Hinske active, Floyd out, Zobrist starting

The Rays activated INF/OF Eric Hinske on Sunday to replace Cliff Floyd, who has an injured right shoulder.

"It's kind of bittersweet because you never want to see anybody get hurt,'' Hinske said. "But I'm excited to be active and have a chance to help anyway I can. ... Whatever I can do to help will be fun.''

Floyd was injured on the bases during Game 2, manager Joe Maddon said, and was uncomfortable enough that he had trouble sleeping. "We tried to get through last night with him and he was available, but he's not today so we've got the appropriate paperwork in order and Hinske's on, Cliff is off,'' manager Joe Maddon said.

Hinske, who hit 20 homers during the season, was left off the roster for the ALCS and the World Series. He will be available off the bench as a pinch-hitter or for a double switch since he can play first and third base and left and rightfield, though the opportunities will be limited. "It gives us more flexibility,'' Maddon said. "He's been working out consistently in BP and I just reiterated to him to make sure he takes his ground balls all over the place.''

If the Series returns to Tropicana Field for Games 6 and 7, Willy Aybar is likely to take Floyd's place as the DH against right-handers.

The other pre-game news was manager Joe Maddon's decision to start Ben Zobrist in rightfield against Phillies starter Joe Blanton ahead of Rocco Baldelli or Gabe Gross, a move that sounds rooted in an attempt to get more offense in the lineup,  a need exacerbated by the struggles of Evan Longoria (0-for-12 with six strikeouts) and Carlos Pena (0-for-10 in the Series, hitless in his last 18 at-bats, going back to Game 5 of the ALCS) .

The Rays lineup:
Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Longoria, 3b
Crawford, lf
Navarro, c
Zobrist, rf
Bartlett, ss
Sonnanstine, p

The Phillies lineup:
Rollins, ss
Werth, rf
Utley, 2b
Howard, 1b
Burrell, lf
Victorino, cf
Feliz, rf
Ruiz, c
Blanton, p

Comments

[SJ]

I agree, the umpiring has been atrocious. The only thing that can be said for it is that it's been awful for both sides in turn. Did these guys all lose their contact lenses?

[The Magnetism of Robin Zander]

Wow; embarrassing. Like I've said, if this was any other city I would probably be OK. But Philadelphia fans have been so vile, disgusting and rude that they do not deserve a championship. But now and for the next 30 years we can count on Philly Fan to be classless, boorish, and juvenile.

Finally, as much I'd like to see a new stadium, Stu and the boy had better know that you cannot have your team humiliate you the ways the Rays have humiliated us (like the way the Rockies humiliated Denver last year) and expect us to build you a stadium.

It's going to take to some time for the sting of this one to go away.

I thought I'd be one of those "oh, I'm proud they made it this far" people. Now, I'm more like, "I wish Boston had won - they would at least not have made the Bay Area a laughing stock."

[dr dick]

Rays were great against AL rivals as they had seen the pitchers many times. They look lost facing a pitcher for the first or second time and it is evident on National TV. Pena is exposed as a power hitter who strikes out an alarming rate and when the power is removed, he is no help. Longoria is like a deep in the headlights, completely caught up in confusion and is embarassing himself. Someone earlier said that Aybar whould be in RF, Aybar should be in the line-up someplace, even if it is 1st or 3rd. Remember people, this was one of the worst offensive teams in the league this year so this really isn't any surprise.They are also a team that struck out the 3rd highest in the league this year. doubt if we will see Sonnanstine or Jackson as starters next year and if they make the squad, it would have to be out of the pen but methinks they are trade material for some decent hitting, which this team certainly needs. When Sonnanstine hits the ball better than the regulars, that speaks volumes..

hey were alsa a team that struck out

[Brian J]

MLB SHOULD BE ASHAMED, NAY, SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED! THE UMPIRING THE LAST TWO NIGHTS HAS BEEN CRIMINAL.

[John]

Well season over now! Pena and Longoria forgot to show up for the world series!

[Mark]

I have said it before and it is being proven again. Maddon is a great motivator, etc. but TERRIBLE game manager. No excuse leaving Sonnanstine out for 12 days and the delay clearly showed in his uncharacteristic lack of control. Sonnanstine should have been starting Games 1 and 5, with Kazmir going tonight.

[Terri]

you know - Evan should be on the bench, sorry if that upsets some - but come on - he hasn't had a hit. Willie should be in. Carlos isn't fielding or hitting well. I am glad we won the American League Pennant, and I believe we are a better team than Philadelphia, but we are just not showing it. Especially in the 3,4 and 5 spots. I think the youth is working against us in the World Series. It is only their first time. It is not like Philadelphia has a big dynasty going here - what one World Series in how many years. I am amazed at what the Rays did this year.

[Caleb]

Yeah, great job leaving Skee-Skee off the roster Joe.

[Caleb]

Stats are for losers. How has the stat game worked for Maddon in the World Series? It hasn't.

All of you who thought Sonnanstine had great stuff are idiots. Remember when I was on a blog earlier this season that said a good power hitting lineup can destroy Sonnanstine? No, well of course not, half of you have probably not been following the Rays long enough to remember.

Action Jackson should've started this game, the Phillies struggle against power pitching and swing at balls out of the zone....gee, isn't that what Edwin brings? Wow, what a stat that isn't a stat, Joe!

[Patrick]

good night cinderella. team b.a. is back to where it was. you were lucky to get by the white sox and the red sox. you have beeen playing way over your heads. this way the trop can be back to its normal occupancy rate of about 5%.

[Sue]

What a $(%&# call at 3rd!

[Razzlegator]

Hey Brant,
What is the substance Blanton has on the bill of his cap? He keeps rubbing it before he pitches.

[John]

That was one of the worst Anthem's ever...didn't know Francis Scott Key had a "skylight"...two other blunders too...for someone that achieved success in this country...JMO!

[Edgar A.]

Man Patti LaBelle can still sing!!

But I want Patti to be singing the blues in 3 hours! 'Cause it's time I had some more free Dunkin Donuts baby!!

Rays better win. Don't want to be down 3-1 against Cole Camels Monday night.

Aybar should be starting in right field.

[mikebeau]

what is this break the bank talk?

[joeknowsbaseball]

Joe wants power hitting from the left side in the lineup (hence Zobrist and Hinske). The Rays are pitch, run, field and just need to trump the phils' left-side power hitting.

He's the master of spotting tendencies and making great in-game adjustments.

Watch the longballs go out in rightfield stands tonight from the Rays lineup, tonight!

BP Pitching has been slightly off(G1 and G3)...the best formula has been the military approach...L-R-L-R.

Sonnanstine,Price,Bradford,Howell,Jackson...R-L-R-L-R.

GO RAYS!

Break the BANK!

[TonyC]

I feel good about the shakeup since Hinske is certainly a "timely" hitter. And there's no way I'm going to second-guess MLB's manager-of-the-year!

[joeknowsbaseball]

Dear Tampa Bay Rays:

Keep it Simple...

Just BREAK THE BANK!!!

Tomorrow's HEADLINES should read:

"Tampa Bay Rays -- PRIME suspect in Major League BANK Heist!"

Best wishes!