MLB Closer, baseball, jeff niemann, tampa bay rays

In Praise Of The Devil Rays

Some fun facts about your Tampa Bay Rays: Their Class AA affiliate is the Montgomery Biscuits ... Jeff Niemann, who won his major league debut on Sunday by throwing six innings of one-run ball, is already known by Rays fans as The Knight Who Says Ni ... with Niemann moving up to the bigs, the Rays optioned pitcher Jae Kuk Ryu to Class AAA Durham. Baseball's gain is rap music's loss ... one of the blogs dedicated to the team is named Rays Anatomy ... they're only a game out of first!

B.J. Upton's three-run homer during a six-run fifth, and the aforementioned Niemann ("Ni! Ni!") led the Rays to a 6-2 win over the still-in-first-place Orioles. Carl Crawford had a two-run single before Upton's homer (on a 3-2 pitch with two out). So are you ready for three wild scrambles in the American League, where no team has a better record than 8-5, and only the Tigers are more than 2 1/2 games out of first in their respective division races?

• He'll Do In A Pinch. I think we can all agree that it's a glorious day when Carlos Zambrano (career batting average .215, with 12 homers) is called on to pinch hit. Zambrano didn't disappoint in the 10th with two on; muscling a grounder to short that should have gone for an inning-ending double play. But Chase Utley threw away the relay to first, allowing the go-ahead run to score. Final: Chicago 6, Philadelphia 5. The End. Now go to sleep, children.

• Welcome Back, Kapler. Gabe Kapler, who at this time last season was managing the Class A Greenville Drive, had a homer and two doubles to lead the Brewers over the Mets 9-7. Trivia: The Greenville Drive's home field is located across the street from the childhood home of Shoeless Joe Jackson.

• Tigers Not Yet Ready To Stop Sucking. Joe Crede and Paul Konerko each hit grand slams as the White Sox slipped by the Tigers 11-0. Konerko's came in the third off Kenny Rogers and Crede's, his second this season, came in the fifth against Zach Miner. So, Chicago in first in the AL Central, and Detroit at 2-10.

10:40 AM on Mon Apr 14 2008
By Rick
4,014 views
47 comments

Comments

Doyle McPoyle at 10:58 AM on 04/14/08
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How can you option a guy whose third pitch is a Hadouken?
stealofthedraft at 10:59 AM on 04/14/08
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Liriano should have probably spent some more time in the minors. Also, it's weird to see KC win.
the-Bored at 10:59 AM on 04/14/08
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Good to see one of the 10,000 people known as the Hebrew Hammer is doing well.
MitchKayak at 10:59 AM on 04/14/08
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Mavel Tov Gabe Kapler, Mavel Tov.
Dany Heatley Speedwagon at 11:00 AM on 04/14/08
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No love for the Jays? They at least played on your hallowed soil, what do they have to do? Also... I just secured tickets to take the old man to Yankees Stadium for his first game ever weekend after Fathers day. Coicidentally will also be my first game. Win win!
MattinglysSideburns at 11:00 AM on 04/14/08
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@Doyle McPoyle: Yeah, it takes a lot of Guile to send that guy down.
Gourmet Spud at 11:00 AM on 04/14/08
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Not to mention an impressive return to the Jays by B.J. Ryan.

Speaking of B.J., apparently his wife affectionately calls him "Blow Joy," because she does not consider that a job...
$Image of What Would Kornheiser Do? Presented by Larsen\'s Biscuits$ What Would Kornheiser... at 11:00 AM on 04/14/08
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Hi, I'm Larry King. In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth… lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Well, that's it. Olgie and Frank is standing by, we'll get some coffee, we'll get some matzo-ball soup. I love the San Antonio Spurs, by the way, if you're betting on the NBA this year, I think they'll win it all. So I guess there's nothing more to say but...
Brazil Thrill at 11:01 AM on 04/14/08
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The Montgomery Biscuits have the coolest, tastiest looking mascot in the history of (semi) professional sports.
Tickenest at 11:01 AM on 04/14/08
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@Doyle McPoyle: You must defeat his fastball to stand a chance.
Civil Negligence at 11:01 AM on 04/14/08
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Is that blog named after the sappy, chick show on ABC or the medical treatise? Either way, I say back to the drawing board.
Magnakai Haaskivi at 11:02 AM on 04/14/08
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Maybe Cleveland should trade Sabathia to Detroit; he'd only add to the "climate of suck" on that team.
cowbell204 at 11:03 AM on 04/14/08
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@Brazil Thrill-Gasm: besides the fact it looks like floppy vag?
UkraineNotWeak at 11:03 AM on 04/14/08
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@the-Bored: @MitchKayak:

I thought he was still teaching The Sweathogs.
Juancho at 11:04 AM on 04/14/08
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@MitchKayak: L'chaim! @Magnakai Haaskivi: With the way Westbrook and Lee have been pitching, I have no problem shipping him out at the trading deadline for a corner bat.
Juancho at 11:05 AM on 04/14/08
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@What Would Kornheiser Do?: absolutely fantastic ep.
UkraineNotWeak at 11:05 AM on 04/14/08
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@Brazil Thrill-Gasm:

You haven't seen the mascot for the Pismo Beach Hairy Clams* then?

*may not be actual team
Afino at 11:07 AM on 04/14/08
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So whose ancient rotation is hurting more? Braves or Mets?

Discuss.....
Slothrop at 11:09 AM on 04/14/08
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@Brazil Thrill-Gasm:

that's a biscuit? Where's the syrup?
MurrayHewitt at 11:09 AM on 04/14/08
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@the-Bored: Meanwhile, Rocco Baldelli - one of the 14,000 people called the "Italian Stallion" - remains perplexed by the stubborn refusal of this mitochondria to function properly.
Brazil Thrill at 11:10 AM on 04/14/08
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@cowbell204: I'd say including the fact it looks like a floppy vag.
Dany Heatley Speedwagon at 11:11 AM on 04/14/08
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@cowbell204: it hangs like wizard sleeve.
UkraineNotWeak at 11:11 AM on 04/14/08
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@Gourmet Spud:

I see someone has been hanging out in The Cougar's Den.
Clare at 11:12 AM on 04/14/08
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@Afino: I am SO PISSED that the Mets rejiggered the rotation and now the Friday game is no longer the Hamels-Santana showdown.

@Gourmet Spud: Kegel break!
UkraineNotWeak at 11:16 AM on 04/14/08
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@Clare:

Would you care for a tartini?
$Image of josereyes.theroof wishes to perform Tim Harris\'s sack-dance for you$ josereyes.theroof... at 11:16 AM on 04/14/08
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@MurrayHewitt: Rocco shouldn't have killed that gypsy's goat. The curse is his own doing, then; so too the end of his baseball career.
Becky_MI at 11:16 AM on 04/14/08
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@Gourmet Spud: @UkraineNotWeak: @Clare: That skit made me laugh and cry at the same time.

I mean, I felt like I needed to stop shopping at Hot Topic!
shea_guevara at 11:17 AM on 04/14/08
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@Clare: Last I heard, Santana was supposed to start against the Phillies, and Friday would be his day to go. The alternative would be for somebody like Nelson Figueroa to start that day, which...no.
Rick Chandler at 11:17 AM on 04/14/08
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@Brazil Thrill-Gasm: Many is the time that wished I had a pat of butter for a tongue ..
$Image of josereyes.theroof wishes to perform Tim Harris\'s sack-dance for you$ josereyes.theroof... at 11:17 AM on 04/14/08
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@Clare: Everyone knows Santana would blow Coal Chamber out of the water.
Brazil Thrill at 11:19 AM on 04/14/08
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@UkraineNotWeak: But in order to see the Pismo Beach mascot, first you have to buy it a few drinks. Then you have to chat it up for about 2 hours. Too much trouble if you ask me.

@Slothrop: We're looking at a BYOS situation here. Bring your own syrup.
Afino at 11:20 AM on 04/14/08
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@josereyes.theroof wishes to perform Tim Harris's sack-dance...:

+1
tater at 11:24 AM on 04/14/08
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So ESPN is hyping up the hyperbole and saying Bannister is the next Maddux. Look the guy may use his head and an 85 mph fastball to get guys out and looks like an accountant...but please don't say that about him until he's pitched a few years in the bigs and has a few double digit win seasons.

/end rant
Afino at 11:33 AM on 04/14/08
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@tater:

They said Zach Grienke was the next Maddux 5 or 6 years ago.....

....just sayin'.
OchentaYcinco at 11:39 AM on 04/14/08
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I'd also like to thank the umps in the Phils-Cubs game for allowing us to watch some extra baseball. Hopefully after the game someone explained to them that the purpose of a foul pole is to help them determine whether a home run ball is, in fact, a foul ball. You idiots.
Clare at 11:39 AM on 04/14/08
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@shea_guevara: Phillies.com says Friday's pitcher is TBA vs. Cole.

@UkraineNotWeak: No, thank you, I had beer pong for dinner last night and I don't think I ever want to drink again.
Magnakai Haaskivi at 11:41 AM on 04/14/08
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@Juancho: And with them just signing Carmona to a deal through 2014, we'd still have young talent to continue developing. I'm 100% for it...but if we're gonna do it we need to do it before he ruins his trade value.
Chamomiles Davis at 11:45 AM on 04/14/08
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@josereyes.theroof wishes to perform Tim Harris's sack-dance...: In the hitter's park known as Citizen's Bank? I predict that Mr. "$137 Million Per Win" would surrender 5 home runs.
Chamomiles Davis at 11:46 AM on 04/14/08
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@Chamomiles Davis: ...per inning.
pr0FF3ss0r_j3rkwh3at at 11:46 AM on 04/14/08
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It's a good thing this baseball season doesn't really exist or I'd be crying myself to sleep at night...

/focuses on spring football
Magnakai Haaskivi at 11:50 AM on 04/14/08
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@Jerkwheat: Hey, the NWFA kicks off their season on Saturday. So there's always that to look forward to.
Chamomiles Davis at 11:52 AM on 04/14/08
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Let's see -- the worst team in the NL East has surrendered 70 runs. The best team in the NL East has surrendered... 70 runs.

"The NL East: It's Crap-TASTIC!"
pr0FF3ss0r_j3rkwh3at at 11:55 AM on 04/14/08
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@Magnakai Haaskivi: nah, I only follow the Independent Women's Football League

[www.iwflsports.com]
$Image of josereyes.theroof wishes to perform Tim Harris\'s sack-dance for you$ josereyes.theroof... at 12:12 PM on 04/14/08
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@Chamomiles Davis: The HHH Metrodome isn't exactly a pitcher's paradise... But then again, nothing in the AL Central compares to J.Roll-Chutley-RyHo-PatTheBat-Geoff"Favre,Jr."Jenkins. So, you're prolly right.
Chamomiles Davis at 12:23 PM on 04/14/08
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@josereyes.theroof wishes to perform Tim Harris's sack-dance...: Mind you, I'm not saying the Mets would lose... but either way it could get downright fugly at CBP.
Mayor McRib at 12:25 PM on 04/14/08
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@Chamomiles Davis:
I think you will be receiving a cease and desist letter from the NL Central.
iantenna at 12:38 PM on 04/14/08
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there's gonna be trouble when dude changes his name to jeff ekki-ekki-ekki-pitang-zoom-boingeimann.