Rodriguez, Shoppach Power Rays Past Marlins

June 17, 2011

V: Florida Marlins

Attendance: 15,708

W: Wade Davis (6-5) 4.57 ERA

L: Brad Hand (0-3) 3.45 ERA

S: Kyle Farnsworth (15) 1.69 ERA

Summary:

The Rays kicked off the second round of interleague play (and their second series against the Marlins) with a solid win over the Fish. It didn’t look too pretty in an eternal first inning as Wade Davis struggled to get through the frame. He retired the first two, then allowed a single and a hit. After many foul balls that sent Davis’ pitch count over 30 for the inning, Greg Dobbs grounded out.

The Rays gave Davis enough run support when Sean Rodriguez hit a two run homer in the second and Kelly Shoppach hit a solo shot in the third. Shoppach must have hit a lot of homers in little league because he has the home run trot down. It was his third of the year, but the way he tossed the bat after he touched it off, it looked like he should have at least 10.

John Buck hit a solo homer in the fifth, but that was the only blemish against Davis’ record who went the first six innings. The bullpen did their usual fantastic job with Kyle Farnsworth getting out of a jam in the eighth and then finishing off the save in the ninth.

Player of the Game: Sean Rodriguez who had two hits, a homer and four runs batted in.