Chris Richard is Back!

Game 13: Bulls 6, Braves 2
Season: 10-3
Wrap, Box

I’m betting that the Rays’ webdom will focus on the performance of Wade Davis today, and he did a fine job going 5 innings.

But what I’m excited about is first baseman Chris Richard getting his eye back and joining outfielder/dh Jon Weber in showing how the Bulls play this game. Richard got 5 of today’s RBIs, Jon got the other one.

Chris came into the game with a miserable .182 batting average. Then in his first two at bats he hit two homers. By the end of the game his average was up to .216, his OBP to .326, and his OPS to .758. That’s a huge improvement in just one day and his RBIs pushed him up to a tie for second among the Bulls.

Then there’s Jon Weber’s performance this season. Leadoff is certainly a new place for him in Durham’s lineup (I wonder how many other teams have their DH leading off?). And look at what he’s been doing. Batting average .333 (team best), OBP .426 (team best), OPS .981 (team best), RBIs 8 (team best). Go Jon!

At the other extreme, we can only hope that Justin Ruggiano gets things sorted out. He leads the team in strikeouts (18), is only hitting .163, and his OBP is a miserable .212 (3 RBIs, though). Even worse is Elliot Johnson, hitting .139 with 11 strikeouts and a .225 OBP (0 RBIs).

Interesting that Justin and Elliot are on the Rays’ 40-man roster, Chris and Jon aren’t.

New catcher, Craig Albernaz, got a hit in his first at bat, and a RBI.