September Preview

Finally, it's the last month of the regular season. Summer is turning to autumn; the leaves on trees are turning red, and yellow, and orange, and the air will be getting cooler. Students will be going back to school, but the 2008 baseball season is in full swing, as many teams make their one last shot at the playoffs. September is the only month of the regular season in which teams are allowed to have forty players on their rosters as reinforcement to the everyday starters who are all tired, unless you are team in a heated race, in which you would want your regulars out there every day till the end, do or die. The Rays and Yankees, both with the top two records in the majors are separated by half a game in the American League east division, both with hopes of clinching the title. The Rays in fact, will open up a series at home against the Yankees to start the month of September, in hopes of passing them up. This will be a tough race to the finish, but only eight teams will make it to the playoffs.

August in Review

The month of August ended on a high note for the Rays, bring their winning streak to seven games in which they will be taking into August, as well as for the Brewers, Dave Bush of the Brewers throwing a perfect game against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on the last day of the month, the first no-hitter of the season, and first perfect game since Randy Johnson in 2004. The Rays went 20-8 in the month of August, bringing their overall record to 85-51, half a game back of the Yankees for first in the AL East. Both teams have the two best records in the majors, and it's sure to be a tough fight to the finish even though both teams will most likely end up in the playoffs anyway. The Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks are the only two teams with magic numbers, both at twenty, for their division, and expected to be contenders in the playoffs.

AL East: W L PCT GB
1. Yankees | 86 | 51 | .628 | -- |
2. Rays | 85 | 51 | .625 | 0.5 |
3. Red Sox | 76 | 60 | .559 | 9.5 |
4. Blue Jays | 63 | 74 | .460 | 23.0 |
5. Orioles | 51 | 86 | .372 | 35.0 |

AL Central: W L PCT GB
1. Tigers | 75 | 62 | .547 | -- |
2. Indians | 73 | 63 | .537 | 1.5 |
3. Twins | 69 | 68 | .504 | 6.0 |
4. Royals | 66 | 71 | .482 | 9.0 |
5. White Sox | 64 | 72 | .471 | 10.5 |

AL West: W L PCT GB
1. Athletics | 78 | 58 | .574 | -- |
2. Angels | 75 | 61 | .551 | 3.0 |
3. Mariners | 57 | 79 | .419 | 21.0 |
4. Rangers | 50 | 88 | .362 | 29.0 |




NL East: W L PCT GB
1. Mets | 78 | 59 | .569 | -- |
2. Braves | 73 | 64 | .533 | 5.0 |
3. Marlins | 71 | 67 | .514 | 7.5 |
4. Phillies | 58 | 79 | .423 | 20.0 |
5. Nationals | 47 | 90 | .343 | 31.0 |

NL Central: W L PCT GB
1. Reds | 85 | 53 | .616 | M 20 |
2. Brewers | 78 | 58 | .574 | 6.0 |
3. Cardinals | 67 | 70 | .489 | 17.5 |
4. Astros | 66 | 71 | .482 | 18.5 |
5. Pirates | 65 | 71 | .478 | 19.0 |
6. Cubs | 63 | 74 | .460 | 21.5 |

NL West: W L PCT GB
1. Diamondbacks | 78 | 58 | .574 | M 20 |
2. Giants | 71 | 65 | .522 | 7.0 |
3. Dodgers | 62 | 75 | .453 | 16.5 |
4. Rockies | 62 | 76 | .449 | 17.0 |
5. Padres | 59 | 77 | .434 | 19.0 |

League Leaders:


Pitching Stats:


ERA:
1. Rich Hill (Cubs) - 2.29
2. James Shields (Rays) - 2.38
3. Andy Sonnanstine (Rays) - 2.49

Wins:
1. Aaron Harang (Reds) - 15
2. Roy Halladay (Braves) - 15
3. Curt Schilling (Red Sox) - 15

Saves:
1. Troy Percival (Rays) - 41
2. Francisco Rodriguez (Diamondbacks) - 32
3. Joe Nathan (Twins) - 31

Strikeouts:
1. C.C. Sabathia (Indians) - 221
2. Aaron Harang (Reds) - 213
3. Johan Santana (Mets) - 190



Hitting Stats:


AVG:
1. Jorge Posada (Yankees) - .422
2. Dan Uggla (Marlins) - .366
3. Joe Mauer (Twins) - .357

Hits:
1. Jorge Posada (Yankees) - 198
2. Carlos Pena (Rays) - 195
3. Johnny Damon (Yankees) - 187

Home Runs:
1. Carlos Pena (Rays) - 47
2. Dan Uggla (Marlins) - 42
3. Manny Ramirez (Red Sox) - 42

RBI:
1. Hanley Ramirez (Marlins) - 132
2. Dan Uggla (Marlins) - 131
3. Alex Rodriguez (Yankees) - 128

8/31 - Orioles (51-85) @ Rays (84-51): Game 3

Steve Trachsel: (8 - 7), 3.53 ERA vs. Andy Sonnanstine: (13 - 3), 2.49 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have ended the month of August on a seven game winning streak, with a sweep of the Oriokes at home, and their second sweep in a row. The Rays scored all of their runs early, scoring two in the first on a Carlos Pena two-run single, and two in the third with an RBI double by B.J. Upton and RBI single hit by Carlos Pena. The Orioles scored their first run in the fifth on a Great Johnson RBI single, and another in the eighth with a Nick Markakis RBI double.

Final Score:
Orioles: 2
Rays: 4


Steve Trachsel (L, 8-8): 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Greg Aquino: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Nick Markakis: 2-4, 2B, RBI
Jay Payton: 1-4, 2B, R, K
Great Johnson: 1-4, RBI
Norton*: 1-3, R


Andy Sonnanstine (W, 14-3): 7.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Dan Wheeler: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Troy Percival (SV, 41): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Akinori Iwamura: 2-4, 2B, 2 R
B.J. Upton: 3-4, 3 2B, RBI, 2 R
Carlos Pena: 2-4, 2B, RBI

8/30 - Orioles (51-84) @ Rays (83-51): Game 2

Daniel Cabrera: (1 - 19), 7.49 ERA vs. James Shields: (8 - 7), 2.44 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have won their sixth straight with a win over the Orioles, taking the first two in this three game series. The first run was scored in the third on a fielder's choice that allowed Jason Bartlett to score from third. Aubrey Huff tied it up in the fourth with a solo homer, but the Rays came up with four runs in the sixth with an RBI single by Cliff Floyd, and a bases-loaded, bases-clearing, three-run double hit by Jason Bartlett, chasing Daniel Cabrera from the game. The Orioles scored once more in the ninth with a solo blast hit by Great Johnson, but the Rays hang on to win.

Final Score:
Orioles: 2
Rays: 5


Daniel Cabrera (L, 1-20): 5 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Dennis Sarfate: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Aubrey Huff: 1-4, HR (26), RBI, R, 2 K
Great Johnson: 2-4, HR (20), RBI, R


James Shields (W, 9-7): 8 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Dan Wheeler: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Troy Percival: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Carlos Pena: 0-4, RBI
Carl Crawford: 1-4, 2B, R
Cliff Floyd: 1-4, RBI, R
Dioner Navarro: 2-4, R
Rocco Baldelli: 1-4, R
Jason Bartlett: 3-3, 2B, 3 RBI, R

8/29 - Orioles (51-83) @ Rays (82-51): Game 1

Adam Loewen: (4 - 5), 6.68 ERA vs. Scott Kazmir: (8 - 5), 3.38 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays winning streak continues to five with a victory over the Orioles. Evan Longoria belted a solo shot in the second to take a one-run lead, and Carlos Pena knocked in two more in the sixth with a two-run double to make it 3-0. The only run the Orioles scored came in the eighth when Aubrey Huff blasted a solo homer, but the Rays still won.

Final Score:
Orioles: 1
Rays: 3


Adam Loewen (L, 4-6): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Dennis Sarfate: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Brian Roberts: 3-5, 2B
Aubrey Huff: 1-4, HR (25), RBI, R, K


Scott Kazmir (W, 9-5): 8 IP, 11 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Troy Percival (SV, 40): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Akinori Iwamura: 0-4, R
Carlos Pena: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Evan Longoria: 1-3, HR (29), RBI, R, K
Jason Bartlett: 1-3, R

8/28 - Blue Jays (61-72) @ Rays (81-51): Game 3

Jesse Litsch: (6 - 12), 5.27 ERA vs. Hideo Nomo: (7 - 2), 2.65 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have swept the Blue Jays three straight games behind a dominant outing by Hideo Nomo. In the fifth inning, Jason Bartlett got an RBI single to take a one-run lead, and Carl Crawford knocked in the only other run of the game in the sixth with his own RBI single. Hideo Nomo was phenomenal, pitching a complete game, two-hit shutout for his eighth win of the season.

Final Score:
Blue Jays: 0
Rays: 2


Jesse Litsch (L, 6-13): 7.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Brian Wolfe: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Alex Rios: 1-3
Matt Stairs: 1-2


Hideo Nomo (W, 8-2): 9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

B.J. Upton: 2-4, R
Carl Crawford: 3-3, RBI, R
Jason Bartlett: 1-3, RBI

8/27 - Blue Jays (61-71) @ Rays (80-51): Game 2

Dustin McGowan: (5 - 13), 6.31 ERA vs. Derek Lowe: (9 - 12), 4.90 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have won game two of this three game series against the Blue Jays in a pitchers duel that ended in a 1-0 Rays victory. The only run scored came in the fourth on an Evan Longoria RBI single. Derek Lowe allowed just three hits over 7 1/3 innings for his tenth win of the season, while Blue Jays starting pitcher Dustin McGowan was also very good, allowing the one run on just five hits, but unfortunately walks away with his fourteenth loss of the season.

Final Score:
Blue Jays: 0
Rays: 1


Dustin McGowan (L, 5-14): 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Brian Wolfe: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

David Eckstein: 3-4, 2B
Matt Stairs: 1-2
Gregg Zaun: 1-3


Derek Lowe (W, 10-12): 7.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Dan Wheeler: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Troy Percival (SV, 39): 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Akinori Iwamura: 1-4, 2B, R
Evan Longoria: 2-3, RBI

8/26 - Blue Jays (61-70) @ Rays (79-51): Game 1

Shaun Marcum: (11 - 8), 4.15 ERA vs. Matt Garza: (9 - 7), 3.11 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have won the first game in a three game set against the Blue Jays at home. In the first inning. Carl Crawford got an RBI single to take an early one run lead, but Gregg Zaun tied it up in the third with a solo homer off Garza. The Rays took the lead again in the fourth with a Rocco Baldelli sacrifice fly scoring Carl Crawford from third, but the Jays tied it up again in the seventh on an RBI double hit by Shannon Stewart. The Rays took the lead for good in the eighth with a sacrifice fly by Evan Longoria to score Akinori Iwamura from third as the Rays beat the Blue Jays by one.

Final Score:
Blue Jays: 2
Rays: 3


Shaun Marcum: 3.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Brandon League (L, 2-2): 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Brian Tallet: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

John McDonald: 0-1, R
Shannon Stewart: 2-3, 2B, RBI
Gregg Zaun: 1-3, HR (10), RBI, R, K


Matt Garza (W, 10-7): 8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Troy Percival (SV, 38): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Akinori Iwamura: 3-4, 2 R
Evan Longoria: 0-3, RBI, K
Carl Crawford: 2-4, RBI, R, 2 K
Rocco Baldelli: 0-2, RBI

8/24 - Rays (78-51) @ White Sox (60-69): Game 3

Andy Sonnanstine: (12 - 3), 2.43 ERA vs. Andrew Miller: (7 - 5), 3.37 ERA

CHICAGO -- The Rays have won the third and final game of this series against the White Sox, taking two of three here in Chicago. Carl Crawford knocked in the first run in the fourth with an RBI double, and Cliff Floyd added another in the sixth with an RBI single. Andy Sonnanstine took a perfect game into the sixth that was broken up with two outs in the sixth with a solo shot by Juan Uribe, and Sonnanstine would end up lucky walking away with a win in this game. The Rays scored three more in the seventh on a bases loaded two-run single by B.J. Upton, and later, the runner from third would score on a throwing error by second baseman Juan Uribe, who broke up the perfect game. Jim Thome narrowed the lead to three in the seventh with a solo. The White Sox scored two in the eighth with Nick Swisher hitting a sacrifice groundout, scoring the runner from third, and Orlando Cabrera picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice allowing another third base runner to score. The Rays would score the last run of the game in the ninth with an Evan Longoria RBI single.

Final Score:
Rays: 6
White Sox: 4


Andy Sonnanstine (W, 13-3): 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Dan Wheeler: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Troy Percival (SV, 37): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Akinori Iwamura: 1-5, 2B, 2 R, K
B.J. Upton: 3-5, 2 RBI, R
Evan Longoria: 2-5, RBI, R
Carl Crawford: 3-5, 2B, RBI, K
Cliff Floyd: 1-4, RBI
Rocco Baldelli: 2-4, R
Jason Bartlett: 1-4, 2B, R


Andrew Miller (L, 7-6): 5.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Scott Linebrink: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Boone Logan: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Mike MacDougal: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Nick Swisher: 0-4, RBI
Orlando Cabrera: 0-4, RBI
Jim Thome: 1-3, HR (27), RBI, R, K
oe Crede: 1-4, R
Juan Uribe: 2-3, 2B, HR (11), RBI, R
Luis Castillo: 0-1, R

8/23 - Rays (78-50) @ White Sox (59-69): Game 2

James Shields: (8 - 6), 2.34 ERA vs. Jose Contreras: (2 - 10), 7.07 ERA

CHICAGO -- The Rays have lost the second game of three in Chicago against the White Sox. The Rays scored first with their only two runs of the game in the second with a two-run single by Rocco Baldelli, but Paul Konerko blasted solo shots in back-to back at-bats in the fourth, and again in the seventh to tie it up. The winning run came in the eighth when Nick Swisher belted a two-run homer. Jose Contreras dominated with a two-run, four-hit complete game for just his third win of the season.

Final Score:
Rays: 2
White Sox: 4


James Shields (L, 8-7): 8 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Evan Longoria: 1-3, R, K
Carl Crawford: 1-3, R
Rocco Baldelli: 1-3, 2 RBI


Jose Contreras (W, 3-10): 9 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Nick Swisher: 1-4, HR (21), 2 RBI, R, K
Paul Konerko: 2-3, 2 HR (22, 23), 2 RBI, 2 R
Luis Castillo: R

8/22 - Rays (77-50) @ White Sox (59-68): Game 1

Scott Kazmir: (7 - 5), 3.58 ERA vs. John Danks: (7 - 7), 7.03 ERA

CHICAGO -- The Rays have won two in a row, taking game one of a three game series in Chicago against the White Sox behind a VERY strong start by Scott Kazmir. Evan Longoria knocked in the first run in the first with an RBI single, and the Rays added two more in the sixth on a Carlos Pena RBI double, and two-run shot off the bat of Carl Crawford. As said before, Scott Kazmir was amazing in his start today; a complete game two-hit shutout.

Final Score:
Rays: 4
White Sox: 0


Scott Kazmir (W, 8-5): 9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

B.J. Upton: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R
Carlos Pena: 1-4, 2B, RBI
Evan Longoria: 1-4, RBI, R
Carl Crawford: 2-4, 2B, HR (10), 2 RBI, R


John Danks (L, 7-8): 5.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Boone Logan: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Nick Swisher: 1-4
Orlando Cabrera: 1-3, K

8/20 - Angels (69-55) @ Rays (76-50): Game 3

Ervin Santana: (5 - 7), 7.52 ERA vs. Hideo Nomo: (7 - 2), 2.71 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have ended their season losing streak against the Angels tonight with a win. Dioner Navarro got the scoring started in the second with an RBI double, and that would hold until the sixth when Garret Anderson blasted a solo homer to tie it up. Carl Crawford came through in the eighth with a two-run double to take the lead, Percival closed it out, and the Rays win their first game against the Angels this season.

Final Score:
Angels: 1
Rays: 3


Ervin Santana: 6.1 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Justin Speier (L, 6-1): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Chris Bootcheck: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Vladimir Guerrero: 2-4, K
Garret Anderson: 2-4, HR (17), RBI, R
Torii Hunter: 2-3, 2B, K


Hideo Nomo: 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Dan Wheeler (W, 11-0): 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Troy Percival (SV, 36): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

B.J. Upton: 1-4, R
Carlos Pena: 3-4, R
Carl Crawford: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Cliff Floyd: 1-4, 2B, R
Dioner Navarro: 2-3, 2B, RBI

8/19 - Angels (68-55) @ Rays (76-49): Game 2

Jered Weaver: (10 - 3), 4.58 ERA vs. Derek Lowe: (9 - 11), 5.06 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have now lost five straight games to the Angels this season, Derek Lowe getting a very unfortunate loss in his third Rays start. The only runs scored in the game were solo homers in the seventh off the bats of Torii Hunter and Howie Kendrick. Jered Weaver went the distance for a complete game, seven hit shutout for his eleventh win of the season.

Final Score:
Angels: 2
Rays: 0


Jered Weaver (W, 11-3): 9 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Torii Hunter: 1-4, HR (12), RBI, R, 2 K
Howie Kendrick: 2-4, HR (21), RBI, R


Derek Lowe (L, 9-12): 6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Jason Hammel: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Dan Wheeler: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Al Reyes: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Carlos Pena: 2-4

8/18 - Angels (67-55) @ Rays (76-48): Game 1

Matt Garza: (9 - 7), 3.02 ERA vs. Jon Garland: (10 - 8), 5.61 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays troubles against the Angels this season continue, losing the first game of three at home against them. The Angels scored three quickly in the top of the first on a Garret Anderson two-run homer, and Casey Kotchman RBI double, but the Rays scored two in the second with RBI singles by Cliff Floyd and Ben Zobrist. In the third inning, Torii Hunter belted an RBI double to take one of those runs back, but Carl Crawford tied it up in the fifth with a two-run single. Finally, Mike Napoli broke the tie in the top of the ninth with a solo shot off Edwin Jackson pitching in relief as the Angels beat the Rays by one.

Final Score:
Angels: 5
Rays: 4


Jon Garland: 6 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Justin Speier (W, 6-0): 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Scot Shields (SV, 7): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Chone Figgins: 2-5, 3B, R
Vladimir Guerrero: 1-4, R
Garret Anderson: 1-4, HR (16), 2 RBI, R, K
Torii Hunter: 3-4, 2 2B, RBI, R
Casey Kotchman: 1-4, 2B, RBI
Mike Napoli: 2-4, HR (8), RBI, R, K


Matt Garza: 7 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Edwin Jackson (L, 6-9): 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

B.J. Upton: 1-5, R
Carlos Pena: 2-4, 2B, R
Carl Crawford: 2-4, 2 RBI, R
Cliff Floyd: 1-4, RBI, R, K
Ben Zobrist: 2-4, RBI

8/17 - Rays (75-48) @ Rangers (44-80): Game 3

Andy Sonnanstine: (11 - 3), 2.55 ERA vs. Josh Rupe: (2 - 4), 5.37 ERA

ARLINGTON -- The Rays have won the third and final game of this series against the Rangers, avoiding a three-game sweep in Texas without the use of Akinori Iwamura and Rocco Baldelli, who both have injuries that should only last a few days. There was very little offense in this game, both teams with enough chances to score and couldn't. The first run of the game was scored in the fourth on an RBI single by Evan Longoria, who also knocked in the only other run of the game in the ninth on a sacrifice fly scoring Jason Bartlett from third.

Final Score:
Rays: 2
Rangers: 0


Andy Sonnanstine (W, 12-3): 7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Dan Wheeler: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Troy Percival (SV, 35): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Jason Bartlett: 2-4, 2B, 2 R, K
Evan Longoria: 1-3, 2 RBI
Ben Zobrist: 1-3, 2B


Josh Rupe (L, 2-5): 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Franklin German: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Michael Young: 2-4, 2B
Ian Kinsler: 2-4
Hank Blalock: 1-4, 2B, K
Josh Hamilton: 2-4

8/16 - Rays (75-47) @ Rangers (43-80): Game 2

James Shields: (8 - 5), 2.34 ERA vs. Bobby Livingston: (1 - 4), 8.35 ERA

ARLINGTON -- The Rays have now lost game two of this three game series against the Rangers in Texas. The Rays scored their only run of the game in the second on an RBI single hit by Dioner Navarro. In the bottom of the same inning, Josh Hamilton came through with an RBI double to tie the game at one, and the winning run for the Rangers was scored in the sixth on an RBI double by Ben Broussard. Bobby Livingston pitched very well for the Rangers with a complete game giving up just one run on eight hits for his second win of the season.

Final Score:
Rays: 1
Rangers: 2


James Shields (L, 8-6): 8 IP, 10 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

B.J. Upton: 3-4
Carl Crawford: 1-4, 2B, R
Dioner Navarro: 1-3, RBI


Bobby Livingston (W, 2-4): 9 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Hank Blalock: 1-4, 2B, R, K
Ben Broussard: 2-4, 2B, RBI, R, K
Josh Hamilton: 2-4, 2B, RBI

8/15 - Rays (75-46) @ Rangers (42-80): Game 1

Scott Kazmir: (7 - 5), 3.72 ERA vs. Jason Jennings: (3 - 6), 5.55 ERA

ARLINGTON -- Continuing their series of playing at AL West teams, the Rays have lost the first game of this three game series against Texas, losing on a comeback walk-off in the ninth. The Rangers scored first in the fifth on a Josh Hamilton sacrifice groundout scoring Hank Blalock from third, but the Rays scored twice in the seventh, one on a game tying solo homer off the bat of Carl Crawford, and the other with an RBI single by Eric Hinske. Troy Percival was brought in in the ninth to close it out, and after giving up a single to Ian Kinsler, served up a walk-off two run shot to left hit by Hank Blalock.

Final Score:
Rays: 2
Rangers: 3


Scott Kazmir: 8 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Troy Percival (L, 4-3): 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Carl Crawford: 2-4, HR (9), RBI, R
Cliff Floyd: 1-4, 2B, R
Eric Hinske: 2-3, RBI


Jason Jennings: 7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Franklin German (W, 5-1): 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Eric Bruntlett: R
Hank Blalock: 2-4, 2B, HR (13), 2 RBI, 2 R
Josh Hamilton: 0-3, RBI

8/14 - Rays (74-46) @ Athletics (72-46): Game 3

Hideo Nomo: (7 - 2), 2.87 ERA vs. Lenny DiNardo: (7 - 5), 4.30 ERA

OAKLAND -- The Rays have won the third game of this series in Oakland with an extra innings victory. Jason Bartlett scored the first run in the third with a solo homer, but in the bottom of the same inning, Mike Sweeney belted his own solo shot to tie it up. This game would remain tied at one until the thirteenth inning when Rocco Baldelli belted an RBI triple, in which he got injured on the slide into third, followed immediately by a sacrifice fly by Jason Bartlett, scoring Eric Hinske, who was pinch running for Baldelli.

Final Score:
Rays: 3
Athletics: 1


Hideo Nomo: 10 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Dan Wheeler (W, 10-0): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Troy Percival (SV, 34): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Dioner Navarro: 1-5, R, K
Rocco Baldelli: 1-5, 3B, RBI
Eric Hinske: R
Jason Bartlett: 3-4, 2B, HR (5), 2 RBI, R


Lenny DiNardo: 9.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Alan Embree (L, 1-3): 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Justin Duchscherer: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Eric Chavez: 1-5
Emil Brown: 1-5, 2B
Mike Sweeney: 1-4, HR (10), RBI, R

8/13 - Rays (73-46) @ Athletics (72-45): Game 2

Derek Lowe: (8 - 11), 5.33 ERA vs. Chad Gaudin: (10 - 3), 4.15 ERA

OAKLAND -- The Rays have tied up this series in Oakland with a dominant outing by Derek Lowe. In the first inning, B.J. Upton belted a solo shot to center to take a quick one-run lead. The Rays scored the only other run of the game in the fourth on an RBI single by Cliff Floyd. Derek Lowe, as said already, was fantastic in his second start with the Rays, going seven shutout innings giving up just three hits for the win.

Final Score:
Rays: 2
Athletics: 0


Derek Lowe (W, 9-11): 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Dan Wheeler: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Troy Percival (SV, 33): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

B.J. Upton: 1-4, HR (33), RBI, R
Evan Longoria: 1-4, R
Cliff Floyd: 1-3, RBI


Chad Gaudin (L, 10-4): 8 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Dallas Braden: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Mark Ellis: 1-4
Chris Denorfia: 1-3
Mike Sweeney: 1-3

8/12 - Rays (73-45) @ Athletics (71-45): Game 1

Matt Garza: (9 - 6), 3.06 ERA vs. Oliver Perez: (5 - 9), 6.47 ERA

OAKLAND -- The Rays seven game winning streak has come to an end with a loss to the Athletics in Oakland today. The Athletics scored twice in the first on a sacrifice groundout by Jack Cust scoring Mark Ellis from third, and an RBI single by Emil Brown, and that would be all they needed. The Rays scored their only run in the fourth in an RBI single off the bat of Dioner Navarro as Oliver Perez and the Athletics squeak by the Rays with a win.

Final Score:
Rays: 1
Athletics: 2


Matt Garza (L, 9-7): 8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Evan Longoria: 2-4
Carl Crawford: 2-4, R
Dioner Navarro: 2-4, RBI


Oliver Perez (W, 6 - 9): 8.1 IP, 10 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Rich Harden (SV, 6): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Mark Ellis: 2-4, R, K
Chris Denorfia: 2-4, R
Jack Cust: 0-3, RBI, K
Emil Brown: 1-3, RBI, K

8/10 - Rays (72-45) @ Mariners (51-66): Game 4

Andy Sonnanstine: (10 - 3), 2.52 ERA vs. Carlos Silva: (7 - 8), 5.69 ERA

SEATTLE -- The Rays have won seven games in a row with a four game sweep of the Mariners in Seattle after a three game sweep of the Indians at home. In the second inning, Rocco Baldelli belted a three-run homer to take an early three run lead, but Richie Sexson narrowed that lead to one in the fourth with a two-run shot. Akinori Iwamura got those runs back in the seventh with his own two-run homer. Then in the ninth, Richie Sexson tried to spark a comeback with a solo shot, his second homer of the game, but the Rays and Andy Sonnanstine hang on to win.

Final Score:
Rays: 5
Mariners: 3


Andy Sonnanstine (W, 11-3): 9 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Akinori Iwamura: 2-4, 2B, HR (6), 2 RBI, R
Carl Crawford: 2-4, R, K
Dioner Navarro: 1-4, R
Rocco Baldelli: 2-4, HR (6), 3 RBI, 2 R


Carlos Silva (L, 7-9): 6.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Sean Green: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Raul Ibanez: 1-3, R
Richie Sexson: 2-4, 2 HR (29, 30), 3 RBI, 2 R
Kenji Johjima: 2-3, 2B

8/9 - Rays (71-45) @ Mariners (51-65): Game 3

James Shields: (7 - 5), 2.42 ERA vs. Erik Bedard: (6 - 8), 5.75 ERA

SEATTLE -- The Rays have won their sixth straight, and game three in this four game series, barely edging the Mariners in a pitchers duel between James Shields and Erik Bedard. The Rays scored their only runs in the first on a B.J. Upton two-run homer, and the Mariners scored their only run in the fourth on a Raul Ibanez solo shot. Both starting pitchers' were phenomenal in this game, both pitching complete games. Erik Bedard gave up the two runs on only four hits, but James Shields barely edged him out giving up just one run on three hits for a combined total seven hits in this game. The Rays go four the four game sweep tomorrow.

Final Score:
Rays: 2
Mariners: 1


James Shields (W, 8-5): 9 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Akinori Iwamura: 2-4, R
B.J. Upton: 2-4, HR (32), 2 RBI, R, K


Erik Bedard (L, 6-9): 9 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Ichiro Suzuki: 1-4
Raul Ibanez: 1-3, HR (20), RBI, R
Jose Vidro: 1-3

8/8 - Rays (70-45) @ Mariners (51-64): Game 2

Scott Kazmir: (6 - 5), 3.74 ERA vs. Felix Hernandez: (8 - 7), 5.17 ERA

SEATTLE -- The Rays are now on a five game winning streak, taking game two of this four game set in Seattle. The Mariners scored all three of their runs before the Rays scored at all. Raul Ibanez knocked in the first run in the fourth with an RBI single, and the Mariners scored another in the same inning on an RBI single by Adrian Beltre. Ibanez struck again in the fixth with a solo shot to extend the lead to three. The Rays scored their first run in the seventh with Carl Crawford on third, a wild pitch allowed him to score from third. Then in the eighth, they narrowed the lead to one on an RBI single by Carlos Pena. Finally, with two outs and a runner on in the top of the ninth, Rocco Baldelli belted a come-from-behind two-run homer to give the Rays a one run lead. Troy Percival closed it out in the bottom of the ninth to complete the win.

Final Score:
Rays: 4
Mariners: 3


Scott Kazmir (W, 7-5): 8 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Troy Percival (SV, 32): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Akinori Iwamura: 1-4, R, K
Carlos Pena: 2-4, RBI
Carl Crawford: 2-4, R
Cliff Floyd: 0-4, R
Rocco Baldelli: 2-4, HR (5), 2 RBI, R, K


Felix Hernandez (L, 8-8): 8.2 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Jarrod Washburn: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Ichiro Suzuki: 1-4, R, K
Jose Lopez: 2-4, R
Raul Ibanez: 2-3, HR (19), 2 RBI, R
Adrian Beltre: 1-4, RBI

8/7 - Rays (69-45) @ Mariners (51-63): Game 1

Hideo Nomo: (6 - 2), 2.92 ERA vs. Miguel Batista: (2 - 6), 4.10 ERA

SEATTLE -- The Rays are on a four game winning streak, taking game one of a four game series against the Mariners in Seattle. In the third inning, Kenji Johjima belted a lead-off solo shot to give the Mariners a one-run lead, and Miguel Batista was holding the Rays scoreless until the eighth when B.J. Upton blasted a two-run homer to center to put the Rays on top. Also in the inning, Cliff Floyd hit an RBI single, extending the lead to two, and it's a good thing they got that third run, because in the bottom of the inning, Jose Lopez hit a sacrifice groundout, scoring Willie Bloomquist from third, narrowing the lead to one, but the Rays hang on to win it.

Final Score:
Rays: 3
Mariners: 2


Hideo Nomo (W, 7-2): 8 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Troy Percival (SV, 31): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Akinori Iwamura: 2-5, R
B.J. Upton: 3-5, HR (31), 2 RBI, R
Carlos Pena: 2-5, R
Cliff Floyd: 1-4, RBI


Miguel Batista (L, 2-7): 7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Jarrod Washburn: 2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Jose Lopez: 1-4, RBI
Kenji Johjima: 1-3, HR (10), RBI, R
Willie Bloomquist: 3-3, R

8/6 - Indians (59-54) @ Rays (68-45): Game 3

Jake Westbrook: (8 - 4), 5.01 ERA vs. Derek Lowe: (7 - 11), 5.56 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have swept the Indians at home behind a solid start by Derek Lowe making his Rays debut. The Indians did score the first run of the game in the fifth on an RBI single by Jamey Carroll, but that would be the only run allowed. In the bottom of the fifth, Cliff Floyd belted a two-run homer to give the Rays the lead that would hold. Evan Longoria belted a solo shot in the seventh, and also got an RBI single in the eighth to add to the lead as the Rays win and sweep the Indians. Derek Lowe pitched seven strong innings in his Rays debut, giving up the one run on six hits and fanning five.

Final Score:
Indians: 1
Rays: 4


Jake Westbrook (L, 8-5): 7.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Jorge Julio: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Jhonny Peralta: 2-3, R, K
Jamey Carroll: 1-3, RBI


Derek Lowe (W, 8-11): 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Dan Wheeler: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Troy Percival (SV, 30): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Akinori Iwamura: 1-4, R, K
Evan Longoria: 2-4, HR (28), 2 RBI, R
Gabe Gross: 1-2, 2B, R
Cliff Floyd: 1-4, HR (14), 2 RBI, R

8/5 - Indians (59-53) @ Rays (67-45): Game 2

Masahide Kobayashi: (4 - 4), 4.72 ERA vs. Matt Garza: (8 - 6), 3.20 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have won the second game now of this three game series against the Indians at home. The Indians scored their only run and had the lead in the fourth when Travis Hafner belted a lead-off home run, but Dioner Navarro tied it up in the fifth with his own solo shot. The Rays then took the lead in the seventh when Evan Longoria blasted a solo shot to lead-off the inning. They would score two more in the eighth on an RBI single by Akinori Iwamura and an RBI double by B.J. Upton as the Rays take the win, and go for the sweep tomorrow with Derek Lowe making his Rays debut.

Final Score:
Indians: 1
Rays: 4


Masahide Kobayashi: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Craig Breslow (L, 5-3): 2.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
McClellan*: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Grady Sizemore: 1-4, 2B
Travis Hafner: 2-4, 2B, HR (23), RBI, R
Victor Martinez: 1-4, 2B


Matt Garza (W, 9-6): 9 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Akinori Iwamura: 1-4, RBI
B.J. Upton: 1-4, 2B, RBI
Evan Longoria: 1-4, HR (27), RBI, R
Dioner Navarro: 1-3, HR (9), RBI, R
Rocco Baldelli: 1-3, 2B, R
Jason Bartlett: 1-3, R

8/4 - Indians (59-52) @ Rays (66-45): Game 1

Jeremy Sowers: (2 - 3), 4.64 ERA vs. Andy Sonnanstine: (9 - 3), 2.65 ERA

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays have opened up a three-game series against the Indians with a victory. The Rays got to Jeremy Sowers early in the first, scoring three runs on a Carl Crawford two-run single, and an RBI single by Cliff Floyd. Then in the fifth, Jason Bartlett hit a lead-off homer, extending the lead to four, and in the same inning, Carlos Pena hit an RBI single. The Rays scored once more in the seventh on an RBI triple off the bat of Carl Crawford. B.J. Upton was injured sliding into home plate on this play, and had to leave the game. His condition is not known at this time. The Indians scored their only run in the ninth on a solo shot off the bat of Casey Blake. Also in this game, Rays starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine took a perfect game into the fifth but was broken up with two outs in the fifth with a double by David Dellucci. Sonnanstine would go on to win the game.

Final Score:
Indians: 1
Rays: 6


Jeremy Sowers (L, 2-4): 5 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Craig Breslow: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Casey Blake: 2-4, 2B, HR (15), RBI, R
David Dellucci: 2-4, 2 2B


Andy Sonnanstine (W, 10-3): 7.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Jason Hammel: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Troy Percival: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Akinori Iwamura: 1-4, R, K
B.J. Upton: 2-3, 2 R
Carlos Pena: 2-4, RBI, R
Carl Crawford: 2-4, 3B, 3 RBI, R, K
Cliff Floyd: 2-4, RBI
Jason Bartlett: 2-4, 2B, HR (4), RBI, R