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Transformed Bullpen Carries Rays To New Heights

Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN

J.P. Howell delivers a pitch during his relief stint in the Rays' 6-2 win over the White Sox in Game 2 of the ALDS on Friday night.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 3, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Last season, the Rays' bullpen was an absolute joke. Major-league baseball hadn't seen a crew that motley – 6.16 ERA – since the 1950s.

Have things turned around?

Absolutely.

You might say it's the biggest reason why the Rays are in this lofty position, one victory away from the American League Championship Series. When Scott Kazmir couldn't finish what he started on Friday night, it was left to Tampa Bay's bullpen.

Once again, it shined.

The Rays beat the White Sox 6-2 and head to Chicago with a two-game advantage in the best-of-five opening-round playoff series. And if this trend continues, the Rays look like they can handle all challengers.

The starting pitching has been adequate, if not spectacular. The bullpen has been stellar, retiring 18 of 23 batters faced in two games.

James Shields was in shutdown form during the opener. Kazmir had his usual adventurous moments on Friday night – you could've finished a novel during his 37-pitch, two-run manifesto in the first inning – but he settled down and battled into the sixth inning.

With Kazmir's pitch-count style, if he makes it to the sixth with the lead, that's winning baseball.

From there, after Akinori Iwamura provided the go-ahead two-run homer in the fifth, the bullpen made it work.

Grant Balfour inherited a one-out runner at second in the sixth inning, but he made short work of Orlando Cabrera and Nick Swisher.

Balfour blinked a bit in the seventh, surrendering singles to Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko. No problem. Left-hander J.P. Howell entered for a 1-2-3 close-out.

That set up the eighth.

More Howell.

Juan Uribe – three pitches, called strikeout.

Brian Anderson – four pitches, called strikeout.

And after a two-strike single by Cabrera, it was Swisher – three balls, then called strike, called strike, called strike three.

The Rays had escaped again.

The Trop's roof nearly blew out from the noise.

In the ninth, knuckle-scraping Chad Bradford closed it out.

Just think, the Rays' bullpen is without Troy Percival, the closer who battled injuries and ineffectiveness before being left off the postseason roster. David Price, the secret weapon, hasn't been needed. Everyone has filled their roles. Everyone is somewhat fresh and can contribute to Game 3, if needed.

Sounds like a plan.

Not bad for a unit that seemingly had no hope last season.

If you want to know how the Rays got here – from 10 consecutive losing seasons to playoff success – we know a good place to start.

The bullpen.

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