DRays vs. Yankees (7/12- 7/15)

[craig01]

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

Thursday, July 12 Tropicana Field | 7:10 PM ET
NYY Andy Pettitte, LHP (4-6, 4.25)
Yankees (42-43) @ TB James Shields, RHP (7-4, 3.82)
Devil Rays (34-53)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: The veteran left-hander draws the starting assignment in the Yankees' first game back from the All-Star break. Pettitte allowed four runs, two earned, in his only start against the Rays this season.

Rays: Shields snapped not only the Devil Rays' 11-game losing streak in his final start before the break, but a personal four-game skid. He held the Royals to four runs and seven hits in 7 2/3 innings, while walking none and striking out six. It was his first victory since June 9, when he limited the Marlins to two runs and six hits in seven innings.


Friday, July 13 Tropicana Field | 7:10 PM ET
NYY Roger Clemens, RHP (2-3, 3.63)
Yankees (42-43) @ TB Scott Kazmir, LHP (5-6, 4.41)
Devil Rays (34-53)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Clemens has surrendered just two runs over his past 16 innings, putting together his most impressive starts since joining the Yankees in his final two outings before the break. In 19 career starts against the Rays, Clemens is 10-4 with a 3.11 ERA, holding Tampa Bay to a .221 average.

Devil Rays: Kazmir made his 19th start of the season on Sunday and held the Royals to two runs in the first four innings. He gave up another run in the fifth and departed in the sixth, when the first two runners reached base. Kazmir again lacked command of his pitches and as a result had another early departure due to a high pitch count. Kazmir is 1-3 with a 3.69 ERA in seven career appearances against the Yankees.


Saturday, July 14 Tropicana Field | 7:10 PM ET
NYY Chien-Ming Wang, RHP (9-4, 3.36)
Yankees (42-43) @ TB Andy Sonnanstine, RHP (1-3, 5.36)
Devil Rays (34-53)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Wang changed his arm angle after some trouble in the first inning against the Angels in his start on Sunday before the break, and the results were 6 1/3 scoreless innings in which the right-hander allowed just five hits while striking out three. It marked Wang's second consecutive start of not yeilding a run. In nine career starts against the Rays, Wang owns a 4-4 record and 3.84 ERA.

Devil Rays: Sonnanstine pitched seven strong innings on July 7 against the Royals, giving up four runs -- three earned -- on six hits, while walking one and striking out one. He departed after 97 pitches, 66 of them for strikes, and appeared headed for his first win since June 10, but the bullpen failed to hold the lead. The rookie right-hander continues to show an ability to throw strikes, mix his pitches and give hitters a different look. This will be his first career start against the Yankees.


Sunday, July 15 Tropicana Field | 1:40 PM ET
NYY Mike Mussina, RHP (4-6, 4.62)
Yankees (42-43) @ TB Edwin Jackson, RHP (1-9, 7.23)
Devil Rays (34-53)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Mussina said he made a couple of bad pitches against the Twins in his last start, and those pitches cost him and the Yankees the game. The right-hander allowed five hits and four runs -- three earned -- over six innings, striking out five without walking a batter. In 27 career starts against the Devil Rays, Mussina is 16-6 with a 3.25 ERA.

Rays: Jackson allowed seven runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings against the Red Sox on July 4. The righty has been trying to pitch to contact lately with some success. Manager Joe Maddon complimented Jackson on his maturation on the mound, as he's shown a nice tempo and delivery to go along with his 95-mph fastball. However, Jackson has yet to learn how to put away a hitter once he's ahead in the count.

[craig01]

Well, it gets hard now.

Yankees stinking it up, Rays collapsing.

Somebody has to win.

[craig01]

Prediction:

Rays will win 7-6, in 10 innings.

Pitching will fail both teams again.

[craig01]

Shields gives up a couple of 4th inning dingers..Rays trail 3-1.

[craig01]

Rays down 7-3 in the 8th.

Still time for the prediction to come true.

[craig01]

Rays drop game 1, 7-3.

I'm beginning to think that the missing bat is a big void on this team.

Too many potential big innings are fruitless.

[craig01]

Rays win game 2, 6-4.

Despite Madden.

Great game, Upton had impact with his return.

Glover finished strong, getting the save in an inning and two thirds.

[craig01]

Game 3.....Rays come up short 6-4.

Highlight: Upton's catch in deep center.

Great crowd.

[craig01]

Game 4, Rays lose a late lead again.

Yanks win 7-6 in front of 36,000.

72,000+ for the sat/sun games.

55,000 were wearing NY garb.