Devil Rays 11, Nationals 1. The Rays hit 5 home runs last night in the cavernous RFK stadium, two by Carl Crawford. Yesterday a report came from the Denver Post indicating that the Rockies were interested in C. C. but one reporter indicated that Jeff Francis and an injured AA shortstop would be "too steep of a price". To that reporter we provide the following numbers...Since May 24, a span of 29 games, Crawford is hitting at a .371 clip. During that span he has scored 27 runs, and driven in 24, which is amazing for a #2 hitter. He has also stolen 13 bases in 16 attempts. But the most amazing number? He has 11 home runs in those 29 games or 1 home run every 11.3 at bats. Over a full season, that would project to be about 55 home runs for Crawford. We aren't saying that Crawford is going to be a 50-50 player anytime soon, but the power numbers are starting to develop and 30-40 home runs a season is not out of the realm of possibilities. Crawford is now hitting .311 on the season, which is pretty darn good for a guy that battled an injured wrist the first 2 months of the season. Add to those numbers C. C.'s defense (he will win a gold glove in the next year or two), and you have the makings of perennial all-star. So we ask Troy Renck of the Denver Post, too steep of a price? We have an idea...how about you clone Jeff Francis, offer the Devil Rays both of them, and throw in one of your top young hitters, like third baseman Garrett Atkins and then the Rays will think about giving you Carl Crawford. Of course, it was obvious in Renck's report that he had not done his homework when he states that Crawford is "possible to sign long-term". Of course, a good reporter would know that C. C. is signed through 2008 with team options in '09 and '10.

By the way, Tim Corcoran was outstanding last night. Of course the Nationals offense is one of the worst in the National League, so we are hesitant to get too excited of the idea that Corky is ready to be a permanent member of the rotation. Corcoran (2-0) won his second straight start since entering the rotation, throwing 7 shutout innings, giving up 3 hits an 3 walks, while walking 8. In one of the team's strongest all around games, four players had 3 hits, led by Crawford who was 3-4 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI. Rocco Baldelli went 3-5 with his 4th home run and he also drove in 4. Dioner Navarro added his first two hits in a Devil Rays uniform. The one black mark on the game is the continuing struggles of Edwin Jackson. Jackson relieved Corky in the 8th inning and gave up 2 hits, 2 walks and 1 run in 1 inning of work. All 4 of the baserunners came after there was already 2 outs in the inning.

Tonight James Shields will take the mound and try to give the team a 3 game winning streak and tomorrow Jae Seo will make his first start for the Devil Rays.

Honor the Humidor [Denver Post]
Carl Crawford to Colorado? [Rays of Light]