Colby Lewis Trumps David Price As Texas Rangers Win Series Over Rays

Colby Lewis defied my logic today. He pitched a fastball 15 mph slower than David Price but kept up a similar stat line:

Lewis: 8.0 innings pitched, 4 hits, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts.
Price: 8.0 innings pitched, 5 hits, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts.

The Eighth

Until the eighth, Sam Fuld was the only man to get on base after the third inning. He walked in the fifth (and was caught stealing) and then singled to center to start the eighth (and stole second base). In the bottom of the inning, Price allowed a hit and a walk after the first out. The Rangers then pulled a double steal with Ian Kinsler and Craig Gentry, then Elvis Andrus singled to allow two runs to score. The Rangers lead 3-0.

The Ninth

Adam Russell relieved Price without serious issue with only one hit allowed, but the Rays still had a three-run deficit to recover from. Rookie of the year Neftali Feliz relieved Lewis and gave up a leadoff single to Ben Zobrist. He stole second on a wild pitch but no one could bring him home. Joyce and Longoria popped out, Damon grounded out and the Rays were shut out at home. Rangers win 3-0.

Game Notes

• Despite a strong outing, Price gave up three runs to earn another loss to the Rangers, a team he has never gotten a win against. 
• Colby Lewis kept the Rays on the ropes with a curve ball and a slider the line up was not ready for. Leadoff, third and fourth hitters John Jaso, Matt Joyce and Evan Longoria all went 0-4, combining for 4 strikeouts. Ben Zobrist and Sam Fuld were the only batters to get on base more than once.
• A great performance from Lewis isn't too surprising. Today he pitched 8.0 innings of lights-out baseball, his closest to the complete game shutout he hurled against the White Sox on May 16. Tonight he used a career-high 32 sliders.
• The Rays allowed their first steal in twelve games today: the double steal to put the game out of reach in the eighth. Elvis Andrus then stole second and third in the eigth and Nelson Cruz stole second in the ninth.  

As the rain comes down on the Trop, David Price is raining down fastballs. 

Price has thrown as high as 97 mph and is getting a lot of swinging strikes. This is great news as Price has never won against the Rangers. In his career Price is 0-2 with a 7.45 ERA in four regular season games, 0-2 with a 4.97 ERA in two postseason. He has allowed one hit in three innings and struck out four in the first two. 

Colby Lewis is pitching in the 80's and hasn't had great control. A wild pitch almost allowed a run in the first and many pitches are hitting the dirt and bouncing off the catcher. He has four Ks after three innings as well, but has been relying on a seldom used curveball. The Rays won't stay fooled long. Ben Zobrist (double and a walk), Johnny Damon and Reid Brignac (!) have hits thus far.

Sean Rodriguez went 2 for 8 with a home run in the first two games of the series. Maddon is trusting S-Rod can keep it up and found it worth while to sneak him into the line up as today's first baseman instead of Casey Kotchman.