Longoria injures hamstring, Zobrist homers again, Rays win

June 3, 12:56 AMTampa Bay Rays ExaminerRob Quinn

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Tampa Bay Rays Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Zobrist follows through on #9 AP/Steve Nesius

Despite getting a big win against Kansas City on Tuesday night, the Rays may have suffered a huge loss. Evan Longoria left the game with what the Rays hope was nothing but hamstring tightness. He will go for an MRI on Wednesday. The Rays are already playing without starting second baseman Akinori Iwamura (out for the season) and starting shortstop Jason Bartlett (15 day DL). How will the Rays make it through?

One answer is Ben Zobrist. Zorilla rocked his ninth homer of the year on Tuesday night, one of the key hits in a 6-2 victory for the Rays. The home run extended Zobrist’s hitting streak to eight games, during which he’s hit .407 with an OBP over .500. Ben started tonight’s game at second base, where he figures to see plenty of action for the rest of the season with Aki out. When you figure Zobrist in as the new full-time second baseman, the Rays have the most powerful infield in the American League.

Of the Rays’ starting infielders, only Carlos Pena does not lead the American League in slugging at his position. Longoria’s .614 is well ahead of A-Rod’s second-place mark of .548 for third basemen. Jason Bartlett leads the shortstops with a .596 mark, well outdistancing the .481 of Detroit’s Ramon Santiago. Zobrist is now slugging .648 and the second highest total among AL second basemen is Adam Kennedy’s .573. It’s been an impressive start to 2009 for the Rays’ infield. Imagine asking the following question to someone before the season started: Of Ben Zobrist, Jason Bartlett, or Alex Rodriguez, which one will have the lowest slugging percentage heading into June? It would be nice to take over first place from the Yankees, but for now, the Rays will have to settle for stats that make A-Rod look bad.

Speaking of Zobrist, his fantasy value is at an all-time high right now. His average went up a point to .305 to go along with his nine homers and 28 RBI. He is on the roster of my team No Pena No Gainya? in the "Major League" Examiner Fantasy Baseball League. I’ve been offered a trade for Zobrist, however, from Oakland A’s Examiner Scott Sabatini. The offer is Vernon Wells for Zobrist straight up. Wells is having a somewhat quiet year so far, hitting .261 with five homers, 25 RBI, and nine steals. He’s a great player though and could be worth parting with Zobrist. It’s a very tough decision, Zobrist is playing extremely well. I want some input here – should I accept this trade? Let me know in the comments section.

The Rays go for their second straight series win on Wednesday night at the Trop as Jeff Niemann will oppose Brian Bannister on the mound. Hopefully by game time, we’ll have more information about the severity of Longoria’s injury.

Don’t forget to comment on whether or not I should trade Zobrist for Vernon Wells.

Jason Bartlett hits: 60

Jason Bartlett groundball singles between short and third: 12

Follow the Tampa Bay Rays Examiner on Twitter.

Have a great Rays' story idea for me? Getting bummed out by all the Rays’ injuries and need to drown your sorrows in a message of frustration? E-mail me at raysexaminer@live.com

Tune in to Speaking of Sports 2.0 Sunday nights from 7-9 p.m. Tampa Bay Sports Examiner Ted Fleming, Tampa Bay Lightning Examiner Althea Pashman and I are the three co-hosts and the show airs on Sarasota’s WSRQ 1220 AM and you can listen live right here.