Our weekly look at one item tying together each of the Red Sox' opponents peaks in at the Rays, who fell flat in an opener at home.
The ultra-talented B.J. Upton remains an important piece to the puzzle in Tampa Bay. He made strides in several areas last year but still hit just .237 and was a central figure in some mid-season clubhouse turmoil.
Upton's bid for a better campaign got off to a tough start and added another frustrating chapter in the lives of Rays fans who simply want to see him realize his potential.
In a 4-1 loss to Baltimore, Upton struck out looking in his first at-bat of the season. It came with a runner on second base and one out in the second inning. He added a K, this time swinging, in the fifth, before offering up a little life for an otherwise dormant Tampa Bay lineup by doubling to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning.
One out later, however, Upton was caught by Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie breaking for third, a rather ill-advised dash in a 4-0 game. Although Upton contends he was interfered with by Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy in the ensuing pickle, the fact that he was in one in the first place spoke to some over-aggressiveness on Upton's part.
To his credit, Upton took ownership of the mistake and will continue to be aggressive for manager Joe Maddon, who likes that sort of style. Still, it was an awkward debut for one guy the Rays really need in 2011.
