SP David Price earned his second victory of the season and led our Rays to a sweep of the Marlins Sunday afternoon.  David’s day was again a bit of a mixed bag.  He limited the Marlins to 2 hits, 1 ER and 4 K’s.  But he walked 5 and ended up needing nearly 30 pitches to get out of the first inning.  He still struggles with putting guys away when he’s far ahead in the count.  This was evidenced by a 12 pitch at bat by Ramirez who eventually singled in a run.  Now granted, it was Hanley Ramirez, a very good hitter BUT this has happened time and again to all the Rays pitchers.  You need to find a “put away” pitch guys!  Every pitch a hitter sees gets them 1 pitch closer to a hit and every pitch a pitcher throws gets them 1 pitch closer to the bench.  If we could finish these hitters we’d have starting pitchers going deeper into games and not be yanked due to high pitch counts.  Overall Price did an adequate job of making pitches when he needed to.

The offense got off to a fast start and never looked back scoring 2 runs in the 2^nd inning.  BJ Upton drilled a rope into the LCF seats on the first pitch of the 3^rd inning.  BJ has been swinging the bat much better the last month and ended the day going 2 for 4 at the dish with the HR, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI and a stolen base.  Overall just about everyone on the offense contributed and the hits came when the opportunities presented themselves.

This was a great home stand for the Rays!  They finished 5-1 and are currently sitting solo in 3^rd place 2 games out of the WC and 5 games out of first.  They are starting a HUGE series Monday in Toronto.  Ray fans send out all your good mojo as the Rays open with Halladay vs. Niemann! 

Go Rays!