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Roger Mooney

Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.

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Rays 2, Royals 1: Mighty Casey

Posted Aug 9, 2011 by Roger Mooney

Updated Aug 8, 2011 at 11:57 PM

Casey Kotchman is greeted at the plate by his teammates Monday after his game-winning home run.
CHRIS URSO/Tampa Tribune

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG Casey Kotchman delivered the first walk-off homer of his career as the Rays finally solved the Royals pitching and won 2-1 on Monday at Tropicana Field.

It was just the second walk-off hit of Kotchman’s career, too.

The first baseman had three hits, drove in both runs and raised his batting average to .341, the second-highest in the major leagues behind Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez.

Here are some notes for the win:

—Jeremy Hellickson allowed one run but came away with a no-decision. It was his seventh quality start in his last eight starts.

The rookie has tossed a quality start in each of his past seven home starts, but is 4-2 with a 2.13 ERA.

Hellickson has a 1.39 ERA in his three starts this season made with at least six days rest.

Hellickson gets only 3.12 runs of support at home as opposed to 8.24 runs of support on the road.

—Kotchman extended his hitting streak to eight games. He has multiple hits in seven of his last 10 games.

His .422 batting average through the first three innings is the highest in the majors.

—Kyle Farnsworth picked up the win with a perfect ninth inning. His four wins is one shy of his career-high.

—Desmond Jennings stole his seventh base, the second most in the American League since he was recalled July 23.

—The win was the seventh walk off of the season for the Rays and second in their last five games.

—Hellickson and Royals starter Luke Hochevar combined to strikeout 14 during the first three innings – seven each. Neither struck out a batter after that.

—Over the last three games, the Rays 2-3-4 hitters – Johnny Damon, Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist – are a combined 4-for-35 (.114 average).

—The Rays are 62-48 against the Royals, their best record against AL opponent.