Rays-Sox live from Fenway

UPDATE, 6:30  Cliff Floyd said the 20-or-so minute team meeting - actually he preferred to call it a "get-together" - went very well. "It was needed,'' he said. "It was basically to end the season on a good note - that was it - with nothing in the tank. Just to make sure we're all on the same page. It was great. Something that was definitely needed. It had nothing that had to do with us losing any games. ...

"I'm not saying you're going to see anything different, I'm just saying it was good for our team to have a little sitdown and a little conversation from a family standpoint, and we achieved that.''

Floyd said several players spoke, and  'it was awesome. We all had good laughs, and we all understood what's at-stake. Not that we didn't know, but we solidified some things.''

Specifically, Floyd said: "We've got to beat the odds and the beat the adversity and if we do that there'll be some bottles popping pretty soon here.''

UPDATE, 6:25: 3B Evan Longoria's fractured right wrist has improved enough that he might be available to pinch-hit tonight, Maddon said. Longoria said he hit flipped balls today and plans to continue to progress, though may not participate in a full pre-game batting practice until Friday in New York. After that he would like to take a "live" BP session against one of the Rays pitchers to face game-speed pitching and could then return to the lineup until Saturday or Sunday.

But he said all feels well, and said "if it comes down to it'' he would be available to pinch hit tonight.

UPDATE: Manager Joe Maddon said Salas has had these seizures before and "should be fine by tomorrow."

UPDATE: Reliever. Juan Salas had an epileptic seizure when he got to the stadium and is at a Boston area hospital.

UPDATE: Rays are having a players-only meeting before coming out for batting practice. The subject? Most likely that they need to focus on what's ahead and what they have to play for and not what has happened.

The Rays are getting ready to open their big series with Boston, with a few players already out for some running and the Sox getting ready for batting practice.

Manager Joe Maddon decided to stick with speedy OF Fernando Perez, playing him in leftfield tonight, but dropping Ben Zobrist and using lefty Gabe Gross in right against Boston lefty Jon Lester.

Here is the Rays lineup:
Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Baldelli, dh
Aybar, 3b
Navarro, c
Bartlett, ss
Gross, rf
Perez, lf
Jackson, p

And for the Red Sox:
Kotsay, rf
Pedroia, 2b
Ortiz, dh
Youkilis, 1b
Bay, lf
Lowell, 3b
Lowrie, ss
Varitek, c
Crisp, cf
Lester, p

Comments

[Ray F]

Oh my god, a mom reference.

That's awesome. I don't think I'll be able to stop laughing before the first pitch because of the mom reference. Blahhhh. Come up with original stuff mom. I told you to take your med's before talking in a public forum.

...and for heaven's sake, put some clothes on.

[Amanda]

Aww, come on, guys. I hate Sox Nation as much as you do, but John was just giving us the heads up on a possible rain-delay or rain-out.
Save the venom for when they really deserve it (which, as you know, is often), or we're no better than them.
Thanks for the heads-up, John.

[Ray F's mom]

No, Ray, you're just a douche.

[Ray F]

I'm like the little fish that rides along next to a shark biting at fish and ducking away. I don't do much damage, but it's enough to annoy.

[Harold]

To Ray F and Captain Obvious
LMAO
Mean spirited but Funny

[Captain Obvious]

Did really you have to search the web? If it's "lousy here right now", couldn't you have gone outside to give us that update???

I don't need a weather man to tell me when it's raining when I can look outside my window and do my own research. Better hunker down Cantore.

[Ray F]

A-F-F-E-C-T

[John]

Hey folks, Sox fan here in Boston, searching the web.

Weather is kind of lousy here right now. Rain rain rain.

May effect tonights game.

[Ray F]

Did anyone notice that Jackson got a decent applause when he came out of the game last night???

I hope I was imagining that, because I would hate to be able to say nice things about Red Sux fans.

[Ray F]

Any watch parties tonight or tomorrow???

[Terri]

I agree with CharlieRay - I have been to 20+ games and have tickets for Boston when they are in town. What a difference this year from all the previous. I believe they are a spectacular team - not one superstar, but a TEAM. Just like any other team, in a slump at an inopportune time. I am going to enjoy this year. I believe next year will be even better. GO RAYS!

[zeke]

for charlie ray, I have been to 16 games this year and feel qualified to say, without hesitation, this is NOT a great team as you say. It is a team that, through fairly consistent pitching, both starting and relief, they managed to stay close in most every game. That, along with timely hitting from different sources, is the reason we are where we are. This team on paper, resembles a minor league team with major league pitching. Can you just imagine where the pitiful Yanks would be with our pitching? This team has had a magical season thus far and have performed well above expectations but please don't say they are a great team. "Great teams" don't reside at the bottom of the entire league batting stats and stand out as the team with the 4th highest strikeouts. Even a novice can see that they can't hit and they strikout at an alarming rate. They strikeout at an alarming rate for a team that has restricted power as you expect strikeouts from guys like Pena but when you have starters like BJ whiffing with such regularity, it doesn't bode well..an average team, at best, who is playing well over their head.

[CharlieRay]

The Rays have been nothing but spectacular and if we were told that they could finish this year above 500 at the beginning of the year we would have jumped with joy. As it is we will do a whole lot more and could still win the whole thing. How about some support instead of Loom & Gloom. Don't try to perdict just support. I would bet that most of the bad mouths never went to a game to support this great team.

[Terri]

Boston still has to come to the Trop, they don't do well there. This isn't a season ending loss. It is an important series yes, but not the end of the world. I agree that Hinske should have been playing last night but Perez is going to be good. Too bad we didnt trade Upton earlier for a good bat. Wish Carlos would snap out of his tiny slump too.

[Rush Limbaugh]

I thought Rocco was going to knock one out of the park. Papplebon just throws way too hard. Still, keepign the Red Sox to only 3 runs is not bad. I am happy with the wild card and then we can play the Angels the first round. We can beat the Angels.

[Jonny Gomes]

bring me up!
bring me up!!!

I can help keep the scoreless streak going!

[joe maddon]

I really like the way we're playing right now!!!
Seriously, we're doing everything right besides hitting with men in scoring positon and hitting with any power, but i really, really, really like how we're playing right now!!!

[kazmiroholic]

I have a question - am i wrong or was this suppose to be team of fundamentals' a team that could manufacturer runs - somewhere along the line they forgot . I cant remember the last time someone layed down a nice bunt hit behind the runner went for a base hit instead of a home run , I counted 6 times in the last 2 games guys jumped out of the way instead of turning a shoulder, when thhey need baserunners bad once was with the basesloaded adn would have tied the game

[GO RAYS]

they,the owner should take the RaysSt. out of st.pete and tampa the fans here are just not good basball fans.

[GO RAYS]

matt,try being a true fan sometime or go back north were everthing is sunny and bright. but until that time keep your(doe-mammy)mouth closed and try to buy a ticket to the games and do not bring your own food and drinks, spend some money if you want a great team, with fans like you and others are not a pimple on a good fan's butt. b---ch, b--ch, b--ch that is all you great fans know to do.

[rocky]

Disappointing, yes. I think Maddon must have had a feeling about Baldelli being back at home and cominig up big but he did let us down tonight. Someone needs to come up with a 2-out hit with RISP. We have dominated right handers this year but we will face two of the best tomorrow and Wed. We need the bats to get hot again...great pitching performance from Edwin tonight on the road after struggling in the first. You give up 3 and you should win most of the time in the AL. I look forward to our next win as I am having withdrawal on Dunkin Donuts.

[M]

Let's see....... we've scored in two of our last 31 innings. I hope Neiman,Brignac and/or whoever else the Rays were considering trading are worth blowing a chance to have the best record in the league and having homefield advantage. By not pulling the trigger on the Bay deal, you lost out on a chance to improve your offense and defense for more than one year. More importantly, you keep him away from Boston where he is more valuable to that franchise, allowing them to get rid of Manny and helping their D tremendously. It's so frustrating to see them piss away this opportunity. It's definitely not over, but I just don't see us being successful in the playoffs if we can't win at least one of these last two in Boston and two of three at home.

And for those who say that you should be satisfied with what they have accomplished, I say do you know how hard it is to get ahead in the east by SIX games in the loss column in Sept? We may see this once or twice in our lifetime.

Very frustrating!!!

[Lori]

Man, Maddon cost us the best shot at getting back in the game. 2 on, 2 out, Baldelli vs Papelbon??? Bad match up, Rocco had never faced him, 0-3 on the night, should have ph Hinske. Bad call. Jax didnt do bad, he was electric after the first. Too bad the bats are so cold. Time is running out, boys.

[Matt]

How many men left on base tonite??? 0 runs in last two games, how does an entire team offense go south at the same f-ing time. WAKE UP fellas, your season is slipping away.

[BB]

FEEL THE HEAT! That's all the pitches flying past the batters. 12 strikeouts tonight. Why didn't Maddon pinch hit a left hander for Baldelli against the right hander Papelbon? Did he want to see Rocco strike out for the 4th time? We need some guys who will try to hit third strikes instead of watching them or can hit third strikes.

[tbird]

Yet another pathetic performance by this offense. Someone earlier pointed out they are next to last in team batting average and it is even more evident now that every game is important. Any scout can easily observe how to beat the Rays--throw a lefty. Without the right handed bat of Longoria, the have little power available from that side of the plate as Pena/Floyd/Gross/Hinske have proven they cannot hit lefties. So, right now this is strictly a one dimensional team, a team that looks like AA or AAA.

Are the Rays ever going to score a run again?

[Frank]

:) you're absolutely right

[Amanda]

Frank-
I agree that Brian's comment came out of left field, but really, how dare you deny a Rays fan their booze at a time like this? I mean, you do want us to keep watching this series, right?
Reminds me, I'm out of Pepto-Bismol...

[Frank]

jeez, give 'em some slack. the sox schedule is somewhat harder than ours. this game doesn't determine the season.

[SayRays]

In an unrelated note: Why did the Rays not call up their stud phenom Price to help them for the stretch drive and the playoffs. I know he's young and unproven (at the major league level anyway) but MY GOD he REALLY couldn't kill the team! So they call up this Perez character and he's going to do what???? Probably a whole lot of nothing .... a few weeks ago I thought this team had the makings of a '97 Marlins squad but that comparison has gone by the wayside ... potentially "backing into" the playoffs is not a wise thing .... come on guys ... finish up strong or it's going to come back and bite you.

[Frank]

brian,

where did that come from? I've only seen one sox fan post. We don't need imaginary enemies. cool down and lay off the tequila.

[Brian]

Classy Sox fans on our hometown newspaper! Nice,,,is that because the Boston globe is suitable for wrapping your crappy northeastern fish!
You local sox fans should come out a support the LOCAL team a little more or you won't be able to come out and watch your beloved sawwwwoooxxx in Florida! Go Rays or GO HOME

[Frank]

thanks for the rah, rah. doesn't help much.

[Dan]

It is real easy to follow and root for a team when things are going well. A true fan supports through the ups and downs...this team has proven themselves this year and far exceeded anyones expectations. I will support them until the end...Go Rays..

[rocky]

3-4-5 hitters must produce...they are due to bust out and have a 5-6 run inning.

[Matt]

15 and counting...Awful

[rocky]

Edwin has settled down and is keeping the Rays close. Time to start hitting guys...

[harold]

Hey Monday night football is on
I cant stand watching anymore .
Nice strike zone by the way

[Matt]

Good God this team is sinking like a stone. 14 innings and counting now without a run. someone wake up Madden, these guys need a motivator not a hugger.

[Slappy]

Not watching anymore. No point in being disappointed by yet another aspect of my life. I wish I was dead.

[zeke]

Nice bunt BJ, way to follow the basic fundamentals of bunting. Just where has Henderson been with this team..Nope, we don't need Jason Bay or Xavier Nady--we are just fine with what we have. Well, what we have is a mediocre minor league team on offense and our pitching cannot win every time out. Then again, Jackson is getting hammered early and posing no problem to the RedSox..Do any of you think that Maddon, possibly planning ahead to something really important like this series, could have been a visionary and arranged for Kazmir/Garza and Shields to pitch this series?? It certainly could have been done, with days off and the September call-ups, if he planned ahead.. after all, that series in Toronto was meaningless compared to this series. I just think we blew it bad by not plugging a hole that was evident--like ALL the contenders did..That being said, doubt if Bay or Nady, by themselves, would have helped this team all that much..Hate to be gloom and doom but reality is reality..Boston and Toronto and for that matter, NY are far superior offensive teams as we are next to last in team batting average. Just being real, say it ain't so but it is what it is..

[Dave]

Hate to say it, but I see the Rays going 7-19 for the month of September. We will be seeing a Hindenburg-like self-destruction from this crew this month. It will be cruelly spectacular, like a wreck you can't look away from. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I will be...

[Frank]

HA HA! Magrane takes one off the nose!

[john]

First inning. Game is over.

Realistically do you see any wins on the Ray's schedule other than Baltimore

[Frank]

uh . . . have you seen the score. guess we should treat bay with a little more respect.

[Obama & McCain]

Rays will win tonight! All is well in Rays Nation! Go Rays!

[lori]

Gross has been warming up against lefties and his bat is coming around. I like this move...plus Ruggiano is pathetic at the plate. I think Perez can help us with his speed.

Rays suck. Go SOX!!!

[Beaner]

This is NOT a do or die series. A division title would be nice but the only thing thats really important is making the playoffs.