Game Notes: Colome vs Volquez

Yesterday the Rays took a much needed 8-1 victory over the Yankees, thanks in part to some sloppy New York defense, timely hitting, and a great performance on the mound from Erasmo Ramirez who was touching the mid 90's. Tonight, the Rays will (weather permitting) take on the reigning AL Champions, the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Going to the mound for the Rays will be the highly inconsistent Alex Colome who soldiered on in his last start as he gave up five runs on eight hits, but was able to last seven innings. He also struck out three and walked one during the outing. So far this year, Colome is 3-4 with a 4.70 ERA and a 4.59 FIP to go along with his 15.0 K% and 8.2 BB% over the course of 13 starts and 69 innings pitched. Also, opponents have slashed .271/.334/.428 with 9 HR this year off of Colome.

He'll be facing off against Edinson Volquez

Edinson Volquez Scouting Report:

So far this year, Volquez is 8-4 with a 3.48 ERA and a 3.70 FIP to go along with a 18.2 K% and a 8.2 BB% over the course of 16 starts and 95.2 innings pitched. His last time out, he went five innings against the Astros and allowed five runs on eight hits, a walk, and he struck out eight.

His Arsenal:

So far this year, Volquez is generating ground balls nearly half the time as they are hit 47% of the time off him. Meanwhile, line drives are hit 20% of the time and flies are hit 33% of the time off him.

Righties are hitting far better off of Edinson this year as they have slashed .249/.337/.364 against him with 3 HR to go along with a 15.6 K% and a 9.7 BB%  in 186 trips to the plate. Meanwhile, lefties have slashed .207/.270/.320 with 4 HR to go along with a 20.5 K% and 7.0 BB% against him in 215 trips to the plate.

- No Steven Souza tonight as his finger was gashed after being hit by a pitch during yesterday's game.

Other Rays Notes:

- After being acquired two weeks ago, recently DFA'd Mark Krauss has already found his way to a new team as he was claimed by the Detroit Tigers.

- Jake Odorizzi will make his second rehab start tonight for Port Charlotte. He's expected to pitch 4-5 innings. Also, if you happen to live close enough to Port Charlotte, you can attend tonight's game for free as the Stonecrabs are celebrating their 1st half division title.

- July 6th in team history, of which they are 9-4 alltime

• 1972 - Greg Norton is born, who spent parts of 13 seasons in the majors (2006-2007 with Tampa Bay) and slashed .249/.339/.419 with 89 HR in 1,107 games during his career. While with the Rays he slashed .274/.368/.450 with 21 HR in 173
• 2001 - After Victor Zambrano blew the lead in the top of the 8th in a game against the Marlins, the Devil Rays walkoff in the bottom of the 11th after Greg Vaughn doubled and scored on Russ Johnson's single.
• 2003 - Due to their constant losing, Lou Pinella promised at the beginning of the season that if the team won three games in a row, he'd dye his hair. Which, they did on July 5th, so Pinella dyed his hair blonde.
• 2012 - In a victory over the Indians, Luke Scott finally snaps his 0-41 streak (a franchise record) when he homers off of Justin Masterson. The Rays would win the game 10-3.

• 2013 - Matt Moore, Jake McGee, Joel Peralta, and Fernando Rodney all combine to shutout the White Sox on only six hits in a 3-0 victory.