DRays vs Royals (6/1- 6/4)

[craig01]

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


Friday, June 1 Tropicana Field | 7:10 PM ET
KC Brian Bannister, RHP (0-3, 4.54)
Royals (19-34) @ TB Scott Kazmir, LHP (3-2, 3.95)
Devil Rays (21-29)

Scouting Report:
Royals: Bannister tossed seven innings of four-run ball against the Mariners on Saturday night at Kaufman Stadium. The young right-hander only made one mistake: a first-pitch fastball that Kenji Johjima hit for a grand slam. Overall, Bannister was typical Bannister: pitching to contact and moving his pitches around. He walked two and didn't strike out a batter in his outing, his longest of the season. Bannister needs to use his four-seam and two-seam fastballs to be effective and must locate his pitches well to have success. So far, he has done that in all six of his starts this season.

Devil Rays: Kazmir gave the Rays seven innings Sunday against the White Sox to pick up his third win of the season. Looking to find more consistency, the left-hander made an adjustment on the mound by moving from the third-base side of the pitching rubber to the first-base side with encouraging results. He allowed four runs on four hits and a walk in a 25-pitch third inning, but allowed just three hits the rest of the way, hitting 94 mph several times along the way.


Saturday, June 2 Tropicana Field | 7:10 PM ET
KC Odalis Perez, LHP (2-5, 5.61)
Royals (19-34) @ TB Edwin Jackson, RHP (0-6, 7.12)
Devil Rays (21-29)

Scouting Report:
Royals: Perez hasn?t won since April 25 at Minnesota. Since then, he?s had three losses and three no-decisions. In his last outing against Seattle, he lasted 5 2/3 innings and gave up six runs ? his most this season. That halted the steady drop in his ERA. In his previous 19 innings, Perez had given up just five earned runs (a 2.37 mark). But, against the Mariners, he couldn?t spot his ?execute pitches? when he needed to stifle a rally. As Perez put it: ?I made some mistakes and I paid for it.?

Devil Rays: Edwin Jackson dodged his seventh loss of the season Monday night against the Tigers when the Rays and made a favorable impression while doing so. The right-hander allowed two earned runs on eight hits while walking two and tying a career high for strikeouts with nine, while the Rays came back in the ninth inning to defeat the Tigers. Jackson has shown quality stuff, he just hasn

[craig01]

Sunday's game might have a football score if the starters stay the same.

[craig01]

Kazmir tonight.

I have a feeling he's about to go on a roll.

DRays 5 - 2. Kazmir goes 7, with 8 k's.

[craig01]

Spotty start for Kazmir. Rays down 4-1 in the 9th.

[craig01]

4-1 final.

Positives; Kazmir finished strong, Delmon Young threw out a runner at 2nd on what is usually an automatic double against anyone else.

Any doubt that Young has the deadliest OF arm in the majors?

[craig01]

Howell and Sonnanstine called up from Durham.

Howell will take Fossum's spot in the rotation Sunday, and Sonnanstine will make his debut on Tuesday.

Fossum moves to the bullpen, and Seo is designated for assignment. The Rays have 10 days to either trade or release Seo, so the torture has finally ended in Tampa.

[craig01]

Today is a day when I am glad there is a roof.

Let's play ball.

[craig01]

Missed the game.

Jackson hammered again.

Ouch.


Today is Howell......lets hope for a good start, as it would be nice for a change to enter the 4th inning not trailing by 3 or 4 runs.

[craig01]

Howell looking solid. Changeup looks great.

Rays up 2-1 in the 5th.

Upton just got drilled up and in. Nasty pitch. Intent was obvious.

Warnings given.

[OSBB]

Howell looked excellent.

Slider is sick, almost Kaz-like, the change-up fades away from righties and looks terrific too. Cutter and curve are works in progress and the fastball only registers in the mid-eighties but his command is tremendous so I think he can be successful.

[craig01]

The adage goes "it ain't how hard you throw it, but is how and where you throw it".

Hopefully, Jackson and Kazmir were paying close attention in how to punch somebody out.

[craig01]

Ray's up 2-zip in the 4th.

[craig01]

Rays take a 4-2 win to split the series.

Shields outstanding again 7.1 4 2 2 1 5 (5-0)

Reyes picks up the save.

Well done, this team can win games if they can just get past the first few innings.

[craig01]

Other note: Riggans going back down. I lost the audio and didn't hear the rest.

[Three34]

If Riggans is going back down and if Pual is on the 60 day DL.....I guess we're now getting Raul Casanova?

Whoopee. Here's hoping Navarro's season long slump suddenly rights itself.

[craig01]

Casanova called up....Riggans on 15 day DL.