- Kevin Tall
- The missing piece?
Ben Zobrist put on a show Thursday in Minnesota, demonstrating to Twins fans how he got nicknames like "Big Ben" and "Zorilla."
The switch-hitter paced the Rays, going 4-for-6 with eight RBI and two runs scored on a day when the offense clicked. Tampa Bay brought a 15-3 beat-down to the Twins in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader.
Zobrist's eight RBI broke former Rays first baseman Carlos Pena's record for most in a game, which was seven.
"RBIs are all about your teammates getting on base," Zobrist said. "I was fortunate enough to have runners on second and third just about every time, so I was trying to have good at-bats, try not to force the outcome."
It's a flash of the Zobrist who Tampa Bay fans fell in love with in 2009, when he batted .297 with 27 home runs and 91 RBI.
The Rays need that 2009 Zobrist to hang around all season, not last year's Zoby, who struggled at the plate. He hit only .238 and 10 homers.
With the emergence of Sam Fuld, who seems to have solidified the lead-off spot, and having Johnny Damon and Evan Longoria, who's been on the DL, a hot Zobrist could be the fourth big bat that the Rays have sought since last year.
He might have been that guy, if not for a back injury he suffered in July.
Zobrist looks healthy this season. He looks comfortable at the plate. Could you imagine a better version of his 2009 self — a 2.011 version, if you will?
So far he is.
