Rays rally past Royals 8-7

Evan Longoria, back in the lineup after recovering from a finger infection, homers in the eighth as the Tampa Bay Rays rally to beat the Kansas City Royals 8-7 on Friday night.

Comments

[Brian]

Agree with the comments today. Navi needs to sit-he is not hitting and does not have a good arm on the steals. Re: Carlos-like him-but he is terrible in the 4 hole, strikes out way too much always going for the HR instead of making contact when needed to advance a runner-a real rally killer.. He should bat 8th, so when he strikes out he is not leaving men on as he does so often, and a late in the lineup HR threat would be great. Let Zorilla bat 4-he is MUCH better at getting the needed hit.

[TampaFan88]

I agree with everyone's comments, but I've got to give Pat Burrell some props on the home run that he hit . Hopefully he can start heating up and earn his money.

[tbird]

Completely agree with JMS and KT on their analysis. Shields is not a #1, more likely a #4, giving up 147 hits in 134 innings!! As for Carlos, he is striking out 35% of his at bats and not contributing much at all. Aybar can play 1st, why not sit Carlos or at least pinch hit for him in crucial situations, late in the game, against a tough lefty. Aybar is a switch hitter. Most of us on this blog KNOW what the outcome will normally be when Los comes up, 2 outs, runners in scoring position and we are 1 or 2 runs down--strike 3, takes off the hat, gloves,etc., and deposits them on home plate. We had best hope that Riggans gets back soon and healthy as Navi shows no signs of improvement.

[KT]

Great win against a mediocre team last night, actually a bad team. How far can this team really go with a clean up hitter who's batting .225 and a catcher who' not batting his weight? Aslo out "ace" "big game" james can't pitch with a lead...this team is definitely an enigma, but it is fun to watch most of the time. I know Pena is a nice guy and a good face for the franchise, but his home runs aren't fooling me. Some stats for you:
July BA- .135
vs. lefties- .202
SO's- 3rd in all of baseball

So do his 23 HR's and defense erase all of this for you? It shouldn't.

Longo bailed Shields out last night to secure a win. Bullpen held in there. Gotta keep beating the bad teams...the Sox and Yanks aren't going to come back to us, we're going to have to hold against the no-division teams and win head to head vs the Sox and the Yanks.

[KennyNance]

It was very hard to watch and I hate getting wins like that but when it comes down to it a win is a win is a win. And man did we need this one with Boston and NY both winning.

[DavidSassoon]

Announcers: James Shields kept the Rays in the game? My sides are killing me.

Sonnanstine got a bad rap from the press and the front office. Get this guy back and fast!

Why keep breaking Jaso's heart? Give him his shot. Either he is or he ain't.

Percival still on the roster? I can't believe it.

[joemaddonsucks.com]

Nice comeback, a much needed win, but Shields has to start holding leads. Saturday is gonna be tough with Grienke for KC, and Kaz for the Rays. Even if Kaz does well, Grienke is nails most of the season, although he has been beatable lately. Kaz must have a top start in this one for the Rays to have a chance. Randy Choate was nails all season, but the past 4 appearances he can't get the one lefty out, weird how he went from near perfect to can't get any of them. Shouse ready soon, wonder what happens to Choate then, hopefully they can keep him too if he gets straightened out. Go Rays

[raymond]

SMART OF THE TEAM TO COME UP WITH THAT STORY ABOUT HIS FINGER SO LONGORIA COULD REST HIS HAMSTRING A FEW DAYS, it sure paid off!