In a series of tweeted photos by Rays beat writer, Marc Topkin, Bob Buckhorn was spotted taking batting practice at the Trop today. The photo above is one of the photos that was tweeted. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you may recall that Bob Buckhorn is the brown-nosing, carpet bagging, mayor of Tampa. You know, the same a-hole that’s made no bones in his wanton desire to house the Rays in downtown Tampa…you know, regardless if it’s a feasible location, or if the citizens of Tampa don’t want to pay for it among other things.
I’ll give it to old Buckhorn, he really does no how to play the media well, a quality that mayor Foster needs to learn and quick. Regardless, in the words of my grandmother: he can go to hell.
The Rays are currently 8-0 in their last eight games against the Mariners, including a four game sweep earlier in the season.
The Mariners are 69-60 overall, and 32-29 at Trop against the Rays.
46 of the 94 games against the Mariners have been decided by one or two runs.
The Mariners are averaging close to three runs (2.86) per game at home, and just over five runs (5.02) per game away. The Rays on the other hand are averaging four runs per game at home, and almost four-and-a-half runs (4.49) per game on the road.
Hisashi Iwakuma, who’s starting Friday’s game for the Mariners, is 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA over two outings since moving to the rotation.
John Jaso leads the Mariners .280 with four home runs and 24 RBIs overall in 143 at-bats. Wha???
Upton CF
Pena 1B
Zobrist 2B
Scott DH
Keppinger 3B
Matsui RF (Ugggggh)
Jennings LF
Molina C
Rodriguez SS
Price LHP
Noteworthiness: Really? Matsui in RF? The only justification for that, at least that I can see, is that Maddon is trying to nudge him in the direction of the DL. After all, you may recall that he was taken out of the game in the second inning in his last start in RF, following an injury incurred when Matsui tried to catch a routine pop-fly in a June game against the Yankees.
Also, the Times published a piece today on Rays hitting coach Derek Shelton. They, effectively, said any criticism for Shelton is unfair. Hmm, I do agree somewhat. However by that rational, any and all accolades and praise put firmly on Jim Hickey are unnecessary as well.
Matt Joyce, center, celebrates the Rays’ 4-2 win over the Cleveland Indians with teammates, from left, Elliot Johnson, Carlos Pena, Ben Zobrist and Jeff Keppinger. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Aight. The Rays are now 2-3 in their current 10-game home stand and they’ll attempt to tack another one on in the win column tonight when they take on Justin Masterson (6-8, 4.14 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians. The Rays, who scored four runs on seven hits last night, including extra base hits from ‘Los (two run homer) and Luke (triple), are licking their chops in anticipation for tonight’s game. Masterson is 1-7 with a 7.69 ERA in 12 appearances against the Rays. I should also mention that he’s 0-4 with an 8.46 ERA at Tropicana Field.
The Rays have posted a .349 BA/.421 OBP/.577 SLG/.998 OPS line against Masterson on the backs of 18 walks and 52 hits, including seven home runs and 13 doubles. Most of Tampa Bay’s regulars are hitting well over .300 against Masterson; B.J. Upton (6-13, two doubles, HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB) and Luke Scott (8-19, three doubles, HR, 7 RBI, BB) are leading the way, with Desmond Jennings, Carlos Pena, and Elliot Johnson following behind.
It would be beautiful to see that strong hitting against Masterson continue. Jeremy Hellickson (4-6, 3.48) would be the beneficiary of a win, and could sure use some run support. Though Helly pitched a good game Friday, he still lost his sixth straight decision nonetheless. He allowed three runs and five hits while walking four over six-plus innings. The Rays have totaled four runs in his last three starts. Yeesh. Hellickson is 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA in two career starts against the Indians. The bullpen will also be leaning on Hellickson to go deep into the game tonight, after putting in 9-2/3 innings of work over the course of the last two games, bailing out both Alex Cobb and Matt Moore. This should be another fun one.
Noteworthiness:We could see the return on Sam Fuld by tomorrow at the earliest. Oh man, I can almost taste the end of the Hideki Matsui or Brooks Conrad era. Hey Matsui and Conrad, I saw what you did during batting practice yesterday, and unbeknownst to the rest of us, you both were able to put the bat on ye olde ball. Conrad, I know you can put the ball in play even though you’ve got what can be described as warning-track power. And Matsui, you were mashing the ball deep into the seats. Me thinks you’ve got no excuses!
Oh yeah, I’d like to know where Fernando Rodney fishes in his spare time. If y’all could help me in my query, I’d be greatly appreciative.
Rays 7/18/12 Starting Lineup:
Upton CF
Pena 1B
Zobrist 2B
Joyce RF
Keppinger 3B
Scott DH
Jennings LF
Lobaton C
Johnson SS
Hellickson RHP
