Rays take series from Oakland

3-3 road trip decent, at best.

The Rays won two out of three to take the series from Oakland and finish the short road trip 3-3. Some would look at that and say a .500 road series for this club(who historically struggles on the road) is a good one. And while going .500 on a road trip isn't horrid(for any club), consider this: The Rays easily could have been 5-1, sweeping in St. Louis. Past blunders aside, the club had a much needed day off today and will stick around home for 10 games in a row, opening this weekend against the Orioles, the Rangers and finally the White Sox. The Rays have been particularly good at home, and they welcome back former number 1 pick Josh Hamilton who is absolutely tearing it up for the Texas Rangers, leading the Majors in RBI's.

The Daily Turn:

6

The Rays didn't get the strong pitching they have in the past in Oakland, with Shields and Sonnanstine struggling. Scott Kazmir was much improved and looked good in his win on Tuesday. Shields wasn't bad, but wasn't as tight as he can be. Sonnanstine was rocked in Oakland, and will undoubtedly rebound on this home stand. On a bright note, the bullpen looked back to form and Jason Hammel made a solid appearance on Monday.

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The Rays continue to be luke warm at the plate and runs have been hard to come by up and down the order. Kazmir gave up just one run in his outing, but nearly took the loss as the offense struggled to get 3 runs. Combined in the Oakland series the Rays only knocked out 21 hits in three games, 11 coming in the 13 inning game on Monday.

3

Carlos Pena continues to struggle, now for the second month of the season. Joe Maddon refuses to move him out of the clean up spot, a move that is hurting the club. Pena has not come through consistently, and may benefit by being moved down to the 5 or 6 hole. With the Rays offense struggling the way it has, I am surprised Maddon has let Pena stink up the clean up spot for this long.