Trying to stop the skid

The Rays, losers of five straight, will try to overcome Friday night's heartbreaking 2-1 walkoff loss tonight in the second game of the four-game series here in Cleveland.

The Rays will face tough left-hander C.C. Sabathia, who is a control freak. He hasn't allowed more than one run in any of his last 14 starts.

Left-handed hitters Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena are out of the lineup tonight, as are switch hitters Greg Norton and Dioner Navarro. Jorge Cantu gets a spot start at DH. Thunderstick Josh Wilson is back in the lineup, hitting seventh and playing 2B.

Here's the full lineup:
Iwamura, 3B
Harris, SS
Young, RF
Wigginton, 1B
Gomes, RF
Cantu, DH
Wilson, 2B
Casanova, C
Mohr, LF

Upton not in Vero lineup

Rays manager Joe Maddon said initial reports on injured Rays 2B/CF B.J. Upton (left quad strain) were positive – he wasn’t sore after playing his first rehab game for Class-A Vero Beach Thursday – but Upton wasn’t in the Vero Beach lineup tonight as the Rays' advanced Class-A team played against the Tampa Yankees at Legends Field.

Maddon said before tonight’s game in Cleveland that Upton was scheduled to play seven innings at second base tonight, but team spokesman Jason Latimer said Upton wasn't in the lineup because he was fatigued after Thursday's day game and the move was "very precautionary."

At the Jake

Fresh off being swept at home by the White Sox, the Rays open a 10-game, 10-day road trip tonight in Cleveland. During this fourt game series, the Rays will face some solid starting pitching from the Tribe in Jake Westbrook, C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona. The Rays didn't get into Cleveland until 2:30 a.m. this morning, so they won't have batting practice before tonight's game. Here's the lineup that will face Westbrook tonight.

Iwamura, 3B
Harris, SS
Crawford, LF
Norton, DH
Pena, 1B
Wigginton, 2B
Young, CF
Gomes, RF
Navarro, C

Upton a few more days

B.J. Upton made his first rehab appearance for Class A Vero on Thursday and though he did fine, manager Joe Maddon said it likely will be Monday or Tuesday before he rejoins the Rays. He has been out since June 8 with a left quad strain.

Josh Wilson"s streak is over as Ty Wigginton is back at second base for Thuraday's game. The Rays try to snap a three-game losing streak and avoid a four-game sweep by the White Sox.
The lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Crawford, lf
Norton, dh
Pena, 1b
Wigginton, 2b
Young, cf
Gomes, rf
Navarro, c
Kazmir, p

It's still Josh Wilson's world ....

Josh Wilson is starting a fourth consecutive game for the Rays, this time at second base.  Manager Joe Maddon said he liked the matchups created by having Carlos Pena, Ty Wigginton and Wilson in the lineup against Sox starter Mark Buehrle.

The rest of the lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Crawford, lf
Wigginton, dh
Young, cf
Pena. 1b
Gomes, rf
Casanova, c
Wilson, 2b

It's Josh Wilson's world ...

Josh Wilson earned another chance to start Tuesday, taking over at shortstop in place of Brendan Harris. Wilson started the last two games at second base and was 2-for-6, including a two-run double Monday and a pair of nice defensive plays Sunday.

Also, Jonny Gomes is batting second tonight.

The Rays' second-round pick, RHP William Kline out of the University of Mississippi, is here today in uniform and will throw a pregame bullpen session. Kline, the 65th overall pick, signed Monday and received a signing bonus of about $515,000.

The full lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Gomes, rf
Crawford, lf
Wigginton, 2b
Pena, 1b
Norton, dh
Young, cf
Navarro, c
Wilson, ss
Shields, p

Ready for more ... Upton update

The Rays are looking for their third straight win as the face the White Sox - and ex-Ray Toby Hall - open a four-game series at the Trop. Josh Wilson gets a second straight start at second base, giving IF Ty Wigginton a day off from the field.

Rays manager Joe Maddon also said that it is possible B.J. Upton could return to the team for the end of the Cleveland series this weekend. Maddon said Upton will likely report for a local rehab assignment for Class-A Vero Beach, which plays at Tampa, on Wednesday, participate in pregame that day and play 2B on Thursday. From there, the team will treat Upton on a day-by-day basis.

The lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Crawford, lf
Wigginton, dh
Young, cf
Gomes, rf
Pena, 1b
Navarro, c
Wilson, 2b

Jackson aims for win No. 1

Rays RHP Edwin Jackson will make his 14th start today, and hopes to win his first game of the season.

DH Jonny Gomes continues his climb up the order and will hit from the sixth spot in the lineup, and Dustan Mohr will make his first start of the season in RF.

Here's the full lineup:
Iwamura, 3B
Harris, SS
Crawford, LF
Wigginton, 1B
Young, CF
Gomes, DH
Mohr, RF
Navarro, C
WIlson, 2B

Rays drop Dukes from roster

The Devil Rays finally had enough of Elijah Dukes, at least for now.

The troubled outfielder was optioned to the minor leagues and placed on the temporary inactive list.

“It’s the right move for right now,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “The tack we are taking will make everyone better.”

Maddon, who held a meeting with the players though said it wasn’t specifically about Dukes, said Friday’s move will “be viewed as a positive ... By everyone.”

Executive Vice President Andrew Friedman said there is no time limits with regards to the temporary inactive list, and said it is possible that Dukes could return to the major league team.

"I would not rule that out," Friedman said.

Dukes, a 22-year-old rookie from Tampa, has been the subject of controversy and scrutiny for weeks, since the May 23 St. Petersburg Times report of allegations by his estranged wife that he threatened to kill her and their kids.

Dukes created another controversy Tuesday by calling a Tampa radio station to defend himself and his family and make further accusations against his estranged wife, NiShea Gilbert.

Rays officials were not pleased, acknowledged they were frustrated over the distractions he had caused and seemed poised to accelerate plans to cut ties.

The Rays called up outfielder Dustan Mohr from Durham to replace Dukes on the roster.

In other news, the Rays moved outfielder Rocco Baldelli from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL as a result of his recurring hamstring problems.

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Baldelli update - good and bad

The good news on CF Rocco Baldelli Thursday was that an MRi of his re-injured left hamstring didn't show any tears or severe problems, the Rays said.
But the bad news is that the MRI is "very similar" to his previous injuries.
The team did not disclose any kind of time frame, and said it will be "cautious" with Baldelli to try to alleviate future occurrences. Given that he has out about 6 weeks with this injury, and they are going to be more cautious, it seems like he could be out another 6-8 weeks, which would put his return sometime in August.

There was no apparent news Thursday evening on troubled OF Elijah Dukes, though it still seems the Rays are close to doing something with him, either trade or demotion or release. Given the amount of distractions he has caused it will be interesting to see if he will be in uniform for Friday night's game against the Dodgers.

Day of rest?

The Rays were due back from the desert shortly after midnight and most team personnel will enjoy Thursday's off-day.
But there could also be a lot going on today, albeit behind the scenes.

A) CF Rocco Baldelli is scheduled to be evaluated by Dr. Koco Eaton, which will give the Rays a better idea of how long Baldelli will be out following his latest hamstring problem. It could be up to another six weeks.

B)Executive VP Andrew Friedman is likely to be burning up his BlackBerry trying to find a team willing to trade for troubled OF Elijah Dukes, or he could opt to designate Dukes for assignment and decide what to do with him later.

C) Manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey were to decide on the flight home whether to keep the rotation intact or skip Edwin Jackson's turn on Sunday.

No Crawford for starters

LF Carl Crawford is not in the starting lineup today, getting at least a partial day off. Neither is Elijah Dukes, for the eighth straight day, meaning Jonny Gomes is in left and Greg Norton in right.
The full lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Norton, rf
Wigginton, 2b
Pena, 1b
Young, cf
Gomes, lf
Casanova, c
Shields, p

Here they go again ....

Just when you thought it was safe for the Devil Rays to take a big lead, they blew another one, turning a 7-1 fourth inning advantage into a 10-8 loss on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.

Al Reyes, who'd been perfect as the closer, gave up a two-run homer to tie the game in the ninth and then, in his first multi-inning apperance of the season, another two-run shot in the 10th.

Reyes said he felt fine, and just made some "mistakes" with his his pitches.

Manager Joe Maddon said the Rays "have to stop" blowing big leads. He also said that Reyes, who threw 44 pitches, will not be available Wednesday under any circumstances.

He went with Reyes for the second inning because his only other option was Brian Stokes, and he wanted to save him in case the game was extended. Plus, Stokes has struggled in late situations.

Baldelli headed back to St. Pete

CF Rocco Baldelli is headed back to St. Petersburg from Durham, a sign of a significant setback in his recovery from a left hamstring strain. Baldelli tweaked his hamstring in a rehab game Monday. The Rays had hoped to have him back Friday but will be delayed. CF Elijah Dukes remains on the bench for Tuesday's game:
Iwanura, 3b
Harris, ss
Crawford, lf
Wigginton, 2b
Pena, 1b
Young, cf
Gomes, rf
Navarro, c
Howell, p

Angry Dukes sounds off

UPDATE

Rays  executive vice president Andrew Friedman said Tuesday night team officials had "disappointment and frustration" that the  Dukes issues has caused such a distraction, and that the sentiment "extends all the way throughout the organization.'' He also said team officials spoke with Dukes today after hearing of the radio spot.

ORIGINAL REPORT
An angry-sounding Elijah Dukes called Ron Diaz's and Ian Beckles' radio show on WDAE 620-AM early this morning to address the recent controversies and accusations by his estranged wife, NiShea Gilbert.

Among other things, Dukes said if he hadn't left Gilbert he would be in jail because she would have provoked him into attacking her:

"I know if I stayed with her I'd physically be in prison because she provoked me by hitting me,'' Dukes said. "She done hit me across the head with a picture frame and everything. I hate that because I told my kids I would never go back to jail for no domestic violence.

"I have made strides. I maybe, I probably, have an anger problem but I manage my anger and I know how to get rid of some of the problems to my anger.''

When Dukes was asked if he "needed help,'' he said:

(Times photo: Brian Cassella. Click to enlarge.)

"No, I don’t need no help. Everybody needs guidance. Do I need guidance? Yes, I need guidance. Sometimes you need somebody to talk to. But do I need help? No, I don’t need help.

"How many times have I ever shot someone? How many times have I ever stabbed someone? How many times have I gone to jail for brutally beating someone? Never. I went to jail for breaking a remote control (in a previous domestic case).''

Dukes admitted that the recent issues (specifically being ordered by a judge to not see his kids with Gilbert for a year) are the reason for his extended slump on the field, which has led to him losing his job as the starting centerfielder and raising the question if the Rays will soon demote him to the minors or release him. He was not in the lineup for a seventh straight day on Tuesday.

"I am in a bit of a slump because I've got all this other stuff going on,'' he said. "You know how hard it is to be away from your kids when you've always been with your kids. Does anybody  know how that feels?"

He also said he is not the father of a baby with a former foster child at his step-grandmother's house, though admitted they did have a one-time relationship.

Dukes said he hadn't addressed any of the previous reports or accusations by his estranged wife, but decided to call in to the station after hearing about a caller claiming Dukes admitted to him during an anger management session that Dukes' mother had smoked crack:

(Pictured: Phyllis Dukes, mother of Elijah Dukes. Times photo - Kathleen Flynn)

"I don’t talk about this stuff because I'm not one of those people who have to get even,'' Dukes said. "Just like the Bible says, If you know it's not true you don't have to say anything and I haven't been saying anything. But I will say something about this situation with my mom out my mouth, because everyone knows I do love my mom. And I am tough on my mom but I know for fact I never told nobody my mom smoked crack because that would be a lie on my behalf. She never told me and I never caught her.''

The Rays are in Arizona, and Dukes made the call shortly after 7 a.m. Arizona time, when most players are sleeping. The Rays play again tonight.

He also accused Gilbert of trying to "steal my money" and made this observation:

"I had to go through a lot to get to where I am today. All I want to say is that every time you get to the top you always have those hyenas who want to knock you down as a lion. ... I have come a long way. ... Nobody's going to bring me down with all these accusations they're making about me.''

His comments were exclusive to the radio station, which has been airing interviews from his relatives and Gilbert over the last week.

Listen to the audio, located at 620wdae.com.

Baldelli's return in question?

CF Rocco Baldell may not be returning to the Rays lineup by Friday after all.
Baldelli tweaked his troubling left hamstring leaving the batter's box in his fifth and final at-bat Monday at Triple-A Durham, and will be re-evaluated on Tuesday in Durham.
Baldelli has been out since mid-May with a left hamstring strain, and the Rays were hoping to have him play four games at Durham and activate him on Friday. If the latest tweak is serious, his return could be put off for weeks.

Also, RHP Edwin Jackson is said to be "fine" after leaving Monday's game with cramping in his right hand, from the tip of his index finger into his forearm. He left the game in the fifth, and Jason Hammel ended up getting the win.

Same story ....

It probably doesn't even qualify as news anymore as Elijah Dukes remains out of the Rays lineup for the sixth straight game. Manager Joe Maddon has made it clear he plans to keep playing Jonny Gomes.

The lineup for the 9:40 start in Arizona:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Crawford, lf
Wigginton, 2b
Pena, 1b
Young, cf
Gomes, rf
Navarro, c
Jackson, p

Happy trails ....

The Rays were happy to leave Colorado with their first victory since Tuesday (and their first at Coors Field in six tries).

RF Jonny Gomes continues to make a solid impression on manager Joe Maddon, hitting two homers Sunday and going 8-for-14 in his first four games back from the minors, and will be in the lineup again on Monday in Arizona.

Elijah Dukes has been used twice as an early-game pinch-hitter for the pitcher, his only action since taking a "personal day" off Wednesday following the latest report of off-field controversy.

It will be interesting to see when and if he starts again, and if the Rays do something with him (trade, release, restricted list, etc.) when Rocco Baldelli returns from the disabled list as expected on Friday. Dukes' average is down to .191.

The heat will be brutal in Arizona - forecast high of 107 - but hopefully the retractable roof on Chase Field will be locked shut and the AC on high.

No Dukes .... again

For the fifth consecutive game OF Elijah Dukes is not in the Rays starting lineup as manager Joe Maddon sticks with his plan to play Jonny Gomes in rightfield and Delmon Young in center.

"Jonny Gomes is playing at a high level and he's got to get a chance,'' Maddon said.

Here is the lineup as the Rays trip to snap a brutal 4-game losing streak:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Crawford,lf
Wigginton, 2b
Pena, 1b
Young, cf
Gomes, rf
Navarro, 2b
Kazmir, p

No Dukes again

Rookie OF Elijah Dukes is out of the lineup for a fourth straight game.
Manager Joe Maddon said Friday his decision was a "baseball" decision and with Jonny Gomes getting 3 hits will likely have the same answer today.
The rest of the lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Crawford, lf
Wigginton, 2b
Pena,1b
Young, cf
Gomes, rf
Casanova, c
Sonnanstine, p

No Dukes again

Elijah Dukes is out of the Rays lineup for a third straight game, but the move is simply a decision by manager Joe Maddon and not an organizational order, according to executive vice president Andrew Friedman said.

"It's completely Joe"s decision,'' Friedman said. "Elijah showed up yesterday and I think is in a much better frame of mind than he was Wednesday. The starting lineup is Joe's decision.''

Delmon Young is starting in centerfield again, with Jonny Gomes in right.

Also, injured CF Rocco Baldelli is expected to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sunday and could be activated for the June 22 game against the Dodgers.

And LHP David Price, the Rays top pick in the draft, was named winner of the Dick Howser Trophy as the nation's top collegian, an award given by the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

Friday's lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Crawford, lf
Wigginton, 2b
Pena, 1b
Young, cf
Gomes, rf
Navarro, c
Shields, p

Dukes returns, but not in lineup

Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes returned for today's day game after yesterday's "personal day," but he wasn't in the Rays starting lineup.

Manager Joe Maddon said the decision was two-fold. He said that he wanted to put Jonny Gomes, recalled Tuesday night from Triple-A Durham, in the lineup since he's played on a daily basis with the Bulls. Maddon said he also didn't want to place Dukes in the lineup so soon after "the events of yesterday," when the Times reported that Dukes allegedly got a 17-year-old foster child living with a relative of his pregnant. The Times originally reported the story on tampabay.com Tuesday night.

However, Maddon said Dukes would be available today as a defensive substitution or a pinch hitter.

"I won't hesitate to use him," Maddon said.

Maddon also said Dukes will be on the team flight to Colorado and make the team's six game road trip against the Rockies and Diamondbacks.

Dukes was nowhere to be seen in the Rays clubhouse before the game.

Delmon Young will make the start in center for the second straight game.

Here's the Rays' full lineup:
Iwamura, 3B
Harris, SS
Crawford, LF
Norton, DH
Pena, 1B
Wigginton, 2B
Young, CF
Casanova, C
Gomes, RF

Upton to DL, Gomes back

The Rays are putting B.J. Upton on the 15-day disabled list due to a left quad strain and are recalling OF Jonny Gomes. Upton could be out another two weeks. Gomes, sent down a few weeks ago, will join the team in time for Thursday's noon game.

Dukes gets "personal day" off

UPDATE Manager Joe Maddon said the team gave Dukes "a personal day" off and did not know if Dukes would be with the team on Thursday.

"Elijah is not here today, and he's not going to be here today, and we're going to play one man short,'' Maddon said. "Just based on the events of today we gave him kind of a personal day and we're going to leave it at that.''

Maddon said he was "not sure" if Dukes would return to the team for Thursday's noon game, and that he had to talk more with executive VP Andrew Friedman "to really understand what we're going to do and what's going on with the whole situation.''

Maddon said he was informed by Friedman that Dukes "was not coming in.''

Friedman was not available before Wednesday's game, but he released a written statement through the team 30 minutes before first pitch.

"After conversations with Elijah and his agent today, the organization approved Elijah's absence tonight," Friedman said.

Also, B.J. Upton, out since Friday with a strained left quad, is again not available and it sounds as if could end up on the DL afterall.

------

Elijah Dukes is not in the Rays lineup Wednesday, following a report of more off-field issues. The decison to not play Dukes was unexpected, since the Rays have no other centerfielders available. As a result Delmon Young will play center for the first time this season and Greg Norton will play right. It did not appear Dukes was in the clubhouse as of 4 p.m., which is when the position players were due on the field. And he did not join them on the field.

Dukes benched

Elijah Dukes is not in the Rays lineup Wednesday, following a report of more off-field issues. The decison to not play Dukes was unexpected, since the Rays have no other centerfielders available. As a result Delmon Young will play center for the first time this season.

Teen: Dukes got me pregnant

A 17-year-old foster girl living with a relative of Elijah Dukes has told police the Rays outfielder got her pregnant. Read an early edition of the story here.

Witasick in; Lugo out ...

The Rays formalized the makeover of their bullpen by signing veteran RHP Jay Witasick on Tuesday as expected.

But the surprise move was that to make room for Witasick on the 40-man roster they designated for assignment RHP Ruddy Lugo, who had been pitching at Triple-A Durham after opening the season in the majors.

That's because RHP Tim Corcoran, who seemed likely to be the one to go, was instead placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. RHP Jason Hammel was called up on Monday and RHP Chad Orvella was optioned to Triple-A.

It appears B.J. Upton is again not available to play. He is not in the lineup and said he needs a couple more days to recover from the left quad strain that sidelined him since Friday. Manager Joe Maddon said Upton should play by Friday at the latest.

Bad memories ....

Geoff Blum, Russell Branyan and Jose Cruz did not exactly have stellar careers with the Rays, but their memories of how bad a place the Trop was to play seem awful fresh as they return Tuesday night with the Padres.
Blum described his memories of the Trop as "hellish" and said "Montreal had more atmosphere."
Branyan said it was "miserable" sitting on the bench and watching.

Here's a link.

Relief coming

The Rays took the first of two steps to bolster their bullpen on Monday by recalling righthanded pitcher Jason Hammel from Triple-A Durham, where he was 4-5, 3.42 as a starter.

They are expected to make another move Tuesday, when they sign veteran righthander Jay Witasick, who was released last week by Oakland after going 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in 16 games.

Witasick will first go through a workout Tuesday morning.

If he is signed, the Rays are expected to designate for assignment Tim Corcoran to make room on the 40-man roster.

Hammel will initially work on long relief.

Witasick, who hasn't pitched in a game since May 29, will have the opportunity to pitch in key late-inning situations. In 12 big-league seasons, he is 32-41 with a 4.59 ERA. He cleared waivers on Monday.

Also, veteran righthander Jae Seo accepted an assignment to Triple-A Durham.

-- Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Relief on the way ...

The Rays were working late Sunday and will be again on Monday to revamp their bullpen before their next game Tuesday. Struggling RHPs Tim Corcoran and Chad Orvella were optioned to Triple-A Durham and replacements should be named on Monday. Candidates include former Rays Jason Hammel, Ruddy Lugo and Seth McClung; lefty Jeff Ridgway; and veteran newcomers Steve Andrade and Scott Dohmann. They now seem likely to wait before considering Double-A Montgomery RHP Dale Thayer.

Status quo for now ....

Any changes to the Rays bullpen remain on hold until at least after Sunday's game in Miami, and perhaps until just before Tuesday's game at Tropicana Field.

Manager Joe Maddon said late Sunday morning he had not yet spoken with executive VP Andrew Friedman about the situation. "Nothing yet,'' Maddon said. "There's nothing new to report right now. Maybe by the end of today or something would be possible, but nothing right now.''

The Rays seem to be considering bringing up RHP Dale Thayer, who is 4-0, 2.35 with 14 saves at Montgomery, and had 27 saves in each of the previous seasons in the Southern League, but has never pitched above the Double-A level.

The most likely candidates to go are struggling RHPs Tim Corcoran and Chad Orvella. If Thayer is brought up he would have to be added to the 40-man roster, meaning someone else would have to be taken off, likely designated for assignment.

If the Rays want to stick with relievers on the 40-man roster, RHPs Seth McClung and Ruddy Lugo and LHP Jeff Ridgway are possibilities.

C Dioner Navarro, struck in the throat Friday by a bounced pitch, said he is ready to return to action. CF/2B B.J. Upton remains sidelined until at least Tuesday.

The Sunday lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Crawford, lf
Wigginton, 2b
Pena, 1b
Young, rf
Dukes, cf
Casanova, c
Sonnanstine, p

Day after ...

Both Dioner Navarro and B.J. Upton are in the Rays clubhouse but not in the lineup for Saturday's game.

Navarro said he doesn't remember much about Friday's incident, when he was hit in the throat by a pitch. "All I remember was that it was hard for me to breathe. I needed to calm down by I couldn't,'' Navarro said. "It was a scary moment.''

Navarro returned to the team hotel around 2 a.m. after being evaluated at Broward General Hospital. He said he will be seen by a doctor again today and doesn't know when he will be able to next play. "We're taking it day by day,'' he said.

Upton, who had to be helped off the field with a strained left quad, hopes to only be out a few days.

From the looks of things, the Rays are not making any moves to shake up their pitching staff. Manager Joe Maddon made it sound like they might after Friday's frustrating loss.

The Saturday lineup:
Iwamura, 3b
Harris, ss
Crawford, lf
Wigginton, 2b
Young, rf
Dukes, cf
Cantu, 1b
Casanova, c
Shields, p

Navarro, Upton update

Manager Joe Maddon said neither C Dioner Navarro nor 2B/CF B.J. Upton were hurt seriously Friday after both were taken off the field with what looked like significant injuries.

Navarro was hit in the throat by a bounced pitch and taken to Broward General Hospital for tests and evaluation, but was not kept overnight and Maddon said he got word from trainer Ron Porterfield that Navarro was "fine.''

Upton writhed in pain after straining the quadriceps in his left leg, but was feeling better by the time the game was over and said he expected only to miss a couple days and definitely did not need to go on the disabled list.

The Rays may change their stable of relief pitchers however, as an 8-2 lead turned into a 14-8 loss. And that was only three days after an 8-1 lead became a 12-11 loss.

"It’s very frustrating,’’ Maddon said. “We get a big lead and give it up again and it's just unacceptable. We can’t do those things. We just can’t do those things. That’s twice in a matter of a couple days to lose games we should have won. That’s just wrong. We have to do something to make ourselves better.’’
If the pitchers can’t do better, then the next step would be try to find better pitchers. Asked if changes were coming, Maddon said: “I just need to talk to Andrew (Friedman, the executive vice president.) That’s unacceptable. You just can’t be that way. You just can’t.’’

The Rays will know more Saturday on how long Navarro and Upton will be out. And whether there will be any new faces in the bullpen.

Navarro, Upton leave game hurt

C Dioner Navarro had to be taken off the field on a stretcher after being hit in the throat by a pitched ball in the sixth inning of Friday's game and was taken to a hospital. Earlier, CF B.J. Upton the game with what the Rays said was a strain of the left quadriceps.

Navarro appeared to be in considerable distress after Brian Stokes' pitch bounced and struck him in the throat. He was attended to by team trainers and then stadium emergency personnel and it looked like he was given oxygen as he was put on a cart and driven off the field. There was immediate word on his condition or what exactly was wrong.

Upton pulled up running out a ground ball in the first inning and writhed on the ground in severe pain for several minutes. He had to be helped off the field by first-base coach George Hendrick and trainer Ron Porterfield.

Team spokesman Jason Latimer said Upton would be re-evaluated on Saturday and his status was "day-to-day.''

Upton has been one of the Rays top performers, hitting .322 with nine homers and 31 RBIs. He was replaced in centerfield by Elijah Dukes.

Rain delay over; game begins

UPDATE

Even though another shower just blew through, the anthem has been played and the game is about to start, just about 90 minutes late.

UPDATE
The tarp is being taken off the field and the grounds crew is dealing with the large puddles in rightfield. The approximate start time is now 8:30 p.m.

UPDATE
It's nearly 8 p.m. and it is still raining. So much for the plan to start at 7:30. On the positive side, the skies do seem to be clearing a bit. Maybe they meant 8:30?

It is still raining in south Florida and - since they don't have a roof on their stadium - the start of Friday's game is going to be delayed. Word is the umpires will meet around 7 and the first pitch will be sometime between 7:30 and 8. But that's assuming it stops raining.

No DH, no Dukes

With no DH for the games in Miami, B.J. Upton started in centerfield Friday and Elijah Dukes was on the bench.Akinori Iwamura is back and at the top of the lineup. Here it is: Iwamura, 3b Upton, cf Crawford, lf Wigginton, 2b Pena, 1b Young, rf Harris, ss Navarro, c Howell, p It has already rained hard, and may rain again.

The draft continues ...

The Rays launched the second day (and the sixth round) of the draft on Friday by picking centerfielder Emeel Salem from the University of Alabama.

That makes four pitchers and two centerfielders in their first six picks. Check back later for more on what they've done.

Meanwhile - no surprise - rain is forecast for tonight's game in Miami.

Alas, a position player

Inglemoor High centerfielder Dustin Biell became the Rays first position player taken in Thursday's draft.

The Rays also picked four pitchers, including No 1 pick David Price (Vanderbilt)...

Biell is a left-handed hitting centerfielder who has some pop; he batted .364 with seven homers and a .773 his senior season.

Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison said the club will likely pick more position players Friday, when the first-player draft resumes.

-- JOE SMITH

Rays take college pitcher in Round 4

The Rays picked Texas A&M LHP David Newmann in the fourth round, adding to their stockpile of hurlers.

Newmann, like the Rays second round pick (Ole Miss RHP Will Kline) has underwent Tommy John Surgery. Newman's came in his sophomore year at San Jacinto Community College in Houston (2005). That was a year after he led San Jacinto to a runner-up finish in the JUCO World Series in 2004.

It's his second time being drafted (he was 24th rounder by Cleveland in 2004).

This season, Newmann went 11-1 with a 2.98 ERA for the Aggies.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Rays take high school RHP in third

The Rays have now picked pitchers in the first three rounds, with the latest being RHP Nicholas Barnese out of Simi Valley HS

Baseball America scouting report on Barnese states that he's athletic with a quick arm, a fastball that reaches the mid-90s and has some life especially lower in the strike zone. He's got good command of his fastball and isn't afraid to work inside...was slated to go to Cal State Fullerton

Barnese did miss his junior year at Simi Valley High due to a team-imposed suspension

--- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Rays pick another pitcher in Round 2

The Rays opened the second round by picking Ole Miss RHP William Kline. Kline pitched sparingly his first two seasons with the Rebels because of Tommy John surgery he underwent before his senior year of high school. But Kline was one of the Rebels aces his senior season, when he went 7-2 with a 3.43 ERA and 127 strikeouts (which ranks him second all-time at Ole Miss).

Scouting report on the Mississippi native is that he's got a decent three-pitch repertoire (fastball, changeup and slider) with a bulldog mentality

-- JOE SMITH

Price: 'One of the best days of my life'

The Devil Rays made Vanderbilt LHP David Price the top pick of Thursday's draft. The selection was announced by commissioner Bud Selig at Disney.

"We think this guy has all the ability to be a front of the rotation major-league type pitcher,'' scouting director R.J. Harrison said. "Now it's jusy a matter of getting him signed, getting him in uniform, getting him along in that development process.''

Price, at a family gathering in Nashville, smiled and looked relieved on the ESPN broadcast, donning a Rays cap and jersey.

"My emotions are obviously running really high right now,'' Price said. "It's one of the best days of my life so I'm going to cherish it.''

As for going to the Rays, Price said: "It's a great feeling. They have a good team already with a bunch of veteran leaders and a bunch of young players out there already.'' He said it would be "an honor" to eventually join the Rays.

Price, 21, went 11-1, 2.63 for the Commodores, striking out a national high 194 in 133 1/3 innings in his junior season. In three seasons, he was 22-10, 3.10 with a school-record 441 strikeouts.

Contract negotiations will begin Friday, the Rays said.

"It's difficult to project how long that will take,'' Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "We hope to resolve this as quickly as possible.''

Rays take Vanderbilt's Price

The Devil Rays made Vanderbilt left-hander David Price the top pick of baseball's annual first-year player draft Thursday afternoon in Orlando.

Price, 21, finished his junior season 11-1, 2.63 with a school-record 194 strikeouts (and only 31 walks) in 1331/3 innings, allowing a .199 average.

His best pitch is a 95 mph fastball, and he has a nasty slider he can throw at any point in a count. The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder's changeup isn't as refined as he didn't need it much against overmatched college hitters.

The Rays' only concern could be Price's workload; he averaged 121 pitches in 11 conference starts, went as high as 137 and threw 130 Friday and came back to throw 14 more Monday in his first relief appearance of the season, giving up the game-winning, thus season-ending, home run.

Contract talks are likely to begin Friday, and the only deadline is MLB's new Aug. 15 cutoff.

School Day

An estimated 20,000 screaming kids will attend today's afternoon game at the Rogers Centre. That means Rays starter Edwin Jackson will have a captive audience today in the series finale in Toronto.

A couple items of note. After a one-game benching, CF Elijah Dukes is back in the lineup,  was but hebumped out of the leadoff spot by 2B B.J. Upton. Dukes will bat second. Greg Norton will make his first start in LF, giving Carl Crawford the opportunity to take a day off from the field and be the DH. 3B Akinori Iwamura will join the team tomorrow in South Florida.

Here's the Rays lineup:
Upton, 2B
Dukes,CF
Crawford, DH
Norton, LF
Pena, 1B
Wigginton, 3B
Young, RF
Navarro, C
Harris, SS

Price is right for Rays

The Devil Rays have decided to make Vanderbilt LHP David Price the top pick in Thursday's draft.

The Rays have been following Price closely all season - with scouts at all 18 of his games - and see drafting him as the opportunity to add another high-end advanced pitching prospect to their system. "He has everything that we're looking for in a frontline major-league starter," scouting director R.J. Harrison said last week.

The Rays had also been considering Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters and California prep third baseman Josh Vitters, whom Baseball America now projects to go second to the Royals. Wieters, according to Baseball America, will drop to the Giants at the No. 10 spot. (For the BA projected first round, see http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/features/264204.html.

The draft - which will be televised for the first time by ESPN2 - starts at 2 p.m. with the first pick scheduled for around 2:15. The Rays don't pick again until 65th, due to the high number of free-agent compensation picks added after the first round, and then again 95th. The first five rounds will be completed Thursday, the remaining rounds - up to 50 - will be completed on Friday.

Check back later Thursday for more coverage.

The Devil Rays have decided to make Vanderbilt LHP David Price the top pick in Thursday's draft.

The Rays have been following Price closely all season - with scouts at all 18 of his games - and see drafting him as the opportunity to add another high-end advanced pitching prospect to their system. "He has everything that we're looking for in a frontline major-league starter," scouting director R.J. Harrison said last week.

The Rays had also been considering Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters and California prep third baseman Josh Vitters, whom Baseball America now projects to go second to the Royals. Wieters, according to Baseball America, will drop to the Giants at the No. 10 spot. (For the BA projected first round, see http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/features/264204.html.

The draft - which will be televised for the first time by ESPN2 - starts at 2 p.m. with the first pick scheduled for around 2:15. The Rays don't pick again until 65th, due to the high number of free-agent compensation picks added after the first round, and then again 95th. The first five rounds will be completed Thursday, the remaining rounds - up to 50 - will be completed on Friday.

Check back later Thursday for more coverage.

The Rays have been following Price closely all season - with scouts at all 18 of his games - and see drafting him as the opportunity to add another high-end advanced pitching prospect to their system. "He has everything that we're looking for in a frontline major-league starter," scouting director R.J. Harrison said last week.

The Rays had also been considering Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters and California prep third baseman Josh Vitters, whom Baseball America now projects to go second to the Royals. Wieters, according to Baseball America, will drop to the Giants at the No. 10 spot. (For the BA projected first round, see http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/features/264204.html.

The draft - which will be televised for the first time by ESPN2 - starts at 2 p.m. with the first pick scheduled for around 2:15. The Rays don't pick again until 65th, due to the high number of free-agent compensation picks added after the first round, and then again 95th. The first five rounds will be completed Thursday, the remaining rounds - up to 50 - will be completed on Friday.

Check back later Thursday for more coverage.

The Rays had also been considering Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters and California prep third baseman Josh Vitters, whom Baseball America now projects to go second to the Royals. Wieters, according to Baseball America, will drop to the Giants at the No. 10 spot. (For the BA projected first round, see http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/features/264204.html.

The draft - which will be televised for the first time by ESPN2 - starts at 2 p.m. with the first pick scheduled for around 2:15. The Rays don't pick again until 65th, due to the high number of free-agent compensation picks added after the first round, and then again 95th. The first five rounds will be completed Thursday, the remaining rounds - up to 50 - will be completed on Friday.

Check back later Thursday for more coverage.

The draft - which will be televised for the first time by ESPN2 - starts at 2 p.m. with the first pick scheduled for around 2:15. The Rays don't pick again until 65th, due to the high number of free-agent compensation picks added after the first round, and then again 95th. The first five rounds will be completed Thursday, the remaining rounds - up to 50 - will be completed on Friday.

Check back later Thursday for more coverage.

Is Price right?

The Devil Rays are expected to make Vanderbilt LHP David Price the top pick in Thursday's draft. Though there was no official word from either side by Wednesday evening, the Rays have been following Price closely all season and see him as another high-end advanced pitching prospect to add to their system. "He has everything that we're looking for in a frontline major-league starter," scouting director R.J. Harrison said last week. The Rays have also been considering Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters and California prep third baseman Josh Vitters.

The draft - which will be televised for the first time by ESPN2 - starts at 2 p.m. with the first pick scheduled for around 2:15. The Rays don't pick again until 65th, due to the high number of free-agent compensation picks added after the first round, and then again 95th. The draft goes 50 rounds and is expected to be completed by Friday night.

The day after, silence reigns and Dukes sits

The Rays visiting clubhouse was especially empty before the game tonight, with a group of mostly relievers playing cards at a table.

The day after the Rays bullpen blew a five-run ninth-inning lead in Tampa Bay's 12-11 loss here at the Rogers Center, Rays manager Joe Maddon said he wasn't worried about Tuesday's collapse snowballing into something worse, saying that only happens "if you let it affect you." The good thing for the Rays is that LHP Scott Kazmir has the ability to make put yesterday's game behind them with a good outing.

Maddon benched CF Elijah Dukes, who was 0-for-6 Tuesday and saw his batting average drop to .200. Maddon also said that outfielders coach George Hendrick was going to talk to Dukes about how he jogged after two balls in the left-center field gaps in Tuesday's fateful ninth inning.

Without Dukes in the lineup, we see Jorge Cantu at DH and Josh Wilson at 2B, with B.J. Upton moving to CF and taking over the leadoff spot. Also, Delmon Young moved up a spot to sixth and Brendan Harris, usually in the No. 9 hole, goes to second.

Here's the complete Rays lineup:
Upton, 2B
Harris, SS
Crawford, LF
Wigginton, 3B
Pena, 1B
Young, RF
Cantu, DH
Navarro, C
Wilson, 2B

Casanova stepping in right away

Newly recalled C Raul Casanova's fight to Toronto was delayed in Cincinnati, but he arrived north of the border this morning and will start tonight's game against the Blue Jays at the Rogers Center.

Tonight also marks the major league debut of RHP Andy Sonnanstine. And Casanova has experience catching Sonnanstine in Triple-A Durham, so Casanova receiving the start tonight seems natural.

Otherwise, the dome roof is closed 45 minutes before gametime. It was a chilly and windy day here in Toronto, hardly worthy of being called a summer afternoon.

Another thing to note, at least two Devil Rays players noted that it seemed dark here at Rogers Center during batting practice. That might be something to watch as the series progresses.

Here's the Rays lineup:
Dukes, CF
Upton, 2B
Crawford, LF
Norton, DH
Pena, 1B
Wigginton, 3B
Young, RF
Casanova, C
Harris, SS

Postgame news: Riggans to DL

After Monday’s game, the Rays placed C Shawn Riggans on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow tendinitis and selected the contract of journeyman C Raul Casanova from Triple-A Durham to replace him.

The Rays recalled Riggans last Thursday when backup Josh Paul landed on the DL with a left elbow strain, but at the time Riggans was just coming off the DL at

Durham

with a right elbow bruise.

To clear room on the 40-man roster for Casanova, the team designated LHP Chris Seddon for assignment.

Price likes Rays

Probable Rays first-round pick and Vanderbilt left-hander David Price, whose Commodores can advance to the NCAA super regional with a win over Michigan today, gave a glowing review of the Devil Rays on a conference call today.

"It's only a matter of time before they start competing for pennants," Price said. "I think they're going to have a great team. With leaders like Scott Kazmir and Carl Crawford leading a group of young, great players. It's gonna make it a lot easier and fun to play. With manager Joe Maddon, one of the great managers in baseball, theyr'e obviously a great talented team."

Rays leaving Aki home

Rays manager Joe Maddon said before today's game that injured 3B Akinori Iwamura (bruised left eye) won't make the trip in Toronto and will instead likely join the team this weekend when the Rays head to South Florida to play the Marlins.

Meanwhile, today's 3:10 start will feature the best pitching matchup of the series with RHP James Shields going for the Rays and the Royals countering with RHP Gil Meche.

Here's the Rays lineup:
Dukes, CF
Upton, 2B
Crawford, LF
Norton, DH
Pena, 1B
Wigginton, 3B
Young, RF
Navarro, C
Harris, SS

Don't look now: Aki out four to five days

The shiner on Rays 3B Akinori Iwamura's left eye didn't look too bad, but after seeing an eye doctor this morning it was bad enough to keep Iwamura out of the lineup for the next four to five days.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said the team hasn't made a decision about whether Iwamura, who was hit by a bouncing ball in the face late in Saturday's game, will make the trip to Toronto tomorrow night. Apparently, stress on the eye is a concern, so much so that Iwamura won't be available as a pinch runner or pinch hitter and won't take batting practice.

Iwamura's absence moves Ty Wigginton to third and places Elijah Dukes back in the lineup after a mysterious day off Saturday. Here's today's lineup:

Dukes, CF
Upton, 2B
Crawford, LF
Norton, DH
Pena, 1B
Wigginton, 3B
Young, RF
Navarro, C
Harris, SS

New look

With Elijah Dukes out of the lineup Saturday, 3B Akinori Iwamura is batting leadoff, which could be a sign of things to come. Also, B.J. Upton is playing center with Josh Wilson at second.

Rotation remade with Howell, Sonnanstine

UPDATE
The Rays announced after Friday's game that LHP J.P. Howell and RHP Andy Sonnanstine were being called up to replace struggling starters LHP Casey Fossum and RHP Jae Seo. Howell will start Sunday, Sonnanstine on Tuesday. Fossum was moved to the bullpen while Seo was designated for assignment. Also, RHP Jae Kuk-Ryu was optioned to Triple-A, where he will be a starter.

The Rays annouced before the game that Fossum has been moved to the bullpen, and said they will have more to say on other moves after the game. They are expected to call up Andy Sonnanstine and J.P. Howell to join the rotation and likely will dump Jae Seo. Friday's lineup: Dukes, cf Upton, 2b Crawford, lf Norton, dh Pena, 1b Young, rf Iwamura, 3b Riggans, c Harris, ss

Rays not ready to say Price is right

Though Vanderbilt LHP David Price has long been considered the leading candidate to be the top pick in Thursday’s draft, Devil Rays officials said Friday they will wait before making a decision.

The Rays are also considering Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters and California prep third baseman Josh Vitters, though they may be watching as much to make sure nothing goes wrong with Price, who is pitching today in the NCAA Regionals, as much as anything.

“We’re still mulling,’’ scouting director R.J. Harrison said. “Two of the guys are done playing, David Price is still pitching. So I think any decision or getting completely locked in would be premature at this point. We’re pretty comfortable with where we’re at. As far as the final decision, we’re still a few days off.’’

This is the third time the Rays have had the No. 1 overall pick – they took Josh Hamilton in 1999 and Delmon Young in 2003.