The Morning After: Game 9

Mariners 0 (4-6), Rays 7 (4-5)

MVP: Edwin Jackson

Highlights

• E-Jack looked absolutely awesome. His slider was on and he was overpowering hitters with his fastball. Even with four walks he managed to throw less than 100 pitches in 8 innings -- efficient and impressive. He gave the bullpen some much needed rest. Perhaps the most impressive part of his outing was how well he pitched when runners were on base. Every time a runner was in scoring position he stepped his game up to another level. Finally, we saw the culmination of so much raw talent. Here’s hoping that he keeps it up. It would honestly not surprise me if he did.

• After looking fairly horrible in left all season, CC made a great run-saving catch when he dove to scoop up a liner with two outs and a runner on third in the 4^th.

• Hinske continues to mash (solo homer to right to give the Rays a 1-0 lead) and he even made a couple of decent looking plays at third base.

• Aki was a great lead-off hitter yesterday. He got on his first four at bats. He had two walks and hit two line drive singles very sharply. He even stole a base. I never thought Aki was a classic lead-off hitter, but he really seems to be adapting and excelling in the role.

• Defilice has three RBIs. Admittedly, both of the hits where he drove in runs were little bloops on which he broke his bat. None the less, any offense is a good thing when you are talking about Defilice. Speaking of which, does he really have to play once every three games? I wish Maddon would run Riggans out there a little more often.

• The Gomer had a good game at the plate. He got on base all four times he was up. He had two walks, a single, and a well hit double to the gap in left-center. Gomes has been hitting pretty well this season. If only he could field.

Lowlights

• Haynes continues to look absolutely awful with the stick. It is like a lesser of two evils. Would you rather watch Haynes bat or Hinske/Gomes play right? Shit.

Analysis

The Rays needed this win and they got it. Avoiding a long losing streak early in the season is critical for the success of this ballclub. Hopefully, they picked up a little momentum and the hot bats will carry into the weekend series with the Orioles. Speaking of the Orioles, they dropped both games of a double-header to Texas. Maybe they are coming back down to Earth; just in time for the Rays to capitalize with a homes series sweep.

Tomorrow will be an opening day rematch on the pitching front with Shields facing off against Guthrie. Hopefully, the results will be similar.

Jackson is the only Ray to have received two Sports Indeed MVP awards this season.

PA