MVN - Most Valuable Network

Edwin Jackson Shows Up, Rays Fall To Sox

Everyone wonders why I always write disparaging things about Edwin Jackson.  Last night’s performance should show you why.  He didn’t make it out of the 5th inning and allowed six runs.  The Rays offense didn’t do much in support of him but that’s not the point.  The team lost 7-3 to fall farther behind Boston in the standings.  We’ll have a more in depth report on Jackson coming Monday. The Rays are now looking up at Boston in the standings with a 16-13 record.

On The Mound:  As I stated above, Jackson was terrible.  He was doing ok through three innings, but when the fourth came around he unraveled.  He allowed five runs that inning, all earned.  For all of you Jackson lovers out there, this is what he is.  He’ll dazzel you for a start, then go out and get bombed the next.  For all of his potential, all of his hope, this is what he is.  Like I said before we’ll have more on him on Monday.  Kurt Birkins pitched two innings of scoreless relief and new bullpen mate Jason Hammel went two innings of one run ball in mop up duty. 

At The Plate:  Three runs is nothing to be excited about.  It was a fairly quite night at the plate.  Carl Crawford had a walk, two hits including a double, and one RBI.  Jason Bartlett has come alive lately, he chipped in with two hits and two runs.  Carlos Pena went 2-4 with two singles, raising his average to .217.  It was a tough game for Evan Longoria.  The rookie 3B  went 0-3 with two K’s and 5LOB.  Buchholz and a quartet of Boston relievers kept the Rays in check.  The runs coming off of Buccholz and Javier Lopez. 

Erik’s Take:  I get so nervous whenever Jackon takes the mound, especially against a quality team like Boston.  If he could be even league average I’d be happy.  Longoria has been slumping a bit lately, but that’s to be expected of a rookie in his first month in the majors.  Hopefully he can break out of it soon.  The next two games should be very interesting.  Today James Shields faces off against Josh Beckett in a rematch of last Sunday’s fantastic Rays shutout.  Sunday Kazmir makes his return against Jon Lester.  Let’s go Rays. 

Tommy’s Take:  Just do me a favor and take a look at these two lines

2-3, 4.98 ERA, 19BB, 19 ER, 84 ERA+ in 34.3 Innings

2-2, 4.85 ERA, 13 BB, 16 ER, 86 ERA+ in 29.7 Innings.

Look similar? Well one of those guys lost his job and the other continues to get a free pass. The top(worst) line belongs to Edwin Jackson, the bottom belongs to Jason Hammel. I know everyone is in love with the stuff of Edwin Jackson, but he has not improved one bit in the past two seasons. He a below average pitcher and will continue to be one. Jason Hammel on the other had one bad outing this year and lost his spot. Jason Hammel went at least six innings in all of his starts except one. He also didnt give up more than four ER in any start. Jackson has had three starts where he went five innings or less and three starts where he’s given up at least five ER including two starts where he gave up six.

Two positives I took out of the loss were Carlos Pena and Jason Bartlett. They each had two hits last night and seem to be on the right track now.  Bartlett is hitting over .500 in his last three games and has scored six times in the last five games.  Pena has hit safetly now in his past five games.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm and is filed under MVN Rays. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.