http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/sep/14/140023/sp-yankees-are-still-hurting/sports/
Brignac living the dream
By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune
Reid Brignac had the look of a kid who had been dreaming that he hit an extra-inning, game-winning home run to beat the Yankees in a pennant race and lift his team into first place.
Oh wait, it wasn't a dream.
"You just feel like you're floating on a cloud," the rookie infielder said, describing what it felt like to round the bases after his leadoff home run in the bottom of the 11th gave the Rays a 1-0 win Monday.
"I had a couple of walk-off home runs in the minor leagues, but nothing compared to this."
Brignac had started only two of the previous 22 games, and it took Carl Crawford getting ejected in the ninth inning for arguing a called third strike for him to enter the game.
Dioner Navarro, Matt Joyce, Dan Johnson and Brad Hawpe all got pinch-hit opportunities before Brignac came to the plate for the first time in the 11th against right-hander Sergio Mitre.
But when Brignac's chance came, he was ready. He caught a full-count change-up flush and hit it 392 feet over the right-field wall.
Delirium took hold at Tropicana Field as Brignac was mobbed by teammates.
"It was my first at-bat against Mitre; I don't think I've ever faced him before," Brignac said. "I was looking for something good to hit. I got a couple of pitches early in the at-bat to swing away on and just fouled them off. Fortunately, I ran into that last one."
Brignac's home run was the first extra-base in a game that was mostly a pitchers' duel between AL Cy Young Award favorites David Price and CC Sabathia. The teams combined for eight hits total.
It was the biggest hit of Brignac's career and one that will forever be part of Rays lore because of the significance, but was not the only damage the soft-spoken Louisiana native has done against the defending world champions this year.
Brignac had a career day at New York on July 17, hitting two home runs and driving in five runs.
Although Monday's at-bat was not a pinch-hit appearance, Brignac is 6-for-17 (.353) with six RBIs in that role. The six RBIs are tied for second most in the AL behind Jim Thome's seven for the Twins.
"Reid has an incredible amount of self-confidence," Rays manager Joe Maddon said, smiling at the thought. "And I love him for that.
"This guy believes he belongs here. I've talked to him about his role, and he understands what's going on. We've all spoken to him, and we talk to him in the clubhouse. He's not just set off to the side. He knows he's important to us. And so it doesn't surprise me he's able to do this stuff."
Brignac living the dream
By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune
Reid Brignac had the look of a kid who had been dreaming that he hit an extra-inning, game-winning home run to beat the Yankees in a pennant race and lift his team into first place.
Oh wait, it wasn't a dream.
"You just feel like you're floating on a cloud," the rookie infielder said, describing what it felt like to round the bases after his leadoff home run in the bottom of the 11th gave the Rays a 1-0 win Monday.
"I had a couple of walk-off home runs in the minor leagues, but nothing compared to this."
Brignac had started only two of the previous 22 games, and it took Carl Crawford getting ejected in the ninth inning for arguing a called third strike for him to enter the game.
Dioner Navarro, Matt Joyce, Dan Johnson and Brad Hawpe all got pinch-hit opportunities before Brignac came to the plate for the first time in the 11th against right-hander Sergio Mitre.
But when Brignac's chance came, he was ready. He caught a full-count change-up flush and hit it 392 feet over the right-field wall.
Delirium took hold at Tropicana Field as Brignac was mobbed by teammates.
"It was my first at-bat against Mitre; I don't think I've ever faced him before," Brignac said. "I was looking for something good to hit. I got a couple of pitches early in the at-bat to swing away on and just fouled them off. Fortunately, I ran into that last one."
Brignac's home run was the first extra-base in a game that was mostly a pitchers' duel between AL Cy Young Award favorites David Price and CC Sabathia. The teams combined for eight hits total.
It was the biggest hit of Brignac's career and one that will forever be part of Rays lore because of the significance, but was not the only damage the soft-spoken Louisiana native has done against the defending world champions this year.
Brignac had a career day at New York on July 17, hitting two home runs and driving in five runs.
Although Monday's at-bat was not a pinch-hit appearance, Brignac is 6-for-17 (.353) with six RBIs in that role. The six RBIs are tied for second most in the AL behind Jim Thome's seven for the Twins.
"Reid has an incredible amount of self-confidence," Rays manager Joe Maddon said, smiling at the thought. "And I love him for that.
"This guy believes he belongs here. I've talked to him about his role, and he understands what's going on. We've all spoken to him, and we talk to him in the clubhouse. He's not just set off to the side. He knows he's important to us. And so it doesn't surprise me he's able to do this stuff."
