ST. PETERSBURG — Already, the doubts had turned to whispers. Soon, the whispers would turn to moans. Eventually, those moans were going to turn into full-blown derision.

When a career seems to be going the wrong way, this is its soundtrack. One day, the talk was that David Price was promised tomorrow, and everyone agreed he was on his way to being another CC Sabathia. The next, he was yesterday’s news, and he seemed to be stumbling down the Scott Kazmir career track.

As quick as a raised eyebrow, it seemed, Price had been marked down to half-price.

Then came Tuesday night, when a young pitcher restaked his claim as a one of the finest in the game.

For the Rays, it is difficult to imagine a finer sight than Price looking the way he used to look. He was explosive again. He was efficient again. He was there until the end again.

To sum it up, Price was dominant again in Tuesday night’s five-hit shutout over the Angels, and it has been far too long since anyone suggested that of him.

Yeah, this is how he used to look — explosive and efficient, blistering and baffling. Once again, Price was in command of the game, of his fastball, of the altered perceptions of his place in the game.

“I needed that,” Price said. “I needed to get that feeling back. It gets old coming out in the sixth inning.”

As the words left Price’s lips, you could imagine fans across Tampa Bay shouting, “Amen.” In his three previous starts this season, Price had been pulled once in the seventh, once in the sixth and once after three innings.

The result was that unsettled feeling that Price was underachieving. After all, he was second in the Cy Young Award voting only two years ago. How could he have been only 12-13 last year? How had he been less than dominant this year?

Granted, that has been the cause of much of the grumbling about Price. He was so good so fast that, by now, some expected him to be unhittable. Finish second in the Cy Young voting and people tend to expect dominance every year.

Remember what a ball of fun Price was two years ago? Remember how good he was in the big moments? Remember how he etched the initials of former teammate Tyler Morrissey (who was killed in a car crash) on his glove? Perhaps it means something, but Tuesday was the four-year anniversary of Morrissey’s death.

For the record, Price was aware of it, too. He talked to the Morrissey family before the start. Again. As he often does, he used Morrissey’s memory as motivation. Again.

In other words, yeah, he’s the same guy.

After the game, Rays manager Joe Maddon studied the Rays statistics and shook his head.

“He’s 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA,” Maddon said. “People have been, like, kind of criticizing him a little bit. Those are pretty good numbers right there. When you’re that good, there are a lot of high expectations attached to that kind of skill level. A guy like that has a kind of a speed bump, and it’s exaggerated a little bit.”

Maybe. But Price is also as talented as any pitcher on the staff, and it’s hard to imagine the Rays making a run at the postseason if he struggles. When a pitcher gets off to a slow start after an unsatisfying year, people are bound to notice.

“Absolutely, it’s out there,” Price said. “That’s in all sports. Everyone has critics. But I’m my own worst critic, so it didn’t bother me.”

Tuesday night, nothing seemed to bother Price, least of all the Angels. Maddon has suggested before that Price was still learning which of his pitches to use when, but for a night, he seemed to have figured it out.

Even more important, Price didn’t waste a lot this time. In his first three starts, Price would struggle through innings throwing 29-30 pitches. This time, he didn’t throw more than 18 in any one inning, and he had six innings in which he threw 14 or fewer.

In all, it was a start that suggests a restart. If Price keeps pitching like this, yes, the Rays can contend. If Price keeps pitching like this, yes, the Cy Young voters may remember his name.

As for Price, yes, his expectations are as high as they have ever been.

“I don’t see why they wouldn’t be,” he said. “I’m throwing the ball just fine.”

Fine, he said. Finally, some might add.

Red Sox’ Alex Hassan, right, reaches first as Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena tries to get a glove on the ball during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game in Port Charlotte, Fla., Sunday, March 18, 2012. (Charles Krupa/AP)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Clay Buchholz allowed one run and four hits in five innings, Cody Ross homered for the second straight afternoon and the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-4 Sunday.

Buchholz, who struck out four and walked none, allowed his only run on Evan Longoria’s first-inning homer – his first hit of spring training. Longoria was 2 for 3 with a walk, two runs and an RBI.

Rays left-hander Matt Moore, back from a mild abdominal strain, gave up four runs, two hits and three walks in 2 1-3 innings, leaving after he walked the bases loaded in the third. He allowed solo homers to Ross and Josh Kroeger, and threw just 26 of 52 pitches for strikes.

Updated Sep 28, 2011 12:54 AM ET

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)

Strong pitching, solid defense and just enough offense. Call it the Rays way.

Tampa Bay continued its improbable bid for the AL wild card with a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, taking the chase down to the last night of the regular season after getting home runs from Matt Joyce and Ben Zobrist and turning a triple play that helped them stay in the game.

Seeking their third playoff berth in four seasons, the Rays are tied with Boston after making up nine games in the standings since Sept. 4.

The Red Sox beat Baltimore 8-7, and if the teams remain tied after Wednesday’s season finales, they will meet in a one-game playoff Thursday at Tropicana Field.

”We don’t feel like we have anything to lose. We’ve had a great run,” Zobrist said. ”We’re hoping to cap it with a playoff berth.”

Joyce’s three-run homer off former teammate Rafael Soriano (2-3) was the All-Star’s first in more than three weeks and it wiped out a 3-2 deficit in the seventh. Zobrist hit a two-run drive off Bartolo Colon in the second, and the Rays kept the score close by turning the third triple play in franchise history after falling behind in the sixth.

”Everybody’s thirsty for offense, and we’d like to score more,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. ”But we’re built around pitching and defense.”

Jake McGee (4-2) pitched one scoreless inning to get the win. With a crowd of 22,820 standing and cheering, Kyle Farnsworth got the final three outs for his 25th save in 31 chances. The victory was the fourth straight for Tampa Bay, which trailed the Red Sox by nine games before battling back into the wild-card race.

”Catching Boston was a big thing, but we still haven’t accomplished what we set out to do from the beginning of spring training,” Rays designated hitter Johnny Damon said.

Russell Martin hit a solo homer for the Yankees in the third, but also grounded into the triple play that helped Jeremy Hellickson escape further damage after Nick Swisher’s RBI double gave New York a 3-2 lead in the sixth.

The Yankees, who clinched the division title and homefield advantage throughout the AL playoffs last week, rested Derek Jeter and plan to play most – if not all – of their regular lineup again on Wednesday. Manager Joe Girardi remained undecided on a starting pitcher for the finale, but it figures to be a reliever.

New York general manager Brian Cashman reiterated how nice it is to be in a position to not have to go down to the wire.

”I’m not pulling for anybody. I know I’m glad that we were able to do what we did,” Cashman said. ”I know that both parties involved, Boston and Tampa Bay, are having sleepless nights. They’re hungry. Rather than have to live to through it, I think both want to fast forward it to see what happens. I’ve been there.”

Zobrist has homered five times in his last 10 games after going 39 games without hitting one. Martin’s solo homer trimmed the early lead to 2-1, and the Yankees tied it in the fourth when Brett Gardner, who had singled, scored from third as Curtis Granderson grounded into a double play.

New York wasted a couple of opportunities to take charge against Hellickson, who allowed three runs and six hits in six innings. Mark Teixeira flied to right field with the bases loaded to end the third, and the Yankees also failed to score with the bases filled in the sixth, when Martin grounded into the 5-4-3 triple play.

After Swisher’s RBI double, Jorge Posada drew an intentional walk to load the bases against Hellickson with no outs. The rookie escaped the jam when Martin hit a sharp grounder to third baseman Evan Longoria, who stepped on the bag and threw to second baseman Zobrist for the second out. Zobrist’s relay to first arrived ahead of Martin, who dived head first into the base.

”What I was hoping for was maybe a double play and giving up one run,” Maddon said. ”But my God, how do you even envision a triple play. We were very fortunate with that. The ball was hit in a perfect spot.”

Girardi agreed.

”You can’t hit it in a more perfect spot,” he said. ”That was a big break for them.”

Colon allowed two runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings. Girardi used four relievers – Soriano, Cory Wade, David Robertson and Mariano Rivera – in their final tuneup for the playoffs.

”We’re professionals. We try to win every game,” Martin said. ”We want to play these guys tough. They just had our number today.”

Notes: The Rays played without 1B Casey Kotchman, who was scratched from the lineup after experiencing chest tightness and being taken to a hospital for precautionary tests. The team said all of the tests were negative. … Damon singled in the second inning, moving past Lou Gehrig into sole possession of 57th place on the career hits list with 2,722. … Tampa Bay and Boston both are trying to become the first team to start a season 0-6 and make the playoffs. … Cashman flew to Florida to take part in a postseason organizational meeting with Girardi and his coaching staff. More talks will take place Wednesday. … Girardi said it’s possible the Yankees will use three starters and have 10 or 11 pitchers overall for the opening playoff round. LHP CC Sabathia and RHP Ivan Nova will start Games 1 and 2. The Yankees have not announced their Game 3 starter. … Cashman confirmed that the New York Mets denied the Yankees request to have their Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre team play one season in Newark. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s stadium is undergoing major renovations.

The Tampa Bay Rays are focusing on their playoff push rather than the shocking slide of the Boston Red Sox.

B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist homered in the first inning to back Wade Davis, and the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 Sunday to pull within a half-game of the Red Sox for the AL wild-card lead.

“It’s more about the ascension of the Rays right now,” Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. “Obviously, they’re struggling a bit, and that happens. But from our perspective, it’s more important what we do. It’s fortuitous that they’ve had a hard time, but I love the fact that we’re taking care of business.”

Evan Longoria and Kelly Shoppach also homered for the Rays, who have closed despite going just 14-10 in September.

Nine games back of the Red Sox heading into play on Sept. 4, Tampa Bay would move into a tie for the wild-card lead if the Yankees completed a sweep of Boston in their day-night doubleheader.

“The more pressure you put on yourself, the tougher it is to play baseball, which is probably what the Red Sox are doing right now,” Davis said. “There’s probably a lot of pressure on them. They’re playing tense and they’re not playing their game. As long as we can stay relaxed and understand our position, we can just keep it going.”

No major league team has overcome a nine-game deficit in September to claim a postseason berth. The closest was the 1964 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, who trailed the Philadelphia Phillies by 8 1-2 games on Sept. 3.

Tampa Bay closes at home against the Yankees, while the Red Sox play at Baltimore.

“I know we have a tough team coming in, and we really have to play well,” Tampa Bay’s Johnny Damon said. “It’ll be a tough go, but I think we’re feeling good about ourselves and fortunately for us, there’s no off-day.

Davis (11-10) allowed two runs and three hits in eight innings, and Joel Peralta finished for his sixth save in eight chances. The Rays have won 27 games in a row when scoring five runs or more.

Toronto’s Jose Bautista, the major league leader with 43 homers, bruised a spot just below his left knee on Zobrist’s first-inning homer, hitting the right-field fence hard while attempting to make a catch. Mark Teahen hit for Bautista in the sixth inning.

“It’s sore right now,” Bautista said. “It started getting more sore and stiff to run. It was hurting when I was running.”

Blue Jays manager John Farrell doesn’t expect Bautista to play in Monday night’s game at the Chicago White Sox. The slugger hasn’t ruled himself out from playing again before the regular season ends Wednesday.

“We feel like we dodged a bullet,” Farrell said. “It could have been something much more severe. There’s a little bit of a gap in that padding out there, and there’s a little bit of exposed metal and that was the impact.”

Upton homered with one out, and Zobrist hit an inside-the-park homer to right with two outs, also off Brett Cecil (4-11).

David Cooper had an RBI double in the second, but Longoria’s two-run homer made it 4-1 in the third. He has driven in 82 runs over his last 95 games.

After Toronto’s Dewayne Wise had a solo homer in the fifth, Shoppach hit a sixth-inning shot.

Cecil gave up four runs and five hits in 3 1-3 innings. He is 0-7 with a 5.16 ERA in his last 10 starts.

Updated Sep 11, 2011 12:57 AM ET

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)

The Tampa Bay Rays are making the AL playoff race very interesting.

Evan Longoria hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning, helping the Rays rebound after blowing a ninth-inning lead to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-5 on Saturday night and pull within 4 1/2 games of the AL wild card leaders.

”We all believe we have a solid chance to do this,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

Desmond Jennings opened the 11th with a triple off Daniel Bard (2-7) that lunging center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury couldn’t reach. After B.J. Upton hit a grounder to first, Longoria lined a single to center on an 0-2 pitch.

”We got there at the same time and I heard him (Ellsbury) call the ball,” Red Sox right fielder Darnell McDonald said about Jennings’ triple. ”Tried to get out of the way … The ball dropped. That’s about how it’s going for us right now.”

Brandon Gomes (2-1) worked 1 1-3 perfect innings for the Rays.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ellsbury hit consecutive one-out solo homers in the ninth off closer Kyle Farnsworth to pull the Red Sox even at 5.

”It’s disapppointing the way it ended, but we sure gave ourselves a chance,” Boston manager Terry Francona said.

After Dustin Pedroia doubled and Adrian Gonzalez walked, Cesar Ramos replaced Farnsworth and induced a double-play grounder from David Ortiz.

Farnsworth has blown six saves in 29 opportunities this season, including two straight outings. After the game, Maddon said Farnsworth tweaked his right elbow and will shut down for at least a few days.

Gonzalez hit his 25th homer for the Red Sox, who have lost six of seven. Ellsbury has a 15-game hitting streak.

Boston left-hander Jon Lester (15-6) and Rays right-hander James Shields (14-10) are the scheduled starters in Sunday’s series finale. Shields has 11 complete games this season, the most in the majors.

”It should be a pretty good matchup,” Francona said.

The teams begin a four-game series Thursday night at Fenway Park.

”We’ve got to stay very hot,” Maddon said. ”I think we’re committed to this.”

The Rays have won 20 games in a row when scoring five or more runs, and moved a season-high 16 games over .500 (80-64).

”That was a really good gut check for us, to be able to hang in that game and pick up a must-win,” Longoria said. ”These are the games we’re going to have to win if we’re going to make the playoffs.”

Tampa Bay went ahead 4-3 when Casey Kotchman hit a solo homer against reliever Alfredo Aceves during the fifth. It was Kotchman’s first homer since Aug. 12 off Yankees ace CC Sabathia.

Longoria made it 5-3 with a sacrifice fly in the sixth. He has driven in 63 runs over his last 71 games.

Gonzalez hit a two-run shot during the fifth that got Boston even at 3. Gonzalez had just seven hits, including one homer and two RBIs, in his previous 45 at-bat against the Rays this season.

Jennings drove in a run on a grounder during the second, and Kotchman gave the Rays 3-1 lead on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly one inning later.

Tampa Bay loaded the bases on two walks and a single with no outs in the first, but scored just once on Ben Zobrist’s grounder. Kyle Weiland avoided further damage by striking out Johnny Damon and getting a fly ball from Matt Joyce.

The Rays went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position against Weiland, who allowed three runs, six hits and three walks over four innings.

Boston tied it at 1 on Jed Lowrie’s second-inning RBI grounder.

Tampa Bay rookie Jeremy Hellickson allowed three runs and five hits in six innings.

Notes: Red Sox INF Kevin Youkilis (left hip) will be out until at least Tuesday. … Rays SS Sean Rodriguez set a club record when he was hit by a pitch for the 15th time this season in the sixth by Aceves. … Boston RHP Josh Beckett (sprained right ankle) threw long toss and at 60 feet on level ground, and could soon be ready to throw off a bullpen mound. … The Rays plan to purchase the contract of UTL Russ Canzler and recall RHP Dane De La Rosa from Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are making the AL playoff race very interesting.

Evan Longoria hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning, helping the Rays rebound after blowing a ninth-inning lead to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-5 on Saturday night and pull within 4½ games of the AL wild card leaders.

“We all believe we have a solid chance to do this,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

Desmond Jennings opened the 11th with a triple off Daniel Bard (2-7) that lunging center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury couldn’t reach. After B.J. Upton hit a grounder to first, Longoria lined a single to center on an 0-2 pitch.

“We got there at the same time and I heard him (Ellsbury) call the ball,” Red Sox right fielder Darnell McDonald said about Jennings’ triple. “Tried to get out of the way … The ball dropped. That’s about how it’s going for us right now.”

Brandon Gomes (2-1) worked 1 1-3 perfect innings for the Rays.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ellsbury hit consecutive one-out solo homers in the ninth off closer Kyle Farnsworth to pull the Red Sox even at 5.

“It’s disapppointing the way it ended, but we sure gave ourselves a chance,” Boston manager Terry Francona said.

After Dustin Pedroia doubled and Adrian Gonzalez walked, Cesar Ramos replaced Farnsworth and induced a double-play grounder from David Ortiz.

Farnsworth has blown six saves in 29 opportunities this season, including two straight outings. After the game, Maddon said Farnsworth tweaked his right elbow and will shut down for at least a few days.

Gonzalez hit his 25th homer for the Red Sox, who have lost six of seven. Ellsbury has a 15-game hitting streak.

Boston left-hander Jon Lester (15-6) and Rays right-hander James Shields (14-10) are the scheduled starters in Sunday’s series finale. Shields has 11 complete games this season, the most in the majors.

“It should be a pretty good matchup,” Francona said.

The teams begin a four-game series Thursday night at Fenway Park.

“We’ve got to stay very hot,” Maddon said. “I think we’re committed to this.”

The Rays have won 20 games in a row when scoring five or more runs, and moved a season-high 16 games over .500 (80-64).

“That was a really good gut check for us, to be able to hang in that game and pick up a must-win,” Longoria said. “These are the games we’re going to have to win if we’re going to make the playoffs.”

Tampa Bay went ahead 4-3 when Casey Kotchman hit a solo homer against reliever Alfredo Aceves during the fifth. It was Kotchman’s first homer since Aug. 12 off Yankees ace CC Sabathia.

Longoria made it 5-3 with a sacrifice fly in the sixth. He has driven in 63 runs over his last 71 games.

Gonzalez hit a two-run shot during the fifth that got Boston even at 3. Gonzalez had just seven hits, including one homer and two RBIs, in his previous 45 at-bat against the Rays this season.

Jennings drove in a run on a grounder during the second, and Kotchman gave the Rays 3-1 lead on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly one inning later.

Tampa Bay loaded the bases on two walks and a single with no outs in the first, but scored just once on Ben Zobrist’s grounder. Kyle Weiland avoided further damage by striking out Johnny Damon and getting a fly ball from Matt Joyce.

The Rays went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position against Weiland, who allowed three runs, six hits and three walks over four innings.

Boston tied it at 1 on Jed Lowrie’s second-inning RBI grounder.

Tampa Bay rookie Jeremy Hellickson allowed three runs and five hits in six innings.

Notes: Red Sox INF Kevin Youkilis (left hip) will be out until at least Tuesday. … Rays SS Sean Rodriguez set a club record when he was hit by a pitch for the 15th time this season in the sixth by Aceves. … Boston RHP Josh Beckett (sprained right ankle) threw long toss and at 60 feet on level ground, and could soon be ready to throw off a bullpen mound. … The Rays plan to purchase the contract of UTL Russ Canzler and recall RHP Dane De La Rosa from Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

“He pitched great. We’ve just got to figure out how to beat some of these pitchers we’re facing. Too many 1-0, 2-0 losses. We’ve got to get beyond that. There are no excuses,” manager Joe Maddon said. “He had to pitch through some land mines to keep it at two runs. We did some really good things. He didn’t cave in by any means.”

Tampa Bay managed three singles and hit only a few balls out of the infield against Scott Feldman (1-0) and four Rangers relievers.

Hellickson (11-10) was cruising along until his first pitch of the sixth, which Josh Hamilton hit deep into a second deck of seats in right field. It landed an estimated 449 feet from home plate, his 19th homer, and broke a scoreless tie.

“It was right down the middle, right where he likes it,” Hellickson said.

“That was monster, and we needed it,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “That young kid can pitch. I thought we were taking some good swings at him. He was all around the strike zone, and finally left one up to Hamilton. Then Mike got him, then Murphy got him and then it started.”

Michael Young followed with a double before consecutive singles by Mike Napoli and David Murphy, the second sending Young home.

“I didn’t feel tired. I just missed with some pitches and they took advantage of it,” Hellickson said. “They’re a very good lineup. I thought I pitched well enough, pitched out of a few bases-loaded jams. It could have gotten out of hand. That one inning, I missed my spot a few times. … A few pitches got away from me.”

Hellickson is 1-3 in his five August starts despite a 2.49 ERA in that span. He struck out four and walked four, two of those intentional, while giving up two runs and six hits.

The Rangers still had the bases loaded after scoring twice in the sixth before Ian Kinsler, the last batter Hellickson faced, hit an inning-ending flyball on the 10th pitch of the at-bat.

Texas also had the bases loaded in the fourth, when Hamilton had a leadoff double. Young and Napoli both struck out before Murphy was intentionally walked and Yorvit Torrealba drew a walk. But Hellickson got Mitch Moreland on a flyball.

Feldman threw six scoreless innings while allowing only two singles in a spot start when the Rangers decided to skip 10-game winner Matt Harrison to give him an extended break. Feldman limited the Rays to two singles.

“He’s a sinker kind of guy. That’s what he does. There’s not much you can do about it,” B.J. Upton said. “We didn’t elevate the ball much which is what you’re gonna do against him.”

The only balls Tampa Bay hit out of the infield against Feldman (1-0) were the two singles he allowed. There were 12 groundouts, four strikeouts and two runners caught stealing in the 18 outs recorded while he was on the mound.

Feldman struck out four with one walk while throwing 88 pitches, right in the range of what Washington had said before the game.

“He had given us everything he needed to give us,” Washington said. “He kept it down in the zone and did an outstanding job.”

Mark Lowe, Darren Oliver and Mike Adams combined for two no-hit innings to set up Neftali Feliz for his 26th save in 32 chances. It was the Rangers’ 16th shutout this season.

The Rays, held scoreless for the 13th time this season, had two runners on with no outs and got two balls out of the infield in the ninth. But Feliz finally got out of the jam when Evan Longoria grounded into a game-ending double play.

The Rays had hit 10 homers in their previous series against Toronto, a team-record for a series. But their bats went mostly silent in their first game at Texas since last season’s AL playoffs.

Notes: The 13 shutouts for Tampa Bay are the most since 2004, when they also had 13. A dozen of those have come since June 1, a span of 80 games. … Murphy has started four consecutive games, going 7 for 15 in that stretch. … The Rangers are 43-27 at home. … Along with Hamilton’s long homer, the reigning AL MVP also had two big swings when the bat slipped out of his hands. One of them landed about 10 rows behind the Rangers dugout, in some empty seats, and the other wound up coming to rest in foul territory past first base near coach Gary Pettis.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays wasted another solid performance by Jeremy Hellickson with their quiet bats.

Hellickson allowed two runs in six innings against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers in a 2-0 loss Tuesday night, the 10th time this season the Rays scored one run or less while the rookie right-hander was on the mound.

“He pitched great. We’ve just got to figure out how to beat some of these pitchers we’re facing. Too many 1-0, 2-0 losses. We’ve got to get beyond that. There are no excuses,” manager Joe Maddon said. “He had to pitch through some land mines to keep it at two runs. We did some really good things. He didn’t cave in by any means.”

Tampa Bay managed three singles and hit only a few balls out of the infield against Scott Feldman (1-0) and four Rangers relievers.

Hellickson (11-10) was cruising along until his first pitch of the sixth, which Josh Hamilton hit deep into a second deck of seats in right field. It landed an estimated 449 feet from home plate, his 19th homer, and broke a scoreless tie.

“It was right down the middle, right where he likes it,” Hellickson said.

“That was monster, and we needed it,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “That young kid can pitch. I thought we were taking some good swings at him. He was all around the strike zone, and finally left one up to Hamilton. Then Mike got him, then Murphy got him and then it started.”

Michael Young followed with a double before consecutive singles by Mike Napoli and David Murphy, the second sending Young home.

“I didn’t feel tired. I just missed with some pitches and they took advantage of it,” Hellickson said. “They’re a very good lineup. I thought I pitched well enough, pitched out of a few bases-loaded jams. It could have gotten out of hand. That one inning, I missed my spot a few times. … A few pitches got away from me.”

Hellickson is 1-3 in his five August starts despite a 2.49 ERA in that span. He struck out four and walked four, two of those intentional, while giving up two runs and six hits.

The Rangers still had the bases loaded after scoring twice in the sixth before Ian Kinsler, the last batter Hellickson faced, hit an inning-ending flyball on the 10th pitch of the at-bat.

Texas also had the bases loaded in the fourth, when Hamilton had a leadoff double. Young and Napoli both struck out before Murphy was intentionally walked and Yorvit Torrealba drew a walk. But Hellickson got Mitch Moreland on a flyball.

Feldman threw six scoreless innings while allowing only two singles in a spot start when the Rangers decided to skip 10-game winner Matt Harrison to give him an extended break. Feldman limited the Rays to two singles.

“He’s a sinker kind of guy. That’s what he does. There’s not much you can do about it,” B.J. Upton said. “We didn’t elevate the ball much which is what you’re gonna do against him.”

The only balls Tampa Bay hit out of the infield against Feldman (1-0) were the two singles he allowed. There were 12 groundouts, four strikeouts and two runners caught stealing in the 18 outs recorded while he was on the mound.

Feldman struck out four with one walk while throwing 88 pitches, right in the range of what Washington had said before the game.

“He had given us everything he needed to give us,” Washington said. “He kept it down in the zone and did an outstanding job.”

Mark Lowe, Darren Oliver and Mike Adams combined for two no-hit innings to set up Neftali Feliz for his 26th save in 32 chances. It was the Rangers’ 16th shutout this season.

The Rays, held scoreless for the 13th time this season, had two runners on with no outs and got two balls out of the infield in the ninth. But Feliz finally got out of the jam when Evan Longoria grounded into a game-ending double play.

The Rays had hit 10 homers in their previous series against Toronto, a team-record for a series. But their bats went mostly silent in their first game at Texas since last season’s AL playoffs.

Notes: The 13 shutouts for Tampa Bay are the most since 2004, when they also had 13. A dozen of those have come since June 1, a span of 80 games. … Murphy has started four consecutive games, going 7 for 15 in that stretch. … The Rangers are 43-27 at home. … Along with Hamilton’s long homer, the reigning AL MVP also had two big swings when the bat slipped out of his hands. One of them landed about 10 rows behind the Rangers dugout, in some empty seats, and the other wound up coming to rest in foul territory past first base near coach Gary Pettis.

TORONTO (AP)—David Price(notes) blew away the Blue Jays.

Price struck out a franchise-record 14 in seven dominant innings, Desmond
Jennings(notes) hit a pair of solo home runs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Toronto 12-0
on Sunday.

“Hitting is hard enough already,” Rays catcher John Jaso(notes) said. “What
David brought today made it pretty much impossible.”

It wasn’t just Price’s stuff, but a stiff wind blowing out to center field
that made him so effective, giving his fastball extraordinary movement.

“I’ve never had that much movement before so it was pretty cool,” Price
said. “The wind kept blowing and it was making my eyes watery all game. I knew
it was blowing pretty good and I just kept throwing it.”

Jaso and Price felt strong gusts pushing them as they walked in from the
bullpen beforehand, but didn’t know how helpful the wind would be until the game
began, and Price’s two-seamer started drifting.

“It looks like a strike right out of his hand and then it’s just fading off
the plate,” Jaso explained. “It was moving about three feet. Once they start
to swing on his fastball, they can’t hold it back.”

Price (12-11) broke the team mark for strikeouts shared by Scott Kazmir(notes) and
James Shields(notes).

“He had everything working today, the changeup, the slider, the backdoor
cutter,” manager Joe Maddon said. “Everything was working off the fastball.
That’s why their hitters could not get comfortable at all.”

Price allowed only three singles and walked two. His first seven outs all
came by a strikeout, with two hits mixed in during that span.

“He’s got great movement,” Blue Jays bench coach Don Wakamatsu said. “You
can get down in the count right away.”

After leaving the game, Price wrote a birthday greeting for his mother on
his hand and flashed it for TV cameras. He’d sent her flowers and a card on
Friday, but figured she’d like the win even more.

Rays pitchers set a team mark by fanning 18 batters overall. Reliever
Brandon Gomes(notes) struck out two in 1 1-3 innings and Cesar Ramos(notes) struck out two to
end it.

“It’s fun to catch when you’ve got something like that going,” Jaso said.

Jennings homered on the first pitch of the game and got a career-high four
hits. He drove in three runs, scored three, drew a walk and stole a base from
the leadoff spot.

Sean Rodriguez(notes) added a two-run homer and Matt Joyce(notes) doubled twice during a
six-run ninth as the Rays improved to an AL-best 20-9 since July 28.

The Blue Jays lost their fourth straight. They finished with five hits.

Price quickly matched his career high, striking out 12 through five innings.
The left-hander didn’t fan anyone in the sixth, but finished his outing with two
more strikeouts in the seventh, matching and then passing Kazmir (2007) and
Shields (2011) for the Rays’ record.

Price improved to 9-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 11 career starts against Toronto.

Price didn’t give his defense much to do in the first three innings. He did
allow a pair of baserunners over that span: Mike McCoy(notes) led off the first with a
walk and Jose Molina(notes) hit a two-out single in the second. Neither runner
advanced.

McCoy was the first batter to make an out on a batted ball when he grounded
to second in the third. McCoy, who walked again in the sixth, was the only Blue
Jays batter not to strike out against Price.

Toronto’s 18 strikeouts were a season-high, two more they had in a 3-1 road
loss to the Los Angeles Angels on April 10. The franchise record is 19, set
twice previously, both times in extra-inning games.

Jennings put Tampa Bay ahead right away, connecting against Brandon Morrow(notes)
(9-9) for the first leadoff home run of his career.

“It’s an early run and gets the team up and the pitcher, especially David,
he doesn’t need many runs,” Jennings said.

After John Jaso’s RBI double in the second scored B.J. Upton(notes), Rodriguez hit
a two-run shot into the second deck in left. Jennings made it back-to-back
homers when he followed with another drive to left, his first multihomer game.

Morrow (9-9) allowed five runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings. The
right-hander has given up five homers in his past 10 innings. He lost for the
fourth time in five starts.

NOTES: Toronto LHP Wil Ledezma(notes) was designated for assignment after allowing
six runs in the ninth. … Blue Jays manager John Farrell (pneumonia) missed his
third straight game, with Wakamatsu continuing to run the team. … Rays RHP
Kyle Farnsworth(notes) (elbow) was available after missing the previous four games. …
Toronto 1B Adam Lind(notes), mired in a 3-for-21 slump, was held out of the starting
lineup. … Blue Jays RHP Jon Rauch(notes) (appendectomy) threw a bullpen session
before the game, his second in three days. … Toronto OF Rajai Davis(notes) (torn left
hamstring) has begun jogging and taking batting practice at the team’s minor
league complex in Florida and could return before the end of the season. …
Tampa Bay RHP Wade Davis(notes) (8-7) faces Blue Jays LHP Ricky Romero(notes) (12-9) in
Monday’s series finale.

“Hitting is hard enough already,” Rays catcher John Jaso said. “What David brought today made it pretty much impossible.”

It wasn’t just Price’s stuff, but a stiff wind blowing out to center field that made him so effective, giving his fastball extraordinary movement.

“I’ve never had that much movement before so it was pretty cool,” Price said. “The wind kept blowing and it was making my eyes watery all game. I knew it was blowing pretty good and I just kept throwing it.”

Jaso and Price felt strong gusts pushing them as they walked in from the bullpen beforehand, but didn’t know how helpful the wind would be until the game began, and Price’s two-seamer started drifting.

“It looks like a strike right out of his hand and then it’s just fading off the plate,” Jaso explained. “It was moving about three feet. Once they start to swing on his fastball, they can’t hold it back.”

Price (12-11) broke the team mark for strikeouts shared by Scott Kazmir and James Shields.

“He had everything working today, the changeup, the slider, the backdoor cutter,” manager Joe Maddon said. “Everything was working off the fastball. That’s why their hitters could not get comfortable at all.”

Price allowed only three singles and walked two. His first seven outs all came by a strikeout, with two hits mixed in during that span.

“He’s got great movement,” Blue Jays bench coach Don Wakamatsu said. “You can get down in the count right away.”

After leaving the game, Price wrote a birthday greeting for his mother on his hand and flashed it for TV cameras. He’d sent her flowers and a card on Friday, but figured she’d like the win even more.

Rays pitchers set a team mark by fanning 18 batters overall. Reliever Brandon Gomes struck out two in 1 1-3 innings and Cesar Ramos struck out two to end it.

“It’s fun to catch when you’ve got something like that going,” Jaso said.

Jennings homered on the first pitch of the game and got a career-high four hits. He drove in three runs, scored three, drew a walk and stole a base from the leadoff spot.

Sean Rodriguez added a two-run homer and Matt Joyce doubled twice during a six-run ninth as the Rays improved to an AL-best 20-9 since July 28.

The Blue Jays lost their fourth straight. They finished with five hits.

Price quickly matched his career high, striking out 12 through five innings. The left-hander didn’t fan anyone in the sixth, but finished his outing with two more strikeouts in the seventh, matching and then passing Kazmir (2007) and Shields (2011) for the Rays’ record.

Price improved to 9-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 11 career starts against Toronto.

Price didn’t give his defense much to do in the first three innings. He did allow a pair of baserunners over that span: Mike McCoy led off the first with a walk and Jose Molina hit a two-out single in the second. Neither runner advanced.

McCoy was the first batter to make an out on a batted ball when he grounded to second in the third. McCoy, who walked again in the sixth, was the only Blue Jays batter not to strike out against Price.

Toronto’s 18 strikeouts were a season-high, two more they had in a 3-1 road loss to the Los Angeles Angels on April 10. The franchise record is 19, set twice previously, both times in extra-inning games.

Jennings put Tampa Bay ahead right away, connecting against Brandon Morrow (9-9) for the first leadoff home run of his career.

“It’s an early run and gets the team up and the pitcher, especially David, he doesn’t need many runs,” Jennings said.

After John Jaso’s RBI double in the second scored B.J. Upton, Rodriguez hit a two-run shot into the second deck in left. Jennings made it back-to-back homers when he followed with another drive to left, his first multihomer game.

Morrow (9-9) allowed five runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander has given up five homers in his past 10 innings. He lost for the fourth time in five starts.

NOTES: Toronto LHP Wil Ledezma was designated for assignment after allowing six runs in the ninth. … Blue Jays manager John Farrell (pneumonia) missed his third straight game, with Wakamatsu continuing to run the team. … Rays RHP Kyle Farnsworth (elbow) was available after missing the previous four games. … Toronto 1B Adam Lind, mired in a 3-for-21 slump, was held out of the starting lineup. … Blue Jays RHP Jon Rauch (appendectomy) threw a bullpen session before the game, his second in three days. … Toronto OF Rajai Davis (torn left hamstring) has begun jogging and taking batting practice at the team’s minor league complex in Florida and could return before the end of the season. … Tampa Bay RHP Wade Davis (8-7) faces Blue Jays LHP Ricky Romero (12-9) in Monday’s series finale.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Updated Aug 28, 2011 6:29 PM ET

TORONTO (AP)

David Price blew away the Blue Jays.

Price struck out a franchise-record 14 in seven dominant innings, Desmond Jennings hit a pair of solo home runs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Toronto 12-0 on Sunday.

”Hitting is hard enough already,” Rays catcher John Jaso said. ”What David brought today made it pretty much impossible.”

It wasn’t just Price’s stuff, but a stiff wind blowing out to center field that made him so effective, giving his fastball extraordinary movement.

”I’ve never had that much movement before so it was pretty cool,” Price said. ”The wind kept blowing and it was making my eyes watery all game. I knew it was blowing pretty good and I just kept throwing it.”

Jaso and Price felt strong gusts pushing them as they walked in from the bullpen beforehand, but didn’t know how helpful the wind would be until the game began, and Price’s two-seamer started drifting.

”It looks like a strike right out of his hand and then it’s just fading off the plate,” Jaso explained. ”It was moving about three feet. Once they start to swing on his fastball, they can’t hold it back.”

Price (12-11) broke the team mark for strikeouts shared by Scott Kazmir and James Shields.

”He had everything working today, the changeup, the slider, the backdoor cutter,” manager Joe Maddon said. ”Everything was working off the fastball. That’s why their hitters could not get comfortable at all.”

Price allowed only three singles and walked two. His first seven outs all came by a strikeout, with two hits mixed in during that span.

”He’s got great movement,” Blue Jays bench coach Don Wakamatsu said. ”You can get down in the count right away.”

After leaving the game, Price wrote a birthday greeting for his mother on his hand and flashed it for TV cameras. He’d sent her flowers and a card on Friday, but figured she’d like the win even more.

Rays pitchers set a team mark by fanning 18 batters overall. Reliever Brandon Gomes struck out two in 1 1-3 innings and Cesar Ramos struck out two to end it.

”It’s fun to catch when you’ve got something like that going,” Jaso said.

Jennings homered on the first pitch of the game and got a career-high four hits. He drove in three runs, scored three, drew a walk and stole a base from the leadoff spot.

Sean Rodriguez added a two-run homer and Matt Joyce doubled twice during a six-run ninth as the Rays improved to an AL-best 20-9 since July 28.

The Blue Jays lost their fourth straight. They finished with five hits.

Price quickly matched his career high, striking out 12 through five innings. The left-hander didn’t fan anyone in the sixth, but finished his outing with two more strikeouts in the seventh, matching and then passing Kazmir (2007) and Shields (2011) for the Rays’ record.

Price improved to 9-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 11 career starts against Toronto.

Price didn’t give his defense much to do in the first three innings. He did allow a pair of baserunners over that span: Mike McCoy led off the first with a walk and Jose Molina hit a two-out single in the second. Neither runner advanced.

McCoy was the first batter to make an out on a batted ball when he grounded to second in the third. McCoy, who walked again in the sixth, was the only Blue Jays batter not to strike out against Price.

Toronto’s 18 strikeouts were a season-high, two more they had in a 3-1 road loss to the Los Angeles Angels on April 10. The franchise record is 19, set twice previously, both times in extra-inning games.

Jennings put Tampa Bay ahead right away, connecting against Brandon Morrow (9-9) for the first leadoff home run of his career.

”It’s an early run and gets the team up and the pitcher, especially David, he doesn’t need many runs,” Jennings said.

After John Jaso’s RBI double in the second scored B.J. Upton, Rodriguez hit a two-run shot into the second deck in left. Jennings made it back-to-back homers when he followed with another drive to left, his first multihomer game.

Morrow (9-9) allowed five runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander has given up five homers in his past 10 innings. He lost for the fourth time in five starts.

NOTES: Toronto LHP Wil Ledezma was designated for assignment after allowing six runs in the ninth. … Blue Jays manager John Farrell (pneumonia) missed his third straight game, with Wakamatsu continuing to run the team. … Rays RHP Kyle Farnsworth (elbow) was available after missing the previous four games. … Toronto 1B Adam Lind, mired in a 3-for-21 slump, was held out of the starting lineup. … Blue Jays RHP Jon Rauch (appendectomy) threw a bullpen session before the game, his second in three days. … Toronto OF Rajai Davis (torn left hamstring) has begun jogging and taking batting practice at the team’s minor league complex in Florida and could return before the end of the season. … Tampa Bay RHP Wade Davis (8-7) faces Blue Jays LHP Ricky Romero (12-9) in Monday’s series finale.

CBSSports.com wire reports
Aug. 28, 2011

TORONTO — David Price blew away the Blue Jays.

Price struck out a franchise-record 14 in seven dominant innings, Desmond Jennings hit a pair of solo home runs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Toronto 12-0 on Sunday.

“Hitting is hard enough already,” Rays catcher John Jaso said. “What David brought today made it pretty much impossible.”

It wasn’t just Price’s stuff, but a stiff wind blowing out to center field that made him so effective, giving his fastball extraordinary movement.

“I’ve never had that much movement before so it was pretty cool,” Price said. “The wind kept blowing and it was making my eyes watery all game. I knew it was blowing pretty good and I just kept throwing it.”

Jaso and Price felt strong gusts pushing them as they walked in from the bullpen beforehand, but didn’t know how helpful the wind would be until the game began, and Price’s two-seamer started drifting.

“It looks like a strike right out of his hand and then it’s just fading off the plate,” Jaso explained. “It was moving about three feet. Once they start to swing on his fastball, they can’t hold it back.”

Price (12-11) broke the team mark for strikeouts shared by Scott Kazmir and James Shields.

“He had everything working today, the changeup, the slider, the backdoor cutter,” manager Joe Maddon said. “Everything was working off the fastball. That’s why their hitters could not get comfortable at all.”

Price allowed only three singles and walked two. His first seven outs all came by a strikeout, with two hits mixed in during that span.

“He’s got great movement,” Blue Jays bench coach Don Wakamatsu said. “You can get down in the count right away.”

After leaving the game, Price wrote a birthday greeting for his mother on his hand and flashed it for TV cameras. He’d sent her flowers and a card on Friday, but figured she’d like the win even more.

Rays pitchers set a team mark by fanning 18 batters overall. Reliever Brandon Gomes struck out two in 1 1/3 innings and Cesar Ramos struck out two to end it.

“It’s fun to catch when you’ve got something like that going,” Jaso said.

Jennings homered on the first pitch of the game and got a career-high four hits. He drove in three runs, scored three, drew a walk and stole a base from the leadoff spot.

Sean Rodriguez added a two-run homer and Matt Joyce doubled twice during a six-run ninth as the Rays improved to an AL-best 20-9 since July 28.

The Blue Jays lost their fourth straight. They finished with five hits.

Price quickly matched his career high, striking out 12 through five innings. The left-hander didn’t fan anyone in the sixth, but finished his outing with two more strikeouts in the seventh, matching and then passing Kazmir (2007) and Shields (2011) for the Rays’ record.

Price improved to 9-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 11 career starts against Toronto.

Price didn’t give his defense much to do in the first three innings. He did allow a pair of baserunners over that span: Mike McCoy led off the first with a walk and Jose Molina hit a two-out single in the second. Neither runner advanced.

McCoy was the first batter to make an out on a batted ball when he grounded to second in the third. McCoy, who walked again in the sixth, was the only Blue Jays batter not to strike out against Price.

Toronto’s 18 strikeouts were a season-high, two more they had in a 3-1 road loss to the Angels on April 10. The franchise record is 19, set twice previously, both times in extra-inning games.

Jennings put Tampa Bay ahead right away, connecting against Brandon Morrow (9-9) for the first leadoff home run of his career.

“It’s an early run and gets the team up and the pitcher, especially David, he doesn’t need many runs,” Jennings said.

After John Jaso’s RBI double in the second scored B.J. Upton, Rodriguez hit a two-run shot into the second deck in left. Jennings made it back-to-back homers when he followed with another drive to left, his first multihomer game.

Morrow (9-9) allowed five runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. The right-hander has given up five homers in his past 10 innings. He lost for the fourth time in five starts.

Notes

• Blue Jays manager John Farrell (pneumonia) missed his third straight game, with bench coach Don Wakamatsu continuing to run the team.
• Toronto LHP Wil Ledezma was designated for assignment after allowing six runs in the ninth. Rays RHP Kyle Farnsworth (elbow) was available after missing the previous four games.
• Toronto 1B Adam Lind, mired in a 3-for-21 slump, was held out of the starting lineup.
• Blue Jays RHP Jon Rauch (appendectomy) threw a bullpen session before the game, his second in three days.
• Toronto OF Rajai Davis (torn left hamstring) has begun jogging and taking batting practice at the team’s minor league complex in Florida and could return before the end of the season.
• Tampa Bay RHP Wade Davis (8-7) faces Blue Jays LHP Ricky Romero (12-9) in Monday’s series finale.

By BOB DUTTON

The Kansas City Star

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria pointed up after hitting the ball out for a two-run home run in the sixth inning on Tuesday.

Hellickson wins 10th, Rays rout Mariners 8-1

Posted on 01 August 2011. Tags: boston, charlie-furbush, fourth, furbush, hellickson, kelly-shoppach, mariners, numbers, olivo, rays, seattle, sixth, tampa, zobrist

SEATTLE (AP)—Jeremy Hellickson(notes) has the numbers to show that he’s among the
best rookie pitchers in baseball this season.

The 24-year-old right-hander held the Seattle Mariners to five hits and a
run over seven-plus innings, becoming the first AL rookie with 10 wins as the
Tampa Bay Rays rolled to an 8-1 victory Sunday.

Hellickson (10-7) is the quickest Tampa Bay rookie to 10 wins since Rolando
Arrojo reached the mark on June 27, 1998. He leads AL rookies in wins and is the
first one with 10 before August since Boston’s Daisuke Matsuzaka(notes) (12) in 2007.

This all comes as no surprise to Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon.

“He’s been that guy his whole career,” Maddon said. “Even in the minor
leagues he’s been successful.”

In six minor league seasons, Hellickson was 49-16. He went 12-3 for Triple-A
Durham last season before a brief period with the Rays in which he was 4-0 with
a 3.47 ERA.

Now, he is 14-7 in 23 career starts for the Rays.

Sean Rodriguez(notes) had three hits, including his fifth home run, and three RBIs.
Ben Zobrist(notes) added three hits and three RBIs for Tampa Bay.

Jason Vargas(notes) (6-10) went 5 1-3 innings for the Mariners. He allowed nine
hits and six runs, four earned. He walked one and struck out six.

Hellickson carried a no-hitter into the sixth but Chone Figgins(notes), batting
.184, opened with a single to center and Franklin Gutierrez(notes) followed with
another single. Hellickson retired the next three batters on a flyout and two
foulouts.

“The fastball command was there, getting ahead of guys early and just
throwing strikes,” Hellickson said. “When you’re getting quick outs and
throwing strikes it gives you a little more confidence. I just kept attacking
the zone.”

It was a sloppy start for the Mariners, and the Rays took advantage. Desmond
Jennings(notes) reached on a game-opening error by shortstop Brendan Ryan(notes). Jennings
made it to third on a steal of second and a throwing error by catcher Miguel
Olivo(notes).

Evan Longoria(notes) then hit a sharp grounder to third baseman Figgins, who came
home with it. Jennings, who broke on contact, scored with an evasive slide
around Olivo’s tag attempt.

“The aggressive mentality derived from that kind of play helps your whole
group,” Maddon said.

Jennings, recalled from Durham on July 22, said, “you just anticipate a
groundball being hit somewhere. I got a good jump on it. I got off far enough
that I could make it on contact.”

In the third, Sam Fuld(notes) reached on first baseman Adam Kennedy’s(notes) one-out
error. Fuld eventually scored on Zobrist’s single to left.

The three errors tied a Mariners season high, set May 16 against Minnesota.

Tampa Bay added two more in the fourth. Kelly Shoppach(notes) opened with a single,
then Matt Joyce(notes) doubled when Gutierrez just missed on a diving attempt. Both
runners scored on Rodriguez’s bloop single to center for a 4-0 lead.

Casey Kotchman(notes) made it 5-0 with a two-out single to left to score Zobrist,
who had doubled.

It was the fourth straight start in which Vargas couldn’t get past the sixth
inning. It also was his fifth straight loss.

“It’s been a rough stretch lately,” Vargas said. “I haven’t really
pitched good since coming back from the break. I’m just not making those big
pitches when I need to and I’m getting the pitch count up early.”

Zobrist pushed his team-leading RBI total to 61 with a two-out, two-run
single in the sixth off Dan Cortes(notes).

Rodriguez opened the eighth with his shot over the left-field wall on a 1-2
pitch from Charlie Furbush(notes), acquired Saturday in a trade with Detroit.

The Mariners finally scored rather awkwardly in the seventh. Mike Carp(notes) and
Olivo opened with singles, and Kennedy forced Olivo at second. Casper Wells(notes), who
arrived with Furbush from Detroit, lifted a blooper that dropped into shallow
right-center. Carp scored but Kennedy, unsure whether the ball would drop, was
thrown out scrambling for second.

Wells was credited with an RBI but his ‘hit’ turned into a fielder’s choice.

Notes: Two of the four players acquired by Seattle in Saturday’s six-player
trade with Detroit were added to the big league roster. Wells started in left
field and Furbush worked one inning. Wells is the first player named Casper to
reach the majors. … Furbush is expected to start in place of LHP Erik Bedard(notes),
traded to Boston just before game time. … Zobrist extended his hitting streak
to 11 games. During that span he is batting .413 (19 of 46).

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