Game Recap: Sonny-side up...

June 13, 2008

RAYS: 7

Marlins: 3

HIGH-LITES:

Despite an absolutely horrible first inning in which the Rays were fortunate not to have given up at least 4 runs Sonny rebounded well and recorded the W. He pitched 5 1/3, giving up 3 runs (2 of which came in the 1st) on 6 hits, striking out 5 batters and walking none.

J.P. Howell is an inning-eater. I hate to admit it, but i may agree with Joe Maddon in saying that Howell is one of the team's MVP's so far this season. James Phillip pitched 2 innings, striking out 2 and allowing just 1 hit.

Troy Percival, fresh off the 15-day DL, came in as the closer and shut 'em down- striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced.

The top of the line-up (Aki, Navi, Upton, and Hinske) went a combined 7 for 15 with a total of 5 RBI's and 4 BB's.

Jason Bartlett had a nice offensive outing, going 3 for 3 from the plate. He also stole 2 bases bringing his season total to 14.

It wasn't the prettiest thing, but big Cliff Floyd also recorded a stolen base (and took another via an error).

LOW-LITES:

Eric Hinske got caugth stealing third, not usually a big deal, but this was ugly. Hinske got a late jump in an attempt to steal a base he had no business trying to take at that point of the game and is fortunate that it wasn't a game-changer.

The middle and bottom of the line-up, excluding Bartlett, (Longoria, Aybar, Floyd, Gross) combined for an embarrassing 3 for 15 against a pitcher that was just begging to be hit.

LOB: 10

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