Rays-Royals, day 4

The Rays are looking to make it three out of four against the Royals in today's hot and steamy matinee, with RHP Andy Sonnanstine on the mound looking for his 11th win. With the Red Sox and Yankees playing tonight on ESPN (imagine that!), the Rays have the chance to head to Toronto knowing they'll maintain at least a two-game lead in the AL East.

Manager Joe Maddon said he spoke with 2B Akinori Iwamura about his lack of hustle in the eighth inning on Saturday and expects the issue to be resolved.

DH Cliff Floyd won't be here today, as the Rays said he will instead meet them Monday in Toronto, following Saturday's birth of his third child.

One more note from last night - Carl Crawford had the seventh multi-triple game of his career. Of players who debuted after World War II, he has tied Royals great George Brett for the third most. Wille Mays had 10 and Lance Johnson 8.

Today's lineups:
RAYS
Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Crawford, lf
Longoria, 3b
Pena, 1b
Aybar, DH
Gross, rf
Riggans, c
Bartlett, ss
Sonnanstine, p

ROYALS
German, 2b
Aviles, ss
DeJesus, lf
Butler, DH
Gordon, 3b
Teahen, rf
Gload, 1b
Olivo, c
Maier, cf
Davies, p

Comments

[Shiny McShine]

You guys criticizing the Rays and the, uh, "offense" will want to be careful; only rah-rah cheerleading is allowed on here.

BTW, anyone notice the unspoken frustration in Maddon's response to the question about whether ownership is going to make a deal for some offensive help? Clearly, the only acquisitions the Rays are going to make are ones that cost nothing.

I guarantee you the mindset is basically this: "we never expected to get this far and be this good, so we're ahead of schedule and that should be more than enough for you uppity 'fans.' Accordingly, if you think we're going to spend even more money on this season, you're freaking insane."

[Mark]

Reyes, how about Percival, he is terrible. We need a solid young closer and a righthanded bat. The 1st part of the season was the toughest and so far we are struggling with a 2nd half weak schedule. We can't even sweep the freakin Royals.

[theo epstein]

Cindi, honestly do you think we're going to trade a RH bat you desperately need to a team we're trying to catch in the standings.

[mo]

get rid of al reyes, he's brutal .. we gotta score with 0 outs, 2nd and 3rd

[Dave]

Reyes is obviously still hurt. He should be DL'd and bring Dohmann, Salas or some of the other pitchers from Durham. Bring Ruggiano up to.

[Cindi]

Manny wants out of Boston, go get him or someone who can friggin hit.... Reyes needs to go away, I think I could throw better then him.. Come on managment do something.

[Edgar]

Are the Rays wait until their 10 games back out of first place to realize that they need a right handed bat at RF. Even they would had keep Delmon Young, he still won't be answer; they would be struggling even they would had kept DY. If they are going to rely on that too ouchy OF I won't mention his name (ROCCO BALDELLI), call him up immediately. If he gets hurt, Friedman should get some heat for not making a move. Like I said enough of Trever Miller and Al Reyes. they both stink.

[Tone]

The Bullpen is crap except for Grant and J.P., our offense is beyond struggling, and no chance for a trade. It sucks being a Rays fan right now. The Yanks and Sox are going to eat us alive unless they(GM&owners) do something. C'mon make a friggin' move ya rat b*st@rds, we need help!

[Longoria]

I would have so many RBIs and runs if I wasn't the only one on this team that can hit (and doesn't shat himself with runners in scoring position).

[john]

Sorry rays-I switched to watching Marlins games.More exciting.

[Football is boring]

2nd and 3rd nobody out and no scoring. That was the turning point of the game. It gets to the point where Longoria got a hit in the 8th and I shrug my shoulders and say, "nobody is going to hit you in." and of course I am right. Lay down a bunt for crying out loud, DO SOMETHING.

[Cindi]

I so agree dick. These guys are killing me. All Carlos has to do is hit a deep fly and we score but no he swings for the fence and whiffs. If they don't get someone to help soon or get one of the guys we have now to finally get a clue we are going down in flames. I love these guys but they are killing me...

[dick]

It actually sux when you're watching the game, we're down 3-1, men on 2nd and 3rd, nobody out and Pena up and he is facing a lefty out of the bullpen. You just KNOW he is gonna whiff and hope for a walk. It digs deep when this has happened so many times this season, with not only Pena, but most everyone--all you need is a fly ball or a grounder to score but all there is is another whiff..How about suiting Davey Martinez up..If they aren't gonna trade, PLEASE bring up Ruggiano.

[Offense]

WE NEED OFFENSE. No one seems to be having fun. I know everyone dislikes Gomes because of his average, but this team would be so pouty and uptight without him that they might never hit.

[Jeff]

Dissapointing that the Rays have yet to make a move to help out this anemic offense. Might as well call up Rocco and Price at this point.