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Prepare the banner. Your Tampa Bay Rays have made history once again. For the first time in inter-league play history, and the first time at all since 1961, a 1-0 game was decided only by a home run hit by a pitcher. That pitcher was our very own Nathan Freaking Karns.
See, Karns was not impressed by all this Aaron Nola hubbub. Stud righty out of LSU with the nasty K/BB ratio, drafted 7th overall last year, and rocketed to the big leagues already? Psshh please. Nate Karns said "Hold my beer... watch this", and swatted a weaksauce 91 mph Nola fastball into the left field seats like it was nothing for his first big league hit. Where's your homer, Nola?
Karns didn't do his only damage in the batters box either. Nasty Nate gave up just three hits and two walks, while sprinkling four strikeouts over five frames. The Rays pen locked down the shutout with a combination of Geltz and Cedeno in the 6th, McGee in the 7th, Jepsen in the 8th, and Boxy to bring it home in the 9th.
Kiermaier did work tonight as well. In the bottom of the 2nd, after Karns walked Cody Asche, Domonic Brown singled on a liner to center that KK would snatch up and quickly throw low and on target to Longoria at third to gun down the advancing Asche. The highlights didn't end there. In the bottom of the fifth, Cameron Rupp knocked a liner to center that Kiermaier made a wonderful diving move to grab for the out. Not to be outdone, after Karns gave up a hit to pitcher Aaron Nola, James Loney started a terrific 3-6-3 double play on an Odubel Herrera grounder to end the inning. Nifty defense, indeed.
Rene Rivera deserves a shout out for his play in the bottom of the 6th too. After Cesar Hernandez reached on an error, with Cody Asche at the plate, Rivera launched a rocket throw to Jake Elmore at second base to nail Hernandez on a steal attempt. Dude is a joy to watch behind the plate.
The combination of the Rays defense, a solid start by Karns, and one sweet swing was enough to secure the win for our hometown boys. The victory puts them back at .500 with a 48-48 record. Jake Odorizzi takes on Adam Morgan tomorrow in Philly for a 1:05 first pitch matinee game.
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<th colspan=2>Roll Call Info</th>
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<tr><td width=150>Total comments</td><td>255</tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Total commenters</td><td>23</tr>
<tr><td>Commenter list</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brian%20Andersbot">Brian Andersbot</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/CSG%20BBR">CSG BBR</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DFAHowell">DFAHowell</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Dome%20Biscuit">Dome Biscuit</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/GomesSweetGomes">GomesSweetGomes</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JRTW612">JRTW612</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Landlord">Landlord</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mister%20Lizzie">Mister Lizzie</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrWizzle21">MrWizzle21</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Passionate%20Apathy">Passionate Apathy</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rays%20Fan%20in%20NC">Rays Fan in NC</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rays1118">Rays1118</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RichMahogany">RichMahogany</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Salizar77">Salizar77</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/budman3">budman3</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/essenpee">essenpee</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kapaafire">kapaafire</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kfharlock">kfharlock</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/magicrays">magicrays</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/tb_throwaway">tb_throwaway</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thedudeofdudes">thedudeofdudes</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/youcancallmeRayRay">youcancallmeRayRay</a></tr>
<tr class="alt"><td>Story URLs</td><td><div><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola">http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola</a></div>
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<th width=60># Recs</th><th>Commenter</th><th>Comment Link</th>
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<td>3</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/magicrays">magicrays</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317430286">pulled in the middle of a no-hitter</a></td>
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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Landlord">Landlord</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317447900">Alfonse gufstanstein</a></td>
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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317414868">My wife is watching YouTube videos of women giving birth in their cars on the way to the hospital</a></td>
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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brian%20Andersbot">Brian Andersbot</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317441768">You're dumb.</a></td>
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<td>2</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317418402">leadoff walks don't kill people</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Landlord">Landlord</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317444152">He murders balls in the erogenous zone</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317442080">oh, so it's just a sombrero of sombreros</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rays%20Fan%20in%20NC">Rays Fan in NC</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317447072">DOOMED</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thedudeofdudes">thedudeofdudes</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317450696">Yes, that is why he was pulled after 85.</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/kfharlock">kfharlock</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317450074">I dunno...</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/nomo.red.evil">nomo.red.evil</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317448634">Ya know, a win is great</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Brian%20Andersbot">Brian Andersbot</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317441696">How many guys can "carry a team?" Trout's Angels didn't make the playoffs two years ago. It takes a team effort. Longo is looking at another 4-5 WAR season.</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DFAHowell">DFAHowell</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317446932">I cannot believe they actually bought high on Rivera</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JRTW612">JRTW612</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317433516">You're right, guys always adjust seamlessly to the majors right away, it's just like AAA</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Mister%20Lizzie">Mister Lizzie</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317424052">Get a dome!</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RichMahogany">RichMahogany</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317423108">Karns be like.....</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/magicrays">magicrays</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317420538">Can he play first base?!</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JRTW612">JRTW612</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317415326">The Rays should start a program dedicated to helping their fans find other hobbies</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JRTW612">JRTW612</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317426896">Why is Cash sac bunting with his best hitter?</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thedudeofdudes">thedudeofdudes</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317429984">And your minor league line of the night brought to you by Jamie Schultz!</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JRTW612">JRTW612</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317439838">Interesting that Cash goes to McGee already</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rays%20Fan%20in%20NC">Rays Fan in NC</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317431490">Longo has completely regressed</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rays%20Fan%20in%20NC">Rays Fan in NC</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317430572">how many more years on Longo's contract?</a></td>
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<td>1</td><td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rays%20Fan%20in%20NC">Rays Fan in NC</a></td><td><a href="http://www.draysbay.com/2015/7/21/9007235/gdt-know-your-nola#317440992">hey he leads the AL in something</a></td>
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