RAYS 6, Marlins 4: All that matters is the “W”
By Scott Caruso | June 25th, 2008 | Posted in Game Recap
It wasn’t the least bit pretty, but the Rays pulled off the win last night in Miami, and that’s really all that matters. The Rays needed this one, as the Red Sox pulled off a come-from-behind win against the D-Backs last night.
What’s wrong with Percy? Maybe it’s nothing, but it has become a constant source of hearthburn for me that he finds a way to put the go-ahead run on base every time he pitches. Yes, he got the job done, but man was it painful. It could just be the long nature of the season – and a subsequent market-correction for his early successes – causing this little blip, and by this time next month, maybe it’ll be a long-faded memory. For now, though, I just look back at the stats and see that he’s allowed runs – and 6 walks – in each of his last 3 innings.
Longlorious: If there’s a better defensive third baseman in the game right now than Evan Longoria, I haven’t seen him. That play he made in the 9th inning, diving full-on to his left to stab a sure base-hit was one of the finest plays I’ve ever seen. And not even so much for the dive, but for the fact that he was able to react so quickly to that ball to knock it down. I’m sure the BBWAA aren’t paying attention, but if they are, they’d know that the AL Gold Glove winner should come from Tampa.
Oh yeah, he delivered a clutch 2-run double in the 9th inning after totally choking with the sacks full in the 8th inning.
Aki-see, Aki-do: There’s been some chatter about Akinori Iwamura perhaps being included on the All-Star team, and though I don’t think he belongs there, I do think he is becoming a force at the top of the lineup that opposing teams need to look out for. Tonight was a prime example of when he is at his most dangerous; he played pepper with the left-field area, roping line drive and after line drive (after home run) towards Josh Willingham, and he ended up with 3 hits out of the deal. If Aki can hit like that, it might not matter what Aybar does behind him, because there will always be someone on base for Carl and B.J. to try and knock in.
Speaking of Aybar… I think the luster is starting to come off of him a little bit. His OPS now sits at a very mediocre .729 – not what you’d like to see out of your first baseman, for sure. Carlos Pena can’t come back soon enough.
Has anyone ever heard of a timely hit? Situations like tonight – loading the bases with no one out and then getting two weak ground balls (with one on a check-swing) to the corners – will end up killing the Rays if they don’t start performing a little bit better when they arise. It didn’t end up hurting the Rays, thanks to back-to-back walks, but it very well could have. Situational hitting, my friends. We need fly balls (at the very least) in those spots.
Umpires. Who needs ‘em? I totally agree that baseball needs to look into some form of replay on home run calls, but I also think that they need to take a good, long look at their home plate umpires as well. This year I’ve seen more terrible ball-strike calls and more inconsistent umpiring than I’ve ever seen in my life. And I’m not just talking in Rays games, either. All across baseball, it’s as if the umpires are just making it up as they go along.
Tags: Marlins
June 25th, 2008 at 9:35 am
About instant replay. The media has taken over the game. They are now designing the game for the stay at home people to watch on TV. Then they bitch because no one comes to the games. I go to all Rays home games and I don’t get to see replays on contriverisal calls. Nothings geared for me. Why should I spend $2500 for a season ticket when the game is designed for the televison audience. Baseball does not need replay. Errors, making wrong pitches, bad base running looses games. Oh yea an ump may miss a call once a while but damn baseball is played by humans and lets let it stay that way. If not let’s get rid of all the real people and make them animated and go from there. Then you can sit and watch a perfect game. Damn that would be boring. The media controls enough of the games. Well that’s my opionion. About last nights game I’ll take the W. I just with someone would tell Percy that I take a blood thinner for circulation I really don’t need his help. Hey the Rays through a bash for we season ticket holders Sunday and damn the food was good.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
DRO management is plotting something…I can feel it. I also loved the fact that Merlot Joe talked like Mad Dog last night. He picks his words carefully…hopefully the messages got through to the players.
June 25th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
We have won 3 games in spite of Percy (his last 3 saves). I don’t like saying that he “finds a way to get it done”…the Rays have found a way to get it done aside from his recent issues on the hill. I don’t know if he is injured, scared of his stuff, or if he is just tired, but we will not continue to win close games with that type of pitching late.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Percy and appreciate what he’s done so far, but another outing like this and we’ve got to start exploring options. For a closer in close games with a contending team we can’t let him be a veteran and pitch his way through it. That is how we quickly tear off on a 10 game slide and I go back to drinking like it is 2007.
June 25th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Do you thik that maybe they may start using Balfour as the closer? He seems to have become an ace in the bullpen.