Rays-White Sox sold out
Tonight's game with the Rays-White Sox is officially sold out, the third of the season, with the two first-place teams meeting up again.
The post-game concert with Trace Adkins could play a part in it, but it should be a loud crowd tonight, regardless.
Ace LHP Scott Kazmir has a chance to tie a club record for wins in a month with five, having gone 4-0 with a .69 ERA in his last four starts. Javier Vazquez is going for the White Sox.
RAYS
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 2b
Longoria, 3b
Floyd, dh
Navarro, c
Hinske, rf
Bartlett, ss
WHITE SOX
Cabrera, ss
Ramirez, 2b
Quentin, lf
Dye, rf
Konerko, dh
Crede, 3b
Hall, c
Anderson, cf
Swisher, 1b
-- 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.
As I am a baseball lover, I try to watch games whenever I have time. But, for me, and without doubt for thousands of other fans all over the world, I love the Chicago White Sox and I do my best to attend their games though we notice that White Sox tickets got a little pricy and hard to be found especially when we talk about some hot games. The Chicago White Sox tickets are a little pricy but this should not prevent us from fallowing our favourite team and support it, and this is what means to be a good fan.
Posted by: Johnson | June 03, 2008 at 11:54 AM
agree Tom, 6:10pm starting times can't be on TV due to FOX / MLB exclusive rights for their aftternoon Sat. games, other TV games must start after 7pm. Rays start early to accomodaate their summer concert series free after the games. If they wanted to the could show the game joined in progress @7pm, but I'm thinking they opt for a complete game for more adv/mark $'s.
Go Rays!
Posted by: Raymond The Rays Mascot | June 01, 2008 at 05:40 PM
The Boston and New York parties at the Trop are gone. The Texas series, exiled last year to Orlando, now draws 10,000/game here. The Orioles, who used to draw 8K, now draw 12K here. So what if it takes Trace Adkins to sell out the Trop. Looks about a 50 per cent attendance gain overall for the rum-dum teams. Keep up the good work, Rays, and everyone else stop the sniveling about attendance.
Posted by: Tom | June 01, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Believe me, I'm enjoying this so much. I'm talking about one issue...it's just conversation. It will cost this team eventually(and 1/3rd of a season is more than a 'slump')
Posted by: Bill | June 01, 2008 at 12:00 AM
The Trace Adkins concert could be part of the reason for the sellout? Get a grip Joe Smith. Considering the past two crowds didn't combine to make tonight's crowd, I'd say Trace had a lot to do with it!!!!!
Posted by: Swing batter swing | May 31, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Another great "WIN" for the boys. Bill, Pena will hit his way out of this slump, however; I do agree with you at this point of the season of moving Pena out of the 4 hole. Let Floyd bat 4 and Pena 6 that way Longo is still protected. I wouldn't move Pena down any further than that - Navi and Hinski are doing just fine at 7 & 8. I think tomorrow we may see Floyd and Pena Changing batting order.
Posted by: Bodog | May 31, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Pena will come around. Remember Aki was in a slump to start and look at him now. It is not as easy as just sliding the currently hot hitter into 3rd and 4th spot. Do that and they hit a slump. We are winning as a team - not with superstars. That means long term wins, baby!
Posted by: Wild Bill | May 31, 2008 at 09:23 PM
roger glover lives in orlando.
Posted by: truck | May 31, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Floyd is on FIRE!!
Great win, hey ... if it takes a concert to pack the Trop, then so be it!
Jimmy Buffet, B.B. King ... who else lives close by?
Posted by: sevenyearhawk | May 31, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Bill - Are you really that much of a grizzled old fart? Rays have the best record in baseball - shut your yap. USA! USA! USA! To be the best you need to beat the best!
Posted by: Bill Shut Up | May 31, 2008 at 08:45 PM
I'm close :)
I'd like Floyd in the 4th spot for power but I think we need a guy that can also get some sac flies out of that spot.......Pena's killed us with players on 3rd with less than 2 outs not being able to hit a fly ball.......Hinske would be a better fit there buy Floyd is on fire right now.
Posted by: Bill | May 31, 2008 at 08:36 PM
floyd 4-spot
Posted by: gorays | May 31, 2008 at 07:41 PM
2k 3 lob
Posted by: Dave | May 31, 2008 at 07:16 PM
Let's try Longoria batting fourth.
Posted by: Philip | May 31, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Well Bill, you naile dit last night with 2k's and 4 LOB, so I'm not going to dispute your 3 k 4 LOB prediction tonight!
Agreed, drop Pena to 6, move Longoria and Floyd up a spot each.
Posted by: Dave | May 31, 2008 at 06:52 PM
1/2 way there after the first inning already. HE CAN'T EVEN HIT A SAC FLY AND HE'S OUR FREAKING CLEAN-UP HITTER! MOVE HIM OUT OF THAT SPOT NOW!!!
Posted by: Bill | May 31, 2008 at 06:33 PM
Why exactly isn't tonight's game on TV?
Posted by: Chris | May 31, 2008 at 06:32 PM
Let's get Paul Loduca as our backup catcher to help Navarro.
Posted by: Philip | May 31, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Enough of Pena in cleanup! Please for the love of God and my sanity!!! He is not a clean-up hitter. He's proven to be a 1 year wonder.
Over/Under:
3 K's and 4 men left on base.
Posted by: Bill | May 31, 2008 at 05:31 PM