THE GOOD: Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford are red hot. Last night they combined for 7-10 with a double, 2 home runs and 4 RBI. For CC, it was his 6th multi-hit game in his last 8 and 3rd home run in the last 3 games. For Dirtbag, he is 10 for his last 16 with 4 doubles and 3 home runs in his last 3 games. He has raised his average 24 points in 3 days to .272...The Pirates TV play-by-play guy on Eric Hinske's 3-run home run in the 3rd. It was hit so hard, that the announcer called "second 3-run homer hit by a tampa player today" right off the bat and long before the ball landed.

THE BAD: Scott Kazmir lasted only 5 innings, needing 103 pitches. His fastball had no consistency. He was everywhere from 87-93 on the gun...Carl Crawford really is a horrible left-fielder. On Freddy Sanchez' home run in the 4th, CC zig-zagged all over the place, looked at the wall a half-dozen times and still was afraid to reach for the ball that bounced off the top of the wall. Keep in mind that the wall is only about 7 feet tall. It could have easily been caught. And when he did jump (too late), the pocket of his glove was facing the fans in the stands. the ball would have hit the back of his glove. Good Times...Not to be outdone, BJ Upton misplayed a line drive right at him with 2 outs in the 6th. Instead of getting JP Howell out of the inning, Upton broke in on a ball hit over his head turning an out into an RBI double and getting the Pirates back within 3....PNC Park is apparently now playing the Saturday Night Live Cowbell Skit every night...

THE TELLING: Carlos Pena was back in the lineup for the first time, batting 6th. He was 0-3 with a walk and a sac fly...With Aki Iwamura set to start his suspension, Willy Aybar will get his first start at second base since 2006...The Rays maintain their 4 game lead over the A's in the wild card race.

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA...

• Don't forget to VOTE for Carl Crawford to start the all-star game. If you haven't voted yet today, go NOW! [MLB All-Star Voting]
• Akinori Iwamura's suspension was not reduced and Coco Crisp's suspension was reduced from 7 games to 5...Huh wha?!? Crisp was the one that bowled over Aki. Crisp was the one that charged the mound. And he had his suspension reduced? By two games? Unfortunately Crisp will miss the upcoming Rays-Red Sox series at the Trop. We would love to see that idiot get another ball in the backside. [The Heater]
• Rays the Stakes has a very unique perspective on the Pirates series. [Rays the Stakes]
  
• Apparently one of the Bugs and Cranks writers hates the Rays Blogosphere. We are confused by the reasoning. [Bugs and Cranks]
  

THE GOOD: (see "THE TELLING")

THE BAD: (see "THE TELLING")

THE TELLING: C'mon people. Think about this for a second. It was Edwin Jackson versus Josh Beckett in Fenway Park. If they played that game 100 times, the Rays would win it 1 time and only because Beckett would be struck by lightning in the first inning and Manny being Manny would accidently hit a 3-run home run for the Rays...Look, it's not in our nature to be mysterious. But we can't talk about it and we can't talk about why.

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA...

• Quick reminder: The Rays Index Live Blog-A-Baloo of the Week will be held tonight right here. And don't forget the early start time of 6:05.
  
• Evan Longoria is up for MLB's Rookie of the Month award and the fans can vote for the award. Go to this link and show your love for Dirtbag. [MLB]
  
• Don't forget to VOTE for Carl Crawford to start the all-star game. If you haven't voted yet today, go NOW! [MLB All-Star Voting]
• Joe Maddon and Coco Crisp got into a heated exchange in the 8th inning after Crisp intentionally slid late on a steal attempt and shoved a forearm into the chest of Aki Iwamura like a little bitch. MLB.comhas video of the slide...Crisp might want to wear a little extra padding on his backside tonight. [MLB]
  
• Carlos Pena was placed on the 15-day DL with a broken finger. Justin Ruggiano was called up to take his roster spot. [St. Pete Times]
• There is another entry into the Rays Blogosphere, and this one comes from one of our regular commenters, Dirtbagfan. [Rays The Stakes]
  
• Sorry we missed this one yesterday, but did anybody else notice who gave up only 1 run in 6 innings and beat Randy Johnson two nights ago? Answer: Seth Freakin' McClung. Sweet Fancy Moses! We sat and stared and tried to wrap our brain around this one for a while. This is more complexing than trying to understand Salma Hayek and Ed Norton as a couple. [Bugs and Cranks]
• Baseball Analysts will be live-blogging the draft. [Baseball Analysts]