Father's Day finale
The Rays close their three-game series with the Marlins with a Father's Day matinee today at the Trop.
Tampa Bay (40-28) has won 22 of its last 25 at home, and will continue their tough, nine-game homestand with the Cubs arriving Tuesday and the Astros this weekend.
Edwin Jackson will start for the Rays, which have another bit of lineup shuffling. Willy Aybar, who has been swinging the bat well as of late, will go in Carl Crawford's spot at No. 2 in the order, and Eric Hinske was slotted at cleanup.
SS Jason Bartlett, who had the big hit Saturday, said there's been no ill effects from him getting hit in the ribs with a pitch. With the Rays having a couple off days in the next week, manager Joe Maddon said that will allow them not to have to rest him and put Evan Longoria at short.
On the suspension front, Jackson will serve his suspension next, and Maddon said they'll have to decide on someone to take his start Saturday; though Maddon said it's possible Jason Hammel will get the nod, they're not sure yet.
RAYS
Iwamura, 2b
Aybar, 1b
Upton, cf
Hinske, lf
Longoria, 3b
FLoyd, dh
Navarro, c
Gross, rf
Bartlett, ss
Jackson, p
MARLINS
Ramirez, ss
Hermida, rf
Cantu, 1b
Jacobs, dh
Uggla, 2b
Gonzalez, lf
Helms, 3b
Ross, cf
Rabelo, c
Nolasco, 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.
I sure have to wonder what Maddon has against Gomes - he's got to be as good as Gross in RF, plus the energy he brings day in & day out is amazing! I'd love to see him get some extended playing time, allowing him to get back in the groove, and see how he could light things up. & I don't understand Hinske at clean-up, with the way the Navvy has been hiting, or Cliff's power. Oh, Well.
Posted by: Warren | June 15, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Isn't it funny that we are suddenly upset at not sweeping the wild card team of the NL and have to "settle" for merely taking 2 of 3? I hope the team is as hungry as we fans are
Posted by: T | June 15, 2008 at 09:08 PM
I can't figure Jackson out. He threw great when he got no run support (remember 2 blown saves by Perci). Now that the bats are hot, he decides to throw batting practice when he gets 2 strikes on a batter.
Posted by: T | June 15, 2008 at 09:06 PM
David Price and Wade Davis can't get here soon enough to replace Jackson & Sonnestine.We will never be serious contenders with Jackson and Sonnestine in the rotation,they are far too inconsistent.Sonny's 7-3 record is tained,he just as easilly could be 4-6.He has been getting great run support so far.
Posted by: Steve | June 15, 2008 at 05:37 PM
I think thats a good idea!
Posted by: Mark | June 15, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Who thinks Jackson should go to the bullpen when Price is in the rotation.
Posted by: Philip | June 15, 2008 at 02:31 PM