The Jaso And Zobrist Show

The Rays ended another road trip going 4-1 against the Yanks and Astros. They have improved their road record to 19-5. This would have not happend if it werent for the outstanding play from John Jaso and Ben Zobrist. After David Price giving up 4 runs in the first inning to the Astros it was looking as if Price was going to get his second loss of the season.

Jaso and Zobrist alone accounted for 6 of the 10 runs in the comeback win for the Rays. Jaso was batting third with Evan Longoria having the day off and really showed he could hold his own in the third spot. He hit a 2-run homer in the 4th to tie the game and hit a 2-run triple in the 8th to give the Rays a nice comfortable lead.”I’ve hit third before,” said Jaso, although it was his first time doing as a Major Leaguer. “I tried to do the same as in the eight hole. All the way through the lineup picked it up.” I actually love this guy behind the plate as he can hit the ball with contact and throw people out. I even picked him up to be my fantasy baseball catcher yesterday and so far so good. I wonder what they are going to do when Kelly Shoppach gets off the DL within a month. I cant see them sending him down looking as good as he has been.

Zobrist, who has come alive as of late, hit his second homerun of the year. Zobrist has really started to hit the ball and hitting it hard, getting both of his homeruns on this road trip, the other coming against the Yankees. We really need his bat in the line-up especially while he is batting in the top of the order. I dont think he will have the same number as last year but his contribution this week has been worth the money.

It was a good thing the offense came to work today for David Price because he got smacked around for the first time this year. Price luckily recorded his seventh win of the year and I have to think he will be on the All-Star team this year for his league leading win amount so far. I can see Price having at least 11 wins going into the allstar break. Price has an ERA of 2.41 and batters are only batting .206 against him.

Our bullpen has been pretty impressive including Rafael Soriano and Joaquin Benoit. Soriano has been lights out so far and is the best acqusiton for the Rays so far this year. He is 13 for 13 in saves and has an ERA of 1.41 with 2 wins. His set-up man, Benoit has struck out every batter he has faced in his last 3 innnings. He has not allowed a run in the 8 innings he has been brought in. Pretty damn good for a player who wasn’t on the opening day roster.