I'm tempted to take 100% of the credit for the win because I posted on the Rays' losing streak in order to bring it to an end. Probably playing the Royals had more to do with it, though, and having James Shields on the hill didn't hurt. Shields has been the most consistent pitcher for the Rays. If the bullpen had held onto a couple of leads for the guy he might have appeared in the All-Star game this year.
Shields will enter the break with a 7-4 record and a 3.82 era.
I want to single out rookie Delmon Young for some praise. In my post on the Rays' losing streak, I mentioned that pretty much every Rays player had seen his batting average dip. I don't think that's the case with Young. He's been fairly consistent, and has his average up over .270 at the moment. He continues to strike out regularly, but he's a free-swinger at this point in his career--and the one goes along with the other.
Best of all, Young has behaved like a professional for the entire season, which unfortunately can't be said for fellow rookie outfielder Elijah Dukes (optioned to the minor leagues late last month and placed on the temporary inactive list).
I wish Dukes only success, but he's going to have to grow up and transcend the problems he's constructed for himself.
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