Hellickson Throws Gem, But Rays Lose 3-0 On Youkilis Home Run

Recap from Bradley Woodrum at DRaysBay.

Jeremy Hellickson (7-5) looked sharp through six innings, but the Rays needed more. Paired against the elite Josh Beckett (6-2), the Rays young right-hander had an immense task at hand. Hellboy finished his night allowing only 4 hits and 2 walks, while striking out only 2 (which is not so great). Unfortunately, two of those hits — as well as one of those walks (an intentional BB to Adrian Gonzalez) — came in the game-changing 7th inning.

The inning started poorly with Jacoby Ellsbury fighting through a 9-pitch at bat, spoiling Hellickson’s otherwise brilliant pace. Then Dustin Pedroia tripled on a near-homer to right field. The Rays then put Gonzalez on base, only to watch Kevin Youkilis pop a homer to left field.

Of course, the free pass did not pan out for the Rays, but it proved a moot point. The only hit — and only base runner — the Tampa Bay hitters could muster, an infield single off Reid Brignac’s bat, was certainly insufficient to come back from a 1-run deficit, much less a 3-run deficit.

Notes from the game:

- John Jaso caught a base stealer! A league leader no less!!! Everyone take a shot!

- What else can you say? The pitchers did their job, but Beckett was too much tonight.

- Oh, I know what to say: Hak-Ju Lee was 3 for 5 with 2 steals (and 1 caught stealing) today. This 20-year-old shortstop has a 127 wOBA+ in a league 2.7 years older than him. Durham, plz?

Rays Vs. Red Sox: Jeremy and Josh To Battle In The Trop

After last night's dominant display by James Shields, the Rays and Red Sox square off again tonight in the second game of their series. On paper, this looks like it could be a pitcher's duel, as both Jeremy Hellickson and Josh Beckett have been among their teams' top pitchers this season. The Rays are currently 3.5 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East.

In fun news, four players from Tampa Bay Lightning will open tonight tomorrow night's game by taking batting practice and throwing out the first pitch: Steven Stamkos, Teddy Purcell, Nate Thompson, and Mike Smith. After Raheem Morris made an appearance at last night's game, it seems like the Tampa Bay sports teams are rallying around the Rays. I love watching the different area teams all support one another -- it's really cool to see.

Game Time: 7:05 PM
Pitching matchup: Josh Beckett (3.13 FIP) vs. Jeremy Hellickson (4.03 FIP)
Available On: Sun Sports, WDAE 620