French Gunned Royals @ Unarmed Rays 8/8-8/11

[Tobywan]

Probables

Hochevar VS Hellickson

Francis VS Shields

Paulino VS Davis

Duffy VS Niemann

The Rays just lost a series to the A’s, getting shut out on Sat. & losing in extras Sunday. The A’s were able to steal 7 bases against Chirinos , a weakness for the young catcher.

The Royals lost a weekend series to the Tigers, winning the final game 4-3.

Luke Hochevar is 8-8 with a 4.95 ERA, but is 3-0 since the break. He went 7 1/3 innings, with 7 Ks giving up 4 hits to the Orioles on Wed.

Jeremy Hellickson is 10-7 with a 3.15 ERA. He had a no-hitter going until the 6th in his last start against the Mariners giving up just one run through 7 innings, the Rays went on to win 8-1.

As if it wasn’t dismal enough that Price has been falling off, Alex Cobb was placed on the DL cutting the Rays back to a 5 man rotation. Cesar Ramos was recalled in an attempt to shore up the BP. Cobb says his arm hasn’t felt right since coming back from the last road trip but kept it quiet even when it seemed that the numbness and “dead” feeling in his arm worsened as his next start drew closer. Cobbs ‘ failure to be forthcoming did not sit well with Maddon.

[Tobywan]

A walk off win for the Rays, Casey Kotchman led off the 9th and launched the first pitch over the CF wall. Rays win 2-1.

Another good outing for Hellboy (and Hochevar) neither pitcher figured into the decision.

[Tobywan]

Tonight’s matchups

Jeff Francis had a no-decision in his last start against the O’s. He went just 5 plus innings allowed 4 runs on 10 hits and 3 Ks. He is 4-11 on the year with a 4.48 ERA.

James Shields after one of his worst starts in Oakland rebounded against the Jays last week and finally got some run support. He held them to one run on 3 hits in 7 1/3 innings. He is 10-9 with a 2.95 ERA.

The Rays hope to get back to back quality starts trying to stay in the WC race.

Worth noting…

Alex Gordon is having a good season and according to Stats Inc., Gordon is one of three in the ML to record 18 outfield assists with one or no errors.

Casey Kotchman went 3-for-4 last night and has an eight-game hitting streak.

Line ups

Royals
Gordon LF
Cabrera CF
Butler DH
Hosmer 1B
Francoeur RF
Giavotella 2B
Pena C
Moustakas 3B
Escobar SS

Rays

Jennings LF
Damon DH
Longoria 3B
Zobrist RF
Kotchman 1B
Upton CF
Rodriguez 2B
Shoppach C
Johnson SS

[Tobywan]

Gordon pops up to CF.
Cabrera Ks swinging.
Butler grounds to third.

[Tobywan]

Jennings HBP
Damon bunts to third, Mous' throw not in time.
Double steal attempt throw to third not in time.
Longoria rips one to center, DJ scores, JD scores.

Rays up 2-0.

Zobrist bunts, Francis retrieves, throws to get Ben, Longo to second.
Kotchman flies out to left.
Upton grounds to short.

[Tobywan]

Hosmer grounds out to third.
Francoeur down swinging.
Giavotella pops out to right.

[Tobywan]

Rodriguez lines out to second.
Shoppach lifts a high fly to center, Cabrera is there.
Johnson grounds out to short.

[Tobywan]

Pena walks.
Moustakas chops a single just past SRod.
Escobar pops up to Shop.
Gordon grounds into a 4-6-3 double play.

[Tobywan]

DJ pops out to right.
JD Ks swinging.
Longo pops high to 2B.

On to the 4th, Rays lead 2-0.

[Tobywan]

MCab singles to right.
Butler out on strikes, MCab breaking for second, throw is in time! Butler not happy with the call, looked like a good pitch.
Hosmer walks, steals second.
Frenchy walks.
Gia Ks.

[Tobywan]

Zobrist Ks.
Kotch grounds out to second.
BJ Ks looking.

[Tobywan]

Pena caught looking.
Mous singles past the diving SRod.
Escobar hits a liner to center.
Gordon Ks.
MCab grounds to first, Shields covers the bag.

[Tobywan]

SRod grounds out to short.
Shop flies out to right.
EJ flies out to center.

[Tobywan]

Butler pops out to center.
Hosmer grounds out to short.
Frenchy sends a rocket just over Longo's head into left, Jennings throws a bullet to second and they get him!!!

[Tobywan]

DJ singles into center. He's picked off heading to second.
JD singles into right.
Longo belts one deep and high into left center and GOOOOOOOOOONE!!

Rays lead 4-0.

Zobrist grounds out to short.
Kotch taps to the pitcher he makes the tag.

On to the 7th.