Reid Brignac Hits First Major League Home Run; Goes 4-4 as Rays End Streak

It's over.

The horrific 11-game losing streak for the Tampa Bay Rays is finally over. With an 8-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, the Rays are finally winners once again. The losing streak is now an afterthought and in the end really did nothing except improve the Rays draft position. However, a win does feel good even if it doesn't mean much in the bigger scheme of things.

One of the more interesting storylines in the offseason will be the future of the shortstop position. Reid Brignac figures to be a major part of that discussion and he gave us something to talk about with his 4-4 performance including two doubles and his first major league home run. Brignac nearly completed the cycle in the seventh inning, however, his line drive up the rightfield line was hit a bit too hard and he instead settled for his second double of the night.

Brignac is the sixth player in Rays history to register a four-hit game before his 30^thcareer game. Michel Hernandez also accomplished this feat earlier in the season. He also joins another young short stop, who put up a very similar box score line over a half century ago. Way back in 1955, a young Donald William Zimmer playing in his 29^thcareer game, went 4-4 with a home run, two doubles and three RBI just like Brignac. Here's to the next 60+ years Reid!

Also nice to see the bullpen hold a lead for two innings after David Price went seven allowing four first inning runs (three earned). Price wasn't dominant by any stretch with just four strikeouts and two walks, however after the first inning he allowed zero runs and three hits over his final six frames. Price threw 107 pitches (84 fastballs) and continued to pound the ground with 10 more groundball outs.