Navarro, Bartlett out of lineup
The Rays will be without two regulars in today's series finale with the Yankees.
C Dioner Navarro has been given the day off, and SS Jason Bartlett was a late scratch because he has to tend to a family matter, the Rays said.
The Rays will try to win their sixth series in their last seven tries today when they host the Yankees, having already taken two of the first three games from the AL East foes.
They'll ride the left arm of ace Scott Kazmir, fresh off Wednesday's announcement of his three-year contract extension. Kazmir threw six scoreless innings in his last start - his second since coming off the DL - but will still try to work out some kinks.
The lineups pose a few changes, with manager Joe Maddon giving Navarro a day off, his first in over a week. Navarro had been carrying a hot bat (.387), but Maddon didn't want to run him into the ground, electing to give Shawn Riggans a start today before the Rays begin an interleague series with the Cardinals this weekend.
DH Cliff Floyd was also moved up a spot in the order ahead of Evan Longoria, a switch Maddon said was due to the Yankees not having a lefty available in the bullpen.
The Yankees won't have Hideki Matsui or Bobby Abreu in the lineup tonight, their two main changes.
RAYS
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Floyd, dh
Longoria, 3b
Hinske, rf
Riggans, c
Bartlett, ss
Kazmir, P
YANKEES
Damon, lf
Cabrera, cf
jeter, ss
Giambi, dh
Duncan, rf
Ensberg, 1b
Cano, 2b
Gonzalez, 3b
Molina, c
Kennedy, P
- JOE SMITH
Follow Tampa Bay Rays baseball from spring training to the World Series with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the St. Petersburg Times sports staff. From Evan Longoria to B.J. Upton and James Shields, we're your source for Tampa Bay Rays scores and schedules.
My past 4 days eating habits, I've been munching on - Steinbrenner soup, Hankees hogmogs, Pinkees pasta, Bankees burgers, and a handful of overpaid oxtails. Wow, was it great & yummy; so much so, I can't wipe the smile off my face.
Go Rays!
Posted by: Raymond the Rays Mascot | May 16, 2008 at 12:52 PM
As Yankess announcer,John Sterling says when The Yankees Win (modified for the Rays) Rays win!,Rays Win!Yeah!! Yeah!!! Its a wonderful feeling folks,Isn't It?
Posted by: Brad | May 15, 2008 at 10:13 PM
ROCKIN' WITH KAZMIR
Posted by: jeff | May 15, 2008 at 10:02 PM
ROCKIN' WITH KAZMIR
Posted by: jeff | May 15, 2008 at 10:02 PM
The folks at work aren't laughing at me now. I told them two years ago, just wait. Ladies and Gentlemen the wait is over!
Posted by: Clover | May 15, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Do we still need to fire Maddon? LOL
Posted by: JJ Jones | May 15, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Rays Win Rays Win yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Posted by: Brian | May 15, 2008 at 07:04 PM