Jul 12
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.
Congrats to Martin B. who has wrapped up first place. But with 1 game remaining, second place is still up for grabs…
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Jul 12
A couple of programming notes this morning via Marc Lancaster…
- The entire Rays infield will now be in St. Louis for the All-Star game. Carlos Pena has been added to the AL roster to replace Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia’s wife is currently in the hospital and may be set to deliver their baby a few weeks early.
- Also, Grant Balfour has been added to the bereavement list and John Jaso has been promoted and will join the team today. This is likely just a one game move as Balfour is expected back Friday. Jaso appeared in 5 games for the Rays last September.
On a side note…does the removal of Pedroia make Ben Zobrist the starting second baseman for the AL?
Jul 12
Time to bring back the GBT – The Good, The Bad and The Telling sandwich, where The Bad is nice and lean and the The Telling is ripe.
click above image for boxscore
THE GOOD: Throwback Unis. The hats are still awful. But honestly, the jersey aren’t as bad as we remember. One complaint about the jersey. What were they thinking with the sleeve patch? It is basically the same thing that is on the front of the jersey. Kinda redundant, no?
THE BAD: Devil Raysian. When you think of the Devil Rays, one of the lasting memories is of blown chances. Leads sacrificed by inept bullpens. So it was fitting that on “turn back the clock” night, it was the bullpen, which had been lights-out for 2 months, imploded. In fact, with the score knotted at 2 and a runner on, it was the first pitch by the bullpen that turned into a 2-run home run and the eventual game-winner. Seriously, who did not see that coming?…Joe Maddon. Rule 7.05d specifically says a catcher cannot intentionally touch the ball with his mask. This is well-known among catchers as one of those silly quirky rules. So it was surprising that Joe Maddon (a former catcher) did not know this rule that led to an error (not a balk) being called on Michel Hernandez in the 9th. JoeMa argued so vehemently that he was ejected…David Chalk. Nobody has lamented the exorcism of the Devil more that Chalk. So today must be a day of mourning.
THE TELLING: We know these postgame concerts are popular. But 33,273 for Smashmouth? Seriously? If Smashmouth scheduled a free show at the Fairgrounds, they would be lucky if 2,000 people showed up…The loss ended the Rays 9-game winning streak at The Trop.
SUNBURST PLAYER OF THE GAME: Gabe O’ the Day/Ben Zobrist (see comments). We are giving this one to Gross and Kapler who were a combined 3-4 with an RBI (see comments)
DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA…
- Dioner Navarro left the game after getting hit by a foul tip. He went to the hospital for x-rays but was fine. He is not expected to go on the DL. [The Heater]
- Joe Maddon has already set the rotation for after the all-star break. James Shields will start on Friday and will be followed by Scott Kazmir, Matt Garza, David Price and Jeff Niemann. [Rays Report]
