The tide is turning in the AL East! The Tampa Bay Rays are setting all sorts of team records this season and don’t show any signs of letting up. Scott Kazmir (5-1) won his 5th game in the month of May to set a new mark for the Rays. Kazmir’s line for the game included 7 innings pitched, 6 strike outs while only allowing 3 hits. Kazmir also picked Joe Crede off 2nd base to aid his own cause. Kazmir lowered his ERA to a mere 1.22 in front of a packed house (36,048).
The bullpen did their job as well in the 8th and 9th with JP Howell striking out Jim Thome and Carlos Quentin with a runner on to end the Sox threat in the 8th. With this shutout the Tampa Bay Rays also find themselves tied (Cleveland) for the league lead in shutouts with 7 – how sweet it is!
Carl Crawford was the lone Ray with multiple hits going 2 for 3, 2B, BB and another stolen base. Cliff Floyd smashed another bomb for 1 RBI and BJ Upton had the other RBI.
My Strikeout of the game goes to: Carlos Pena — 1 for 4 with 3 Ks. His lone hit was a 2B to lead off the inning and he promptly made a base running blunder to get thrown out at 3rd base. Even when he hits well he still manages to muck it up.
My Home Run of the game goes to: Scott Kazmir – the guy is a stud! Look at his line – that says it all. Nice job!
Congrats to the fans in the Tampa Bay area for getting off their couch and getting to The Trop! Keep it going!
See you at the ball park!

