Upton, Kazmir send Rays past Rangers
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- B.J. Upton homered and drove in three runs in his return from a benching, Scott Kazmir allowed two runs in six innings and the Tampa Bay Rays added a game to their AL East lead with a 7-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday night.
Kazmir (9-6) earned his first win since July 21, giving up four hits with seven strikeouts and four walks to help the Rays improve to 20-9 since the All-Star break.
Rays manager Joe Maddon pulled Upton during Friday night's game against the Rangers for failing to run hard on a double-play grounder, and Maddon kept Upton in the dugout for all of Saturday night's 3-0 loss to Texas.
(Pictured - B.J. Upton is congratulated by Ben Zobrist after Upton's two-run homer in the fourth inning. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)
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ROCKIN' WITH KAZMIR
Posted by: Jeff | August 18, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Last year @ Durham,
Zobrist
Ruggiano
&
Sonnanstine! ! !
Posted by: Dom | August 18, 2008 at 09:43 AM
Cummings? If the entire starting rotation got hurt on the same day, Cummings might have a shot as the 5th starter, with heavy emphasis on the word "might". Cummings? That has to be the weirdest fan suggestion of the year. Stop taking entries. We have a winner. Cummings?
Posted by: Wow | August 18, 2008 at 02:04 AM
Cummings got bashed around in the Olympics. How about the Rays focus on winning as many games as they can with the best starters and not pretend the team is a Make-A-Wish destination for minor-league journeymen.
Posted by: Re: Dom | August 18, 2008 at 01:12 AM
Is Hickey working on Kazmir's pitch count? At this rate, Scott will be arm weary by the playoffs. Why not give Durham's Cummings one last chance to play in the majors? We've got a cushion now and the guy deserves one last look.
Posted by: Dom | August 18, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Do you miss me yet? I'm established, have longevity and barring injury, the best on this team, BY FAR..For all you Balfour fans, are you still as amped up about him as he gets amped up on himself? Do you place your trust in him when the game is on the line after his last two outings? Doubt it!!!
Posted by: percy | August 17, 2008 at 11:38 PM