Hello again, Tampa Bay Rays fans. Just wanted to stop back in and say mad props once again for winning 80 games for the first time as a franchise. All your fellow '98 expansion team fans at the SnakePit are still pulling for you, ESPECIALLY over the freaking Yankees and Red Sux. Hold off those big budget teams -- show 'em you don't NEED to buy a championship. Keep it up, and GO RAYS!! DBACKS-RAYS WORLD SERIES!!

Dbacks 2, Padres 2, middle of the 8th.

GET....SOME.....RUNS!!

[Note by Skin Patrol, 08/21/08 6:52 PM EDT ] Promoted. I'm no good at this kind of thing and want to add only that my thoughts are with the surviving family through this difficult time.

Redskins O-line coach and team legend Joe Bugel's 36-yr old daughter died today of a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. Jasno La Canfora has an Insider post about team reactions. Coach Bugel, who has been on a leave of absence from the team to spend time with Holly and the rest of his family, is expected to attend the funeral this week in Arizona, and then return to the team.

In other sad news that may not be quite as personal to Redskins fans, longtime NFL Players' Association head Gene Upshaw died today of pancreatic cancer -- just 4 days after being diagnosed, on Sunday.

I think I speak for all of Redskins Nation when I say that we'll say a prayer and wish eternal rest to Mr. Upshaw, and especially, Ms. Bugel, and wish comfort and happy remembrance to their families, and we'll be glad when Coach Bugel returns.

Dbacks 6, Padres 3, Rauch on the mound, 2 outs and 2 on in the 8th.

Carry on, 'Pitters.

Dbacks 7, Bucs 5, going into the top of the 8th inning.

Dbacks 5, Cubs 1. Going into the 8th inning. 'Nuff said. Close this one out, boys!!

NL 3, AL 3, going into the 13th inning.

Carry on, folks.

Yeah, yeah, I know, dead horse. But for everyone who was asking, here are the numbers for our five top relievers, for both this year and last year.

Format is (Player) -- (# of IS)/(# of IR): (IS%)

Year: 2007

Cruz --7/27: 25.9%

Lyon -- 6/21: 28.6%

Peña -- 10/38: 26.3%

Qualls -- 8/31: 25.8%

Slaten -- 12/36: 33.3%

Year: 2008

Cruz --5/16: 31.3%

Lyon --2/3: 66.7%

Peña --1/5: 20.0%

Qualls --8/16: 50.0%

Slaten -- 2/8: 25.0%

Source: ESPN.com

The figures for Qualls and Peña include the two runners that each inherited in  tonight's game. Obviously, the normal small sample size caveats apply, especially to Lyon's whopping 2/3 IS/IR. A look at 2007's numbers shows that Chad Qualls was actually the BEST out of these five, albeit with a completely different defense behind him.

I don't think Qualls can continue to be THIS bad; I'd expect him to progress back towards the mean, just as Tony P and Slaten will regress slightly. Still, Qualls is NOT good with guys on right now, and I think giving him a vacation from inherited runners for awhile might help whatever's ailing him -- be it confidence, distractions, etc. I also think the fact that Qualls throws more sinkers may have something to do with it -- Chad has uncorked four wild pitches in 36.1 innings. Of the others, only Peña and Cruz have a WP (one each) -- in 35 and 27.2 IP, respectively.

I'm sure there are plenty of other explanations for these numbers, and I'm sure there's plenty I've left out, but.... as anyone who read tonight's GameDay Thread noticed, (*ahem*) I feel EXTREMELY uncomfortable with Melvin bringing in Qualls with runners on base.

Am I right? Am I wrong? Either way, this is not even close to being a detailed study. Anyone else notice any trends or wanna point out any other relevant stats? Discuss.

Hello, Rays fans. As a Dbacks fan, I was reading your story a few days ago about foreign fans invading the Trop. I can certainly sympathize; when it was revealed that we were going to play the Cubs in the NLDS last year, the Arizona Republic quoted some Chicago fan douchebag buying tix at Chase, saying: "We're gonna be here in force. Just call this place Wrigley Field West."

Also, I wanted to congratulate you guys on the awesome season you're having, and I hope you'll keep it up -- at least making a push for the WC, although I'd be happier if you won the AL East. I think I represent every small and medium market MLB team when I say, we're all pulling for ya. Screw the Evil Empire and Evil Empire Jr. ;-)

Stop by the 'Pit and say hello sometime. Oh... and go kick the Marlins' asses?