This just in: Justin “Moulin” Ruggiano has been placed on the 15 day DL with left knee bursitis. In turn, the Rays have called up Wilford Brimley, urm…Reid Brignac, from AAA Durham to take Ruggiano’s place on the roster. Ruggiano hasn’t seen much playing time since Desmond Jennings’ return to the Rays roster on July 23. One would have assumed the injury in question had more to do with a pulled or strained glute from all of that bench warming. But you know what happens when you assume. Brignac has hit a robust .231 since being sent down. Yeesh.
In other news, Upton AGAIN did squat at the plate last night. Just a quick note to BJ. Cough…Dear BJ, arguing balls and strikes when you get caught looking at a pitch (a good pitch at that) on the outside corner is not akin to Kotchman selling close plays at first. If anything, it just shows what you are: a sub .240 hitter with a decent number of home runs and RBI’s.
In better news, it was nice to see Longoria’s bat show up for the game last night. The four RBI’s on a first inning, two run base hit, and a sixth inning two run home run were not too shabby! Here’s to hope his hitting woes may have come to an end.
And how could I forget the pitching performance by Complete Game James? The beast and his change up were on fire once again last night. Shields got his eighth complete game and fourth shutout of the season, holding the Royals to six hits and no runs, while walking three and striking out eight. Did I mention that because of his efficiency, last nights game went into the history books as being the shortest game in Rays history? Yeah, that too.
Tonight Wade Davis (8-7, 4.55 ERA) takes the mound as he tries to continue his streak of good starts. Incidentally, the Rays are 8-4 over the last 12 gamed. As always, go Rays!