chillin with the joe nathan apologists.

by rglass44 on Aug 11, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

lets sweep the bronx bummers

if joe will just keep the troops chilled and sober.We can do it.

by Landlord on Aug 11, 2011 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

Kotch hits at least one dinger in the lefty friendly Yankee Stadium

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Aug 11, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

We're probably at best taking 2 of 3

I see no chance @ beating Sabathia tomorrow

I put the screw IN THE TUNA!

by Transplanted on Aug 11, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Sabathia plays right into our hands

tomorrow, Deezy bunts him into submission. He needs a crane to get off the mound.

by Landlord on Aug 11, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Sabathia is a good fielder for a guy like him

He’s not Colon

I put the screw IN THE TUNA!

by Transplanted on Aug 11, 2011 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I lol'd.

A DRaysBay and FanGraphs writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum

by BWoodrum on Aug 11, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

same. that was funny as hell

He needs a crane to get off the mound.

R.I.P. Scott Kazmir 2005-2008

by raysfan81 on Aug 11, 2011 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for pointing out the part that was funny!

@RealNolenBailey

by Hatfield on Aug 12, 2011 6:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh, is that the funny part? I missed it.

@ptSuttery

by Suttree on Aug 12, 2011 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

price helly and shields doesnt get any better than that

by steezydirt on Aug 11, 2011 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

o/u Yankee HR v them?

follow me on twitter @sternfan10

by sternfan1 on Aug 11, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you're supposed to give the number, and then other people give their o/u guess.

Like: O/U 2.5 HRs per starter.

A DRaysBay and FanGraphs writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum

by BWoodrum on Aug 11, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I cannot stop laughing at this.

Formerly known as Randall W. Spetman.

by CornNole on Aug 11, 2011 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I can.

And did.

@ptSuttery

by Suttree on Aug 12, 2011 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

sterney ,I go 1 a game

total of 3. Kotch gives them a run for their money. Kotch teaches them what a porch is all about.

by Landlord on Aug 11, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

sounds mildly racist

by pudieron89 on Aug 11, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

The landlord collects the rent

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Aug 11, 2011 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions

What is a porch all about?

I focus on money my hands touch
If that right there don’t add up
I gotta let you know your math sucks
You don’t ever talk to a calculator
You don’t get caught with an ounce of paper
Every convo is about a favour

by 4QB on Aug 11, 2011 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Porch is a baseball term

that calls yankee stadium a short porch in RF, thus LH batters have more HR power in yankee stadium. Some on here are stuck in the ottotd and try to bring their ideas into baseball talk.

by Landlord on Aug 11, 2011 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed, Landlord.

Thank you for being the voice of reason. Keep up the good work.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Aug 11, 2011 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions

That's me, Im the one stuck in the OTTOTD

by 4QB on Aug 11, 2011 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Mr. Landlord,

We would be honored to have you join us in the OTTOTD. I would like to extend a personal invitation for you to spend a little time there tomorrow and see how you like it.

Yours,

Mr. TGN

The caller said the boy, after removing the bulb from its socket, left the building and threw the bulb on the ground. When the bulb broke, the caller said the boy screamed "Then me and the girlz all snuggle up in my swampwater bed and doze off listening to the sounds of lost souls and monkeys crying in the night…aint it great to be a zombie!"

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Aug 11, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

niemann has been arguably better than price and hellickson for a ~monthish

by MagicMark on Aug 11, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

hellickson has been pretty consistent for a while

and you figure price has gotta bounce back soon

by steezydirt on Aug 11, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

That's some hard hitting analysis.

@ptSuttery

by Suttree on Aug 12, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

this

by Sveet on Aug 12, 2011 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Price needs to take andy pettitte

out to dinner in NY and talk pickoffs

by Landlord on Aug 11, 2011 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

as soon as price is a yankee he will

by MagicMark on Aug 11, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Pettitte is a sell out

He took his buddy clemens to the cleaners. he will spill the beans to price, if the price is right.

by Landlord on Aug 11, 2011 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

i was implying he wont get the non-balk call as long as he is a ray

by MagicMark on Aug 11, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotcha

good post

by Landlord on Aug 11, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like the kind of thing they might get arrested for.

@ptSuttery

by Suttree on Aug 12, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

You misspelled "Niemann"

#bored

I put the screw IN THE TUNA!

by Transplanted on Aug 11, 2011 5:44 PM EDT reply actions

It's funny b/c it's true

/Professional Nitpicker

Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Aug 11, 2011 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

C&H!

I'll make out with a guy if he knocks it in
by Jason Collette on Jun 11, 2011 9:00 PM CDT
(Kotchman knocked it in)

by Vin on Aug 12, 2011 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Ugh. Thanks.

A DRaysBay and FanGraphs writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum

by BWoodrum on Aug 11, 2011 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

all we need to do is sweep the yankees

That will be easy

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Aug 11, 2011 9:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Any updates on some of our draft picks?

Aug 15 is nearly here and I’ve heard nothing about Guerrerri. I could care less about the kid from Vandy. I want Guerrerri, Mahtook signed.

by Dome Biscuit on Aug 11, 2011 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

Here is something recent on Guerrier

though it doesnt really reveal anything new.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/tampa-bay-rays-top-pick-taylor-guerreri-undecided-about-signing/1185169

No matter how much they are hyped, my teams always find a way to disappoint.

by thedudeofdudes on Aug 11, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds like he will sign

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Aug 11, 2011 10:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Agreed.

by mr. maniac on Aug 11, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I am not getting that at all

I’d say its 50/50 on him…75/25 Mahtook signs…Grayson, don’t care too much

by Dome Biscuit on Aug 11, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I dont think goeddel will sign,grayson would be stupid not to sign

But the big 2 I dont see them not signing

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Aug 11, 2011 10:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm starting to think there may be an issue with Garvin's medicals.

Purely speculation though.

by mr. maniac on Aug 11, 2011 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I doubt it

I think he has signed to an above slot deal and is awaiting mlb’s approval

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Aug 11, 2011 11:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I really like Grayson.

by rglass44 on Aug 12, 2011 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

If he could gain some command, I think he has a really bright future.

by mr. maniac on Aug 12, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

It say the Rays haven't even offered him a deal yet

This is hardly MLB making us wait til 8/15 to let if go through.

Is this standard procedure to not even have made an offer a couple days before the deadline?

by Sveet on Aug 12, 2011 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions

yes

by AndrewTorrez on Aug 12, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

yes.

by mr. maniac on Aug 12, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I heard we met with guerrerri last week

Havent heard much about mahtook. We have to sign these 2 guys they are going to be the stars of the draft

A-rod's salary? 30 Million, Evan Longoria's? 1M, god i love life as a rays fan

by RaysOfHope on Aug 11, 2011 10:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

http://forums.theraysrepublic.com/index.php?showtopic=6478

Thoughts?

by mr. maniac on Aug 11, 2011 11:41 PM EDT reply actions

HEWTA is the only stat I use

I do this for free

by SRQman on Aug 11, 2011 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

That is the worst thread ever

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Aug 12, 2011 3:24 AM EDT up reply actions

It's actually not bad once you get over the initial dumbassery.

If you can't say something to someone's face then it's not worthy of being said behind their back.

by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 12, 2011 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Glad to see most of them are on the same page as me

He won’t do this again next year, but even 75% of what he’s doing is better than we’re liable to find internally or externally. The hope is that he can be an inexpensive stopgap until a more promising player comes along, though I could see some rogue team ramping his price up substantially. 1/5 or 2/8 is probably as high as I go.

If you can't say something to someone's face then it's not worthy of being said behind their back.

by Sandy Kazmir on Aug 12, 2011 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions