The Game of Baseball

Better late than never, but Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Edwin Jackson seems to be finally paying dividends, especially after he lost 15 games last season. Jackson and a reliever combined for a three-hitter, allowing the Rays to shut out the Seattle Mariners, 7-0 Thursday at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay was led by Akinori Iwamura, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base while Jonny Gomes went a perfect 2-for-2 with a double and 2 runs scored; Carl Crawford and Mike DiFelice also had 2 hits each, with Crawford scoring 2 runs and Di Felice batting in 3 RBIs. Eric Hinske hit his first home run of the year; winning pitcher Jackson (2-0) pitched a great game, pitching 8 innings, allowing only 2 hits, walking 4 while striking out 6.

Seattle could muster only 3 hits, 2 by Adrian Beltre and one by Raul Ibanez; losing pitcher Miguel Batista pitched 6 innings, allowing 8 hits, 4 earned runs, walking 3 while striking out 4. Tampa Bay (4-5) continues their homestand as they host the Baltimore Orioles Friday; James Shields (1-1) takes the mound for Tampa Bay while Jeremy Guthrie (0-1) starts for Baltimore.