Carl Crawford reaches 500 Career RBI's

With Jason Bartlett on first, Carl Crawford took Roy Halladay over the right field wall at Tropicana Field on Sunday in the first inning to collect his 499th and 500th career RBIs. It was the third career homerun for Crawford against Halladay. The only pitcher Crawford has hit more homeruns off is is Josh Towers.

Crawford went 2-4 in the game, and the Rays swept the Jays. There was some controversy in the game for the Rays speedster. While trying to steal third in the 7th inning. Crawford was called out by umpire Damien Beal. TV replay showed Crawford was probably safe. See what Crawford had to say about the call here.

It was the 15th time Crawford was caught stealing this year. Crawford is 3 stolen bases behind Jacoby Ellsbury for the AL lead in stolen bases.

Halladay is now 1-4 against the Rays in '09. The Rays rookies, Niemann and Price, have both earned two wins this year against the Jays ace. Niemann was the first Rays pitcher to beat Halladay twice in a season. The Rays have beaten Halladay 7 times in the last two seasons.

3 FOR 4 THE ORANGE LIGHTS ARE OUT!

3 quality starts!
3 games the Rays could have won!
2 blown saves!
The last hope of the '09 season, down the drain.

The misery started on Monday with Matt Garza on the mound for the first game of a double header. Garza goes 7 innings gives up 5 hits and allows 1 run. He leaves with the game tied at 1. The bullpen wastes no time in letting the Yankees score three times on two hits and three walks.....

Game 2 Monday: One word Sonnanstine! 2.2 innings 6 hits 8 earned runs. I sure am glad we keep Andy and traded Edwin!

Tuesday was even more disappointing. David Price takes the hill and goes 6 innings gives up 3 hits and 2 runs. When he leaves the game the Rays are down 1 run. The bullpen holds for two innings allowing the Rays to make a comeback and tie the game at 2. Then Dan Wheeler comes in and allows the walk off homer to Nick Swisher.

That brings us to tonight. Niemann, my choice for AL rookie of the year, goes 7 innings, gives up 8 hits and 1 earned run. When he leaves the game he has a 2 to 1 lead. Shouse, Cormier, and Balfour proceed to give up 3 more runs. Then the Yankee pen comes in, does their job and finishes the game winners..... Stick a fork in the 2009 Tampa Rays, they are officially done!

With the Rays playing as poorly as they have the last 8 games, I am starting to wonder if they are going to finish above 500 for the year. After the loss tonight their record stands at 72 wins 67 losses........

Jeff Niemann Rookie of the Year?????

The Tampa Rays hoped beginning the season one of their starting pitchers would have a chance to win the A.L. Rookie of the Year award. What they did not know was that pitchers name would be Jeff Niemann. Most people believed David Price was a ROY candidate coming off his strong '08 post season performance. It only seemed logical that he would continue his success and have a shot at the AL ROY trophy. Poor control and high pitch counts have kept the "Price from being Right" most of his rookie campaign.

While Price struggled, Jeff Niemann is quietly putting together a very solid rookie year. He threw a gem of a game tonight against the Baltimore O's to push his record to 11-5. He went 7 1/3 innings tonight giving up only a solo shot to Brian Roberts before being pulled. He gave up seven hits and had 5 K's. He lowered his ERA to 3.71, and got his eleventh win, both tops on the Rays staff. Niemann has be arguably the best starter for the Rays this year.

His ERA and BAA are both in the top 20 of all AL pitchers, he has 2 complete game shutouts, and 81 Ks. He is now 6-1 since June 16th.

Niemann was the Rays first pick in the 2004 draft, fourth overall. He made his major league debut on April 13, 2008 against the Baltimore O's. Niemann was out of options starting spring training this year so the Rays were forced to give him a starting spot to keep him from being exposed to waivers. Sometimes having your hand forced can be a good thing, especially if you are the Rays!

There are some other great looking Rookies this year, Brett Anderson LHP of Oak, Elvis Andrus SS Texas, Brad Bergesen RHP Bal, Gordon Beckham 3B Chi, Matt Wieters C Bal, Andrew Bailey RHP Oak, Rick Porcello RHP Det, Ricky Romero LHP Toronto, but if by some miracle the Rays can catch Texas and Boston and win the AL Wild Card I look for Tampa to have their second American League Rookie of the Year!

Go over to the EBAY and pick up a couple of Niemann rookie cards while you can: