Welcome Pat Burrell, It's About Time You Joined the Party

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

After a terrible week for the Rays, getting swept by the Rangers and losing four in a row, the Rays got what they needed—a day off and the Yankees and Red Sox lost.

(Just a side note, I still blame the losses on those patriotic hats—when the Rays wore them for Memorial Day, they lost to the Indians in that historic meltdown). 

Things started to look up, maybe try to regain some momentum before the All-Star break.

Or not.

The Rays' bats were asleep again all night long. They had two hits in the first nine innings, none of which came off of the bat of BJ Upton, Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, or Carlos Pena. 

James Shields pitched another great game, and the Rays wasted it again. He went seven innings, one run four strikeouts.

Just another typical Shields outing. 

The turning point in the game was whenever the Rays were for sure about to lose it. Man on second and a base hit up the middle.

Here we go again.

Then BJ Upton guns out Aaron Hill on a laser throw from center. Didn't even bounce it in. That will be the No. 1 web gem.

The game continued for another four scoreless innings. The 11th inning would bring up Longoria, Pena, and Ben Zobrist. Two All-Stars, and another possible All-Star.

The Rays should be able to at least muster a hit, right? 

Oh, they had other ideas. Longoria goes down, Pena flies out, and Zobrist down 0-2 real quickly.

Another squandered opportunity.

Then Zobrist fouls off some pitches, takes a few more, and earns a walk. Good at bat Zobrist, next up Pat Burrell. 

Pat Burrell has been the second most disappointing acquisition in the offseason behind Milton Bradley, hitting under .220, three home runs, and 23 RBI.

So much for Pat the Bat. 

Anyway, Zobrist steals second first pitch. First time the Rays have had a runner in scoring position since, I'm not quite sure. Next pitch, a home run, left center for Pat Burrell. 

Now, it might be kind of silly to put such an emphasis on this game; it is of course just one game out of 162. But, I think this game is sort of a season turning or defining one.

Or at least it could be. 

The reason I think this is, hopefully, is because Pat Burrell is starting to feel more comfortable with the Rays. He hasn't shown much of breaking out of his slump, but maybe this can be a point where he gets that done.

I know they say he is a slow starter, but come on! 

I don't expect him to hit 30 home runs this year. But if he could get his average up to .270 and hit 15 or so in the second half, it would be greatly appreciated. 

The other, more important, thing that I take out of this game is some of that late inning toughness the Rays showed last year. One of the biggest differences between last year and this year is the Rays' record in one run games, even though this wasn't a one run game.

It was a playoff type game. 

If the Rays can start putting more of these wins together, these will put them in the AL East race. These wins take plate discipline, mental toughness, good bullpen, and no errors in the field.

This has been lacking throughout the whole year this year, at least in these close games, and if the Rays can start winning these games then watch out Yankees, Red Sox. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?