OF Fernando Perez called up; C John Jaso likely, too

Making the first of several moves related to the Sept. 1 roster expansion, the Rays have called up OF Fernando Perez from Triple-A and optioned reliever Juan Salas to Double-A. Executive VP Andrew Friedman said they also plan to call up C John Jaso before Tuesday's game, choosing him to serve as the third catcher over veteran Mike DiFelice, who was granted his release.

Since Perez, who has never played in the majors, was recalled before tonight's midnight deadline, he would be eligible for the postseason roster, adding speed and defense.

The Rays also recalled injured RHP Jae-Kuk Ryu and placed him on the major-league DL, which allows them additional flexibility to add another player to the roster, just as they have the option to replace pitcher Chad Orvella.

Friedman said the moves were made so "if we're fortunate enough to make the playoffs to expand our applicant pool.''

Friedman said additional callups likely won't be made until after Durham is done in the playoffs; the Bulls open best-of-five play Wednesday.

Maddon: Bartlett was hit intentionally

Manager Joe Maddon believes that the Orioles RHP Jim Johnson hit SS Jason Bartlett with a pitch in the eighth on purpose.

“I really don’t know why they did it, but it was on purpose,” Maddon said. “To verify that all of their extra players came out and sat on the rail for the ninth inning, guys we had not seen for the entire series. They were expecting something to happen because of what they began.”

Jason Hammel retired the Orioles in the ninth without an issue. When asked if he talked to his team about retaliating, Maddon said, "That’s always in-house - I'm just disappointed that they chose to do that."

Bartlett didn't have much to say about it afterwards.

"I don’t know," Bartlett said when asked if he thought the plunking was on purpose. "I'm not even going to go into that. It happened, and to me, it’s the past."

Upton left game, but is OK

CF B.J. Upton, hit with a pitch in the left ankle in the sixth inning, left the game but said he was fine.

Manager Joe Maddon said he was just trying to get him out of the game, and considering it was already 8-1 Rays, he felt it was good to rest Upton, whom Maddon said will play on Tuesday against the Yankees.

Rays sweep O's with 10-4 win

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- James Shields allowed one run over seven innings and Jason Bartlett hit his first homer in over an year to help the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays complete a three-game sweep with a 10-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.

Shields (12-8) gave up six hits to match his career high for wins set last season. He has won seven of his last nine starts at home.

Bartlett had four hits and drove in two runs, including a solo shot during a two-run seventh that made it 10-1. It was his first homer since Aug. 27, 2007.

(Pictured - James Shields pitches in the first inning. Times photo - James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Rays go for sweep; Navarro gets day off

The Rays will go for a sweep in a Sunday matinee against the Orioles, and will do so with backup C Shawn Riggans behind the plate.

Manager Joe Maddon said he wanted to give C Dioner Navarro a day off because the All-Star experienced some soreness following Saturday's game. On Saturday, in his first start in four days (due to sore hamstrings), Navarro went 1-for-4 with a double, and was also thrown out at the plate trying to score from second.

It appears likely that Navarro won't return behind the plate until Wednesday, as Riggans has become Matt Garza's personal catcher, of sorts, and Maddon said he was learning toward having Riggans catch the right-hander in Tuesday's series opener with the Yankees.

There's no word yet on September callups, but Maddon said the number of callups will be small, and come in "two waves." Maddon joked another "callup" will be closer Troy Percival, who will most likely be activated on Tuesday from the disabled list. With Navarro's latest hamstring issues, expect another catcher to get called up from Triple-A, with veteran Mike DiFelice a possibility.

RAYS
Iwamura, 2b

Upton, cf

Pena, 1b

Baldelli, dh

Aybar, 3b

Zobrist, lf

Bartlett, ss

Riggans, c

Ruggiano, rf

Shields, RHP

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Baldelli's double in ninth wins it

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Rocco Baldelli hit a game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays came back from a four-run deficit to beat the Baltimore Orioles 10-9 on Saturday.

Carlos Pena drew one-out in the ninth off Rocky Cherry (0-2) and scored on Baldelli's double down the third-base line.

Nick Markakis hit a game-tying solo homer with two outs in the ninth off Rays reliever Dan Wheeler (3-5), who blew his third save in 13 opportunities.

The Rays, an AL-best 51-19 at home, have won the first two games of the three-game set and improved to 12-0-1 in series play since the All-Star break.

(Pictured - Rocco Baldelli hits the game-winning double that scores Carlos Pena in the ninth. Times photo - James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Longoria not likely for Yankees series

Manager Joe Maddon said he wouldn't count on Evan Longoria returning in time for the Yankees series (next Tuesday through Thursday at the Trop).

The All-Star third baseman has been rehabbing a fractured right wrist; he threw again Saturday afternoon and has been swinging with a broomstick, but Maddon doesn't know if Longoria will be ready to go for the rest of the homestand.

"I would say probably not - it doesn't look really hopeful," Maddon said. "I wouldn't count on it. I'm not saying it won't happen, but I won't count on it."

When Longoria was placed on the disabled list Aug 11 after getting hit by a pitch in the Seattle series, the Rays initially estimated he could return on or around Sept. 1. But Maddon said Longoria would probably have to do live batting practice at least two to three days before he plays in an actual game, and the Rays haven't discussed that part of his progression.

"I've been antsy from day one, but what can I do?" Longoria said. "If I re-injure this, it's going to be worse and I'll end up being out the whole season anyway. I'm close to coming back, it's just that we're playing well anyway right now, so there's no need for me to rush back."

The Rays are 12-5 in a recent stretch with Longoria, Troy Percival and Carl Crawford on the DL.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Navarro back in lineup; so is Bartlett

The Rays will get two regulars back in the lineup today for a matinee against the Orioles, as C Dioner Navarro is starting after missing three games with sore hamstrings.

SS Jason Bartlett, who got the day off Friday, is back in the field. Ben Zobrist, coming off his first career grand slam, will get the start in left.

RAYS

Iwamura, 2b

Upton, Cf

Pena, 1b

Baldelli, dh

Aybar, 3b

Zobrist, lf

Navarro, c

Ruggiano, rf

Bartlett, ss

Zobrist, Floyd lead Rays in rout of O's

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Ben Zobrist hit a grand slam, Cliff Floyd drove in five runs and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays guaranteed their first-ever winning season with a 14-3 rout of the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

Floyd had a two-run double, Zobrist hit his slam and Gabe Gross added a solo shot during a seven-run fourth that made it 10-0.

Scott Kazmir (10-6) allowed three hits and three walks over 5 1-3 scoreless innings. The left-hander has won 10 games or more in four straight seasons. Tampa Bay joined the 1968 Oakland Athletics as the only teams to have five pitchers 26 years old or younger with 20 starts and 10 wins in the same season.

(Pictured - Ben Zobrist hits his first career grand slam in the fourth off of Fernando Cabrera. Times photo - James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Bartlett gets day off, Navarro still out

Update 5:05 pm The Rays look to guarantee their first-ever winning record with their 82nd victory of the season tonight against the Orioles, and former teammate Aubrey Huff.

Not only is C Dioner Navarro again out of the lineup, but so is SS Jason Bartlett. Navarro, who has missed two straight games with sore hamstrings, felt a lot better today (taking batting practice and running the bases) and could be back in the lineup Saturday.

As for Bartlett, manager Joe Maddon said the shortstop isn't hurt, he just wanted to give him a day off this weekend, and would rather have it against the RHP Jeremy Guthrie than the two left-handers the Orioles will throw the next two days; Bartlett will be back in the lineup Saturday, when Orioles LHP Chris Waters will start in replace of RHP Daniel Cabrera. Maddon said he just wanted to be mindful of the right knee Bartlett sprained earlier this season, and with days off today and the team day off Monday, he should be good to go.

The lineup:
Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Floyd, dh
Aybar, 3b
Hinske, lf
Zobrist, ss
Gross, rf
Riggans, c
Kazmir, p

MLB: Ump Eddings was wrong

Upon further review, umpire Doug Eddings was wrong about the controversial obstruction call involving Willy Aybar in Sunday's game at Chicago.

Mike Port, MLB's vice president of umpiring, told the St. Petersburg Times on Thursday that it was "a missed call" and that in making the split-second decision, Eddings thought he saw runner A.J. Pierzynski "impeded more than he was" by Aybar, the Rays' third baseman.

"Looking back at that occurrence, for the first and last time, it was a missed call," Port said. "And it was not because Doug Eddings, an umpire with 10 years experience, and 10 before that in the minor leagues, didn't know the application of the rule, but just that in the moment in applying the rule, he saw something he thought was more than it turned out to be."

Pierzynski, in a rundown between second and third in the 10th inning, stuck out his left elbow at Aybar. Eddings ruled there was obstruction and awarded third base to Pierzyn- ski, who later scored the winning run for the White Sox.

Port said that after watching replays, Eddings was "the first to admit" he was wrong and said so to MLB officials who regularly review controversial plays. There is no recourse, however, for the Rays.

Jackson takes shutout into eighth as Rays win 3-2

ST. PETERSBURG — Edwin Jackson took a shutout into the eighth inning, Cliff Floyd and Willy Aybar each homered, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Thursday night to guarantee they will finish no worse than .500 for the first time in franchise history.
Tampa Bay, 81-51 and an AL-best 49-19 at home, took two of three from Toronto and are 11-0-1 in series play since the All-Star break. The Rays extended their lead in the AL East over Boston to 4½ games. The Red Sox lost 3-2 to the New York Yankees.
Jackson (11-8) gave up one run and six hits over seven-plus innings in winning for the sixth time in his last seven starts. He departed after allowing Alex Rios' double to start the eighth.
Rios scored on Adam Lind's infield single and Rod Barajas added a two-out RBI double later in the eighth, cutting the Toronto deficit to 3-2. Jose Bautista, mired in an 0-for-24 slide, struck out to end the inning.
Dan Wheeler pitched the ninth for his 10th save in 12 opportunities.
Floyd put Tampa Bay up 2-0 with a first-inning sacrifice fly and a solo homer in the third.
Tampa Bay took a 3-0 lead when Aybar homered off Jesse Litsch (9-8) in the sixth. Aybar, who entered in an 1-for-16 slide, had three hits in four at-bats.
Litsch allowed three runs and 10 hits in 6 2-3 innings.
Toronto had at least one baserunner in each of the first six innings, but failed to score.
Thursday's announced attendance was 14,039, making it the sixth consecutive Rays' home game with a turnout under 20,000. Wednesday's crowd was 12,678.
"I'm really proud of the fact that we've really raised the level of our intensity despite only having 12,000 people in the stands," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said before the game. "They've been very professional about this. That's the part I really appreciate about it also. You'd like to see 36,000 every night, but for right now, the way our guys are going about our business, I'm very proud of them."

Associated Press

Rays vs. Jays without Navarro again

Update 5:24 Though C Dioner Navarro said he feels "way better" than he did Wednesday, he's still out of the lineup tonight and could also sit Friday, with manager Joe Maddon said "we may target Saturday as the game to put him back in."

Maddon said Navarro is available to catch, or fill-in, if necessary, so emergency catcher, utilityman Ben Zobrist, isn't exactly going through serious drills behind the plate.

*Closer Troy Percival took his next step in getting activated from the disabled list (right knee) by throwing off the mound to hitters today (Ben Zobrist and Justin Ruggiano took some hacks). Maddon said Percival looked really good, and it appears he'll be ready to activated on schedule (Saturday), unless the club wants to wait until the roster expands Monday.

*3B Evan Longoria played catch with head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield and was scheduled to take swings with a broomstick, another step in getting him ready to return from the DL (fractured right wrist). No exact timetable set, other than what's been previously stated as a goal of having him come back by next week's Yankees series.

*An interesting moment in the Rays clubhouse during pre-game, as MLB Productions was here to film postseason promotions, featuring Carlos Pena and Longoria.

The Rays are seeking to extend their second-half unbeaten streak in series play in tonight's third and final game against the Jays.

Despite the Rays saying Wednesday there were no injury issues, All-Star C Dioner Navarro is not in the lineup again. Navarro left Tuesday's game with what the Rays said was cramping in both hamstrings, and they said Wednesday an MRI was clear and he was just resting. But against Jays righthander Jesse Litsch, the former Rays bat boy, the righthanded hitting Shawn Riggans is playing and the switch-hitting Navarro is not.

The  lineup:
Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Floyd, dh
Aybar, 3b
Hinske, lf
Gross, rf
Riggans, c
Bartlett,ss
Jackson, p

JAYS

Inglett, lf
Scutaro, 2b
Rios, rf
Wells, cf
Lind, dh
overbay, 1b
Barajas, c
Bautista, 3b
McDonald,ss
Litsch, p

Garza's arm still busy

J.T.Turner, from St. Petersburg, decked out in Rays gear as he waits in line to get an autograph from Rays pitcher Matt Garza at the Old Northeast Jewelers on 4th Street N. at 12 Avenue in St. Petersburg. Turner waited about 35-40 minutes before getting up close with Garza, the Rays starting pitcher in Wednesday evening's 1-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. [Dirk Shadd, Times]

Rays pitcher Matt Garza returns a freshly signed baseball to a fan while signing autographs at Old Northeast Jewelers. [Dirk Shadd, Times]

Where are the fans?

Which reader comment best describes why attendance is so low at Rays games?
This is not a baseball town.
It's the location, location, location.
Dude, we're broke!
Look at the calendar: It's football season.
Common folk in this area don't have the liberty to spend money in this trying economy.

Papelbon: Yanks are nailed

The Yankees are still holding on to slim hopes of making  a Rockies-like run, but Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon apparently doesn't agree, telling the Boston Globe after Wednesday's night's victory end:  "that's the nail in the coffin.''

And Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy writes:
NEW YORK - This isn't even that much fun anymore. Burying the 2008 Yankees has become too darn easy - like practicing layups on an 8-foot rim or beating a 4-year-old at checkers.
If you are a Yankee in 2008, the Red Sox are your daddy.

And here is Hank Steinbrenner's take on the Yankees, courtesy of Mark Feinsand of the Daily News:

The Yankees needed a Boston Massacre to get themselves back into the playoff race. Instead, they were victimized in a Bronx bloodbath that has likely ended their playoff hopes.

With Hank Steinbrenner watching from the owner's box for the first time since Opening Day, the Yankees were handed yet another humiliating defeat, dropping an 11-3 decision to the rival Red Sox.

"All I can think about is this game at this point," Steinbrenner said when asked if his team's playoff hopes were finished. "We'll see what happens (today), but the bottom line is they sucked."

Steinbrenner, who has preached for weeks about the Yankees' hard-luck injuries, was still clearly disgusted with his team's performance last night as he exited the stadium.

"It's very disappointing," Steinbrenner said. "Even without having our two best pitchers, so forth and so on, they still stunk. That's the bottom line."

Garza, Rays hold Blue Jays scoreless

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Matt Garza and two relievers combined on a six-hitter and Carlos Pena homered to lead AL East-leading Tampa Bay past Toronto 1-0 Wednesday night.

Garza (11-7) allowed six hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings for the Rays. Grant Balfour got the final out in the eighth before Dan Wheeler pitched the ninth for his ninth save in 11 chances.

Pena provided the scoring with a solo homer in the fourth, his 27th of the season and sixth over his past 13 games.

Blue Jays rookie David Purcey gave up five hits and struck out a career-high 11 in eight innings for his first career complete game. The left-hander was coming off a start Aug. 20 against the New York Yankees in which he allowed five earned runs and seven hits in four innings.

Purcey struck out 10 and allowed just three hits - two by Pena, including the homer - in the first five innings. He previous high for strikeouts was eight.

The Blue Jays got one hit, including a third-inning double by Joe Inglett, in each of the first four innings, but failed to score.

Associated Press

Navarro out of lineup, but available

Dioner Navarro is out of the lineup, but manager Joe Maddon said the All-Star catcher is available for late-inning duty (if necessary) and his status is day-to-day.

Navarro, who came out of Tuesday's game with cramps in both hamstrings, underwent an MRI Wednesday and everything was fine, Maddon said.

"We may even have to back off him tomorrow, I'm not sure yet, but he's available for duty if necessary," Maddon said.

*In other pre-game medical notes, 3B Evan Longoria (fractured right wrist) said he took some dry swings with a wiffle bat and everything went well. The Rays are still hoping for a return for the Yankees series next week, Sept 2-4 at the Trop

RAYS

Iwamura, 2b

Upton, cf

Pena, 1b

Baldelli, dh

Aybar, 3b

Zobrist, lf

Riggans, c

Ruggiano, rf

Bartlett, ss

Garza, RHP

JAYS

Inglett, 2b

Scutaro, 3b

Rios, rf

Wells, cf

Lind, lf

Overbay, 1b

Stairs, dh

Barajas, c

McDonald, ss

Purcey, LHP

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Navarro's status uncertain

C Dioner Navarro's availability for Wednesday's game won''t be known until sometime this afternoon.

Navarro removed himself from Tuesday's game in the sixth inning due to cramping in both hamstrings.

Navarro was receiving extensive treatment after the game, and through team spokesman Chris Costello said: “I don’t know if I’ll be able to play (tonight). This is a day-to-day thing. I felt a little tightness and I’d rather come out before making it worse.’’

If Navarro were to miss more than a game or two, the Rays might need to add a backup, with veteran Mike DiFelice, who has been playing at Triple-A, the most likely. John Jaso would be another option.

Halladay beats Rays for 1st time this season

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Roy Halladay beat Tampa Bay for the first time this season, and Vernon Wells homered and had three RBIs as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the AL East-leading Rays 6-2 on Tuesday night.

Halladay (16-9) gave up two runs and six hits in six innings. The right-hander posted a 5.32 ERA in losing his previous three starts against Tampa Bay this year. No team has beat Halladay four times in the same season.

Wells had two run-scoring singles and added a solo homer in the ninth that made it 6-2. He has four homers and nine RBIs over his last three games.

Rod Barajas hit a solo homer for the Blue Jays, who have won 10 of their last 13 road games.

Eric Hinske drove in two runs for Tampa Bay, which has lost consecutive games for just the second time since the All-Star break. Tampa Bay is an AL-best 47-19 at home this season.

Associated Press

Rays and Jays at the Trop

UPDATE. 9:33 There was something wrong with Navarro - according to the Rays, he left the game with "cramping in both hamstrings.''

UPDATE, 9:15: There may have been more to Shawn Riggans pinch-hitting for Dioner Navarro than just strategy. Navarro didn't look right running to first in his previous at-bat, and may have tweaked something.

UPDATE, 7: The lights problem appears resolved and the game is starting on time. Also, the Rays confirm that Beckham was promoted to Hudson Valley as Princeton's season ends Tuesday.

UPDATE, 6:20: The lights are coming back on, the Jays are still hitting.

UPDATE, 6:17: This is interesting - the lights just went out during the Jays' batting practice.

Also, there is a report on the Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Journal website that top draft pick SS Tim Beckham has been promoted from rookie-level Princeton (W. Va.) to short-season Class A Hudson Valley and will join the Renegades on Wednesday. Beckham hit .243 in 46 games with two homers and 14 RBIs.

- - -

Lots of pre-game chatter today, most significantly reaction to the announcement by MLB that instant replay would be implemented leagues-wide this week, with Friday the start date at the Trop.

Essentially it will be limited to deciding whether balls are home runs - if they went over the wall, were fair or foul and if they hit a catwalk. Manager Joe Maddon and several of the players said they were for it in this limited use, but didn't want to see it expanded.

Just got a look at the room where the umpires will huddle (left), which is in the grounds crew's space behind the visitors's dugout. There is a locked box that contains a dedicated phone line and a 19-inch flat screen monitor (Sharp Aquos, the official MLB brand of course), which is what the umps will use.

Injurywise, the Rays and 3B Evan Longoria are encouraged by his progress in recovery from a fractured right wrist, but Longoria said he won't start swinging a bat until there is no pain. He hopes to return for the Sept. 2-4 Yankees serries.

And RHP Troy Percival threw 20 or so pitches off the bullpen mound and looked good in doing so, with no problems from the cartilage issue in his right knee, which could mean he'll be back when eligible on Saturday, or shortly thereafter.

[James, Borchuck, Times photo]

As for tonight's lineups:

JAYS
Inglett, 2b
Scutaro, 3b
Rios, rf
Wells. cf
Lind, lf
Overbay, 1b
Stairs, dh
Barajas, c
McDonald, ss
Halladay, p

RAYS
Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Floyd, dh
Aybar, 3b
Hinske, lf
Navarro, c
Gross, rf
Bartlett, ss
Shields, p

Calls can have galvanizing effect

How might Rays manager Joe Maddon use the controversial calls that have gone against the Rays to motivate his team?

How soon will third baseman Evan Longoria be back in the lineup? Will top prospect David Price be among the players called up by the Rays next week?

Times beat writer Marc Topkin discusses these topics and more in the latest edition of our 'Rays Report' audio slide show.

(Dan Wheeler, left, celebrates with Carlos Pena after the Rays' 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.)

Replay coming Friday to Trop

Instant replay will be used for games at Tropicana Field starting Friday under a plan MLB is expected to make official this afternoon.

Commisioner Bud Selig is scheduled to announce at 5 p.m. that replay will be used for series starting Thursday and Friday. The Rays open a weekend series against the Orioles on Friday.

Replay use will be limited to boundary calls in determining home runs - such as whether a ball cleared the outfield wall and was fair or foul. At the Trop, that likely would also include whether potential home run balls hit the catwalks.

You make the call

Rays postgame host Todd Kalas called it 'the worst call that has gone against the Rays in their 11-year history.'

Manager Joe Maddon said, pointedly, 'they got the call wrong.'

Third-base umpire Ted Barrett explained that Rays third baseman Willy Aybar was in A.J. Pierzynski's way, preventing him from continuing to third base, and that's why the White Sox catcher was awarded third despite being tagged out by shortstop Jason Bartlett.

But what we want to know is what you think about Doug Eddings' controversial call that set the table for the Rays' 6-5 loss Sunday in Chicago. Watch the video, then leave us your thoughts in the 'Comments' area below.

(A.J. Pierzynski, right, talks to second base umpire Doug Eddings about interference by Rays third baseman Willy Aybar. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

Bartlett: Pierzynski yelled "obstruction"

The biggest - and most controversial - play of the Rays 6-5 loss to the White Sox had plenty of people talking in post-game.

Here's what happened: White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski became the center of attention in the 10th, when, after getting caught in a rundown between second and third, he tripped, fell and was tagged by Rays SS Jason Bartlett. But second base umpire Doug Eddings ruled that Rays 3B Willy Aybar interfered with Pierzynski, allowing the colorful catcher to advance to third. Pierzynski later scored on Alexei Ramirez's bases-loaded single.

Aybar said he tried to get out of Pierzynski's way, and only made contact after Pierzynski stuck his arm out. Bartlett said he heard Pierzynski yell, "Obstruction!" after he fell, and Pierzynski admitted afterward that he was thinking about trying to get an interference call.

"That was the first thing I thought of, to get somebody to get close enough to where I could touch them. People go, 'How do you think of that, that fast? Well, if you’re not fast, you have to think of a lot of things to try to get you out of bad baserunning."

Eddings wasn't available for comment, but third base umpire Ted Barrett defended the decision:

"As a runner, you're allowed to (make contact). What Doug ruled at second base was, even though A.J. did kind of stick his arm out to make contact, Aybar was still in his way, so A.J., if he would have turned, he wouldn't have been able to continue on to third. So after making the throw, Aybar is no longer in the act of fielding and he can't obstruct the runner, which is what Doug ruled happened. And in a rundown, even though A.J. was going back to second, the rule of obstruction during a rundown is he gets his next advanced base and that's why he was rewarded third base."

"If Aybar's got the ball, there's no obstruction, You protect the fielder when he's in the act of fielding. Once that ball's released and out of his hand, he has to vacate."

According to Bartlett: "I looked up at the umpire thinking he's going to say something like, 'Are you kidding me?' And he's like, 'Yep, yep, yep.' Right there I lost it. I was like, what?" Those are the breaks, I guess."

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Rays lose with chance to sweep White Sox

CHICAGO (AP) -- Alexei Ramirez singled home the winning run in the 10th inning after A.J. Pierzynski's bizarre trip around the bases, and the Chicago White Sox rallied past the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.

Jim Thome hit his 534th homer, and the White Sox tied it at 5 in the ninth on pinch-hitter Paul Konerko's two-out single off fill-in closer Dan Wheeler. Ken Griffey Jr. started the rally with a one-out double.

(Pictured - Shawn Riggans drops a throw from Ben Zobrist in the 9th, allowing Brian Anderson to score the tying run. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

Sonnanstine, Rays go for sweep

Rays righthander Andy Sonnanstine, who boasts a team-leading 13 wins, will try to tie the club-record for victories in a season today as the Rays try to sweep the White Sox.

Sonnanstine is one shy of Rolando Arrojo (who won 14 in 1998).

The Rays loaded their lineup with righthanded hitters as the White Sox start LHP Mark Buehrle; backup C Shawn Riggans will get another nod behind the plate, which will give Dioner Navarro back-to-back off-days before the team opens a nine-game homestand.

Tampa Bay (79-49), which boasts the best record in the majors, have not lost a series since the All-Star break (10-0-1).

RAYS

Iwamura, 2b

Upton, cf

Pena, 1b

Baldelli, dh

Aybar, 3b

Zobrist, lf

Riggans, c

Gross, rf

Bartlett, ss

WHITE SOX

Cabrera, ss

Pierzynski, c

Quentin, lf

Dye, rf

Thome, dh

Ramirez, 2b

Griffey Jr, cf

Swisher, 1b

Uribe, 3b

Rays rally to beat White Sox

CHICAGO — Carlos Pena said there is a key phrase the Rays have often used throughout a special season filled with memorable comebacks.

"Keep coming. Keep coming."

These Rays never quit. No matter the circumstances, or the score, they keep scratching and clawing, feeling as though if they keep it close long enough, they'll eventually prevail.

White Sox starter Javier Vazquez found that out the hard way Saturday.

Read the full story.

Pena's single in 8th leads Rays over White Sox

CHICAGO (AP) -- Carlos Pena's two-run single capped a four-run eighth inning, and the surging Tampa Bay Rays increased their AL East lead Saturday by rallying for a 5-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Pena's bases-loaded single off Matt Thornton broke a 3-all tie and sent Tampa Bay to its 11th win in 14 games. The surprising Rays, who keep winning despite injuries to Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford Troy Percival, moved 5 1/2 games ahead of second-place Boston.

(Pictured - Carlos Pena looks to the dugout after hitting a two-run single in the 8th. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

Kazmir goes for No. 10 on national stage

In today's matinee with the White Sox, the Rays will be the featured game on FOX for the first time in more than five years.

They'll be led by All-Star lefthander Scott Kazmir, who goes for his 10th win; if he completes the feat, it will mark the first time in club history all five Rays starters cracked double digits in wins.

Kazmir, who lasted six innings in his last start (also a win), has said he's not going to worry about pitch counts and such, and just try to keep it simple and attack hitters, like he did when he was the AL Pitcher of the Month in May.

The Rays stocked some more lefties in the lineup today, as the Sox starter RHP Javier Vazquez. Ex-Ray Toby Hall will also get a start for the Sox.

If Tampa Bay wins, it could make for some more milestones:

*A win would give the Rays their first series win over the White Sox since 1998, their inaugural season.

*Manager Joe Maddon would earn his 206th career victory as Rays skipper, giving him the club record (Larry Rothschild has 205)

*The Rays  would then be a franchise-record 30 games over .500

RAYS

Iwamura, 2b

Upton, cf

Pena, 1b

Floyd, dh

Aybar, 3b

Hinske, lf

Navarro, c

Gross, Rf

Bartlett, ss

SOX

Cabrera, ss

Swisher, cf

Quentin, lf

Dye, rf

Thome, dh

Konerko, 1b

Ramirez, 2b

Uribe, 3b

Hall, c

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Baldelli gets the start

The Rays begin a three-game series against another first-place team - the White Sox - here at U.S. Cellular Field.

And with the Sox sending lefthander John Danks to the mound, the Rays are loading up on righthanded hitters (or switch-hitters).

Rocco Baldelli will start at DH, getting his first at-bats in about a week.

RAYS

Iwamura 2B
Upton CF
Pena 1B
Baldelli DH
Aybar 3B
Zobrist LF
Navarro C
Gross RF
Bartlett SS
Jackson P

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Crawford returns to Trop

Leftfielder Carl Crawford returned to the Rays clubhouse Wednesday afternoon with his injured right hand in a splint, but he remained optimistic about his recovery from a tendon issue in his right middle finger.

Crawford, who had successful surgery last Thursday in Arizona, didn't give a timetable on his return, but is planning on working hard to get back for a potential postseason run. Executive VP Andrew Friedman said earlier this month - when Crawford was put on the disabled list for the first time in his career - that the best case scenario would be that the two-time All Star could return by the team's final series in September.

"I hope so – like I said I’m gonna try my best to get back as soon as possible," Crawford said. "I don't know how the rehab is going to go, but I'm definitely hoping for the best, and I’m trying to do the best I can to get back on the field."

Crawford, who watched the Rays game from his offseason home in Arizona the past week, said his body feels great.

"The only thing I can't do is grip a bat with my right hand," Crawford said. "The rest of it is fine."

Crawford, who plans to meet Thursday with a therapist to get the next step in his rehab, said he isn't surprised the team has continued its success despite injuries to himself and Evan Longoria (Rays are 8-2 without Crawford in this stretch, and 9-2 without Longoria).

"We’ve been winning like that all year long without certain guys in the lineup," Crawford said. "This is a team that's not built for one person to make it win - it’s a team effort, so it didn’t surprise me that they can win while guys are out."

-- JOE SMITH

Tampa Bay Rays Eric Hinske (32) works to catch a foul ball in the left field corner to make the first out during third inning action against the Cleveland Indian. Hinske was playing left field as Rays Carl Crawford has the night off with a hamstring injury.  [Dirk Shadd, Times]

joesmith@sptimes.com

Rays go for the sweep

Rays fans shows their disappointment after the Angels score the game winning run in the top of the ninth inning against the Rays on Wednesday night at Tropicana field. Angels 5-4 over the Rays.  [Willie J. Allen, Times]

The Rays, coming off another dramatic, come-from-behind win, will try to sweep the Angels tonight at the Trop, with an ESPN2 audience.

The only lineup switch is that backup C Shawn Riggans will get the start, likely giving Dioner Navarro a day off.

Rays righthander Matt Garza gets the start, with his counterpart RHP Jered Weaver.

RAYS

Iwamura, 2b

Upton, cf

Pena, 1b

Floyd, dh

Aybar, 3b

Hinske, lf

Gross, rf

Riggans, c

Bartlett, SS

Garza, RHP

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Rays audio slide show

How have the Rays weathered the losses of leftfielder Carl Crawford and third baseman Evan Longoria? What has been the biggest key to the team's success? Are Joe Maddon and the Rays the perfect match? And what in the world is going on with centerfielder B.J. Upton? Times staff writer Marc Topkin discusses this and more in our weekly 'Rays Report' audio slide show.

(Pictured: Jason Bartlett, foreground, scores on B.J. Upton's single during the Rays' 4-2 victory over the Angels on Tuesday. Times photo -- James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Rays rally for 4-2 win over Angels

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Willy Aybar broke an eighth-inning tie with a two-run double, and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied to beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 Tuesday night for their ninth victory in 11 games.

The AL East leader overcame a strong pitching performance by Angels starter Ervin Santana, who took a no-hit bid into the sixth and left with a 2-1 lead after allowing one run and four hits in seven innings.

Associated Press

Upton in center of another controversy

Update 11:15 CF B.J. Upton was in the middle of another controversy Tuesday night.

Upton was called out and manager Joe Maddon, following a vociferous argument, ejected after a very questionable call by 1B umpire Jerry Meals.

With runners on first and third, Upton grounded a ball between the mound and first base. He was called safe by Meals when he beat 1B Mark Teixeira's errant toss to pitcher Ervin Santana, who was covering the base. But Upton took a slight step to his right and then to his left - almost more like a wiggle, possibly to avoid the ball - but it was apparently enough for Meals to consider it an "attempt to run to second," and when 2B Howie Kendrick tagged Upton, Meals called him out.

Maddon raced from the dugout and argued aggressively with Meals, pointing a finger at him several times. After he was ejected he continued his protest with crew chief Gary Darling.

It was the third time Maddon was ejected this season, ninth in his career with the Rays.

Here is what crew chief Gary Darling said:

"He made an attempt to run to second base. Little jab step and a shoulder. I've called out guys for less."

Maddon minced no words post-game on what he thought of the call.

"It's unconscionable - It can't happen," Maddon said. "It's wrong. On every level it's wrong. And furthermore, to have the crew chief come over and tell me it  was the right call really got me upset. There's no room for that...That is a fabricated call, I don't know what he saw. The rulebook is very plain on it. There was nowhere near the rulebook interperation of it being an attempt to go to second base. It's in the cruicial part of the game. You have a pennant in the balance. To make that call at that point,a fabricated call for me, cannot happen.

Upton apologizes: "It can't happen"

Update 7:45 What a difference a day makes. One day after getting booed by the Tropicana Field crowd, B.J. Upton received a standing ovation in Tuesday's second inning after making a spectacular defensive play; he charged a single by Juan Rivera and threw out Torii Hunter at the plate.

When the inning was over, Upton was greeted by teammates - and received another ovation from fans behind the dugout.

.........

CF B.J. Upton apologized for what he said was a "mental lapse" in Monday's game.

"There's no excuse for it,'' Upton said. "It can't happen. Especially in the middle of a pennant race. Every run matters, every out matters. So I want to apologize for it. It's just something that can't happen.''

It was the third time in the last two weeks Upton has been in the center of controversy for a perceived lack of hustle, and he was booed by the Tropicana Field crowd, but Upton said the reputation is undeserved.

" I know that's not me,'' he said. "I feel like I go out and play hard every day. I want to win as much as anybody in this room. Once again, things like that can't happen. It just so happens they're magnified a little bit more now than they have been in the past. It's something I've got to deal with and not let it happen again.''

Upton was tagged out from behind by Angels first baseman Mark Teixiera when coasting into second on what should have been an easy double on Monday. He was benched Aug. 6 for a lack of hustle in the previous night's game, then pulled off the field Friday in Texas for not running hard to first base and benched again Saturday.

He is in the lineup tonight, as manager Joe Maddon said he was would be. Maddon said he considered this incident more of a mental mistake than a lack of hustle, but also made it clear he wanted other players on the team to step in. Veteran Cliff Floyd did, and said he would make sure there are no further incidents.

Upton said, as he had after the previous incidents, he hoped to put this behind him and didn't think he needed to apologize to his teammates.

"The last thing I want to become is a distraction to this team,'' he said. "We've got something way too good going on right now to have to deal with this. I think we just want to win ballgames and right now I think I'm becoming a distraction. So I just can't let it happen, and for my sake and for the team's sake, so we can move on and get to where we need to be.''

The lineup, as the Rays look to surpass the Angels as the team with the best record in the majors, and improve to 9-0-1 in series play since the All-Star break:

Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Floyd, dh
Aybar, 3b
Hinske, lf
Navarro, c
Gross, rf
Bartlett, ss
Shields, p

Rays plan to play Tuesday game

The Rays infielders and outfielders high five each other after their 6-4 win over the Angels.  [James Borchuck, Times]

The Rays say they are planning to play Tuesday's game as scheduled but could reverse that decision if weather conditions change.

"We will continue to monitor the storm and its progress,'' team president Matt Silverman said at around 7 p.m. "We will continue to consult with government agencies as well as the Angels and the league. If the storm continues its current track and the road conditions are safe we will play the game as currently planned.''

If plans change, the Rays would hope to make a decison by early Tuesday afternoon, Silverman said. If the game were to be canceled, there likely would be a doubleheader on Wednesday.

"At this point we expect (Tuesday's) game to be played unless the weather changes dramatically,'' Silverman said.

The Rays "take the lead" in the decision, Silverman said, but will be in consultation with government agencies and MLB officials.

"The safety of our players and of our fans comes first, and that's obviously one of the biggest factors,'' he said. "But it's a decision that we do consult with other bodies to make sure it works for all.''

Reyes declines outright assignment; released

Al Reyes a free agent.  [James Borchuck, Times]

Reliever Al Reyes declined his outright assignment to Durham and is now a free agent.

Reyes, 38, was designated on Aug. 9 when the Rays acquired reliever Chad Bradford. Reyes had missed 55 games this season while spending two stints on the disabled list. In 26 games this season, Reyes boasted a 4.37 ERA.

Reyes made a huge impact with the Rays last season, making the club as a non-roster invitee and saving 26 games in 30 chances.

Reyes is the second Rays reliever to decline an outright assignment this season; RHP Gary Glover did so on Aug. 1 and has since joined the Tigers.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Percival ok, no surgery needed

RHP Troy Percival does not need surgery on his right knee and expects to be pitching again in less than two weeks.

"The prognosis was basically that if I got it done it was going to be October (until he was recovered), and without it, it's very feasible that (he'll be back within) two weeks - I've just got to deal with pain and go. It's going to do any more damage,'' Percival said. "Once I'm good to go, I'll be out there. ... The pain is tolerable.''

Percival said he will be get back on the mound in four or five days and expects to be ready when eligible to come off the DL, on Aug. 30. He said he expected to have surgery when he went to see Dr. Koco Eaton this morning but was pleased with the outcome.

*In other pre-game injury news, rookie 3B Evan Longoria said his fractured right wrist is feeling better - though it's still in a splint - and he'll get re-evaluated on Friday when he undergoes another x-ray. Longoria said adrenaline got the better of him when he first got hurt - a reason why he, at the time, thought he could get back in the lineup right away. But Longoria said he's glad they are being cautious with the injury, giving him a chance to be 100-percent when he returns.

Longoria said the plan is to be back in two weeks, which falls along the same timeline (around Sept 1) the Rays outlined when they first placed him on the disabled list.

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Troy Percival, center, is tended to by a trainer, at left, as teammates Carlos Pena, top center, and Akinori Iwamura, right, of Japan, look on in the ninth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008. Percival left the game with an injury. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Rays playing Monday, and Tuesday

UPDATE, 7:23: The Rays say they are planning to play Tuesday's game as scheduled but could reverse that decision if weather conditions change.

"We will continue to monitor the storm and its progress,'' team president Matt Silverman said at around 7 p.m. "We will continue to consult with government agencies as well as the Angels and the league. If the storm continues its current track and the road conditions are safe we will play the game as currently planned.''

If plans change, the Rays would hope to make a decison by early Tuesday afternoon, Silverman said. If the game were to be canceled, there likely would be a doubleheader on Wednesday.

"At this point we expect (Tuesday's) game to be played unless the weather changes dramatically,'' Silverman said.

The Rays "take the lead" in the decision, Silverman said, but will be in consultation with government agencies and MLB officials.

"The safety of our players and of our fans comes first, and that's obviously one of the biggest factors,'' he said. "But it's a decision that we do consult with other bodies to make sure it works for all.''

UPDATE, 6:15 Rays officials are extending the time frame to make a decision on what to do about Tuesday's game, which could be an indication they are leaning toward trying to play. Team president Matt Silverman is expected to make an announcement around 6:45 or 7.

With reports indicating there may be less of a threat from Tropical Storm Fay, it would make sense for the Rays to say they are planning to play the game, and they could always amend the decision Tuesday morning if necessary.

If they don't play, the options are not necessarily attractive. They could play a doubleheader on Wednesday, which would tax their bullpen and already depleted lineup. Or they could play the game after the end of the regular season, if necessary, which would not be appealing. Both teams are off Sept. 1, but it would be a violation of union rules because the Angels would have to play 31 days in a row.

Rays officials haven't announced a decision yet about Tuesday's game, but they are preparing for Monday night's game - though they are allowed to report later than usual.

The Rays are using what is basically their current regular lineup, with Akinori Iwamura back at second base:
Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Floyd, dh
Aybar, 3b
Hinske, lf
Navarro, c
Gross, rf
Bartlett, ss
Sonnanstine, p

"At this point we expect (Tuesday's) game to be played unless the weather changes dramatically,'' Silverman said.

The Rays "take the lead" in the decision, Silverman said, but will be in consultation with government agencies and MLB officials.

"The safety of our players and of our fans comes first, and that's obviously one of the biggest factors,'' he said. "But it's a decision that we do consult with other bodies to make sure it works for all.''

Late night, sleep fast

The Rays were hoping to get back to the Tampa Bay area by 4 a.m., and to their homes by 5, after Sunday's late-night win in Texas. They'll get to rest a little bit as they don't have to be dressed for Monday's game until 5 p.m., which means they're likely not going to take batting practice.

RHP Troy Percival will have an early morning, however, with an appointment to see Dr. Koco Eaton to decide whether or not to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Percival felt better Sunday and was hoping surgery was not needed, which would allow him to return sooner.

Team president Matt Silverman said after the game that nothing had changed in regard to Tropical Storm Fay and they were still planning to play Monday and were unsure about Tuesday.

Upton, Kazmir send Rays past Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- B.J. Upton homered and drove in three runs in his return from a benching, Scott Kazmir allowed two runs in six innings and the Tampa Bay Rays added a game to their AL East lead with a 7-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday night.

Kazmir (9-6) earned his first win since July 21, giving up four hits with seven strikeouts and four walks to help the Rays improve to 20-9 since the All-Star break.

Rays manager Joe Maddon pulled Upton during Friday night's game against the Rangers for failing to run hard on a double-play grounder, and Maddon kept Upton in the dugout for all of Saturday night's 3-0 loss to Texas.

(Pictured - B.J. Upton is congratulated by Ben Zobrist after Upton's two-run homer in the fourth inning. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

Tuesday's game "in doubt"

The Rays don't know any more about Tropical Storm Fay's path than anyone else, but they are operating under the presumption that Monday's game with the Angels will be played and Tuesday's game may not be, with the hope of resuming the series on Wednesday.

"We're playing the game on Monday,'' Rays president Matt SIlverman said. "If the storm maintains its current path Tuesday would be in doubt and then we'll make a call on Wednesday based on Tuesday. We're in communication with the league and with the Angels about it, and we're hopeful we're going to get the series in. Two out of three is the most likely case but with the unpredictability of the storms it's pretty much a wait-and-see game.''

A decision on Tuesday's game likely will be made Monday night, he said.

Silverman said there is a chance, albeit unlikely, of playing a doubleheader on Wednesday (which would be the second in Tropicana Field history). More likely, the Angels would return on Sept. 1, which is a mutual off-day for both teams. "We know there's a time we can make up the game, or games.''

The Angels traveled to the Tampa Bay area on Sunday night, though Silverman said there was "a possibility" they could leave the area after Monday's game and go to Atlanta or Miami and wait to see what happens - "it all depends on the path of the storms.''
.

Upton up top

UPDATE, 7:07 RHP Troy Percival said his sprained right knee felt considerably better on Sunday, enough that he was able to play catch with only some pain, and he might not have arthroscopic surgery that was tentatively scheduled for Monday morning in St. Petersburg. Percival said he would see the Rangers doctor later Sunday and the decision could be made then. He said he received a cortisone shot on Friday and has been taking anti-inflammatories and the progess has been significant.


CF B.J. Upton didn't just return to the Rays lineup on Sunday, he's at the top as 2B Akinori Iwamura is getting the day off.

Manager Joe Maddon wanted to rest Iwamura, but had to make sure SS Jason Bartlett, who jammed his right knee on Saturday, was able to play. He is in the lineup, and Ben Zobrist is starting at second. Dioner Navarro is back behind the plate after getting back-to-back days off.

Otherwise, the lineup is as expected against Rangers RHP Dustin Nippert as the Rays finish their season-long 10-game road trip, then fly late night and face the Angels on Monday.

The lineup:
Upton, cf
Zobrist, 2b
Pena, 1b
Floyd, dh
Aybar, 3b
Hinske, 3b
Navarro, c
Gross, rf
Bartlett, ss
Kazmir, p

(Pictured - Jason Bartlett breaks up a double-play attempt against the Rangers on Saturday, tweaking his knee in the process. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

Upton will return Sunday; Bartlett may be out

Manager Joe Maddon said after Saturday's game B.J. Upton's punishment would not be extended and he would be back in the starting lineup Sunday night.

Upton was pulled off the field in the bottom of the sixth inning Friday for a lack of hustle and benched on Saturday.

The Rays might, though, be without SS Jason Bartlett, who had some issues with his right knee after a third-inning slide. "He's all right, I just don't know how stiff he's going to be,'' Maddon said. "I'm going to have to wait to find out ... if he can go. I'd like to him to go if he can, but we'll see.''

Bartlett missed 16 games earlier this season with a sprained right knee after a similar slide.

"It looked like he slid late again ... kind of jammed it a bit, but he said it did not feel like the last time at all,'' Maddon said.

Rays' bats silent in 3-0 loss to Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Matt Harrison pitched eight sharp innings and Ian Kinsler homered on the first pitch, sending the Texas Rangers past the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0 Saturday night.

Harrison (5-2) dominated the AL East-leading Rays in his eighth career start. The rookie lefty allowed only three singles, struck out eight without a walk, and retired the final 18 batters.

Harrison, who entered the game with a 7.07 ERA, was pulled after 109 pitches. His performance was a boost for a Texas staff that had given up 69 runs in its last seven games.

The Rays had won three in row. Texas stopped its four-game losing streak.

(Pictured - Edwin Jackson. AP photo. Click to enlarge.)

No Upton, as promised; also no Navarro

UPDATE: 7 PM: Manager Joe Maddon also said the talk went well, but he said it was not automatic that Upton would return to the lineup on Sunday, that he was "still considering" extending the discipline for another day. Maddon said he was more disappointed than upset with Upton, and that he does not expect there to be any further issues. UPDATE, 6 PM: Upton had a 15-minute meeting with manager Joe Maddon and said the issue with him not hustling was behind him and that he expects to return to the lineup on Sunday night. Upton said he understood there would be a zero tolerance policy for such infractions. He also said he was not concerned about getting a bad reputation over the issue: "I know myself; I play hard every day." - - - -

As expected, CF B.J Upton was not in the Rays lineup Saturday. Neither is C Dioner Navarro, which is a bit of a surprise.

The lineup went up late, which is often a sign that manager Joe Maddon was waiting to check on how a player may be feeling. But Navarro said he is fine, just a bit tired, and welcomed Maddon's offer for two straight days off. With Navarro out, Shawn Riggans is making back to back starts behind the plate for the first time since April 19-20.

With Upton out and a lefty starting for Texas, Maddon got creative in trying to maximize his right-handed hitters, with Ben Zobrist in center and Rocco Baldelli as the DH.

The lineup:
Iwamura, 2b
Zobrist, cf
Pena, 1b
Baldelli, dh
Aybar, 3b
Ruggiano, lf
Riggans, c
Gross, rf
Bartlett, ss
Jackson, p

Upton benching will extend until Saturday

B.J. Upton was pulled off the field and removed from Friday's game for not hustling to first base on a double-play grounder, and will be benched for at least Saturday's game as well.

Manager Joe Maddon said he planned to talk to Upton on Saturday, after deciding he was too upset Friday night and might say something he didn't want to.

What Maddon did say was clear enough, especially since had benched Upton on Aug. 6 for a similar infraction: "I can’t make it any more plain, simple, obvious, black and white. There are no gray areas. I can’t have Aki (Iwamura) run like he is and (Carlos) Pena and Cliff (Floyd), who has two bad knees, etc., and permit that. I can’t permit it.”

Upton, who said he didn’t hustle because he mistakenly thought there were two outs, didn’t take kindly to how he was removed from the game.

“Obviously it stung a little bit, especially like that,” he said. “There ain’t much I can say about it. He made the move when he wanted to make the move.”

The incident marred a magnificent pitching performance by RHP Matt Garza in the Rays 7-0 win.

“Joe has my full support,” executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. “I’m confident that the situation will be taken care of and we’ll continue to handle it internally. The shame of this is that the emphasis of the night should be on the game Matt pitched.”

While Maddon planned to talk, Upton said there was no need to: “It’s an understanding. It’s understood. Hopefully it’s over with and this is the last time we have to deal with it.”

Upton said he didn’t feel he was being singled out but that he would obviously have to run out every ball from now on.

“I’m going to have to, or he’s going to keep doing it and making me the example,” Upton said. “So I guess I can’t let him make me the example anymore.”

Rays, Garza shut out Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas - Matt Garza had to settle for his second career shutout after making a bid for the first no-hitter in Tampa Bay history.

Garza didn't allow a hit against the slumping Texas Rangers until a debatable call with two outs in the sixth inning, then finished with a two-hitter as the AL East-leading Rays won 7-0 Friday night.

Meanwhile, a Tampa Bay lineup missing injured stars Evan Longoria and Carl Crawford hit four home runs in 4 2-3 innings off Kevin Millwood (6-7), who was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list to start.

Texas got its first hit when Ian Kinsler hit a looping flyball into short center that ricocheted off the glove of charging outfielder Justin Ruggiano. The play was almost immediately ruled a hit, and any questions about that costing Garza a no-hitter were erased when Josh Hamilton led off the seventh with a solid single up the middle.

Both of Garza's shutouts have come in his last four starts. But the 24-year-old Garza (10-7) had allowed nine runs in 10 2/3 innings in his two previous starts since shutting out Toronto with a five-hitter July 29.

Garza struck out nine and walked two while throwing 78 of 119 pitches for strikes in his third complete game and joining Andy Sonnanstine and James Shields as 10-game winners for Tampa Bay. None of the Rangers' four base runners got past first.

The Rays (74-47) have a 3 1/2-game division lead over Boston, which was rained out at home against Toronto on Friday night.

Texas (61-62) was shut out for the second game in a row and the fourth time in eight games - after being held scoreless only once the first 115 games. The Rangers dropped below .500 for the first time since June 20.

Willy Aybar homered on the first pitch of the fourth inning, his ball into the right-field corner barely clearing the wall.

Carlos Pena made it 2-0 in the fifth when he hit his 24th homer, and Millwood was gone after Eric Hinske and Gabe Gross hit back-to-back shots. Hinske hit a two-run shot before Gross hit a ball that skimmed the top of the left-center wall.

Millwood, the Rangers' No. 1 pitcher coming off his second DL stint because of a strained right groin, allowed five runs and 10 hits with seven strikeouts and one walk in 4 2-3 innings.

After Hamilton walked with two outs in the first, Garza retired 15 straight batters before Kinsler broke the no-hit bid. Ruggiano, who had replaced B.J. Upton in the field at the start of the inning, ran a long way and got his glove on the ball but couldn't hold on to it.

Garza stood on the back of the mound for a second before slamming the rosin bag to the ground and kicking the dirt. He then got Michael Young on a flyball to end the inning.

Texas lost 10-0 Thursday night at Boston, ending a three-game sweep by the Red Sox, who had 10-run and nine-run innings the first two games.

Associated Press