Morning Round-up: Edge of your seat Percy edition

That's it. The Rays started the season much the way they ended it... handling the Red Sox in Fenway. It used to be a house of horrors for them until a Dan Johnson home run changed the balance of power.  Now, the Rays seem to know how to get it done.

He's a round-up of what they're saying around the web:

Times writer Marc Topkin gets some quotes from closer Troy Percival and manager Joe Maddon about yesterday's wild 9th inning.  To sum it up: A save is a save is a save.  I agree with the manager on this one, for now.  I thing there's really not a better alternative until Izzy gets healthy.  The business of closing baseball games is a bottom line-buinsess. It's all about the saves and blown saves.

Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe wrote an article reminding Red Sox fans "Just in case you forgot who carried the banner of the American League into the 2008 World Series . . ."  Nice article.  I'm not sure people around baseball are yet convinced that the Rays are still for real. But, I will say that there's no doubt in the minds of Red Sox nation that the Rays will be around all year.  Honorable mention for the Sox fan who commented after the story that "We'll show these Devils a thing or two once we get our SS back and the weather warms up." The weather warms up? Really?

The Boston Herald's John Tomase acknowledged the Rays defense as a big reason for the series victory. The Rays defense will only get better with Upton back in the lineup.  But, Carl Crawford looked absoulely sick during this series. It's good to have him back healthy.

Looking ahead Baltimore Sun columnist Rick Maese sums up some of the Orioles' bullpen concerns in this article following their series victory of the New York Yankees.  I didn't watch too much of the Orioles/Yankees series except for the final game.  The big key for the Rays will be not to overlook this team ahead of the home series against the Yanks.  The Rays will get their 4/5/1 pitchers.  Hopefully, they can get to the bullpen early.

It's not your Daddy's AL East anymore!

I know. It's only the first series of the season. But, wasn't there something real satisfying about the way the Rays took it to the Red Sox at Fenway? We're only three games into the season and these guys are already playing like it's the ALCS all over again.  That, my friends, is what winning will do to a franchise.

To be honest, there are still some problems The Rays had some issues knocking runners in. And the bullpen gave a little bit. But, overall two great performances after the Game 1 loss.  The Rays put the Red Sox and their fans on notice that last year wasn't a fluke and any team that wants to win the AL East is going to have to scratch and claw its way all year.

Maddon Quote of the Day on Troy Percival:

 "It doesn't always have to be an oil painting to be successful," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "He's probably amped up, man, and I don't blame him. It's a Fenway moment."

Here are some of the things I noticed in Game 3:

• Matt Garza continued his domination of the Red Sox. The way he handled Dustin Pedroia in the 3rd inning was masterful. He got two called strikes, threw a brushback pitch, then got swinging. Filthy.  Except for Youk, none of the Red Sox had an answer for Garza.

• The Rays have really figured out how to play defense at Fenway Park. One of the reasons they struggled there last year was defensive miscues common at Fenway.  But, over this series, the Rays outfield really looked like they knew what they were doing out there.  Carl Crawford looked more comfortable than he ever has effortlessly playing balls off the wall, throwing out runners at third, and getting good jumps on liners in the gap.  Kaplar and Joyce also played some solid center field for the most part.

• I know Troy Percival makes many people sweat out there, but he got the job done.  A closer is not always going to be pretty. They're not always going to strike out the side. Right now, Percy is the best closer on the roster.  Balfour is needed in his setup roll and I'm not sure Wheeler can handle all the pressure with the game on the line. The Rays and Maddon will have a short leash with Percy once Izzy is completely healthy. Just be patient and celebrate any time Percy gets a save.

• The Baltimore Orioles are next on the schedule.  They're coming off a thumping by the New York Yankees following 2 straight wins.  We'll see the 2009 version of Andy Sonnanstine for the first time along with new #5 starter Jeff Niemann.

Kaz is back! Rays win 1st game of the season.

It seems like it was just a year ago when the Rays couldn't buy a game at Fenway. Now, it seems like they just go up there and take a workman's approach to grinding out a win against the Red Sox in their own crib.  Scott Kazmir looked like the ace from 2007.  He easily out dueled Jon Lester giving up 5 hits with only 2 of them being legitimate.  It was nice to see him go without worrying about pitch count from the 2nd inning on.

On the offensive side of the ball, a little small ball and a little long ball was all the Rays need to keep the Sox at bay and win their first game of the 2009 season.  Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria both went deep.  The Aki/Bartlett show proved once again the genius that is Joe Maddon.

Full Story:

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Here are some of my post-game observations:

• Scott Kazmir is the ace of this team. If you had any doubts, tonight's performance shows it. He went into hostile territory and put the game on his shoulders.  It seemed like he wasn't pressing as much for strikeouts tonight as he was last year.  That's a good sign. Get the outs and the "K's" will come.

• Carlos Pena's 2 out home run was huge for a number reasons.  It knocked Lester out of the game (more on that later), it took almost all the energy out of Fenway and the Sox, it got Pena out of his 0-6 slump to start the season, and it pretty much put the game out of the Red Sox reach.

• Maddon continues to show his managing genius.  The safety squeeze to score Kapler in the 5th was a perfect way to really get that rally going.  But, it was the hit and run with Kapler on 1st and Aki at the plate that was key to that inning.  Aki was able to punch the ball into left field in the spot Jed Lowrie had just vacated to cover 2nd.  Great way to manage base runners in a game where runs could be at a premium.

• On the other side, Francona's decision to keep Lester in to face Pena came back to haunt him.  I can see the reasons why Francona wanted to keep Lester in, but he probably should've pulled the plug.  It just goes to show that Francona's still concerned about early middle relief against the Rays lineup (their achilles heal last year). 

• The Red Sox/Rays match-up is still one of the best in baseball right now.  These teams have truly become rivals over the past year.  It's good to see that the Rays didn't forget how to win at Fenway over the winter.

Rays lose opener. Top of 6th sums up game

You can't ask for a better situation in a baseball game.  Second and third, nobody out, and your 3-4-5 batters coming to the plate. That was the situation the Rays found themselves in the sixth inning on opening day. Down 4-1 against Red Sox ace Josh Beckett, the Rays finally seemed to be getting through.  Aki Iwamura walked and Carl Crawford followed that up with a double.

Now, it was time to get to work. This was the chance the Rays had been looking for all day.  This is the chance you have to jump on when you're playing the Red Sox at Fenway. But, it wasn't to be: a fly out to the catcher, a strikeout, and grounder to third ended the Rays chances to get to Beckett.

Look, I'm not asking for much. While I would've loved to see Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena, or Pat Burrell go yard, I would've been happy with just a sacrifice fly.  Instead, the meat of the order meekly gives in to Beckett and gives the Red Sox the opening day win.

The Rays 3-4-5 batters looked horrible today. At least Longo came up with a 2 RBI hit in the 8th to make it closer.  Pena didn't even sniff a hit... striking out all 4 times.  As for Burrell, we'll give him a pass today because he was playing in his first game in the American league battling a tough righty. My biggest concern is Pena. He's going up against a lefty tomorrow in Jon Lester that could give him all kinds of problems.  Just make contact, Carlos!

Other things I noticed

• The umpire was a little friendly on the outside calls against the Rays.

• The bullpen did an admirable job in relief of James Shields. It was good to get our first look at Cormier and Nelson.

• Matt Joyce didn't impress me too much at the plate today.

• The Rays don't play well in chilly weather.  I wonder if Shields first inning would've been different in a warmer environment.

• I'm looking for the Kaz of old tomorrow. If the bats come through, we could get a W.