CHEESE & WHINE: As Sharp As A Tack

Rays: 6
A's: 0


CHEESE:

• Jeff Niemann. What a well-called and well-pitched game between Navi and Niemann. Niemann got himself into a little trouble here and there, but more importantly got out of it each time. Being able to avoid the big inning has been Niemann's Achille's heel so far in his young career, and if he can stay away from it like he did last night then we Rays' fans are in for a treat in the years to come. Niemann pitched the complete game shut-out; allowing six hits and walking 3 while striking-out 6. He also gave the bullpen a much needed day off.
• BJ Upton. Bossman was 3 for 5 with 2 doubles, and was robbed of his second steal of home in just a week after home plate ump, Bob Davidson (who was also having a hard time deciding where the strike-zone was) called him out after he had clearly slid around the tag.
• Pat Burrell. Burrell is finally starting to get consistently good wood on the ball. Last night PB was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and an RBI. Great, Pat finally gets hot and now he gets a 4 day all-star break so he can cool right back down again.
• The Yankees lost.

WHINE:

• Boston won... again.

CRACKERS:

• Last night's homerun by Longoria (17)was his first since June 17th; a drought spanning a total of 18 games.
• Carlos Pena's homerun last night was his first since June 27th, a drought spanning 11 games, yet he still leads the AL in homers by 3 (24).
• San Fran pitcher, Jonathan Sanchez, in his first start since returning from a bullpen demotion recorded 11 K's and the giants first no-hitter in 32 years. Read the Story here.
• The Rays' streak of 4 straight wins is the longest in the league right now.
• Tonight's game will feature the Rays in their "throwback", 1998, rainbow, Devil Rays gear. Yay!

CAVIAR (game ball):

• Jeff Niemann. Throwing complete-game shut-outs will earn you the game ball every time.