Pat Burrell says Tampa Bay Rays 'making it tough on ourselves'

SEATTLE — After the punchless Rays dropped their fourth straight series and lost for the seventh time in nine games, manager Joe Maddon continued to insist it's just a matter of time until they break out

But DH Pat Burrell, a newcomer to the squad, suggested it might take something else.

"We're making it tough on ourselves," he said. "Maybe one of these games we'll turn it around and get on a roll, but we have to fight a little bit to get there."

Maddon said he has been pleased with the work ethic and the effort, and he maintains the lack of offense —their second shutout in 12 games and the ninth time in 16 they've scored three or less — is only short term, though without any specifics on why.

"We're just not there yet," he said. "We're just not there. I think we're healthy. The guys are together. We believe.

"It's just going to have to morph into that winning streak, and it's going to. We're just apparently not ready yet. The guys are doing everything possible. The work's been great. It's just a matter of time."

(tampabay.com)