Rays vs. Chisox (6/25-6-28)

[craig01]

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


Monday, June 25 Tropicana Field | 7:10 PM ET
CWS John Danks, LHP (3-6, 4.61)
White Sox (29-42) @ TB J.P. Howell, LHP (1-1, 4.26)
Devil Rays (33-40)

Scouting Report:
White Sox: The rookie left-hander has been having trouble finding the strike zone during his past five starts, a problem he is hoping to correct immediately. Danks failed to work at least six innings for the fifth straight start Tuesday against the Marlins, allowing four runs on eight hits over four-plus innings. Danks did match his career-high with seven strikeouts, walking just one, but he threw 89 pitches. Danks has never faced Tampa Bay but has a 1-3 record and 4.71 ERA on the road.

Rays: Howell appeared to have earned his second win of the season Tuesday night, but Al Reyes blew his first save of the season and Howell got a no-decision against the Diamondbacks. He allowed four runs on four hits, four walks and four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Because of his lack of speed, Howell must mix his pitches well and have sharper command than most pitchers. What he lacks in natural ability he makes up for in competitiveness.


Tuesday, June 26 Tropicana Field | 7:10 PM ET
CWS Jon Garland, RHP (4-5, 3.51)
White Sox (29-42) @ TB James Shields, RHP (6-2, 3.64)
Devil Rays (33-40)

Scouting Report:
White Sox: Garland was the definition of a pitcher who deserved a better fate during Wednesday afternoon's loss to the Marlins. Garland allowed just three hits over seven-plus innings, but he was victimized by a Juan Uribe error that eventually led to a three-run, game-winning rally for Florida in the eighth. Garland struck out a season-high six in the setback. The right-hander is 4-1 lifetime with a 3.71 ERA against the Rays and has a 2-0 mark at Tropicana Field.

Rays: Shields got hit hard Wednesday afternoon by the D-backs, but he kept battling for five innings until he got lifted for a pinch-hitter in the National League park. Overall, he yielded six earned runs on 10 hits and two three-run homers. Shields needs to have his fastball command to set up his best pitch, which is a changeup. Shields is 0-0 with a 5.14 ERA against the White Sox.


Wednesday, June 27 Tropicana Field | 7:10 PM ET
CWS Mark Buehrle, LHP (4-4, 3.39)
White Sox (29-42) @ TB Andy Sonnanstine, RHP (1-2, 6.58)
Devil Rays (33-40)

Scouting Report:
White Sox: Despite battling flu-like symptoms, Buehrle turned in another sterling effort in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field. The southpaw allowed home runs to Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez in the first inning but gave up only two more hits over the next six frames, striking out four and not issuing a walk. Ten of Buehrle's 14 starts this season have been of the quality variety. Buehrle has no record in one start against the Rays this season but has a 5-1 record with a 4.35 ERA lifetime against them.

D-backs: Sonnanstine gave the Rays a chance to win against the Dodgers on Friday night, yielding four earned runs over seven innings in his first start at Tropicana Field. The rookie right-hander surrendered two early runs then settled into a nice groove before giving up two more in the fifth inning. Sonnanstine depends on location, changing speeds, changing arm angles and pitching savvy. He is a quick worker, which seems to aide the defense when he's on the mound.


Thursday, June 28 Tropicana Field | 7:10 PM ET
CWS Javier Vazquez, RHP (3-5, 4.15)
White Sox (29-42) @ TB Scott Kazmir, LHP (5-3, 4.13)
Devil Rays (33-40)

Scouting Report:
White Sox: Vazquez pitched well enough to win but left Saturday's game against the Cubs with his sixth no-decision of the 2007 season. Since April 13, Vazquez has only one victory. He tied a season-high with eight strikeouts in the Saturday game, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings. Vazquez has a 3-2 career record against the Rays with a 5.14 ERA.

Rays: Kazmir pitched well against the Dodgers Saturday night holding them hitless through three innings and scoreless through five frames. Once again, though, his pitch count rose rapidly, forcing him to leave the game after the sixth inning and 116 pitches. Kazmir's stuff continues to be electric. Using a fastball, changeup and slider, he can dominate any game and go the distance if he can keep his pitch count down.

[craig01]

game tied 2-2 in the 4th.

howell is struggling, but does have 6 K's.

[craig01]

Rays down 5-4 in the ninth.

[craig01]

Rays lose, 5-4.

Fossum was bad tonight getting the loss.

Camp strikes out 7 of the 10 batters faced.

Rays pitchers combined for 15 K's.

[craig01]

Game 2 over.

Rays lose 6-1, record drops to 33-42.

Shields has a blow up 4 run inning which proves to be the difference.

Fossum just is not a Major League pitcher.

[craig01]

Game 3.....Wilson K's with the bases loaded in the 2nd.

Damn.

[craig01]

Rays up 1-0 in the 4th....bases loaded...Crawford at bat......

It's an infield out, but Crawford gets his 49th RBI.

[craig01]

Rays up 2-0 in the bottom of the 5th.

1st and 3rd, no outs...Gomes AB.

Sonnenstine's line through 5: 5 2 0 0 0 5.

[craig01]

Rays up 3-2, top of the 8th.

Sonnanstine goes 6+.

Crawford has misplayed two routine balls. The second turns a single into a triple.

Glover has his work cut out for him now.

[craig01]

Rays are having a total meltdown.

Gomes and Young lose a ball in the lights.

Pitcher/catcher not on the same page on a sign.

Down 5-3, one out 2 on for the Sox.

This one looks to get ugly.

[craig01]

Rays lose 5-3.

They lost partly because they didn't take advantage of good situations earlier....twice left the bases loaded, and left runners on 1st and 2nd in the 8th.

Bad loss.

Damn.

[craig01]

Rays swept in what was arguably their worst performance all season.

Chisox starters were outstanding.

Rays pen, and defensive ineptitude were sad.

They need to end this run now (4-11) before the season reaches the cliff edge.