Rocking Cleveland, without Crawford ...

Manager Joe Maddon is resting struggling LF Carl Crawford the final day before the All-Star break, and Crawford, whose left hamstring has been bothering him, said he welcomed the chance for the extra day off. He is in a career-worst 0-for-25 skid.

As a result, Jonny Gomes is in leftfield, and Gabe Gross in rightfield, though against Indians starter Jeremy Sowers. Plus, All-Star C Dioner Navarro is off, with Shawn Riggans behind the plate.

Also, the Rays will wear their blue batting practice jersies, an attempt to change their luck.

Maddon also said that LHP Scott Kazmir - who starts today - "probably" won't be allowed to pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game. Maddon has already talked to AL/Boston manager Terry Francona about it.

"We're probably going to have him not pitch in the All-Star Game,'' Maddon said before Sunday's game. "We would prefer that he would not.'''

Executive VP Andrew Friedman said, however, that the decision was not final and could change depending on how Kazmir feels after pitching Sunday.

As for the lineups, as the Rays hope to break a season-long six-game losing streak, during which they have scored only 11 runs and hit .200:

RAYS
Iwamura, 2b
Aybar, dh
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Longoria, 3b
Gomes, lf
Riggans, c
Zobrist, ss
Gross, rf
Kazmir, p

INDIANS
Sizemore, cf
Carroll, 2b
Francisco, lf
Peralta, ss
Blake, 1b
Garko, dh
Marte, 3b
Fasano, c
Gutierrez, rf
Sowers, p

Comments

[wrygrape]

It would seem like Gnomes would be the guy you want in if there's going to be a bench clearing brawl, and a few of his teammates are going to hold a guy down for him.

Otherwise, why bother?

[Jeff from Maine]

Rays fan s we are at it again we'll tear filled calls

http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/19792

[Edgar]

First, I would like to say that I request the firing of hitting coach Steve Henderson. Obviously, if the offense is not responding, the hitting should take some responsibility for the poor effort. Second, Joe Maddon should get more heat for refusing to change the lineup and not making any adjustments. Maddon sticks with the same gameplan and it comes back to haunt him and he does not seet it. The pitching can do so much, they are starting to wear down.

Here are the following players should be cut immediately

1. Jonny Gomes
2. Ben Zobrist
3. Gary Glover
4. Gabe Gross
5. Edwin Jackson/Andy Sonnanstine
6. Willy Aybar

Add the following
1. Xavier Nady/Jason Bay
2. Brian Fuentes/Jon Rauch
3. Justin Ruggiano (callup from AAA)
4. Dale Thayer (callup from AAA)
5. David Price (callup from AA/AAA)
6. pickup any utility guy or veteran infielder thru waivers (ex: Willy Harris or Mark Grudzielanek)

Reid Brignac is not ready as you can tell.

[Adam]

HEY JEFF PENA ONE OF THE BEST FIRST BASEMAN IN BASEBALL RIGHT NOW !! AND YOU KNOW WHAT since returning from DL he has been on base in every single game . GO RAYS AND GO PENA !

[john]

The rays have players that no other team would want and have no roll on the rays

Gomes
aybar
gross
floyd

Get rid of them

[frank]

sorry, i meant "dick" not jeff

[frank]

Amen to that, Jeff. I expect announcers to be partisan, but you also expect them to have some baseball sense. Dewayne is a chump who is edged out just by hawk harrelson as worst announcer.

[dick]

Watching the Rays yesterday and today and listening to what Magrane says about the Rays pitchers. Yesterday, Magrane stated that "Garza has the best stuff in the American League"--wonder if that includes guys like Halladay and Beckett. How many times have we heard him praising Kazmir like he was the next coming when in reality, Kazmir is average, at best. He is young, left-handed and throws hard but what has he done?? What has Garza done?? I normally mute him but after turning on the radio and listening to those clowns, there ain't nowhere to go....

[jim]

Jim I would like to meet you and enlighten you by slapping your chubby little face. You are a coward who hides behind your keyboard and probably gutless. Go back to New york or Boston lOSER

[Jeff]

Anti John/Jeff - your boyfriend just gave up the booty.

This team is done. No playoffs, and they have just become the laughing stock of ESPN and the rest of the national media. This cute little story is over. Rays - spend some real money in the off season and get some big league players please.

[anit-Jeff]

Remember, you're the one who sings. It's a gift - life's a beautiful thing. Don't waste it all, Jeff.

[Jeff]

anti John/Jeff - pirates...rubbing bellies? Interesting fantasies. Go get a room you two. Unless you already have and that's where you're blogging from.

[dick]

I have changed my mind. Previously I thought the Rays needed a right handed hitting rightfielder. After watching Upton this year, I strongly believe they need two quality outfielders--TRADE UPTON, get rid of Gomes and Gross, bring up Ruggiano and anybody down there that can hit a ball. Today for example, this lefty for Cleveland SUX and he has handed the Rays the game with walks, Rays have runners in scoring position and eithe Upton or Pena whiff, as usual. I don't have the stats but I would venture the Rays must either lead the majors in strikeouts or be very close. Upton batting 3rd and Pena hitting clean-up--even if Aki or CC get on, they can't drive them in. TRADE UPTON--besides, he wouldn't sign an extension and YOU KNOW he will want more $$ than he's worth. Trade him while you can get something in return. When will Maddon ever use the sacrifice? As much as I like the Rays, it is tough to watch...

[Jeff]

Pena is a lousy baseball player. Too bad Rays management jumped the gun and gave him that fat deal. Slightly above average 1st baseman, but other than that, he stinks.

Anti-Jeff - just be happy you learned a new word today. Maybe when you go to work tonight at 7-11, you can teach it to all of your friends.

[anit-John]

Jesus! John, go rub bellies with Jeff, and try to figure out why both of you are such simple, ignorant people.

[john]

Kazmir is getting blasted in the third inning--again

Get rid of him while he still has some trade value

[anit-Jeff]

I'm not a big Jeff fan. Yes, it's adorable when his chips become lodged in in his mustache or when his step-son lovingly rubs his beer belly, but he's such a little whiner, isn't he? And his language - "give up the booty." Is he some sort of pirate? Give me a break.

[Jeff]

I aplaud Kazmir for calling out his fellow teammates. But he will give up the booty today against a superior Cleveland team. If he only had a second pitch besides an average fastball. Maybe next year Kaz. Maybe next year.

[David]

Gomes playing LF is some kind of joke being played by Maddon on the Rays Fans. Maddon said he wanted to play the best players possible. Gones is not one of them!!!! How many more misplayed fielding plays are we going to have today from the anointed cheerleader Mr Gomes.. Is he going to be looking up into the sun and not seeing the ball while his sun glasses are on his Cap? Or is he just going to not tarck a fly ball and miss a sure catch.. Of course his batting average shows he can't trak the ball at the plate. If Maddon says he is going put the best team on the field.. do it...

[Jeff]

Another 1-2-3 inning for the best team in the east. LOL!

[Jeff]

This group of choke artists will lose again today. What a huge letdown. Ortiz was right, and that makes me mad.