Just one more win, please... and then another... and another, and another, and another, and another and...
Some pre-game notes (from Cason Jollette):
Magic of Kotch - Kotchman has 3 straight multi-hit games and 5 multi-hit games in his last 7 to raise his average to .332. He is poised to become just the 6th player in the last 50 years to start the season in the minors and bat .300 with enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title joining Miguel Dilone (1980), Chris Coghlan (2009), Jose Guillen (2003), Scott Podsednik (2009), and Starlin Castro (2010).
Home Cooking - The Rays are finally over .500 at home at 27-26 and are a robust 26-5 on Saturday nights during the Saturday Concert Series. August has also been very kind to the Rays as the team is a league-best 56-32 (.636) in the month of August since the start of the 2008 season.
MVZ Most valuable Zobrist is now fourth in baseball in Wins Above Replacement at 5.9 trailing only Jose Bautista, Dustin Pedroia, and Jacoby Ellsbury. I'm so happy we're stuck with that contract.
To Catch a Predator - The Rays have used 14 different rookies this season, which is 2 shy of the club record 16 rookies that were used in the 2001 season. The Rays are tied with the Mariners as far as most game started by rookies this season at 27 and tied with the Tigers with 9 rookie pitchers used.
Thank You Johnny - Four more doubles for Damon and he tied Rickey Henderson on the all-time list with 510 doubles. 8 more doubles, and he passes Mark Grace and ties Edgar Martinez at 514 doubles.