It wasn't very pretty, but the Rays won the series opener against the Nationals, owners of the league's worst record. It was just the kind of game that the Rays won all last year but have failed to win so far this year. The Rays have been awful in one run games this year and it feels like a turning point.
When Garza stepped on the hill to start the game, at home, against the Nationals, it felt like an automatic win, however when Garza stepped off the hill at the end of the top half of the first, it seemed like it would be a long night. With little control, he gave up 3 runs in the first while throwing over 30 pitches. But to Garza's credit, he battled through the next 4.2 innings and put up all zeros. And then the inconsistent bullpen followed and finished with 4.1 scoreless innings. So all they needed was 4 runs to pull out a victory.
A Navarro single, a double steal with an error and a Gross double and the Rays had 3 runs of their own. Then the bottom of the eighth brought lefty Ron Villone pitching, posting a .50 ERA, against Gabe Kapler, pinch hitting for the left handed Gabe Gross. Kapler brought a .173 batting average and just one home run to the plate. Kapler pops up a pitch to the left side in foul territory, and the usually sure handed Nick Johnson over-runs the ball and lets it hit the turf, giving Gabe a second life. Right as he dropped the pop up, there is only one thing going through Nick Johnson's mind..."Wouldn't I feel awful if Kpler hit a home run the very next pitch." Sure enough Gabe throws the bat head down at a low pitch and hits the ball into the first row of seats in left field, Rays take the lead 4-3. That would be all the offense they needed as J.P. Howell finishes it out and picks up his second win of the year.
Although it wasn't the most well played game, it's still a win. A win they needed against a team that is down on themselves for the time being. With two more games to play against the Nationals to round out the home stand, Saturday having a Ludacris concert to follow and Sunday having a Dioner Navarro bobble-head give-away, I think that its safe to say that anyting less than a sweep would be disappointing.
Keywords: Nationals, Tampa Bay Rays
