CHEESE & WHINE: Niemann!

TAMPA BAY: 9
KANSAS CITY: 0


CHEESE:

• Jeff Niemann. Niemann pitched an absolute gem; throwing a complete game shut-out, facing just 3 over the minimum, allowing only 2 hits (arguably only 1) and issuing just one walk while striking-out 9. Niemann was working on a no-hitter into the 5th, but if you were watching the game you heard some knucklehead in the background of the press box talking on his phone about how Niemann was pitching the no-no and he could be witnessing history, come on man, everybody knows that you don't talk about it. Geez!
• Ben Zobrist. Zorilla strikes yet again, recording his second grand slam of the season (10th HR), his only hit of the night. Zobrist also had a fine defensive game as well.
• Carl Crawford. Just another day at the office for CC; 2 for 3 with a walk, and 2 more stolen bases (33).
• BJ Upton. Thankful BJ has finally started to step it up, having another nice day at the plate; 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, a walk, and a stolen base (17)
• The Yankees and Jays lost.

WHINE:

• Glancing at the lineup and seeing the infield look like this; Aybar, Brignac, Zobrist, Pena... depressing. Where have all my starters gone?
• Boston won.

CRACKERS:

• At one point last night there were three players in the game at the same time who's last names are Pena- none of which are related.
• Talk about run support; the Devil Rays (its getting harder to call them that) have given Niemann more than 8 runs per game (8.2) over his last 6 starts.
• It took Jeff Niemann exactly 100 pitches to dispose of Kansas City last night, 69 of which were strikes (that's 69% for all you Florida grads).

CAVIAR(game ball):

Jeff Niemann. I honestly saw this coming- really, I did. Check past posts I've been defending him all along.

Honorable Mention: Ben Zobrist