Rays vs. Padres (6/12- 6/14)

[craig01]

Tuesday, June 12 Tropicana Field | 7:10 PM ET
SD Greg Maddux, RHP (5-3, 3.82)
Padres (36-26) @ TB Scott Kazmir, LHP (4-3, 3.92)
Devil Rays (28-33)

Scouting Report:
Padres: Maddux did his best to keep the Los Angeles Dodgers at bay in PETCO Park. The right-hander surrendered two earned runs in 6 1/3 innings in the San Diego Padres' win over the Dodgers. Maddux, who got the victory - improved his record to 5-3. The Padre kept his pitch count to 95. He walked three and struck out six. Maddux didn't stay put on the mound either. He dashed for first base in two 3-1 plays against the Dodgers' Juan Pierre and Rafael Furcal for outs.

Rays: Kazmir earned his fourth win on Wednesday in Toronto against Tomo Ohka, limiting the Jays to two runs on six hits and five walks over five innings. Kazmir racked up four strikeouts in the 6-2 Rays win, tossing 103 pitches, 65 for strikes. Both runs against him came in the third inning on Aaron Hill's double. It was Kazmir's fifth straight start -- and seventh time in the past eight -- that all of the runs scored against him came in one inning.


Wednesday, June 13 Tropicana Field | 7:10 PM ET
SD Jake Peavy, RHP (7-1, 1.97)
Padres (36-26) @ TB Edwin Jackson, RHP (0-7, 7.39)
Devil Rays (28-33)

Scouting Report:
Padres: Peavy worked himself into a jam in Thursday's game against the Dodgers. The right-hander gave up a total of four earned runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. Although he seemed to have lost his best stuff by the end of his outing, the Alabama native received a no-decision after San Diego rallied for five runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Rays: Eleven starts into the season, Jackson is still looking for his first win, but he pitched well against Toronto in his last outing. The right-hander gave up three runs on four hits over six innings. He was hurt most by a two-run home run from Alex Rios that knotted the score at 3 in the fifth inning. Jackson is 1-0 in three career appearances against the Padres.


Thursday, June 14 Tropicana Field | 12:10 PM ET
SD Justin Germano, RHP (4-0, 2.75)
Padres (36-26) @ TB J.P. Howell, LHP (1-0, 4.85)
Devil Rays (28-33)

Scouting Report:
Padres: Germano had his hot streak ended against the Seattle Mariners on Friday night. The right-hander didn't look like himself on the mound, especially after he allowed a run in the second inning and four more in the fifth. Germano yielded eight hits over five innings in his shortest outing thus far.

Rays: Howell wasn't quite as impressive in his second start for Tampa Bay as he was in his first, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings. Howell, who did not factor in the decision, recorded nine strikeouts and has now whiffed 16 batters in 12 innings since taking Casey Fossum's spot in the rotation.

[craig01]

Kazmir was still wearing diapers when Maddux made his debut in 1986.

Amazing.

[craig01]

Maddux looking sharp.

1-0 Padres.

[craig01]

Rays down 2-1 in the 4th, Kazmir has 8 k's.

[craig01]

Rays down 4-3 in the 7th.

Fossum survived one inning so far.

[craig01]

Rays comeback again, win first game 11-4.

Bullpen did it's job, Pena has a slam in the 8th.

29-33, .500 is the next target.

[OSBB]

Fun game. Bullpen came up huge. Pena is a beast.

[craig01]

Once the bullpen is solidified, this team is going to shock a lot of people...especially those in the Bay area.

This is fun to watch.....I just wish we could see all the games in Orlando.

Final Note: Norton should have been credited with a single and 2 rbi's on that "error". The ball skipped to the left off the hop.

[OSBB]

Once the bullpen is solidified, this team is going to shock a lot of people...especially those in the Bay area.

This is fun to watch.....I just wish we could see all the games in Orlando.

Final Note: Norton should have been credited with a single and 2 rbi's on that "error". The ball skipped to the left off the hop.

I think we could make a push for the wildcard. I really do. We've still got 100 games left to play. The rotation is looking excellent and you know Kaz is gonna figure it out. If Edwin and Howell can eat innings and if Hammel and Witasik can be average (I think Hammel can be terrific) well... The offense is completely there. Plus, if it ever gets really close, Niemann, Talbot, and Longoria could be called up to help put us over the top.

[craig01]

What people fail to realize elsewhere about the Rays, is that this team is close to not only changing their status from bad team to good team.....but also that the Rays are loaded up and down the farm system, building a nice and solid 5-6 year run on young talent.

I don't know if the Rays can make a push for a wild card run realistically, but it would sure help if Jackson somehow got it going too.

As a long time Orioles fan, their 30 year run was always about pitching.

You can't put together 15-5 streaks with 2-3 iffy starters.

[craig01]

BJ Uptton need 2-3 more days.

I bet it's longer than that.

[craig01]

Game 2.

The 7+ ERA Jackson showed up today.

5 run first inning.

Damn.

[craig01]

Game note:

No Dukes today.

His agent requested and was granted permission for Dukes to be absent from the game tonight.

I wonder what the reason could be? Hmmmmm......

[craig01]

Rays lose game 2, 9-0.

Jackson was miserable (on the radio that is), and only registered one out in the 5 run first inning.

We don't get FSN on Britehouse in Orlando.

[craig01]

Taking the day off from work today.

Gonna drive the 1:45 minutes to St Pete with the kids for the noon time game.

We only get out there a few times a season, so Howell better be sharp.

[craig01]

Boring game.

SD pitching was awesome.

Strikes-strikes-strikes------nothing but strikes.