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Rays starter Jackson shows signs of harnessing talent
By
Brant James, Times Staff Writer
In print: Sunday, April 27, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG — Edwin Jackson may not know just how close he actually is to getting it. First baseman Carlos Pena has an idea. So does manager Joe Maddon. And so, now, do the Boston Red Sox. The answer: maybe pretty close. The hard-throwing but mercurial 24-year-old held the defending World Series champions to one run on five hits and three walks in seven innings Saturday, keeping the Rays close as Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz dominated. Jackson overcame one potentially derailing inning, and when Akinori Iwamura's two-run homer in the eighth set up a 2-1 victory, he had helped the Rays take another step above .500. He also had made a personal step. "It's all about maturity, and I think he's in the process of maturing into the pitcher we all know he can be and he aspires to be," Pena said. "I think he's closer than he believes, probably." Jackson labored in the fifth when the Red Sox scored their run, but he appeared otherwise in command by throwing strikes — the only difference in his game this season, he says — working quickly and benefiting from sharp defense. Coco Crisp, on third after singling and advancing two bases on a wild pitch, scored when Jacoby Ellsbury flicked a single down the third-base line, but Evan Longoria's lunge to keep the ball in the infield prevented Jed Lowrie, who had walked, from scoring. "Whether he made the throw or not, it saved a run," said Jackson, who had lost his past two decisions. "After that play, I had to pick them up." Jackson made good, allowing just one more baserunner. After lowering his ERA by almost a run to 3.86, he left the game and left an impression. "From the very first pitch I liked the look. I liked the hat pulled down," Maddon said . "I liked the glare today. I liked it a lot."
[Last modified: Apr 26, 2008 11:56 PM]
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