Archive for June 23rd, 2009

Jun 23

The Sunburst Player Of The Game Pick ‘Em

Sunburst of the Game Cork Gaines 20 Comments »

Up until first pitch, use the comments section to predict who you think will be the Sunburst Player of the Game. (be sure to use a valid email address while leaving the comment). The commenter that correctly predicts who we will name the Sunburst Player of the Game the most times prior to the all-star game, will win two tickets to a second-half game. Runners-up get their choice of a t-shirt. [Click HERE for rules]

Check Marc Topkin’s blog for the starting lineups.

Leaderboard after the jump…

Read the rest of this entry »

Jun 23

Scott Kazmir Back At The Trop Today, Could Be Activated Soon

Scott Kazmir Cork Gaines 9 Comments »

Last night, Scott Kazmir made his second rehab start, this one with the Durham Bulls. He allowed 1 run in 6 innings, striking out 5 and walking none.

After the game, Kaz met with the press and revealed that he will back at The Trop today to continue his rehab (thanks Chris). During the interview, Kaz said that he still needs to get his arm strength back, but that he feels he is ready to “contribute in the big leagues right now.”




While Kazmir will be back with the Rays today, he said the team has yet to decide whether he will rejoin the club or be sent out for another rehab start.

If the Rays do decide to activate Kazmir they would wait until at least Saturday when he would next be available to start. This leaves the Rays with a couple of options on how to handle the rotation.

If Kazmir replaces Jeff Niemann in the rotation, Kaz could be activated Saturday and take Niemann’s start on his normal 4 days rest.

However, if Kazmir replaces Andy Sonnanstine, things get more complicated as Sonny is not due to start again until Tuesday…

  • Kazmir could start Saturday on normal rest and move everybody else back for an extra day of rest, with Niemann starting on Sunday.
  • Kazmir could start Saturday and have Niemann take Sonny’s turn on Tuesday on 3 extra days of rest.
  • Or the Rays could wait and start Kazmir on Tuesday in Sonnanstine’s spot with Kaz going on 7 days rest.

    • None of these would surprise us, however the first two seem the most likely.

    No matter what the Rays decide, it looks like they will soon get back a rejuvenated Scott Kazmir. That is the type of addition other clubs would have to trade two top prospects for.

    WRAL Video [WRALSportsFan]

    Jun 23

    One Year Ago On Rays Index

    The Archives Cork Gaines No Comments »

    One year ago on Rays Index our jaws dropped when we saw who had been selected as the “Energized Fans of the Game” by the broadcast crew.

    Most Energized Fans Of The Game[Rays Index]

    Jun 23

    The Daily Poll

    Your thoughts please Cork Gaines 1 Comment »



    Jun 23

    [THE HANGOVER] The One Where We Discuss Aki’s Return, Bossman’s New Hardware And A World Series Rematch

    Akinori Iwamura, BJ Upton, Carlos Pena, Philadelphia Phrauds Cork Gaines 7 Comments »


    click above image for boxscore

    No GBT today, but for those of you that are not anxious to see the Phillies again so soon, we have a bonus video for you after the Webtopia.

    DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…

    • Well, well, well. Akinori Iwamura may not have played his last game with the Rays after all. Turns out the “full tear” of his ACL was actually a partial tear and he may only be out another 6-8 weeks. Of course, once he is 100% Joe Maddon will have a dilemma. Most coaches/managers subscribe to the theory that a player can’t lose his job because of an injury. But Ben Zobrist is one of the best hitters in baseball and was recently given Aki’s second base job. [St. Pete Times]
    • BJ Upton was named the AL player of the week. [The Heater]
    • Marc Lancaster discusses the anticipation of facing the Phillies again in the Rays clubhouse. [Tampa Tribune]
    • This is the 8th World Series rematch since interleague play began and Joey Johnston reviews the previous matchups. [Tampa Tribune]
    • Bill Eichenberger has a Q&A with Carlos Pena. Among the topics they discuss are how Pena’s career mirrored the Rays history, his selectivity at the plate and his unorthodox major in college. [Sporting News]
    • For those that like to play the “what if” game, Marc Topkin shows that the World Series was closer than the 5 games in the record book. [St. Pete Times]
    • Rating the starting pitchers in the Rays organization…with a twist. [Trop It Like It's Hot]



    Jun 23

    Down On The Farm: Kazmir With Second Straight Strong Start

    Jeremy Hellickson, Scott Kazmir Cork Gaines 1 Comment »

    Durham 3, Pawtucket 1. Scott Kazmir was strong once again, allowing 1 run on 5 hits in 6 innings. More importantly, he struck out 5, walked none and needed only 78 pitches to get through 6 innings…Reid Brignac was 1-4 and Matt Joyce was 0-3 with a walk and 2 Ks…Justin Ruggiano was 1-4 with a double.

    Tennessee 2, Montgomery 0. Jeremy Hellickson was strong in his return from the DL, throwing 4 shutout innings, allowing just 4 hits and no walks, while striking out 6…Ryan Reid returned, for one night at least, to the dominance he displayed last season. In 1 inning, he struck out the all 3 batters he faced…Desmond Jennings was 1-4 and Matt Fields was 1-4 with a double and 2 strike outs.

    St. Lucie 4, Charlotte 3 (gm 1). Darin Downs was pulled after 2.2 innings despite allowing only 1 hit, 1 walk and no runs…Cody Cipriano was 0-3 with a walk and Ryan Royster was 0-2 with a walk.

    Charlotte 9, St. Lucie 5 (gm 2). Jeremy Hall gave up 5 runs in 5 innings, but improved to 8-4 on the year…Cody Cipriano was 0-3 with a walk…Henry Wrigley hit a home run, his 2nd and drove in 2.

    Bowling Green. (no games scheduled)

    Hudson Valley 3, Brooklyn 2.

    Notes from Down on the Farm…

    • The Princeton Rays will begin their season today.
    • Strange to see Dwight Gooden donning a Hudson Valley Renegades cap, but Doc was in town to help raise money for a local Firefighters organization and some youth groups. [Renegades Rumblings]