Showdown in Beantown, part one
The Rays will be in the center of the baseball world the next three days here at Fenway, where they take on the second-place Red Sox to start an extremely challenging, nine-game road trip.
Tampa Bay owns a 1.5 game lead over the defending World Series champions, which will be without the services of slugger David Ortiz, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left wrist injury. The Boston Herald reported that the injury (a partially torn sheath surrounding a tendon) could potentially be season-ending if the club decides surgery is needed.
The last time these teams met at Fenway, the Red Sox swept the Rays by a combined score of 26-10, as each Tampa Bay starter couldn't make it through five innings.
RHP Matt Garza, who has pitched extremely well lately, will look to end that streak tonight when he takes the mound, with recently-called up RHP prospect Justin Masterson for Boston.
-- 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.
Get a life Nathan. The last thing that any team needs are a fan like you. The Rays need to be applauded for there great work even in a loss. We are still in 1st place and even if we loose tonight and win tomorrow we will be in first, but no matter we will have a great year without you.
Posted by: CharlieRay | June 04, 2008 at 11:44 AM
FIND A WAY RAYS (and get Garza into a Yoga class)
Posted by: jeff | June 04, 2008 at 07:20 AM
Ah, going down to a pitcher making his second start, and with no Papi in the lineup. Nice work, fellas. Prepare to come back to Earth Rays fans. Tonight is the beginning of the end. Hey, at least our season lasted until June, unlike most years when it's been over by May 1st. This team is clearly not ready for prime time. Maybe next year.
Posted by: Nathan | June 03, 2008 at 09:37 PM