Burrell's homer boosts confidence in DH

BOSTON -- Pat Burrell's two-run homer in the 12th inning Saturday that won the suspended game brought the Rays' designated hitter his first RBIs since he drove in a run against the Orioles on Oct. 1. He went on to add three more RBIs in Saturday's regularly scheduled game.

Lance Cormier got the win in the suspended game and spoke highly of Burrell's game-winning homer.

"Biggest hit of the year so far," said Cormier, who noted that David Price called the shot to his teammates. "Everyone was giving [Price] fives like he hit it."

Burrell has been struggling all season, but manager Joe Maddon has stood by him, touting his work ethic and the fact that he has done some good things with his swing.

"To touch one off like that under these circumstances has got to help his confidence, I would have to believe," Maddon said.

Burrell's winning homer was his seventh career extra-innings homer and his first homer at Fenway Park since he hit one off Curt Schilling on June 27, 2004.



(mlb.com)