SB Nation Tampa Bay - Johnny Damon Leads The Rays To An Early Series Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2011-06-18T23:43:37-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19946772011-06-18T23:43:37-04:002011-06-18T23:43:37-04:00Johnny Damon, Rays Beat Marlins 7-4
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<p>The <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rays</a> (38-33) pushed around the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/florida-marlins" class="sbn-auto-link">Florida Marlins</a> (32-28) for their second straight Citrus Series win. The Rays have now crept to back within 4.5 games of the AL East lead, and 3 games withing the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a> who lead the Wild Card race.</p>
<p><span>Johnny Damon</span> made history on the night, going 2 for 3 with 2 walks, hitting his 500th double to lead off the Rays offense. Damon now joins the selective company of hitters who have each hit 500 doubles, 100 triples, 200 homers, and 2.500 hits -- a list that includes Lou Gehrig, Goose Goslin, Willy Mays, and Stan Musial.</p>
<p>However, though Damon's feat puts him in a selective of company of Hall of Famers, he has joined this group as a runt, not a thoroughbred. Of the 11 other players to join this fraternity, only Robin Yount has a lower <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/offense/ops/">on-base plus slugging (OPS)</a>, and he played in a more difficult run environment (the 1970s and 80s). Babe Ruth (206 OPS+) and Stan Musial (159+) dominated pitchers in their day, but Johnny Damon (105 OPS+) holds the distinction of merely surviving.</p>
<p><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-OPS-?urn=mlb-204667">OPS+</a><i> is a statistic that normalizes for the run environment. In other words, a 206 OPS+ from Ruth means he was 106% above league average, while Damon was merely 5% above league average with a 105 OPS+.</i></p>
<p>Getting the win tonight, <span>Alex Cobb</span> (2-0) pitched efficiently and effectively, going 6 and 1/3 innings, allowing two runs. The bullpen did not dominate tonight, but fortunately they did not need to as the Rays held a wide lead early and consistently.</p>
<p>Notes from the game:</p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Casey Kotchman</span>, <span>Ben Zobrist</span>, and <span>Reid Brignac</span> all had good nights tonight, each of them doubling and altogether going a combined 5 for 9 with 3 walks and steal. Strong production from the infield like this allows the Rays to remain competitive while <span>Evan Longoria</span> continues to look for his stroke.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">In the 6th inning, the Rays scored 2 unearned runs on a <span>Greg Dobbs</span> error, a pop up which pushed just wide of his glove. The Rays had a fielding gaff of their own when <span>John Jaso</span> tossed the ball into center field on a steal from <span>Emilio Bonifacio</span>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">The Rays schedule has them finishing their first series with the Marlins tomorrow at 1:40 p.m. ET.</span></li>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 6.18.2011 </span> </th> <th> 1 </th> <th> 2 </th> <th> 3 </th> <th> 4 </th> <th> 5 </th> <th> 6 </th> <th> 7 </th> <th> 8 </th> <th> 9 </th> <th>R</th> <th>H</th> <th>E</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/florida-marlins">Florida Marlins</a> </span></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td class="highlight">4</td>
<td class="highlight">5</td>
<td class="highlight">2</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay Rays</a> </span></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>X</td>
<td class="highlight">7</td>
<td class="highlight">8</td>
<td class="highlight">1</td>
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<td colspan="13">WP: Alex Cobb (2 - 0) <br> SV: Joel Peralta (1) <br> LP: Ricky Nolasco (4 - 3)</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/6/18/2231370/johnny-damon-rays-beat-marlins-7-4Bradley Woodrum2011-06-18T13:33:03-04:002011-06-18T13:33:03-04:00Rays Aim For Game Two Against The Marlins
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<p>The <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Rays</a> (37-33) take on the slumping <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/florida-marlins" class="sbn-auto-link">Florida Marlins</a> (32-38), hoping to take the second game of the 2011 Citrus Series schedule. The Marlins, who started the season hot, have gone 1-16 in the month of June, being outscored by 44 runs since the first.</p>
<p>Scheduled to start for the Rays, rookie <span>Alex Cobb</span> (1-0, 3.57 <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/pitching/era/">ERA</a>, 3.49 <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/pitching/fip/">FIP</a>) looks to keep his strong pattern going. Making his fifth career start, Cobb has allowed only 1 run in his last 2 games, pitching or through into the 6th inning in his last 3 starts.</p>
<p>Toeing the mound for Marlins, <span>Ricky Nolasco</span> (4-2, 4.23 <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/pitching/era/">ERA</a>, 3.55 <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/library/index.php/pitching/fip/">FIP</a>) hopes for his fortunes to improve. The Rays will have no shortage of challenge against Nolasco, who strikes out a lot of batters and walks very few. During the Marlins' recent losing streak, Nolasco has been a bit more inconsistent than usual, going 7 and 1/3 strong innings on the 8th of June, but only 3 innings on Monday, his last start.</p>
<p><b>Game Time: </b>7:10 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field (<a href="http://www.draysbay.com/rays-tickets">tickets</a>)<br><b>Television: </b>Sun Sports HD (and FS-F HD for the Marlins' broadcast)<br><b>Radio:</b> WDAE 620, WGES 680</p>
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<h3>American League Wild Card Standings</h3>
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<th></th> <th>W</th> <th>L</th> <th>PCT</th> <th>GB</th> <th>STRK</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York</a></td>
<td>39</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>.573</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="td-last">Lost 1</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit</a></td>
<td>38</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>.542</td>
<td>2</td>
<td class="td-last">Lost 1</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Tampa Bay</a></td>
<td>37</td>
<td>33</td>
<td>.528</td>
<td>3</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 1</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle</a></td>
<td>36</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>.514</td>
<td>4</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 2</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto</a></td>
<td>35</td>
<td>35</td>
<td>.500</td>
<td>5</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 1</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles</a></td>
<td>34</td>
<td>37</td>
<td>.478</td>
<td>6.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 1</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">Chicago</a></td>
<td>33</td>
<td>38</td>
<td>.464</td>
<td>7.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Lost 3</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Baltimore</a></td>
<td>31</td>
<td>37</td>
<td>.455</td>
<td>8</td>
<td class="td-last">Lost 2</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City</a></td>
<td>31</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>.442</td>
<td>9</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 1</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland</a></td>
<td>31</td>
<td>40</td>
<td>.436</td>
<td>9.5</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 3</td>
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<td class="td-name td-first"><a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota</a></td>
<td>29</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>.426</td>
<td>10</td>
<td class="td-last">Won 5</td>
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<p class="updated">(updated 6.18.2011 at 7:08 PM EDT)</p>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/6/18/2336750/rays-aim-for-game-two-against-the-marlinsBradley Woodrum