Akinori Iwamura
Going into the 2009 season, the American League champions again posted a winning record, 84-78, but was unable to return to the postseason, in part due to injuries to Longoria, Akinori Iwamura and Carlos Peña. The Rays performed much better the following year, a season that saw Matt Garza throw the franchise's first no-hitter (against Detroit) They again won the AL East, finishing with the Abest record in the AL, but were eliminated in the ALDS by the Rangers.