Hellickson Dazzles, Ends Losing Streak

June 4, 2011

A: Seattle Mariners

Attendance: 28,843

W: Jeremy Hellickson (7-3) 2.64 ERA

L: Doug Fister (3-6) 3.29 ERA

S: Kyle Farnsworth (11) 1.35 ERA

Summary:

The Rays really needed this game. After being blown out two games in a row by the suddenly hot-hitting Mariners, Jeremy Hellickson got the job down by shutting down the Seattle attack over 7.1 innings. He allowed one run, which came after he exited, on a two run homer by Miguel Olivo.

The Rays scored all the runs they would need when they put three on the board in the second. The big hit was a two-run single by Ben Zobrist. M’s starter Doug Fister kept the dormant Rays’ offense sleeping for the rest of the game, going seven innings, allowing seven hits and four walks.

While the offense hasn’t been getting the job done, the defense did today. In the fourth, Matt Joyce threw out Adam Kennedy at the plate.

Evan Longoria left the game in the fourth with tightness on his left side. It looks like the same type of injury that kept Longo out of the lineup for 29 games earlier in the season. However, this injury does not appear serious.

All of a sudden, Hellickson is the Rays’ best starter. He leads the Rays in wins with seven and leads the starters in ERA. Who would have thought even considering how well Shields has started the year?

Player of the Game: Jeremy Hellickson