Feel the heat, Miami style

Update, 6:16 Bad news from the farm, where Double-A Montgomrery LHP Jake McGee, one of the team's top pitching prospects, was placed on the DL with a left elbow strain.

The Rays reassembled in south Florida on Tuesday for the first of three games against the Marlins. INF Ben Zobrist is here, which is important because SS Jason Bartlett is leaving in the morning to return to St. Petersburg for the birth of his first child.

Bigger news might be that 2B Akinori Iwamura probably isn't going anywhere, at least not until Friday, as the hearing for the appeal of his suspension was pushed back from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday at noon. Even if there is no reduction in his three-game suspension, it likely won't take affect until Friday, and that's when Bartlett - assuming all goes well - will rejoin the team.

There has already been some rain, but both teams got to take batting practice on the field, which is something of an upset for this time of year.

Jonny Gomes is in rightfield, and will be again on Thursday when the Rays face another lefty, former teammate Mark Hendrickson. And, of course, they are playing without the DH for this week.

The Marlins made a couple of roster moves, sending down one player from the Tampa Bay area, C Mike Rabelo of Ridgewood High and UT, and calling up ex-Ray C Paul Hoover, who is in the lineup tonight. They also activated LF Josh Willingham.

As for the rest of the lineups:

RAYS
Iwamura, 2b
Aybar, 1b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Longoria, 3b
Navarro, c
Gomes, rf
Bartlett, ss
Sonnanstine, p

MARLINS
Ramirez, ss
Hermida, rf
Cantu, 3b
Willingham, lf
Uggla, 2b
Jacobs, 1b
Ross, cf
Hoover, c
Olsen, p

Comments

[Gene]

Joe should have a serious talk with Percy about why his last three outings have been so different from how he started. We don't need to hear about what they say, just that they are aware of it. As for Longo, up until his hit in the top of the ninth, it was his worst outing of the season. I am proud of him that he didn't tuck his tail between his legs and play like the game was lost and found a way to have a major impact on the result on both sides of the ball. If him, Aki and Carl can bring BJ along we will have a great summer. Did anyone hear Steve Phillips this morning: "There are only three, maybe four good teams in all of baseball, the Red Sox, Cubs, Angels, and probably the Rays!"

[Ray F]

I agree about Percy...

Way to make it interesting 3 in a row. I didn't like the way he was falling to his left when finishing his delivery. It looked like mechanics more than pain. It seems he needs to spot his landing better. He may have the hamstring in the back of his mind and it affects his confidence in delivering a solid pitch.

ALSO... to the 9:42 poster...

Longo saved the game for us. If it wasn't for his MAGNIFICENT diving snag, I see us losing that game. Plus the clutch double in the 9th... come-on save your posts till after the game.

...and enjoy your donuts!!!

[Daniel]

Percy needs a day or two off.

We should ask the Rays players how they liked playing outdoors in Florida during the summer.
The twilight blinded Longo on some early inning popups.
The heat and humidity are uncomfortable if you are not used to it.
It gives the home team a decided advantage.

[yo]

is percy starting to put question marks in your minds too his last three outings have been not good to say the least something just doesnt seem right hopefully its just a rough point for him which every pitcher goes through in such a long season

[Vinny]

Yeah terrible game for Longo. His two run double in the top of ninth and diving stop in bottom were meaningless. (sarcasm)

[Yas]

Worse game of the season for Longo.

[Carl]

The team is getting rather sloppy and complacent. Time to wake up, boys.

[Andy]

Sonnanstine may be the best batter on the team - he's certainly the most patient.