Jackson makes case
Manager Joe Maddon said, officially, the Rays are still committed to sending right-hander Edwin Jackson back to Triple-A Durham. But after Saturday night's performance in which he allowed just three hits and retired the last 11 batters he faced, the Rays have something to think about. Mark Hendrickson's shoulder may be fine (and he is scheduled to start Thursday), and Maddon made it clear Saturday he is still committed to struggling Seth McClung. But Maddon said he and executive vice president Andrew Friedman will have discussions this week about Jackson's future. Could Jackson stick? Tampa Bay doesn't have to make a decision until Thursday, when Hendrickson starts, and McClung pitches Wednesday.
The umpires got one right. Second base umpire Eric Cooper's safe call Saturday when Rays shortstop Tomas Perez took the neighborhood play to new extremes was correct. Even Maddon went out of his way Sunday to compliment Cooper and the way he handled the subsequent discussion. Yes, Perez had the ball and yes you've seen that kind of play called out many times before. But Perez was far enough off the bag that had Cooper called runner Gerald laird out, he would have strained his credibility. Would Derek Jeter have gotten that call? Let's hope not.
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WHAT THE HECK...GIVE THE KID(JACKSON)A CHANCE...HE COULDN'T BE MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT THEY HAVE NOW.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 24, 2006 at 07:10 AM
MCCLUNG STINKS! Anyone is better than McClung in the rotation. I thought Jackson looked sharp. Unlike McClung, he clearly has some ability there that just needs to be developed a bit. How many times do us Rays fans have to watch that buffoon McClung get bashed around before they ship him off?!
Posted by: Chris S. | April 24, 2006 at 09:53 AM
You are wrong about the umpire call Saturday night Marc. That is called an out 99.9 percent of the time. I have never liked those vicintiy plays but since that is how they are always called, so be it. On Saturday night, that was pure corruption and cost the visitors the game. Of course that would have been called an out if it had been Jeter and not Perez. I am sorry to see you stick up for those swine.
Posted by: Adam Tebrugge | April 24, 2006 at 12:27 PM