Johnson NOT in left, Ortiz not playing

UPDATE: Actually Dan Johnson isn't in leftfield. Due to travel delays, he didn't arrive at the stadium until around 6:50 so the Rays had to change the lineup, with Ben Zobrist going to centerfield, Eric Hinske to left and Gabe Gross to right.

As for the medical report, it sounds like backup C Shawn Riggans' right knee problem could be serious, due to a possible infection in the bursa sac, and manager Joe Maddon said he absence is "indefinite.'' CF B.J. Upton said his slightly strained left quad felt much better today, and there was a chance he could be available to pinch-hit on Wednesday, though Maddon said it was "possible" Upton's absence from the lineup could extend into the weekend in New York. 3B Evan Longoria was to continue his progression in recovering from a fractured right wrist by hitting flipped balls, but Maddon said he had no update.

- - - -

Dan Johnson will make his first ever major league outfield start tonight in leftfield for the Rays.

Johnson, a left-handed hitter,  was called up to boost the Rays sagging and shorthanded lineup, with righthanders starting the next two games. Jonny Gomes likely will be called up soon as well.

DH David Ortiz is not in the Red Sox lineup tonight against Scott Kazmir. Ortiz is 7-for-37 against Kazmir with a homer.

The Rays lineup:
Iwamura, 2b
Johnson, lf
Pena, 1b
Floyd, dh
Aybar, 3b
Hinske, rf
Navarro, c
Gross, cf
Bartlett, ss
Kazmir, p

Red Sox
Crisp, cf
Lowrie, ss
Pedroia, 2b
Youkilis, 1b
Bay, lf
Lowell, 3b
Kotsay, rf
Varitek, c
Bailey, dh
Matsuzaka, p

Comments

[Devon R]

Great game by everyone. We can now win in Fenway.

Please visit my message board.
http://rayschatter.pro-forums.com/

[zeke]

I actually get a "comfy" feeling with Perez out there instead of Upton, both in the field and at the plate. Admittedly, it is waaaaaaay too early but this kid has the desire and the tools. Johnson could provide some power to balance Pena and that would be great. All in all, a great and necessary win for all concerned, including Maddon and Percival. Now if they can win another tomorrow it would give them mucho momentum going into NY.

[harold]

Nice
I guess joe knew what he was doing after all. (Breath)
everybody should go to the Boston fans blog and clog it up but please be respectful
i left the first post already
see bostonguy83 at 7:43 http://www.insidethesox.blogspot.com
One more tomorrow would be schweet
OUT

[Shame on Me is a Coward]

Where is that big mouth Shame on Me? Friggen chowda head loser! What a loser big mouth!

[Amanda]

Seeing the Jays now on a 10-game winning streak makes me feel a little better about getting killed up there.
Slappy- pull up a stool, I'll order another round.

[9equals8.com]

There is no quit in this team, I love it! Joe Maddon deserves a ton of credit for instilling this in the team early this year. This was a gutsy win. They could have folded when Bay hit that HR (crap, another loss, we can't win in Fenway, the gods hate us here, etc.) but they gutted it out and hung on for this win. Amazing stuff. Go Rays! Magic number shrinking (18 now).

[9equals8.com]

Let's give some props to Scotty also. He's been the stopper twice now (Yankees in Tampa and now this). That's bigtime Ace-like stuff.

[Dave]

1 for 15 RISP = just enough - whew!! Great win Rays, way to stick it out. Hopefully this win and Longoria coming back soon fire things up. Go Rays!

[Slappy]

Please, NO MORE GAMES LIKE THIS!!! My health insurance lapsed so I can't afford a trip to the ER.

[Go Rays!]

Johnson jersys on sale now!!

[M]

And now the Sox must feel the wrath of Sonny..............well one of two is not bad. We will leave Boston in first!!!!!!!!!

[cw]

I need a beer!

[9equals8.com]

I'm just glad Dan's plane wasn't even later than it was.... Dan is the man. How about Fernando with the big time double as well. Two guys that were not with the club a week ago win the game! WOW!!!

[Frank]

shaq, you loser, get in the spirit

[M]

Scott for president of the Dan Johnson fan club. I'll be VP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Go Rays!]

How many gosh dang times have the Red Sox done that to us? score off our closer to win the game. Nice to do it to them.

[Bill]

Dan Johnson.......my new HERO!

[Shaq the Rays fan]

Hey Papelban, how does our a#@ taste???

[Scott]

I need my blood pressure checked.

[9equals8.com]

YESSSSSS!!!!!! THANK YOU, RAYS. WHAT A HUGE (sorely needed) WIN!!!

[Go Rays!]

FEEL THE HEAT!!!

[Frank]

and the ray's hold on. congratulations

[Scott]

God bless Dan Johnson.

[Big Pauly]

A huge win for Joe Maddon and the boys. Regardless of what happens tomorrow, they will leave Fenway Park with the lead in the AL East. And for the Sox to win the division, they got to win in our house now.

But I got to think we will see the Red Sox one last time in the ALCS.

navi shouldnt ever be allowed to throw

[Frank]

LORDY! 2 out and a man on third!

DOEs this clown want to give up a home run

[Amanda]

I need a drink to keep watching this. Percival owes me a bottle of Captain. I'll send him a bill.

Has Percival ever gotten ahead of a batter?

[Scott]

beautiful pitch.

Holy breaking ball!

[Big Pauly]

Beautiful breaker!

[MercyPercy]

Trop Ticket: $9
Fenway Ticket: $900
Shutting Up the Fenway Chowderheads in the top of the 9th: Priceless!!

Uh-oh: Percival is pitching

[Bill]

Why not pitch JP or Miller tot he lefty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[9equals8.com]

Percy walks first freakin' batter...

GOOOOOOOD TROY BLOWS

here comes percival...gg

[Scott]

here we go....

[Amanda]

Amen, Go Rays. Here we go...
(Great movie quote, btw)

[Big Pauly]

5-4 going to the last of the 9th. If Percival holds them off, this would be a huge win.

[Go Rays!]

hold onto your butts

[Amanda]

"Shame on me" -
Here's your pie. Enjoy!

[Scott]

Hey M, those words taste pretty good...so far. LOL

[Go Rays!]

All we need to do now is score 3 more so Percival doesn't come in

Our AAA guys are teeing off on Papplemouth!

[Go Rays!]

It's the Durham all star game

[M]

I felt the same way as scott, but he has to eat those words. Still don't feel very good about this game.

[Big Pauly]

Dan Johnson: Mr. Clutch. Maybe we can win this game after all.

[Scott]

LOL--it feels good to be wrong....so far.

[Go Rays!]

Put Johnson up there again