DRays vs Marlins (6/8 - 6/10)

[craig01]

http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/news/ ... sp?c_id=tb


Friday, June 8 Dolphin Stadium | 7:05 PM ET
TB J.P. Howell, LHP (1-0, 1.13)
Devil Rays (26-32) @ FLA Byung-Hyun Kim, RHP (3-2, 4.40)
Marlins (30-31)

Scouting Report:
Devil Rays: Howell was a force during his season debut Sunday. The left-hander yielded a single run over a career-high eight innings, and held the Royals to five hits. The only blemish on Howell's stat line was a solo home run in the fifth inning. He showed tenacity in the fourth by escaping unscathed from a bases-loaded jam, fanned seven and left the field to two standing ovations. Howell's final three innings were perfect. He's never pitched against the Marlins in his career.

Marlins: Because of an off-day on Thursday, the Marlins are giving a couple of their starters an extra day. Normally, this would be Dontrelle Willis' game to throw on five days' rest. Now, Willis will go Saturday, and Kim will also get an extra day, but he will be ready for the series opener. Since being obtained from the Rockies for Jorge Julio on May 14, Kim has pitched effectively. In his last two starts, he is 1-0 giving up one run in 12 innings. On May 18, his first Florida appearance, Kim beat the Rays at Tampa Bay, giving up two earned runs (three total) in 5 1/3 innings.


Saturday, June 9 Dolphin Stadium | 7:05 PM ET
TB James Shields, RHP (5-0, 3.08)
Devil Rays (26-32) @ FLA Dontrelle Willis, LHP (7-4, 4.70)
Marlins (30-31)

Scouting Report:
Rays: Shields dominated yet again during his team-leading fifth win, working 7 1/3 innings and holding the Royals to two runs on four hits -- two of them homers. The young righty has lowered his ERA in each of the last three outings, and has put together nine quality starts in his 12 outings, including seven of the last eight. Shields is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in two lifetime starts against the Marlins.

Marlins: With the Marlins off on Thursday, Willis is getting an extra day and he will pitch in the second game of the series. The D-Train battled without his best stuff in a loss to the Brewers on June 3. He walked a career-high six, and didn't strike out a batter for the first time when he has logged more than three innings. Willis had won two straight decisions prior to his setback at Milwaukee. The 25-year-old beat the Devil Rays on May 19 at Tropicana Field.


Sunday, June 10 Dolphin Stadium | 1:05 PM ET
TB Andy Sonnanstine, RHP (0-0, 7.71)
Devil Rays (26-32) @ FLA Sergio Mitre, RHP (2-2, 1.59)
Marlins (30-31)

Scouting Report:
Devil Rays: Andy Sonnanstine made his Major League debut on Tuesday against the Blue Jays. He allowed six runs on eight hits while striking out five over seven innings. He was in line to pick up his first career victory, but the Rays bullpen coughed up six runs in the bottom of the ninth inning en route to a 12-11 loss. Sonnanstine earned a Pitcher of the Year Award at each Minor League level he has played at during his three professional seasons in Tampa's development system. The 24-year-old was 6-4 with a 2.66 ERA in 11-starts for Triple-A Durham this season.

Marlins: Mitre and the Marlins erred on the side of caution in his last outing. The right-hander was pulled after five dominant innings against Atlanta on June 4 out of fear a hamstring injury he suffered in late May would flare up again. In that outing, Mitre extended his streak of innings without allowing an earned run to 23 2/3. In five starts this season, Mitre hasn't surrendered an earned run. Mitre, a career National Leaguer, is 2-2 in Interleague appearances in his career. He beat Tampa Bay last month, allowing two earned runs in seven innings.

[CB4_Toronto_Raptors]

What a great inter league series. The top 2 young teams IMO.

[craig01]

What a great inter league series. The top 2 young teams IMO.

Maybe one day fans will actually show up.

These are two young and interesting teams as you said.

[craig01]

Marlins have won 12 of the last 16.

DRays are now 10-15 on the road.....they won only 20 road games all of last year.

The back to back road wins were the first since June of last season.

[craig01]

Rays up 8-6 bottom of the 5th.

Howell has 7 K's...but I'm afraid batters are catching up to him quickly.

[craig01]

Well it's gonna be another touchy night for the pen.

The question is, which bullpen shows up?

[craig01]

A blown 8-2 lead.

Another injury to a catcher.

14 runs allowed.

Defensive miscues galore.

Ouch.

[craig01]

Injury update:

Upton listed as day to day with a strained quad.

Navarro's status is unknown yet after taking a bounced pitch into his throat. Hospital tests came out OK.

[craig01]

Rays win game 2, 7-2.

Shields W (6-0) 7 6 2 2 0 9.

Great job by Shields again.

27-33 for the year.

[craig01]

Mitre's streak of 23 straight innings without giving up an earned run comes to an end today.

In a close game, Rays will eke out a 4-3 victory.

Rays are going on a hot streak!!!!!!

[craig01]

Rays up 3-0 after 3...Sonnanstine K'd his last 5 hitters.

[craig01]

Sonnanstine 2-2 at the plate.

Dh duty next? lol

[craig01]

Sonnanstine 6 6 1 1 0 9

Through 6 innings.

Impressive.

This would have been a Seo or Fossum pounding.

[craig01]

Rays up 6-2, after 7 innings.

Sonnanstine now with 10 K's after 99 pitches.

Guess he's done for the day.

We'll see.

[craig01]

Rays win 9-4, win series.

They now have won 6 of 8, and have won the last 2 series.

It is amazing how the game of baseball changes when your starting pitchers throw strikes and have command, and aren't trailing 4 zip by the 3rd inning.

Note: Camp stunk again. Too bad all these guys other than Reyes are entirely feast or famine when on the mound.

Rays need 2 middle guys to get it together....this could be an 8 game winning streak.