Complete (All Star??) Game James’ Rays @ The susPENCEful Astros 6/24-6/26

[Tobywan]

Probables

Shields VS Rodriguez

Davis VS Norris

Niemann VS Happ




Not exactly sure why the Rays got picked to go to Houston 2 years in a row, at least it is during the usual IL play schedule not like last year when they went a month early. The Astros came to the Trop in 2008 and were one of the few teams to win a series here that year, the Rays took one from Houston for the first time last year. The Astros are the only NL team the Rays have visited 2 years running other than their cross state rivals the Marlins.

Juego G is coming off back to back complete games putting himself in prime position to get a spot on the All Star team.

WanRod is 5-3 with a 2.88 ERA, he shut out the Dodgers in 6 innings with 6 Ks and only one walk.
Neither has allowed an earned run in their last 2 outings.

The Rays are coming off a sweep of the Marlins and a series win in Milwaukee. Atsros have struggled, they won the series against the Dodgers but lost to their I-45 rivals the Texas Rangers.

The Rays should have reliever JP Howell back after he was diagnosed with gout, he is not expected to go on the DL.

The Astros are hoping to have Pence and Towles back for this series. Bourgeois has been playing through pain especially with the move of Lee to DH during IL and Pence being out. It is unclear whether they will rest him or if he will “grit” and bear it.

Brandon Lyon will have season ending surgery on his shoulder next Wednesday. Plans are to repair tears in his rotator cuff and labrum.

Thumbs up to Houston, they dedicated a training center at the Urban Youth Academy after Astros legend Jimmy Wynn. They also will have a post-game concert on Saturday night with Michelle Branch, proceeds of the game going to the Lone Survivor Foundation which helps wounded soldiers.

[Tobywan]

Longo and Matty J sporting new "hair do's" in hopes of changing their luck. Unfortunately, next week is their annual fashion show for the Children's Dream Fund. I say HATS!!!

[Tobywan]

Rays

Rodriguez 2B
Zobrist RF
Longoria 3B
Upton CF
Shoppach C
Ruggiano LF
Kotchman 1B
Johnson SS
Shields P


Astros

Bourn CF
Keppinger 2B
Pence RF
Lee LF
Wallace 1B
Johnson 3B
Barmes SS
Towles C
Rodriguez P

[Tobywan]

SRod out on a high fly to right.
Zobrist out on a high fly to center.
Longoria grounds out to third.

[Tobywan]

Bourn grounds out to short.
Keppinger Ks.
Pence Ks.

[Tobywan]

Upton (foul right off of Towles mouth) takes a walk.
Shoppach batting, BJ steals second, no throw.
Shop called strike three.
Ruggiano down swinging.
Kotchman pops to the pitcher.

[Tobywan]

Lee pops to first.
Wallace grounds to pitcher, tagged.
Johnson grounds out to short.

[Tobywan]

Let's see if Big Game gets the first hit for Rays' pitchers this season.

Johnson Ks.
Shields... fouls another one off Towles chin, now bleeding and leaving the game...

Replacement Corporan.
Shields down swinging.
SRod lines a single into left.
Zobrist batting, SRod tries for second, throw is wide.
Zobrist lines into short right, Sean heads for home, gets around the tag and safe!!

LONGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, 2 run homer!!!!!The "do" at work.

BJ ..goes back to back.......well......replay delay, but I think it was over the line.

...and they rule a home run....4-0.

[Tobywan]

The Shopper grounds out 3-1.

[Tobywan]

Barmes grounds out to short.
Corporan grounds out to first.
WRod down swinging.

[Tobywan]

Rugg hits a hard one off pitcher's glove, deflects to second quick throw gets him.
Kotch soft tap to second.
Johnson grounds to first.

[Tobywan]

Bourn hits a shot into right center for a base hit.
Keppinger hits a grounder to third, to seond for one, throw to first bounces up, Kep reaches.
Pence grounds into the successful 5-4-3 double play.

On to the 5th Rays up 4-0.

[Tobywan]

Shields down swinging again.
SRod lines past third hits the ump, just a single.
Zorilla walks.
Longoria batting, both runners advance on a WP.
Longo singles to right, SRod scores, Zorilla to third.
Upton grounds into a 5-4-3 DP.

[Tobywan]

Lee flies out to left.
Wallace Ks.
Johnson HBP.
Barmes out swinging.

On to the 6th, Rays up 5-0.

[Tobywan]

Shopper sends a high fly out to right, caught by Pence.
Rugg grounds out to short.
Kotch grounds out second.