Offense + bullpen + Percy = Win

Offense - Check

Bullpen - Check

Percy - Check

It all came together last night for the Rays. Offense, bullpen and Percy all did their part to break the three game home losing streak. Big Game James wasn't quite his dominant self, but you have to give him props for coming back from a rough 6th inning and then getting 4 straight outs before turning it over to the bullpen.

Here are some other things I noticed:

• The Rays are looking more and more like the team they're playing (White Sox), continuing to use the long ball to win games. Last night was no different, with 5 of the 6 runs coming off home runs. For the year, 30 of their 57 runs have come off homers.  I'm not really complaining, but it is worth keeping an eye on. 

•  Zorilla is quickly working his way toward replacing a Gabe.  His pinch-hit grand slam in the 6th was a thing of beauty.  I don't think Zorilla will completely replace the Gabes because he's needed as an infield back-up, but he's definitely pushing for more playing time.

• Percy and the bullpen.  As a staunch defender of Percy last year, I've been hearing it after his blown save the other night.  It was good to see him get a save, especially getting those first two outs quickly. I think the best way for Rays fans to deal with Percy is just to accept he's the closer. When Maddon thinks he can't get the job done, he'll be retired to the DL and we'll see Izzy. Or maybe, just maybe, Percy has something on Maddon that keeps him running him out there.

• After a great debut, the Vicious Circle line-up is having trouble at the number 1/number 2 spot. Bossman and CC are breaking the circle a bit. Both are struggling right now.  I expect them to eventually come out of it and strengthen the Vicious Circle. But, for now, they look like the cheap imitation bologna on a sandwich of Aki/Bartlett and Longo/Pena. We need them to be fine cut deli meat!
  

Heading Home: Bats wake-up and Shields shines

The Rays avoided a sweep at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles on Easter afternoon thanks to an offensive explosion and some great pitching by "Big Game" James Shields.  Everyone got into the act behind the plate, even Pat Burrell got a couple of hits. Evan Longoria continued his insane start to the season with his fifth home run.  Overall, good performance heading into Monday's big Championship match-up against the New York Yankees.

Here are some things I noticed about today's game:

• Carl Crawford got the RISP monkey off the Rays back with a 3-run triple that opened the floodgates.  I give credit to the warmer afternoon weather.

• James Shields pitched like a man possessed.  You could just tell it was going to be his day when he was able to get Roberts/Jones/Markakis in order in the 1st inning.

• Shields also got caught on camera lobbying Maddon to pitch the 8th.  While I admire his tenacity, I'd prefer him to go out on a good note.

• Longoria continues to swing a big stick. The man is possessed. If we could just get a little more from Pena and Burrell, the middle of the order would be sick.

• Aki seems to be lobbying to stay in the number 1 spot as he continues to rack up hits. I'm beginning to lean toward wishing Maddon would return the order to what we saw last year with Aki/Upton/Crawford/Longo.  I see no problem putting Burrell at 6th, for now.

• All hail the Z-man. Ben Zobrist's three-run homer continues the power surge that he began last year.

• Open note to Joe Maddon: I know you wanted to get Balfour some work, but spare us when the Rays have such a lead. Balfour obviously thrives on pressure. 11-0 in the 9th is not pressure. So, he made his own.

• I love Carlos Pena, but I really hate when he hits pile-on homers.  I want to see him hit one when it matters.