Rays rained out
Thursday's game against the Orioles was postponed due to rain. No makeup date was announced. Manager Joe Maddon said the Rays will keep their pitching rotation somewhat in order, with Andy Sonnanstine moving to Friday against the Yankees and Edwin Jackson pushed back to Saturday. That, though, could change again because rain is forecast all day Friday in New York as well. "Stay tuned,'' Maddon said.
As it stands now, James Shields will pitch Sunday, Jason Hammel on Monday and Matt Garza will start Tuesday's home opener.
Maddon had talked about keeping Shields and Garza back to back, but they didn't want to keep Hammel out of action that long. Plus, they could be creating a nice spot to drop in Scott Kazmir when he returns, dropping their ace lefty between their two top righthanders.
Having already had a-day-and-a-half from Monday's opener until Wednesday's night game, the Rays were eager to play. "You don't want more days off right now,'' Maddon said.
Also, reliever Grant Balfour accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Durham.
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Oh yes, I remember when that Blue Jays game was "Hurricaned" out.
It was almost the difference between 69 and 70 wins...
Posted by: Mark | April 04, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Technically Al, we have been "rained out" at the Trop: September 26, 2004.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/games/2004-09-25-rays-jays-canceled_x.htm
Posted by: Alan | April 04, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Al there will be a top it will just be an open air stadium. For all the people who complain about not sitting is 72 degrees at a baseball game, don't worry, shut up. You don't complain about Raymond James. If you are a true Rays fan you will go watch the game in either venue.
Posted by: Sean | April 04, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Jonny Gomes better be in the lineup today. Friday, and he hasn't had a start yet. Brutal.
This is a guy, who despite being jerked in and out of the lineup, has put up numbers that equal to 33 HRs and 76 RBIs with 11 steals per season, if he was allowed to be a full-time starter. That's pretty good right-field production.
Free Jonny Gomes. MAKE HIM A STARTER!
Posted by: Gomesbacker | April 03, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Rained out? RAINED OUT? A Rays home game at the Trop has never been rained out. Hey, let's tear down the Trop and build a new ball park downtown where they are running the Grand Prix. Yeah, that would be cool.
Posted by: Al | April 03, 2008 at 09:26 PM