Staying up to watch a west coast game is hard enough, but when the Rays lose in late innings by one run…going to sleep is exponentially harder. Check out this blurb, in which all of the blame for the loss last night is attributed to Ben Zobrist’s error @ 2nd base and questions Joe Maddon’s math. While I agree that as a direct result of the error, the Athletics were able to score the go ahead run and ultimately win the game 5-4, but I totally disagree with putting all of the blame on this one play (or lack of play). The Rays came out pretty hot in the first couple of innings, only to be shutdown for most of the rest of the game. Once again, the offense really struggled. Jeremy Hellickson pitched another great game, the defense overall was phenomenal once again, and the running game was unparalleled as usual. Therefore, blaming Ben Zobrist’s is a real stretch as far as I am concerned. Give the guy a break, he plays all over the field (very well I should add), switch-hits, and although his hitting has struggled a little bit this year, he still has an On-Base Percentage of .367, with 22 stolen bases! As far as Joe Maddon’s math is concerned, he is making a point that this half-wit obviously doesn’t understand. What he is saying is that Ben makes plays like that all the time and that it is rare for him to miss it! Jack-ass…Go back to New York.
Anyway, I think the Rays will be able to put it together tonight with Price on the mound and the offense back in check. If they can split this series with Oakland and then go in to Anaheim and win that series against the Angels, they can come home on a positive note ready for the Red Sux! Go Rays!
My point wasn’t to blame Zobrist for the loss, it was to make fun of the idea that something can be done at better than 100%. 🙂