Tampa Bay Days-Growing Stars

Before the story
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Hello everyone. I'm a high school student from Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Taiwan is best known in baseball for our native players like CM Wang (FA, former NYY), HC Kuo & CL Hu (LAD), FT Ni (DET), etc.
Very few people play Baseball Mogul here, and for some reasons I still fail to get Baseball Mogul 2010 in Taiwan. Hence, I use BBM2009 in all the dynasty. I've played BBM2009 for one and a half year.

The TB Rays is always my favorite team since watching MLB games in 2007. To everyone's surprise, the Rays emerged from nowhere to win the AL Pennant in 2008, and I would very like to expereience this on my own.

Roster use: HoustonGM's 2008 Opening Day

House Rule:
1. Never let go players who are over 3 years experience in Rays and have never been in other teams
2. Sign or re-sign players(Offer contract) once a day
3. Trade players once a month, less than 2 times in-season, and less than 3 times in offseason
4. One trade involves less than 5 players total
5. No unrealistic trades
6. Negotiator Version 2

All difficulty set to Mogul.

League settings:
Salary Demands -10%
Injury Frequency -10%
Injury Severity -10%
Medical Staff Effect -10%
Amateur Draft Talent -40% (trying to avoid the commonly discussed problem of player developing)
Aging Randomness +30%
Effect on Negotiating +20%
Effect on Performance +10%
Promotion to AAA, AA, A +10%
Contract Renewals -10%
Trade Frequency -10%

Short-Term Goal:
1. AL Pennant in 08'
2. Keep Farm System, Scouting, Medical Staff all in 1st

Long-Term Goal:
1. Make Rays a home-grown dynasty (Look house rule 1)
2. Keep Farm System, Scouting, Medical Staff all in 1st

I will simulate play-by-play. Given that the AI will burn our bullpen and make stupid moves, I'll do it myself. At the same time, during play-by-play I can learn about the other teams.
*The version I use still has the bug of sacrifice flys. To not take advantage of the AIs, I won't approve any sac flys during pbp.

http://www.sportslogos.net/images/lo...eugzfepfn4.gif
April 1, 2008
TB Announces New GM: Stunning Move
"Former" Tampa Bay GM Andrew Friedman took off his Tampa Bay uniform, and passed it to a 16-year-old Asian teenager. S. H. Ko, a Taiwanese high school student was announced the new GM, coming out of nowhere to replace Friedman, who will become Ko's assistant.
"As you can see, I am a 16-year-old. All I have is passion. Maybe I've got something innovative, but we still need Mr. Friedman. And we're gonna take it on the chin."

GM Profile:
Name: S. H. Ko
Native: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Age: 16
Baseball resume: playing high school baseball (P/IF, 1B majorly), 1 1/2 years of playing Baseball Mogul

Roster Review
Catchers

Code:

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First        Last        Rating        Bats        Throws        Age        Salary        Year        DL        Health
Dioner        Navarro        76/80        S        R        24        390000        1        0        76
Shawn        Riggans        72/75        R        R        27        390000        -        0        76
Mike        Difelice71        R        R        38        30700        1        0        58
Hector        Gimenez        70/74        S        R        25        30700        -        0        68
John        Jaso        72/85        L        R        24        20500        -        0        72

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Everone besides Gimenez is a good defender. Unable to find a hitter here.
Navarro will be our starting catcher and Riggans will back him up.
For Difelice, he is about to retire. Maybe I'll transfer Gimenez to 1B (C/84, 1B/82 now), and hopefully Jaso will grow into a starter role.

First Basemen

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First        Last        Rating        Bats        Throws        Age        Salary        Year        DL        Health
Carlos        Pena        84        L        L        29        8041666        3        0        83
Chris        Richard        70        L        L        33        30700        1        0        64

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Not much to say, right?
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Second Basemen

Code:

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First        Last        Rating        Bats        Throws        Age        Salary        Year        DL        Health
Akinori        Iwamura        82/83        L        R        29        2825000        2        0        84
Elliot        Johnson        70/78        S        R        24        20500        -        0        76

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Aki is nothing more than an average 2B, and he's got decent bat and capable of 3B, but we don't need that.
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Third Basemen

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First        Last        Rating        Bats        Throws        Age        Salary        Year        DL        Health
Evan        Longoria76/94        R        R        22        2916666        6        0        88
Willy        Aybar        71/78        S        R        25        30700        -        0        76
Joel        Guzman        68/77        R        R        23        20500        -        0        76

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Longoria, our future cleanup. Aybar is a decent backup and capable at corners. He can share the DH as well.
I don't know what we'll get from Guzman.
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Shortstops

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First        Last        Rating        Bats        Throws        Age        Salary        Year        DL        Health
Jason        Bartlett80        R        R        28        390000        1        0        84
Andy        Cannizaro67/70        R        R        29        390000        -        0        72
Reid        Brignac        70/88        L        R        22        20500        -        0        86
Ben        Zobrist        74/76        S        R        26        390000        -        50        74

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A decent No.9 hitter and defender is Bartlett.
Zobrist is now in the DL and unfortunately he won't grow up to what he is in 2009 in the Mogul.
Brignac has talent and may be future shortstop.
I'll release Cannizaro to save $390000 here.

Center Fielders

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First        Last        Rating        Bats        Throws        Age        Salary        Year        DL        Health
B.J.        Upton        88/93        R        R        23        390000        -        0        86
Nathan        Haynes        71/74        L        L        28        30700        -        0        74
Fernando Perez        70/78        S        R        25        12300        -        0        75
Desmond Jennings63/84        R        R        21        390000        -        35        86

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B.J. is everything. He's got potential and is five-tools.
Haynes is nothing but a speedster.
Perez is a decent backup and Jennings is a great prospect, but I plan to keep B. J. around.
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Left Fielders

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First        Last        Rating        Bats        Throws        Age        Salary        Year        DL        Health
Carl Crawford        84/86        L        L        26        6750000        2        0        90
John Rodriguez        69/70        L        L        30        390000        -        0        76
Ryan        Royster        59/81        R        R        21        12300        -        0        81

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Crawford is a hitter and speedster and is also great at defense.
J-Rod is the one to release since I don't see value on him.
Royster can be a decent hitter in the future.
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Right Fielders

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First        Last        Rating        Bats        Throws        Age        Salary        Year        DL        Health
Jonny        Gomes        81        R        R        27        1275000        1        0        74
Eric        Hinske        75        L        R        30        800000        1        0        75
Justin        Ruggiano70/75        R        R        25        390000        -        0        81
Cliff        Floyd        76        L        R        35        2750000        1        0        70
Jon        Weber        70/73        L        L        30        30700        -        0        76
Rocco        Baldelli79/82        R        R        26        2250000        1        215        60

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A bunch of RFs, but I don't see who really starts.
A RF-DH-committee play among Gomes, Hinske and Floyd is what I'm thinking.
Ruggiano and Weber are old rookies with limited ability.
Baldelli is expected to miss 2008, and I don't see him in the future plan due to his salary.

Starting Pitchers

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First        Last        Rating        Bats        Throws        Age        Salary        Year        DL        Health
Scott        Kazmir        94        L        L        24        8071250        4        30        76
James        Shields        91        R        R        26        2812500        4        0        84
Matt        Garza        81/89        R        R        24        390000        -        0        84
Edwin        Jackson        76/82        R        R        24        390000        1        0        78
A. Sonnanstine        71/79        L        R        25        390000        -        0        80
Jason        Hammel        74/81        R        R        25        390000        -        0        74
J.P.        Howell        72/80        L        L        24        20500        -        0        74

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This seven projects to start at Majors this year before September callups.
Kazmir will miss the entire April, so the six will be in the active roster on start day.
(Because Mogul often creates minor injurys like 7 days, I need at least 6 starters in the roster.)
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Starting Pitchers-Rookies

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First        Last        Rating        Bats        Throws        Age        Salary        Year        DL        Health
Jeff        Niemann        68/85        R        R        25        20500        -        0        72
Wade        Davis        65/93        R        R        22        20500        -        0        86
Jacob        McGee        62/85        L        L        21        20500        -        0        83
J. Hellickson        59/79        R        R        20        390000        -        0        73
David        Price        71/94        L        L        22        390000        -        45        88

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Some arms that may be ready in 2 years, and maybe September callups if we're out of race.
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Bullpen

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First        Last        Rating        Bats        Throws        Age        Salary        Year        DL        Health
Troy        Percival90        R        R        38        4000000        2        0        76
Al        Reyes        86        R        R        36        2300000        1        0        74
Trever        Miller        79        R        L        34        2000000        1        0        80
Dan        Wheeler        82        R        R        30        3500000        3        0        76
Gary        Glover        77        R        R        31        1075000        1        0        74
Scott        Dohmann        75/77        R        R        30        390000        1        0        74

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Arms in the 'pen. The closer and setup guy is decent, but the rest of them leaves a lot to desire.
Rebuilding the 'pen is the major concern this year and to 2009.

2008 Opening Rosters
25-Man Rosters:

Code:

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C        Dioner Navarro
C        Shawn Riggans
1B        Carlos Pena
2B        Akinori Iwamura
SS        Jason Bartlett
3B        Evan Longoria
3B        Willy Aybar
CF        B.J. Upton
CF        Fernando Perez
LF        Carl Crawford
RF        Jonny Gomes
RF        Eric Hinske
RF        Cliff Floyd
RF        Justin Ruggiano

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Code:

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SP        James Shields
SP        Matt Garza
SP        Edwin Jackson
SP        Andy Sonnanstine
SP        Jason Hammel
SP/LR        J.P. Howell
CL        Troy Percival
ST        Al Reyes
SR        Trever Miller
SR        Dan Wheeler
MR        Gary Glover

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40-Man Roster(Now at 38):
C Mike Difelice/John Jaso
2B Elliot Johnson
SS Ben Zobrist(15-DL)/Reid Brignac
CF Desmond Jennings
SP Scott Kazmir(15-DL)/Mitch Talbot/Jeff Niemann/Wade Davis/David Price
RP Grant Balfour/Scott Dohmann

Lineup:

Code:

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1        2B        Akinori Iwamura
2        LF        Carl Crawford
3        CF        B.J. Upton
4        1B        Carlos Pena
5        3B        Evan Longoria
6        RF        Jonny Gomes
7        DH        Cliff Floyd
8        C        Dioner Navarro
9        SS        Jason Bartlett

Utility Infielder        Willy Aybar
Utility Outfielder        Justin Ruggiano
Committee to RF/DH        Eric Hinske
Speed Runner                Fernando Perez
Backup Catcher                Shawn Riggans

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http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2008/writ...B.J.-Upton.jpg
B.J. Upton struggled in the opening series, going 0-for-11.

Three consecutive shutout games between Rays & Jays
April 1, 2008: TB 0 - 5 TOR
James Shields (0-0) vs. Roy Halladay (0-0)
We'll start this year at chilly Toronto. Hopefully our bats are not as cold as the temperature.
James Shields pitched respectable for 4 earned runs in 8 innings, but unfortunately our bats did go cold. Despite 3 hits from Aki, this game turned out to be a Roy Halladay shutout.
L: James Shields (0-1)

April 2, 2008: TB 0 - 6 TOR
Matt Garza (0-0) vs. A.J. Burnett (0-0)
Garza was roughed up, allowing 5 earned runs in 3 innings. We turned to J.P. Howell for the rest of the game, and he did well to post a run in 4 innnings. But we were shut down again.
L: Matt Garza (0-1)

April 3, 2008: TB 2 - 0 TOR
Edwin Jackson (0-0) vs. Dustin McGowan (0-0)
A Carl Crawford solo shot in the 1st ended our 18 scoreless innings streak.
In the sixth, Evan Longoria got a base hit, the first in his career. And credit Edwin Jackson for the solid outing---six scoreless innings. Despite cold bats, we managed to win, 2-0.
W: Edwin Jackson (0-1)
SV: Troy Percival (1)

Star of the series: Akinori Iwamura, 5-10, 2BB, 1.083OPS

Facing Roy Halladay on opening day would suck. Also, good luck to Longoria. Hopefully he can win ROTY.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...041b7bbc46.jpg
Rays pitcher J.P. Howell emerged from the 'pen to pitch the Rays to victory.
TB Takes Three out of Four

April 4, 2008: LAA 0 - 8 TB
Joe Saunders (0-0) vs. Andy Sonnanstine (0-0)
Our handy Andy wil start this game. He performed well---another six scoreless innings by our starter.
B.J. Upton finally got his RBI single in the fifth, and we scored five to hit Saunders down. Gomes added a 3-run blast against Jason Bulger. We eventually shut out the Angels.
W: Andy Sonnanstine (1-0)

April 5, 2008: LAA 6 - 4 TB
Dustin Moseley (0-0) vs. Jason Hammel (0-0)
Hammel gave up two HRs in the second inning, blasted 4 runs. He everntually allowed 6 runs in 5 innings.
However, Howell pitched well again---no earned runs and six stikeouts in 3 innings, but we still lost the game.
L: Jason Hammel (0-1)

Good news to J.P. Matt Garza will be out for two weeks to a sprianed ankle, and was placed on 15-DL retroactive to April 3. Howell was moved into the rotation, and Scott Dohmann was called up.

April 6, 2008: LAA 1 - 3 TB
Jon Garland (0-0) vs. James Shields (0-1)
Replacing Gomes, Eric Hinske hit a homer in his first at-bat this season.
Six innings, nine hits allowed, but Shields gave up anything but an earned run. Thanks to Vladimir Guerrero, who went 0-for-3 while everytime he was up, there were two runners.
In the seventh, there came Evan Longoria's first career RBI. Hopefully he'll do better than his .130 AVG now.
The Angels totally got 12 hits, in exchange for 1 unearned runs. It sucks, Vladi.
W: James Shields (1-1)
SV: Troy Percival (2)

April 7, 2008: LAA 4 - 11 TB
Jered Weaver (0-0) vs. J.P. Howell (0-0)
Still, J.P. pitched strong, only let Chone Figgins score twice in 5 innings. Our hitters flourish, hit 15 times and scored 11.
Carlos Pena twisted an ankle to be out for a week, but he showed strong offense in the series. Aybar will start at first.
W: J.P. Howell (1-0)

Star of the series: Carlos Pena, 9-16, HR, 4RBI

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 200tang

Facing Roy Halladay on opening day would suck. Also, good luck to Longoria. Hopefully he can win ROTY.

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Yes, it sucks.
Everytime I play a Rays, Longoria always win the ROTY. But I'm not supposed to expect it.

http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonza..._2956/539w.jpg
Jonny Gomes has hit safely on his every at-bats this series.

Tampa Fall to Rising Star Hughes
April 8, 2008: NYY 6 - 4 TB
Andy Pettitte (1-0) vs. Edwin Jackson (1-0)
Jackson was homered twice and allowed 4 runs in 5 innings of pitch. We had a chance to tie the score but A-Rod hit us hard again.
L: Edwin Jackson (1-1)

April 9, 2008: NYY 5 - 0 TB
Phil Hughes (1-0) vs. Andy Sonnanstine (1-0)
Sonnanstine pitched for quality again, only 2 earned runs scored in his 7 innings. However, our middle infielders both errored and we couldn't even score a run in Phil Hughes. But after 7 innings and 120 pitched, the Yanks still pushed him out on the mound. He went 136 pitches and 7.1 innings. Annoyingly, each game we faced Yankees, they hit 3 homers.
L: Andy Sonnanstine (1-1)

April 10, 2008: NYY 1 - 3 TB
Mike Mussina (0-0) vs. Jason Hammel (0-1)
Hammel excels, letting only one run in six innings.
W: Jason Hammel (1-1)
SV: Troy Percival (3)

Star of the series: Jonny Gomes. He didn't start a game, but going 3-for-3 pinch hitting or defending, including a homer, 3.000OPS

http://www.baseballmusings.com/archi...ins_v_Rays.jpg
Dioner Navarro soloed in 10th Thursday to help the Rays to a 4-3 win.

Nearly swept, but the Rays found their way
April 12, 2008: TB 3 - 7 TOR
James Shields (1-1) vs. A.J. Burnett (1-0)
Gomes homered for us again in third, gave us lead by 3-1. But Jason Bartlett's error caused a 4-run inning ---Marco Scutaro hit a 3-run blast.
L: James Shields (1-2)

April 13, 2008: TB 2 - 4 TOR
J.P. Howell (1-0) vs. Jesse Litsch (1-0)
Facing Matt Stairs and Lyle Overbay, J.P. is dominating. I decided to occasionally issue walk to Frank Thomas, who batted between them and proved to be very dangerous.
The first time we succeed to avoid allowing runs, but the next time---when the first base was not empty---Thomas homered. What a pity.
Allowing three homers, J.P. let the Jays score four times. Also, our offense sucks without Pena.
L: J.P. Howell (1-1)

April 14, 2008: TB 4 - 3 TOR
Edwin Jackson (1-1) vs. Dustin McGowan (1-1)
Too bad that Jackson couldn't retire any of the first five batters he faced, but Jonny Gomes provided his fourth homer and tied the score, 3-3, in the fourth.
Both Jackson and McGowan finished with a quality start to bring this game to a bullpen race.
We went to the extra innings and Navarro soloed in the 10th to claim the game.
W: Dan Wheeler (1-0)
SV: Troy Percival (4)

Star of the series: Still Jonny Gomes. 4-11, 2HR, 3RBI, 1.273OPS.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2373/...a65f1a6f0a.jpg
Sonnanstine pitched a shutout on April 16th.

Rays swept White Sox
April 16, 2008: CHW 0 - 4 TB
John Danks (0-1) vs. Andy Sonnanstine (1-1)
5th homer for Gomes broke out in the second, and Aki also homered.
A shutout by Andy Sonnanstine!
W: Andy Sonnanstine (2-1)

April 17, 2008: CHW 1 - 2 TB
Gavin Floyd (1-1) vs. James Shields (1-2)
Jonny Gomes's sixth homer came in the third inning while James Shields no-hitted the White Sox to the fifth inning. He put up 8 solid innings.
W: James Shields (2-2)
SV: Troy Percival (5)

April 18, 2008: CHW 3 - 5 TB
Javier Vazquez (3-0) vs. Jason Hammel (1-1)
Hammel was impressive, leaving with 2-0 lead and two baserunners in the sixth. But due to Longoria's error and Dan Wheeler's poor control, the White Sox scored three then.
We were able to take the lead in the next half by 5-3. But it meaned Dan Wheeler was eligible for a win, which he didn't deserve. But after all, winning is more important.
W: Dan Wheeler (2-0)
SV: Troy Percival (6)

Star of the series: Still, Gomes put up good numbers, so did Longoria, Iwamura and Bartlett. But Andy Sonnanstine deserved this: a shutout.

Gotta say, I'm enjoying this. Keep it up.

http://phoenix.fanster.com/diamondba...el_cabrera.jpg
Allowing 8 walks, Daniel Cabrera failed to finish 5 innings in tonight's game.

O's swept and roughed up by Rays
April 19, 2008: BAL 1 - 6 TB
Adam Loewen (0-1) vs. Edwin Jackson (1-1)
The O's were hot---they got .300 guys from No.3 to No.6, but Edwin Jackson got them all to prduce a bunch of groundouts. He was easy to admire and pitched just like CMWang in 2007.
Gomes hit his seventh over Loewen and we nearly shut the O's, winning 6-1.
W: Edwin Jackson (2-1)

*Matt Garza was activated and Scott Dohmann was sent to AAA. Our pitching ERA now stands at 2.52!

April 20, 2008: BAL 1 - 15 TB
Matt Albers (1-2) vs. Matt Garza (0-1)
Ending his first DL stint with the Rays, Garza was supported by 4 runs in the first. We scored 3 more in the second and roughed up Albers.
We got everything we wanted today that even I told Navarro to steal second, he succeeded.
We were able to score in every 8 innings and finished the game 15-1, stealing the base 8 times without getting caught, and produced 18 hits.
W: Matt Garza (1-1)
*Akinori Iwamura went four of five with a walk, triple-shy of a cycle and scored four times.
*Thanks to Ramon Hernandez and Guillermo Quiroz, we took the AL lead in stolen bases (20).
*Jonny Gomes now leads the MLB in HR(8) and HR%(15.4%), while Andy Sonnanstine owns the lead in ERA(0.82).

April 21, 2008: BAL 4 - 10 TB
Daniel Cabrera (1-1) vs. Andy Sonnanstine (2-1)
Both starters had controling problems tonight. Sonnanstine, after a brief lead in ERA, allowed four free passes in five innings, with 3 runs.
However, Daniel Cabrera was even worse---eight walks in 4.1 innings. Interestingly, only one of the eight walks he pitched was linked to a run in the fifth.
The other seven walks came in from the first to the third innings, in which we didn't score any runs.
After both starters left the mound, the controling problem lasted that reliever Gary Glover addressed three four balls which contributed to his first run allowed this season.
Same went for O's reliever Dennis Sarfate (2 BBs in 1 inning), Chad Bradford (1) and our Dan Wheeler (1).
In combine, a total of 19 walks were pitched in tonight's game, averaging more than 1 per halves. What a pity, pitchers.
W: Andy Sonnanstine (3-1)
*Walked three times, Aki's OPS surpassed 1.000 the first time in his career.
*Our bullpen ERA leads AL (2.02), and the rotation ERA ranks second (2.72) despite offering only a 47.4% quality start rate.
*After this wonderful series (13 steal attempts succeeded in 15), we tied with San Francisco in Team Steal (23).

Star of the series: Many qualified.
*Akinori Iwamura (6-for-12, two doubles, a homer, 4 walks and 2 steals. That's a 1.558 OPS.)
*Carl Crawford (8-for-14, 4RBI and 3 steals, a 1.243OPS.)
*B.J. Upton (5-for-14, HR, 6RBI and 2 steals, 0.928OPS)
But it finally again went to:
Jonny Gomes (4-for-10, 2HR, 4RBI, 1.671OPS, scored in each of the past 6 games, homered 6 times in the past 9 games)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABP...2008058412.jpg
Joe Blanton ended TB's streak by performing a quality start.

Rays' 10-win Streak Ended
April 22, 2008: TB 10 - 4 OAK
James Shields (2-2) vs. Dana Eveland (1-0)
Facing lefty Eveland, I slotted awaking B.J. Upton to leadoff.
The whole A's lineup was in their slumps---no one bats over .300 and even only one over .250. Good sign.
Things went out that we again saw A's relievers up on the mound in just three innings.
Memorable moment: in the sixth, Evan Longoria hit his first career homer over Santiago Casilla, and it went about 446 feet, giving the Rays a 10-2 lead.
We have won 8 straight games!
W: James Shields (3-2)

April 23, 2008: TB 5 - 3 OAK
Jason Hammel (1-1) vs. Greg Smith (0-0)
A battle of back-of-the-rotation pitchers.
Jonny Gomes presented his 9th HR to take lead in the third inning.
It took 67 balls for Smith to finish five innings, while Hammel used 107---but it's not that the most efficient wins.
The Rays scored all the five runs by four homers, including Gomes' two-run blast, and put together 9 straight wins.
W: Jason Hammel (2-1)
SV: Troy Percival (7)

April 24, 2008: TB 4 - 3 OAK
Matt Garza (1-1) vs. Rich Harden (0-3)
Despite going 0-3, Harden's ERA was 4.50 and he's that kind of pitcher that could end a streak. Beware.
To win, we must allow less than we could hit from Harden, but Garza was ineffective at first, allowed 4 straight hits and 2 runs;
all of a sudden, Crawford bashed a long ball, and we were in lead.
Despite giving up nine hits, Garza kept the A's scoreless since the first inning, and that's ten consecutive wins and a tie for AL East lead.
W: Matt Garza (2-1)
SV: Troy Percival (8)*still keeping a 0.00 ERA

April 25, 2008: TB 3 - 6 OAK
Edwin Jackson (2-1) vs. Joe Blanton (1-3)
Jackson pitched not so impressive this time, leaving after six innings while trailing 3-4.
The streak ended, but the Rays were great during this span.
L: Edwin Jackson (2-2)

Star of the series: B.J. Upton (6-for-13, 2 doubles, 4 walks, 1.403OPS)

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Troy Percival succeeded in all 10 save chances so far.

Another Sweeping Series by Tampa Bay
April 26, 2008: TOR 2 - 4 TB
Jesse Litsch (3-0) vs. Andy Sonnanstine (3-1)
The Jays were a half game ahead of us before this game, but Sonnanstine still pitched well going 8 innings.
W: Andy Sonnanstine (4-1)
SV: Troy Percival (9)

April 27, 2008: TOR 2 - 3 TB
Roy Halladay (3-1) vs. James Shields (3-2)
Ace-to-ace! Both pitched well, but our backup catcher Shawn Riggans gave us a priceless 2-run hit to claim the game.
W: Trever Miller (1-0)
SV: Troy Percival (10) *Going 10 consecutive scoreless innings

April 28, 2008: TOR 1 - 3 TB
A.J. Burnett (3-1) vs. Jason Hammel (2-1)
I let Jason Hammel go deep into 7 innings today for his excellence, allowing only one run, two hits and two walks.
Gomes hit his 10th homer.
W: Jason Hammel (3-1)
SV: Dan Wheeler (1)

Star of the series: I would say Percival, who went 10-for-10 in saves keeping a 0.00 ERA.

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/imag...1/wWqxyG3k.jpg
Jack Egbert struggled on the mound and allowed 7 runs in tonight's game.

Rays Finishing April atop AL East
April 29, 2008: TB 4 - 5 CHW
Matt Garza (2-1) vs. Mark Buehrle (1-3)
Left-handed Iwamura homered twice off Buehrle---how come Iwamura put up 1.519 OPS against lefties?
It was a blown save for Percival. Unfortunately, he allowed 4 runs.
L: Troy Percival (0-1)

April 30, 2008: TB 7 - 3 CHW
Edwin Jackson (2-2) vs. Jack Egbert (0-1)
Not hard for us to score 7 off rookie Egbert, and Jackson struck out 10 in five innings pitched. However, he used 116 pitches and allowed three to score.
The Rays pitching staff combined for 17 K's in tonight's game.
W: Edwin Jackson (3-2)
SV: Dan Wheeler (2)

April Review
Rays: 19-9 (.679 wpct) First Place

AL East:
TBR 19-9
NYY 18-11, 1.5GB
TOR 15-11, 3GB
BOS 14-12, 4GB
BAL 11-17, 8GB

Batting:

Code:

---

First        Last        G        AVG        AB        H        2B        3B        HR        BB        K        SB        CS        R        RBI        SLG        OBP        OPS
Evan        Longoria28        0.269        108        29        3        0        1        6        25        5        3        8        11        0.324        0.307        0.631
Jason        Bartlett28        0.239        92        22        4        2        2        5        14        4        5        13        6        0.391        0.293        0.684
Carl        Crawford28        0.274        113        31        6        2        3        5        13        7        2        17        15        0.442        0.317        0.759
B.J.        Upton        28        0.236        110        26        3        1        4        8        22        6        4        16        17        0.391        0.288        0.679
Akinori        Iwamura        27        0.369        103        38        5        1        6        16        17        5        1        20        18        0.612        0.454        1.066
Jonny        Gomes        27        0.262        84        22        2        1        10        10        21        1        0        20        18        0.667        0.347        1.014
Dioner        Navarro        25        0.244        82        20        2        0        2        6        10        1        0        9        13        0.341        0.295        0.636
Eric        Hinske        23        0.170        47        8        0        1        2        2        12        0        0        5        6        0.340        0.204        0.544
Carlos        Pena        22        0.266        79        21        2        1        4        11        15        0        0        12        13        0.468        0.370        0.838
Cliff        Floyd        18        0.160        50        8        2        0        0        4        13        2        0        6        1        0.200        0.236        0.436
Shawn        Riggans        17        0.231        13        3        0        0        0        0        2        0        0        0        3        0.231        0.286        0.517
Willy        Aybar        17        0.189        37        7        1        1        0        5        9        1        1        3        2        0.270        0.286        0.556
Fernando Perez        8        0.000        4        0        0        0        0        0        2        1        0        0        0        0.000        0.000        0.000
Justin        Ruggiano7        0.100        10        1        0        0        0        0        3        0        0        0        1        0.100        0.100        0.200

---

Comments:
We were in slumps earlier but had seen wonderful contributions by Aki Iwamura and Jonny Gomes. Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford performed fairly well, but both could improve. As for the others, we'll see.
Our trio in RF-DH-committee was all thumbs but Gomes. Neither Hinske or Floyd performed, and I'm thinking about adding a powerful bat to our lineup.
B.J. Upton's numbers suggest weakness, but his RBI ranks third and his runs are fourth, meaning that he is still an integral part of the offense and is going to contribute when he returns to form.

Pitching:

Code:

---

First        Last        IP        ERA        G        GS        W        L        SV        K        BB
James        Shields        40.1        2.01        6        6        3        2        0        25        13
Edwin        Jackson        35.0        3.34        6        6        3        2        0        26        14
A. Sonnanstine        35.0        1.80        5        5        4        1        0        22        6
Jason        Hammel        28.1        2.86        5        5        3        1        0        22        10
J.P.        Howell        24.1        2.96        8        2        1        1        0        23        12
Matt        Garza        21.1        3.80        4        4        2        1        0        17        5
Dan        Wheeler        17.2        1.53        15        0        2        0        2        13        6
Trever        Miller        11.1        3.18        15        0        1        0        0        12        4
Gary        Glover        11.1        2.38        7        0        0        0        0        7        5
Troy        Percival10.1        3.48        12        0        0        1        10        7        5
Al        Reyes        9.1        1.93        8        0        0        0        0        10        4
Scott        Dohmann        3.0        6.00        2        0        0        0        0        4        1

---

Not counting Dohmann, who is used to replace Garza for a while, our pitching staff exceled that no one had an ERA over 4.
Don't forget we were without Scott Kazmir in April---now he returns from DL and is prepared to contribute.
Keep up the good work, pitchers.

http://www.pe.com/imagesdaily/2008/0...8tlpa_232a.jpg
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http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/i...4/qmuOMtUx.jpg
Three players involved in today's trade.

Rays finalized 3-men trade with Dodgers
Outfielder Andre Ethier was sent to Tampa Bay in exchange for reliever Scott Dohmann and prospect starting pitcher Heath Rollins.
A career .302 hitter, Andre Ethier is in his third season in the bigs. He has decent power and will hit for average. Rays GM Ko commented today that Ethier could either slot into DH role or spell Jonny Gomes in the right field.
After this trade, there are still seven outfielders on Tampa Bay's roster as they sent Justin Ruggiano back to AAA. On top of four starters they have, the Rays own Cliff Floyd for pinch-hitting power, Eric Hinske for corners infield and outfield, and Fernando Perez for center and pinch-running.

Scott Dohmann was one of the relievers in use last season with the Rays, addressing a 3.31 ERA. He only appeared in 2 games for the Rays this season and also put a 2.89 ERA in AAA Durham.

Heath Rollins, 22, has pitched in 5 games and posted a 3.38 ERA for A Inland this season. He is regarded as a decent starting prospect that could end up at No.4 or No.5 slot in the majors.

Andre Ethier was added to Tampa Bay's roster, and Scott Kazmir, who is coming off the DL, also was activated today, which means sending starter Jason Hammel back to the minors. A No.5 starter as the season began, Hammel has put solid numbers.

lol, Jack Egbert.

Around the league

Trades:
Cubs and Royals finished a 2-for-6 trade, but it majorly can be regarded as Royals getting Derrek Lee at the cost of Brett Tomko, David DeJesus and their best prospect Mike Moustakas.

Contracts:
Mike Piazza and Kenny Loften were signed by the Crew for one year, worthing $2.7M and $4.5M.
Barry Bonds was signed by the Tribe for one year, $6.9M.
The Cincinnati Reds signed Sammy Sosa for one year and $4.1M to replace Ken Griffey Jr, who was hurt.
Lots of players signed extensions.

Major Injuries:
April 1:Raul Ibanez would miss five weeks due to a fractured eye bone.
April 3:Ken Griffey Jr. would miss two months to a ruptured cervical disc.
April 6:A replacement, Sammy Sosa torn his hamstring and would miss a month.
April 9:Phil Hughes stretched his knee ligament and would miss five weeks.
April 20:Ryan Church would miss five weeks due to a ruptured knee ligaments.

Milestones:
Ivan Rodriguez got his 2500th hit on April 6.
Barry Bonds's 2000th RBI came on April 12.
Washington's Willie Harris hit for a cycle on the following day.
On April 21, John Smoltz notched his 3000th strikeout.

Big Names Retirements:
No real big-names retired this month. But Oakland prospect Travis Buck, 24, retired after only spiking his foot. How come?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 200tang

lol, Jack Egbert.

---

You reminded me that I frogot to edit the score. It was 7-3, not 4-5.

May 1, 2008: TB 7 - 4 CHW
Scott Kazmir (0-0) vs. Jose Contreras (2-3)
With the help of Jonny Gomes's 11th homer, Kazmir sent nine strikeouts and won the game.
W: Scott Kazmir (1-0)
SV: Troy Percival (11)

May 2, 2008: TB 6 - 7 CHW
Andy Sonnanstine (4-1) vs. Gavin Floyd (2-2)
Sonnanstine kind of struggled to give up six runs.
L: Andy Sonnanstine (4-2)

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2008/base...ter-getty2.jpg
Jon Lester pitched 188 in 3 days, allowing 13 runs in 7 innings pitched.
Rays destroyed Sox Pitching
May 3, 2008: BOS 3 - 8 TB
Jon Lester (3-0) vs. James Shields (3-2)
Shields let the Sox load the bases in the fourth with no out, but stirked out two and induced a popup to avoid giving up runs.
We hit Lester hard to lead 8-1 after five inings.
W: James Shields (4-2)
SV: Troy Percival (12)

May 4, 2008: BOS 3 - 8 TB
Josh Beckett (1-3) vs. Matt Garza (2-1)
Carl Crawford suffered a minor injury and projected to come back within a week, so I slotted B.J. Upton first, Akinori Iwamura second and Evan Longoria third.
Andre Ethier will start in left for us.
Beckett let us score five and left in the third inning, giving Garza rather easy situation. but he didn't pitched well, allowing 7 hits in less than 4 innings, including 5 extra-bases hits.
J.P. Howell was used yesterday for 62 pitches so we went to Gary Glover for long relieving, which led to 2.1 scoreless innings. Good job.
Suprisingly, the Sox pushed Jon Lester up for relieving---AI ruining this young pitcher. He started yesterday.
And it's not hard to imagine how we hit a pitcher who was four days to rested.
We eventually scored 13 and collected 20 hits, and again stole 8 bases without getting caught, thanks to exhausted Lester throwing his 69-mph changeups.
W: Gary Glover (1-0)

May 5, 2008: BOS 8 - 9 TB
Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-2) vs. Edwin Jackson (3-2)
Facing the dominating Dice-K, we planned to wait patiently until he threw too many pitches and went to the 'pen. Then we can destroy their tired relievers.
It is like that Edwin Jackson is always ineffective in the first inning, same here. Dustin Pedroia homered for two runs.
Yes, the Dice-K was constantly throwing BALLs---he used 39 pitches to get through the first, and the score wen to 2-3.
He lasted only five innings, but never gave up a run again, and then we were in 3-4 trailing. But due to a rare Dustin Pedroia error, we tied it to 4-4.
Finally, Hideki Okajima fulfilled our hope to gave up Jonny Gomes's 12th homer. He worked for 36 pitches yesterday.
Jon Lester went on the mound again---I felt sorry for him.
After that---ouch! Percival blew it! The Sox tied the score again 7-7, hitting hard against Troy.
But a bottom of ninth facing Jon Lester, who threw 110 pitches 2 days ago and 39 yesterday, sounded sweet.
However, Aybar, Navarro and Bartlett were all retired by Lester. Bravo! It went to extra innings.
It turned out still bitter for Lester, who was homered off by Carlos Pena to end the game. But why? WHY didn't the Red Sox use Jonathan Papelbon? WHY?
W: Trever Miller (2-0)

Star of the series: Carlos Pena went 7-for-13 with 2 homers and 4 RBI, compiling a 1.516 OPS.

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/a...90_618519a.jpg
Scott Kazmir pitched well, but not enough to prevent the Rays from being swept.
Rays Swept for The First Time
May 7, 2008: TB 5 - 6 NYY
Andy Sonnanstine (4-2) vs. Chien-Ming Wang (3-3)
It's time to face the Taiwaner's favorite, which is fun.
Bartlett hit a three-run inside-the-park homer to take over the lead, 4-3, but soon Sonnanstine allowed back-to-back doubles and I went for Al Reyes.
He allowed a homer by Bobby Abreu, and the Bronx Bombers took the lead 6-4.
We made it 6-5 in the eighth, and when it went to the last inning, they didn't put up Mo Rivera, who was during a minor injury.
Instead, they went for Kyle Farnsworth, a hard-throwing righty. We had runners on first and third with no one out---but didn't take the chance.
L: Andy Sonnanstine (4-3)

May 8, 2008: TB 4 - 11 NYY
James Shields (4-2) vs. Andy Pettitte (3-1)
Something went wrong for Shields, who gave up seven runs in 4 innings.
L: James Shields (4-3)

May 9, 2008: TB 1 - 4 NYY
Scott Kazmir (1-0) vs. Mark Mussina (1-2)
As Crawford returning to the lineup, we wanted to avoid being swept.
Kazmir should be productive against Yanks' heavy-leftied lineup, and he did well finishing 6 innings with only one run as well as 7 stirkeouts.
However, Mussina fooled us before Kazmir used 122 pitches, shutting us down until Evan Longoria bashed his second career homer over 423 feet to tie the score.
I really wanted Kazmir to win this game, so I let him pitch deep despite 122 pitches used, but the result was another run allowed.
L: Scott Kazmir (1-1)

Star of the series: Evan Longoria, 6-for-11, 3 doubles and a homer, 3 walks and a steal, going a 1.734 OPS. He has a streak of five games hitting at least a double.

http://www.americanmemorabilia.com/pics/51634_05_dt.jpg
Andre Ethier hit a rare walk-off inside-the-park homer.
Rays Bullpen Took All Three Games
May 10, 2008: TEX 4 - 5 TB
Vincent Padilla (2-1) vs. Edwin Jackson (3-2)
A rather boring game, and it went to the extras. Andre Ethier hit a walk-off homer to claim the game in 13.
The only interesting point was that it was an inside-the-park homer!
W: Gary Glover (2-0)

May 11, 2008: TEX 5 - 9 TB
Kason Gabbard (2-2) vs. Matt Garza (2-1)
A quality start for Garza, and same for Gabbard. After six innings, the score was 3-3.
Al Reyes was homered in 3 straight relief appearances, which was to blame, but he eventually became the winning pitcher by six points supported in the seventh.
W: Al Reyes (1-0)

May 12, 2008: TEX 2 - 3 TB
Kevin Millwood (3-2) vs. James Shields (4-3)
Millwood has shut down us when Shields left in the seventh with a 0-2 trailing.
Fortunately, the Rangers pushed Millwood deep and let us tie the score in the eighth.
Jason Bartlett eventually hit a walk-off double for us.
W: Dan Wheeler (3-0)

Star of the series: Andre Ethier posted a 1.105 OPS after joining us in 11 games. In this series, he hit 6-for-12 with 3 doubles and a homer.
*Our bullpen took all of three wins.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2695/...5649403555.jpg
Victor Martinez threw out all five Rays would-be basestealers on May 14.
Waken Longoria: .250 to .309
May 13, 2008: TB 4 - 6 CLE
Andy Sonnanstine (4-3) vs. Cliff Lee (3-3)
Before the bottom of the fifth, we were able to score 4 and hit 9 over Cliff Lee, which was impressive, and Sonnantine pitched extremely well letting only Victor Martinez single.
But things went wrong in the fifth when 4 hits and 2 walks collected 4 runs to help the Indians tie the score.
It was all my fault---forgetting to change the pitcher in the seventh, and Sonnanstine suffered another solo homer.
L: Andy Sonnanstine (4-4)
*Scott Kazmir suffered a minor injury and would miss a week. J.P. Howell will start tomorrow.

May 14, 2008: TB 5 - 3 CLE
J.P. Howell (1-1) vs. Paul Byrd (3-4)
Howell did a good job for emergency starting, pitched five innings and let the Tribe scored twice.
We won the game, but... is Victor Martinez so hard to beat? We went 0-for-5 stealing this game!
W: J.P. Howell (2-1)
SV: Troy Percival (13)

May 15, 2008: TB 4 - 3 CLE
Edwin Jackson (3-2) vs. Jake Westbrook (2-1)
Evan Longoria singled in the fourth to reach .300 average for the first time in his career after erroring in the previous inning that caused an unearned run.
That was the only run Jackson allowed today in six excellent innings, with just three hits.
Jonny Gomes was in his slump and out of the lineup these several games, but he pinch-hitted for the DH Eric Hinske and homered 13th this year.
W: Edwin Jackson (4-2)
SV: Troy Percival (14)

Star of the series: Evan Longoria, 7-for-10 with two doubles and two RBI, 1.627 OPS. He was 4-for-4 in the last game to raise his AVG to .309.

http://www.everyjoe.com/knucklecurve...regular-se.jpg
CM Wand dominated the Rays in the 1-16 defeat.
Hitters Flourished in NYY-TB Series
May 17, 2008: TB 9 - 3 NYY
James Shields (4-3) vs. Joba Chamberlain (4-2)
Joba was easy about his role in Mogul, started 7 times and posted a 4.02 ERA so far. But he was scouted for 88-90 mph max speed---WHAT?
Never mind. It was HoustonGM's roster to blame, and we could hit him hard. He eventually pitched for 2.1 innings and surrendered 6.
Shields' changeup fooled the Yanks all six innings, before he rested in a 8-0 lead.
W: James Shields (5-3)

May 18, 2008: TB 6 - 2 NYY
Andy Sonnanstine (4-4) vs. Ian Kennedy (3-2)
Ian Kennedy collapsed in the fifth to serve four walks and a Carlos Pena homer.
The innings-eater Sonnanstine swallowed six easily, and our three consistent relievers---Wheeler, Reyes and Percival finished the last three.
W: Andy Sonnanstine (5-4)

May 19, 2008: TB 1 - 16 NYY
J.P. Howell (2-1) vs. Chien-Ming Wang(4-3)
The CMW pitched a shutout against the O's in his last start, and 8 of our 9 starting players hit into groundballs in the first round.
They scored six in the fourth and hit J.P. Howell hard. I put Gary Glover up, and he let seven score in one inning. Fine.
So I gave up on this game and noticed that our No.1 and No.2 were struggling, so I gave them some rest.
I forced Gary Glover to finish the game. He did finish it, using 83 pitches in 3 innings, allowed 10 ER.
L: J.P. Howell (2-2)

Star of the series: Carlos Pena, 4-for-10, 2 homers, 5RBI, 3 walks and 4 runs.

http://img2.allvoices.com/thumbs/peo...l-crawford.jpg
Speedy Carl Crawford added 5 to his steals against the Red Sox.
Crawford Stole The Bases and The Series
May 21, 2008: BOS 2 - 8 TB
Josh Beckett (3-4) vs. Edwin Jackson(4-2)
Jason Barlett was fascinating to hit his second inside-the-park homer this year and sent Beckett back to the dugout.
Jackson notched 7 strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. Bartlett had 5 RBIs this game with two homers and a triple.
W: Edwin Jackson (5-2)

May 22, 2008: BOS 1 - 4 TB
Daisuke Matsuzaka (5-2) vs. Scott Kazmir(1-1)
We had patience waiting Matsuzaka throwing balls, scoring two but cost him 126 pitches in 5.2 innings.
Kazmir had another strong start for us, throwing six scoreless innings as well as fanning six opponents.
W: Scott Kazmir (2-1)
SV: Troy Percival (15)

May 23, 2008: BOS 3 - 6 TB
Tim Wakefield (6-0) vs. James Shields (5-3)
Wakefield's slow balls and Jason Varitek's weak hands were great stealing combo.
David Ortiz's tenth homer appeared to be the first hit of both side, and it was in the fourth.
Wakefield shut us in the first four innings, but we still found some time to steal, like a double steal of Longoria and Ethier in the fifth, and both eventually scored.
Shields used too many pitches that he couldn't finish the sixth by 115 pitches used and left with bases loaded.
Tied into the eighth, Longoria singled to break the tie and Ethier added two runs, 6-3.
W: Trever Miller (3-0)
SV: Troy Percival (16)

Star of the series: Carl Crawford went 4-for-11, walked 3 times, adding a triple and five steals over this series. (Thanks Varitek)

May Review
Rays: 39-16 (.709 wpct) First Place
May: 20-7 (.741 wpct)

AL East:
TBR 39-16
NYY 34-22, 5.5GB
TOR 32-22, 6.5GB
BOS 31-23, 7.5GB
BAL 21-36, 19GB

Batting:

Code:

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First        Last        G        AVG        AB        H        2B        3B        HR        BB        K        SB        CS        R        RBI        SLG        OBP        OPS
Evan        Longoria55        0.300        213        64        12        2        6        19        49        11        5        27        33        0.460        0.363        0.823
Jason        Bartlett55        0.277        191        53        12        5        6        12        26        10        8        28        28        0.487        0.330        0.817
Akinori        Iwamura        54        0.302        215        65        8        2        7        28        41        11        1        37        38        0.456        0.383        0.839
B.J.        Upton        53        0.234        218        51        7        5        6        19        51        14        8        34        28        0.394        0.298        0.692
Andre        Ethier        53        0.368        193        71        19        4        6        14        27        1        2        27        34        0.601        0.419        1.020
Jonny        Gomes        52        0.221        163        36        2        1        14        16        43        5        0        33        32        0.503        0.298        0.801
Carl        Crawford51        0.306        209        64        17        5        4        11        30        20        7        38        26        0.493        0.350        0.843
Carlos        Pena        49        0.284        183        52        5        1        9        27        47        0        1        31        32        0.470        0.382        0.852
Dioner        Navarro        48        0.261        165        43        5        1        2        13        21        1        0        19        20        0.339        0.315        0.654
Willy        Aybar        35        0.254        59        15        2        1        0        9        13        2        1        9        5        0.322        0.353        0.675
Eric        Hinske        33        0.164        55        9        0        1        2        2        16        0        0        5        6        0.309        0.193        0.502
Shawn        Riggans        30        0.148        27        4        0        0        0        1        6        0        0        0        4        0.148        0.207        0.355
Cliff        Floyd        24        0.188        64        12        2        1        1        6        13        2        0        9        4        0.297        0.268        0.565
Fernando Perez        20        0.067        15        1        0        0        0        1        4        3        0        2        0        0.067        0.125        0.192
J.P.        Howell        15        0.000        1        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0.000        0.000        0.000
Justin        Ruggiano7        0.100        10        1        0        0        0        0        3        0        0        0        1        0.100        0.100        0.200
Matt        Garza        1        0.000        3        0        0        0        0        0        1        0        0        0        0        0.000        0.000        0.000
A. Sonnanstine        1        0.000        2        0        0        0        0        0        2        0        0        0        0        0.000        0.000        0.000

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Comments:
Look, we've got 7 hitters with OPS higher than 0.8 now. That's satisfying.
What I really appreciate is Andre Ethier's numbers. He keeps his OPS above 1.000 and still leads the MLB in AVG.
Hopefully, B.J. Upton can end his slump and hit for average. I'll keep him leadoff.

Pitching:

Code:

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First        Last        IP        ERA        G        GS        W        L        SV        K        BB        R/9
James        Shields        77.2        2.55        12        12        6        3        0        53        23        10.89
Edwin        Jackson        65.1        2.89        11        11        5        2        0        47        24        11.02
A. Sonnanstine        65.0        3.88        10        10        6        4        0        43        15        9.83
J.P.        Howell        47.0        5.36        19        5        2        3        0        40        27        14.74
Matt        Garza        44.0        3.48        8        8        4        1        0        28        12        11.66
Dan        Wheeler        31.1        2.01        29        0        3        0        2        26        12        9.19
Trever        Miller        30.0        2.70        33        0        4        0        0        31        11        9.30
Jason        Hammel        28.1        2.86        5        5        3        1        0        22        10        10.48
Al        Reyes        26.0        2.77        22        0        1        0        1        29        9        9.00
Gary        Glover        25.1        6.04        16        0        2        0        0        18        11        14.92
Scott        Kazmir        24.1        2.59        4        4        3        1        0        26        7        10.36
Troy        Percival21.0        4.29        24        0        0        1        18        18        9        13.29

---

J.P. Howell was used as a swingman, and this month, he was not so effective.
Now Gary Glover owns an ERA above 6, but it's just because he gaved up 10 runs in that 1-16 defeat. He still pitches fairly well.
Kazmir emerged from the DL and exceled, while the other starters kept their effort. James Shields now leads the AL in ERA.

Around the league

Trades:
Marlins and Red Sox swept a total of 5 players.
RF Jeremy Hermida and C Paul Hoover were sent to Boston in return for C Kevin Cash, SP Nicholas Hagadone and RP Hideki Okajima.
Both two catchers were at most backups, and Hagadone has a high ceiling. Okajima is a lefty specialist.

Oakland sent slugger Jack Cust to the Nationals for prospect SP J.D. Martin.

Contracts:
No Major signings this month.
Wily Mo Pena signed to a 4-year extension at $8.7M. He was rated great in the roster.

Major Injuries:
May 4: Nate McLouth broke his collar bone and would miss 5 weeks.
May 17: San Francisco's Randy Winn suffered a fractured eye bone and was estimated to miss a month.
May 19: Bad news for Florida. Cody Ross broke his back vertebra and would miss 7 months.
May 24: Ervin Santana's forearm was broken, and he was to miss seven weeks.
May 31: Reds' starter Josh Fogg was out for a month due to a broken collar bone.

Milestones:
Vladimir Guerrero got his 2000th hit on May 4.
Juan Pierre stole his 400th base on May 9.
A long ball produced by Manny Ramirez on May 24 was the memorable 500th.

Big Names Retirements:
May 7: former top-notch closer Armando Benitez retired with 289 career saves and was a two-time all-star.
May 18: Hideo Nomo, the first Japenese player of MLB, retired with a career record of 123-109 and a 4.21 ERA.

http://www.everyjoe.com/knucklecurve...s-tampa_nc.jpg
Troy Percival is the first man in MLB to reach 20 saves this year.
Rays Still Hot, Winning 6 Straight
May 31, 2008: COL 5 - 8 TB
Jason Hirsh (0-0) vs. Matt Garza (3-1)
We hit a bunch of hits and score a lot. With enough offense and a quality start, a win was not hard to claim.
W: Matt Garza (4-1)

June 1, 2008: COL 5 - 6 TB
Ubaldo Jimenez (4-2) vs. Andy Sonnanstine (6-4)
Jimenez couldn't fing where the striking zone was. He used 117 pitches in 3.2 innings and sent 8 walks.
However, Andy Sonnanstine burned all 3 runs we support him, allowing a 3-run Garrett Atkins homer in the fifth.
Atkins homered twice in this game, but in vain. We won by scoring two over Rockies closer Brian Fuentes.
W: Al Reyes (2-0)
SV: Troy Percival (19)

June 2, 2008: COL 0 - 2 TB
Franklin Morales (4-2) vs. James Shields (6-3)
Morales was strong to perform a quality start, but Shields was even stronger to finish 8 scoreless innings.
W: James Shields (7-3)
SV: Troy Percival (20)

Star of the series: Carl Crawford. 9-for-14, 2 doubles, 3 RBI and 3 stolen bases.
*Eric Hinske was released. Ben Zobrist was promoted to the Majors. He hit .547 after coming off DL in AAA-I really hope he can be what he is in the real world.

http://www.fightingchancefantasy.com...arlos-pena.jpg
Pena belted 4 homers in this series.

The Games Roll On for Rays---9 Now
June 3, 2008: TB 8 - 3 BAL
Edwin Jackson (5-2) vs. Brian Burres (1-5)
We're going to face a 7.77-ERA pitcher tonight. All we have to do is hit.
Not so easy. After 5 innings we were 1-3 behind and has collected only 2 hits. The run was a Carlos Pena solo blast.
In the sixth, we tied the score for another Carlos Pena homer. The next innings, Fernando Perez succeeded to bunt Andre Ethier home.
4 other runs came in the eighth. We eventually did hit but not over Burres, but thier 'pen instead.
W: Al Reyes (3-0)

June 4, 2008: TB 6 - 4 BAL
Scott Kazmir (3-1) vs. Garrett Olson (0-1)
Both southpaws struggled in the first inning---2-2.
And both side continued struggling, as Carlos Pena had back-to-back double-homer game.
Despite sruggling, Kazmir still managed to extend his quality start combo to 5. He used 125 pitches, though.
W: Scott Kazmir (4-1)
SV: Troy Percival (21)

June 5, 2008: TB 3 - 1 BAL
Andy Sonnanstine (6-4) vs. Daniel Cabrera (3-5)
Garza had finger blister probelms and Sonnanstine said that he was strong enough that he only pitched 85 last start. Let's give it a try.
Anyway, we've got J.P. Howell.
It turned out that both starters were very impressive--Cabrera shut us down for six innings but finally surrendered three in the seventh due to a B.J. Upton cleaning double.
As for Sonnanstine, he was anything but tired, using 87 pitches to finish eight inning, onlt letting Brian Roberts score once.
W: Andy Sonnanstine (7-4)
SV: Troy Percival (22)
*Our winning streak extended to 9 games!

Star of the series: Carlos Pena, 6-for-12, 4HR, 7RBI

http://www.codball.com/wp-content/up...ey-300x258.jpg
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedi...-beckham.2.jpg
Buster Posey and Tim Beckham are Rays' top two picks.

Amateur Draft
We got the 1st overall pick for our 66-96 record in '07.

First Round Pick (1st overall): C Buster Posey (66/89)
A first-round catcher is hard to obtain, not to mention he is already rated 88 defensively.
Posey is on track to be an outstanding catcher with excellent defense and decent contact and power.
I also thought of SP Brian Matusz and SS Tim Beckham, but the decision was finally made because I found that Evan Longoria and Posey were good friends!

Second Round Pick (31st overall): SS Tim Beckham (52/93)
At 18, Tim Beckham was regarded as one of the most talented shortstop draftee, and he was in real world 1st overall picked by the Rays.
I was actually surprised that he was still available after the first round. So, why not?

Third Round Pick (61st overall): CF Anthony Hewitt (52/82)
This is a rather hard pick. Despite drafted Beckham, we still lack young infielders, but there are plenty of more talented young arms.
Finally, I went to who was the best fit of the team. Hewitt could play multiple positions, and I'll set him in RF in regard of his 92 arm, since we already have CF Desmond Jennings in the minors.

Fourth Round Pick (91st overall): SP Brad Holt (49/80)
Holt was scouted a decent pitching prospect and was a B fit in Rays. He is a three quarter pitcher featuring changeup.

Fifth Round Pick (121st overall): 2B Tim Wardius (51/73)
Wardius' low rating has a lot to do with his health (55). But we really need young infielders, and since it's the fifth round, we're not in big loss if he really busts.

Sixth Round Pick (151st overall): RP Pat Nishiwaki (45/70)
A Japanese young reliever (17), he is nothing special but is a southpaw and looks better than other options available.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/...2d784ea215.jpg
Dan Wheeler took Rays' 10th win straight.

10-Game Streak Ended by Sox
June 7, 2008: BOS 2 - 4 TB
Josh Beckett (4-5) vs. Matt Garza (4-1)
It seems that Garza's finger recovered. Tonight, we have Zobrist as DH, replacing Gomes in the slump.
Over the first five innings, not much offense emerged that both side scored only once.
I put J.P. Howell up in the sixth, replacing Garza (96 pitches), but he suffered a J.D. Drew double and we were in trail, 1-2.
Beckett used 129 pitches to finish 8 innings, and they put up Papelbon---then, a walk-off homer! Andre Ethier, bravo!
W: Dan Wheeler (4-0)
*We now have a 10-game winning streak. There is one thing interesting: our relievers combine for a 13-1 record.
The only loss was the Percival blown save; J.P. Howell's all five decisions came in starting role, no count.

June 8, 2008: BOS 10 - 3 TB
Daisuke Matsuzaka (6-3) vs. James Shields (7-3)
David Ortiz hit a 3-run homer in the third inning, while Dice-K K'ed six of the nine batters in the first three innings.
Shields was hit off the mound in the fourth and served 3 homers today (Drew, Ortiz and Julio Lugo.)
L: James Shields (7-4)

June 9, 2008: BOS 3 - 2 TB
Tim Wakefield (6-1) vs. Edwin Jackson (5-2)
Not much we could take from Wakefield's knuckleball.
L: Edwin Jackson (5-3)

Star of the series: tried to find one, but I decided to keep this column empty.

http://photos.upi.com/topics-Texas-R...a5cbd534/K.jpg
Kevin Millwood pitched well to stop Rangers from being swept.

21-4 And 13-0: Extreme Rout
June 10, 2008: TB 4 - 3 TEX
Scott Kazmir (4-1) vs. Vincent Padilla (4-2)
We just kept seeing the ball well, hit Padilla 8 times in his 3.2 innings.
For the sixth time in sixth chances, Scott Kazmir pitched a quality start. He finished six innings in a 4-3 lead. That's the game.
W: Scott Kazmir (5-1)
SV: Troy Percival (23)

June 11, 2008: TB 21 - 4 TEX
Andy Sonnanstine (7-4) vs. Kason Gabbard (2-7)
When you face the Rangers, you just try to hit and hit and hit---that's exactly what we did.
We scored 21 runs on 19 hits and 8 free passes.
W: Andy Sonnanstine (8-4)

June 12, 2008: TB 13 - 0 TEX
James Shields (7-4) vs. Brandon McCarthy (0-0)
No more strategies. Just swing the bat and see what happens. Carlos Pena homered in 1st and 3rd---the third multiple-homer game this year.
In this series, the Rangers' starter was never there after the fourth inning.
Shields exceled again, addressing seven scorelss innings as well as ten strikeouts.
W: James Shields (8-4)

June 13, 2008: TB 2 - 5 TEX
Matt Garza (4-1) vs. Kevin Millwood (6-4)
Garza was homered 3 times in five innings, leaving trailing 0-4.
We didn't have time to take advantage of their 'pen, sice Millwood went great 7.1 innings.
L: Matt Garza (4-2)

Star of the series: Carlos Pena, 10-for-18, 3 homers, 13 RBI in just 4 games.