Hinske gets final spot; spring finale a loss

Update 4:07 Eric Hinske didn't just get a spot on the team, he'll be in the starting lineup on Monday in Baltimore. Manager Joe Maddon unveiled his lineup Saturday and it will look like this:
Akinori Iwamura, 2b
Carl Crawford, lf
Carlos Pena, 1b
B.J. Upton, cf
Cliff Floyd, dh
Willy Aybar, 3b
Eric Hinske, rf
Dioner Navarro, c
Jason Bartlett, ss
James Shields, rhp

Also, here are the Rays final planned moves to get down to the 25-man roster limit by the 3 p.m. Sunday deadline:

And here’s how they got there:

Designated for

assignment

RHP Grant Balfour

Optioned

INF Joel Guzman, to Triple-A Durham

RHP Juan Salas, to Class A Hudson Valley

Placed on 15-day

disabled list

LHP Kurt Birkins, left elbow neuritis

RHP Chad Orvella, right shoulder tendinitis

Reassigned to

minor-league camp

INF Andy Cannizaro

C Mike Difelice

RHP Scott Munter

INF Chris Richard

OF John Rodriguez

OF Jon Weber

Released

C Josh Paul

Selected from Durham

OF Eric Hinske

Update 3:59 Rays lose 8-4. If the A's lose their game this afternoon, the Rays, at 18-8-2, can clinch the best spring record in the majors.

Update 3:26 With a cast of thousands playing that even the press box crew is having trouble keeping up, the Rays trail 8-4 going to the ninth.

Update 2:56 The Rays, with a chance to clinch the best spring training record in the majors, took a lead into the sixth but Scott Munter gave up a three-run home run to ex-Ray Javier Valentin, and it's now 5-4 Reds.

2:22 The Rays pulled all their starters are three innings and are leading 3-0. Edwin Jackson worked through the fourth, and gave one run back so it's 3-1.

Update, 12:52 It's nearly game time, and it's very hot, in Sarasota. The Rays will play their regulars for a few innings, then turn things over to the reserves and minor-leaguers, with the idea of getting their 25 rostered players ready to go to Baltimore on Sunday. There is expected to be an official announcemet after the game regarding the roster:

Here is the Rays lineup, with DH Cliff Floyd and 3B Willy Aybar playing again in minor-league games:
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Hinske, 3b
Gomes, rf
Navarro, c
Bartlett, ss
Jackson, rhp




ROSTER MOVES
The Rays picked Eric Hinske over Joel Guzman for their final roster spot Saturday morning, unofficially setting their 25-man roster.
Hinske, who came to camp on a non-roster deal, made the team based on a strong spring, his experience and the versatility to play the four corner spots - first and third base, left and right field.
Guzman was optioned to Triple-A Durham.
The Rays also made it official that INF Elliot Johnson, C Shawn Riggans and RHP Scott Dohmann - who were all in battles for jobs - made the team.
The roster has to be filed by 3 p.m. Sunday. The Rays will get down to the 25-man limit by placing RHP Chad Orvella and LHP Kurt Birkins on the DL and optioning RHP Juan Salas - who is expected to report to camp next week after a six-week visa delay - to the minors.

LAST SPRING TRAINING GAME AT AL LANG FIELD

Tampa Bay Ray outfields B.J. Upton, #2, and #32 Eric Hinske pause in the outfield at Al Lang Field/ Progress Energy Park, Friday, after a ball dropped between them vs. the Cincinnati Reds. The Rays have painted a home plate in right field with the year 2012 to signify where home plate would be if the new stadium is built. [Scott Keeler, Times]

B.J. Upton signs autographs before the last game at Al Lang Stadium Friday, March 28, 2008.  [James Borchuck, Times]

The Rays take to the field for the last time at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg Friday, March 28, 2008.  [James Borchuck, Times]

Haynes claimed on waivers; Balfour out, other moves

Update 5:17 It was an unusual way to handle it, but the Rays eventually announced after Friday's game that eight players who had been in camp on minor-league deals did not make the team:
INF Chris Richard
RHP Scott Munter
INF Andy Cannizaro
C Mike Difelice
OF John Rodriguez
OF Jon Weber
C Josh Paul
RHP Grant Balfour

What the Rays won't say until after Saturday's game is the specifics of each move, though based on interviews Richard, Weber, Cannizaro and Rodriguez are all going to Durham. Munter seems likely to join them. The buzz in the locker room was that Difelice was also going to Durham and that Paul may have been released. Balfour earlier said he had been designated for assignment.

The moves leave the Rays with 29 players: Two, relievers Chad Orvella and Kurt Birkins, are likely headed to the DL; and another is reliever Juan Salas, whom the Rays actually expect to report shortly to camp after a six-week visa delay in the Dominican Republic but is headed to the minors.

That leaves 26 players for the final 25 spots, and the appearance that the decision is between INF/OF Joel Guzman and INF / OF Eric Hinske. Also factoring in is the health of 3B Willy Aybar (which if he was limited or out could make Guzman more valuable since he can also play third) and OF/DH Cliff Floyd (which if he were out could make Hinske more valuable since he is a more accomplished hitter).

Update, 2:38 The Rays filled their outfield void by claiming Nathan Haynes off waivers from the Angels. To make room on the 40-man roster, they placed OF Rocco Baldelli on the 60-day disabled list.
Haynes, 28, made his big-league debut for the Angels last May after nearly a decade in the minors. Haynes hits lefthanded, and hit .267 with one RBI in 45 games of reserve duty last season (going 3-for-5 against the Rays). He is a career .281 minor-league hitter, steals a lot more bases (254) than hits home runs (34), and tends to get on-base a lot. Haynes hit .265 in 19 games this spring. He has tremendous speed and can play all three outfield spots.
Haynes was out of options, and it appears the Angels - having decided to keep Reggie Willits - were hoping to sneak Haynes through waivers.
Haynes' acquisition could mean trouble for Eric Hinske, who looked to have the fifth outfielder job. Or it could be an indication the Rays are concerned about the availability of Cliff Floyd, who has been slowed by some seemingly minor injury issues.
Haynes is a product of perseverance, having signed with an independent league team in 2006 after missing most of 2004 and 2005 with a tear in his left hip.Overall, he has had eight - yes, eight! - surgeries: three knee, three hernia, one for torn ligaments in his left thumb and another for the tear in his left hip.
Also, he is the nephew of the Pointer Sisters signing group, and the son of 1980 Olympic Trials triple-jumper John Haynes.
By being placed on the 60-day DL, Baldelli won't be eligible to play until June.

Update, 2:35 The injury issues apparently are concerning because now the Rays are saying they won't announce their final roster until after Saturday's spring finale.

The Rays appear to have decided on their final bullpen slot as Grant Balfour was told before Friday's game he will be designated for assignment, which seems to mean Scott Dohmann made the team.
Balfour said he hoped to be picked up on waivers by another team, but would be open to going to Triple-A Durham if he isn't claimed. (A player designated for assignment is taken off the 40-man roster and the team has to be traded, released or passed through waivers within.).

Balfour had the better spring of the two - with a 3.00 ERA in 10 games (allowing only four runs) even after a rough outing Thursday - but the Rays apparently felt more comfortable with Dohmann, who had an 8.74 spring ERA, allowing 16 hits and four walks in 11 1/3 innings, but pitched well for them in the second half last season.

"I thought I threw the ball pretty good but at the end of the day it makes no difference - I'm out of here,'' Balfour said. "That's the way it goes. ... They made a business decision and that's what they went with. ... They know who they want from the get-go, probably. I don't know what they wanted to do. I could have maybe given up no runs and still not made this team. I don't know. It's disappointing.''

The Rays were in the process of making other cuts before the game so team officials have not been available for comment. Manager Joe Maddon said earlier Friday that they hoped to make 95 percent or even 100 percent of their moves by the end of the day to get down to the 25-man limit in advance of the 3 p.m. Sunday deadline.

The sense during the week has been that the bench jobs will go to INFs Elliot Johnson and Joel Guzman, OF Eric Hinske and C Shawn Riggans.

The Rays, though, have some injury concerns with two potential starters - 3B Willy Aybar and DH Cliff Floyd - which could impact their final decisions.

Rays-Reds in Al Lang finale

Reds first baseman Scott Hatteberg, 21, got Andy Cannizaro out at first on a grounder for the last out at Al Lang Field.  [James Borchuck, Times]

Update 4:11 p.m Closer Troy Percival came in for his first ninth inning situation of the spring, and like his last outing, it wasn't exactly smooth sailing. Percival threw strikes, but the Reds got a few hits (and one run) off of him.

Reds 6, Rays 3 (FINAL)

Update 3:52 p.m The Reds pulled ahead on a suicide-squeeze bunt by Hairston, then got an insurance run in the eighth when Adam Dunn crushed an Al Reyes pitch, hitting it over the 400-foot marker in centerfield.

Reds 5, Rays 3

Update 3:11 p.m Garza's outing is over after five, likely due to a pitch count. With most of the Rays starters, the club has scaled back their last outing as they prepare for the regular season. Garza had an overall pretty good outing. He looked strong in certain parts, and though he let leadoff hitters get on board, he worked his way out of things well. The only runs he gave up were due to a two-out error in the outfield.

The right-hander had a strong spring, and will make his first regular season Rays start next Wednesday in Baltimore. We'll chat with him soon and bring you his thoughts on the outing.

RHP Dan Wheeler came in for the sixth, giving up two extra base hits (leading to a run) but settling down after that.

Reds 3, Rays 2

Update 2:53 p.m Crawford continues to have a great day, tacking on another double (this one to right-field).

But for the second time Friday, the Rays couldn't knock in a runner in scoring position with nobody out.

With one out, B.J. Upton nearly had an RBI single up the middle, but Rerds second baseman Brandon Phillips robbed him with a great play, diving to his right, scooping it up and throwing Upton out at first. Then after Pena was retired, Hinske lined out to right, stranding Crawford on third.

Maddon had said earlier this week that the one thing he feels the Rays haven't done well enough this spring is advancing a runner from third with less than two outs. Here's another example he can show.

Rays 2, Reds 2 (top sixth)

Update 2:35 p.m Garza's outing hasn't gone without a few jams. Pitching coach Jim Hickey made a visit to the mound in the fifth as the Reds put runners on first and second. Garza had let the leadoff man reach base in each of the first three innings.

But he usually grinded his way out of things. Until the 5th. With runners on first and second, Garza thought he was out of the inning when Hairston sent a fly ball to right-center. Sure-handed CF B.J. Upton and RF Eric Hinske both made a move on the ball, with Upton looking like he was going to take it.

Must have been a miscommunication, because Upton and Hinske watched the ball drop on the ground between them. Two runs scored.

Rays 2, Reds 2

Update 2:07 p.m The Rays missed out on what could have been a big inning in the third. After Crawford's RBI double, a Pena walk loaded the bases with nobody out.

But Upton, Hinske (pop out) and Gomes (fly out) were retired without any further damage.

Gomes came close. He nearly cleared the bases with a long fly ball to right-center, appearingly destined for the wall. But Hairston raced from his spot in centerfield, making a nice catch right before he slammed into the wall.

Rays 2, Reds 0

Update 1:57 p.m. Carl Crawford nearly racked up another triple. The speedy leftfielder hit a ball off the rightfield wall, and was rounding second when he stopped on a dime (cause Aki was still standing on third). The double scored a run, and now - after a Pena walk - that loads the bases for B.J. Upton with nobody out.

Rays 2, Reds 0

Update 1:37 p.m. RHP Matt Garza has done pretty well during the first two innings, with the only thing being he's allowed the leadoff batter each inning to reach base (hit, walk, hit). The hard-throwing righthander, slated the No. 2 starter with Kazmir out, said after his last start that he felt ready for the season, and it looks like it right now.

Rays 1, Reds 0

Update 1:21 p.m. 1B Carlos Pena came oh-so-close to his sixth homer of the spring. In the first inning, Pena hit a drive off Reds closer Francisco Cordero which bounced off the tip of the wall near the rightfield foul pole.

It turned into a really-long single, but Crawford (who had stole second) scored.

Rays 1, Reds 0

Update 1:10 p.m. INF Joel Guzman, still a potential starter at third for opening day (if Aybar isn't ready), got plenty of action in the first.

Hairston led off with a bunt down the third base line. Guzman charged, barehanded it but couldn't throw out the speedy centerfielder at first. Then, two batters later, Cabrera hit a grounder to Guzman, who handled it well.

Aybar participated in this morning's workout at the Trop, and looked pretty good; he didn't seem to favor the sore left hamstring at all. Manager Joe Maddon said today Aybar will get some more work at the minor league complex, and the team will get a better feel for him making the expected opening day start.

It's kind of an odd scene this morning - lots of media and staffs scurrying around in preparation for the festivities and ceremony of the final spring training game in St. Petersburg - but no Rays as the team is working out instead at Tropicana Field to get used to the turf and background and things like that.

No roster moves this morning, but there's a chance it could be a long day, as the Rays get down to, or close, to the 25-man limit in advance of the 3 p.m. Sunday deadline. Also, 3B Willy Aybar went to the Trop for the workout, but still no indication he's ready to play in a big-league exhibition as the Rays protect the option to backdate a move to the DL if necessary.

*One other bit of news, is that ace LHP Scott Kazmir said he may throw a bullpen Sunday, with Maddon saying the lefty felt really good. If he does throw, it'll be his first work from the mound in 17 days...

The lineup for today's game:
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Hinske, rf
Gomes, dh
Navarro, c
Guzman, 3b
Bartlett, ss

Rays say goodbye, part I

Carl Crawford hits a two-run home run off Indians pitcher Cliff Lee in the third inning. [AP Photo]

Update 4:33 pm The Rays retook the lead 7-5, partly due to a Carlos Pena 2-run homer, but the Indians - in their final game at Chain of Lakes Park - tied it up with a ninth-inning rally.

But the Rays got them back in the top of the 10th, with veteran catcher Mike DiFelice hitting an RBI double to right-center. The next batter, John Rodriguez, drilled a single to rightfield for another RBI.

Rays 9, Indians 7 (FINAL)

Update 3:20 pm Balfour had his first rocky outing of the spring, leaving in the sixth after walking three straight batters (including one with the bases loaded). The past few outings, Balfour had looked as good as Maddon has ever seen him, throwing strikes and getting the ball down.

But, interestingly enough, it was Balfour's biggest competition for the bullpen spot (Scott Dohmann), who came in for him to end the threat. Dohmann got the final fly out to end the inning.

Indians 5, Rays 4 (top 7th)

Update 2:40 pm RHP Grant Balfour has come in to pitch the fifth. The hard-throwing Aussie is in the camp's closest position battle, competing with RHP Scott Dohmann for the final spot in the bullpen. Though Balfour has had the better spring, Maddon & Co. say the spring performance isn't the biggest part of their decision process.

Dohmann struggled at times last spring and turned into one of the Rays most consistent relievers last season.

Update 2:25 p.m The Rays four-run lead was short-lived. In the bottom of the fourth, the Indians loaded the bases on Sonnanstine, drawing a visit from pitching coach Jim Hickey to the mound.

The next batter, Andy Gonzalez, ripped a grand slam just inside the leftfield foul pole, tying the game at 4-4.

Rays 4, Indians 4

Update 2:18 p.m. The Rays continued to show their aggressive baserunning, forcing the issue - and manufacturing a run (and nearly two) in the fourth. B.J. Upton led off with a single. Then, on his attempted steal of second, the throw went into the outfield, allowing Upton to advance to third.

Navarro singled Upton in with a blooper over the drawn-in infield. Navarro stole second (no throw) and then advanced to third on a flyout by Guzman.

Then came arguably the play of the day so far. On a liner to shallow-left center, Indians CF Grady Sizemore showed why he's one of the best in the game, making a spectacular diving catch to rob the Rays of a run.

Rays 4, Indians 0

Update 1:54 p.m. Carl Crawford came through with two outs in the third, hitting a two-run homer to leftfield.

The Rays are up 3-0. Sonnanstine is cruising along, having given up just one hit in three innings

Update 1:19 p.m. Rays leadoff man Akinori Iwamura, who's having a solid spring at the plate, just hit a solo homer to leftfield to open Thursday's game.

It's his second leadoff homer of the spring, and gave the Rays a 1-0 lead.

RHP Andy Sonnanstine is starting today, and it began well as he struck out Grady Sizemore with a nasty breaking ball.

Rays 1, Indians 0

The Rays left early for Winter Haven for what will be the last game there, as the Indians are moving to Arizona next spring. And that's just a farewell warmup act for Friday, when the Rays and Reds play the last spring training game in St. Petersburg.
There are some issues on field, as the Rays try to finalize their 25-man roster in advance of the 3 p.m. Sunday deadline (the same time their busses leave Tropicana Field for the airport on the way to Baltimore).
And of some concern is the status of new starting 3B Willy Aybar.
Aybar has been sidelined since Saturday with a sore left hamstring, and the Rays - while being outwardly confident - are clearly considering contingencies. Aybar is scheduled to play in minor-league games today and likely again Friday rather than with the big-league team, and that makes sense for two reasons.
If all is going well, he can bat in every inning giving him a chance to make up for lost time. But if he continues to have problems with the leg, the Rays preserve the option of putting him on the 15-day disabled list backdated to March 21 (since he hasn't played in any major-league exhibitions since then), allowing him to be eligible to return April 5.
And who would be the starting third baseman on opening day? Well, based on today's lineup, how about spring sensation Elliot Johnson? Another option is Joel Guzman.
Also, Cliff Floyd will play in a minor-league game today as he tries to get extra at-bats.

The Rays are also continuing to seek another outfielder, and those trade talks should intensity in the next couple days.
The Mariners, Dodgers and Angels are among teams with extra outfielders and might be in the market for pitching help. The Rays - in the right situation - could deal one of their young starters, Edwin Jackson or Jason Hammel, who are out of options anyway and could be surplus when Scott Kazmir returns, and then bring back Jeff Niemann to start now.

Some pre-game updates from the session with Maddon

*Aybar is scheduled to get some work in a minor league game today, with head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield on hand. Aybar will lead off every other inning, but won't get any action in the field. Maddon said how Aybar does today could go a ways in whether he's still on track to start opening day, though Maddon re-iterated his belief Aybar will start on the hot corner.

Maddon also said "it's possible" Joel Guzman will get the start at third opening day (if Aybar isn't ready), though Elliot Johnson is starting at third today in Winter Haven..

Here is the Rays lineup for the Indians:
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Gomes, rf
Navarro, c
Guzman, dh
Johnson, 3b
Bartlett, ss

Indians
Sizemore, CF
Michaels, LF
Hafner, DH
Peralta, SS
Shoppach, C
Carroll, 2B
Marte, 3B
Gonzalez, 1B
Tyner, RF

Cliff Lee, P
Andy Sonnanstine is starting, and the two relievers battling for the last spot - Grant Balfour and Scott Dohmann - are both scheduled to work.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Rays-Twins from Fort Myers

Update, 3:25 Twins win 4-2, Rays manager Joe Maddon says that despite the three errors the Rays played well and Shields and Munter pitched well.

Update 2:43 Scott Munter isn't faring too well either, as the Twins have three more hits off him in the last two innings though it's still 4-1.

Update 2:22 Shields is done after four innings, having allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and two hit batters. Twins CF Carlos Gomez left the game with with cramping in his left hamstring. It's 4-1 Twins through five innings.

Update, 2:03 The Rays released plans to celebrate their final spring training game in St. Petersburg on Friday, including a free postgame barbecue for all fans, a pre-game Air Force flyover and presentation of their all-time Al Lang team. Hall of Famer Monte Irvin will sign autographs from 11-12:15, and two great nephews of Al Lang, John and Hugh Fagen, will be among the honored guests. A limited number of berm and grandstand seats remain available.

Update 1:54 Shields continues to have issues - he just hit his second batter, has allowed four hits and it's only top of the third. And CF Elliot Johnson just made two errors on the same play - mishandling a base hit, then throwing errantly past third to allow another run to score, so it's now 3-1.

Update 1:48 How's this for play of the day - Twins pitcher Livan Hernandez couldn't field Elliot Johnson's bunt, so he kicked it over to first where Justin Morneau made a glove save for the out.

Update 1:33 James Shields is lierally just getting his work in to prep for Monday's opening day start, and it hasn't gone well as he gave up three hits (and two runs, one on an error by 1B Chris Richard) in the first and a couple hard-hit balls in the second.

Update, 12:30 Manager Joe Maddon's pre-game media session yielded a few tidbits of news:

* Edwin Jackson will be the No. 4 starter, and pitch the April 4 series opener in New York, and Jason Hammel will be No. 5. Jackson has had the better spring, but Maddon said there was "no particular reason" for the decision.

* 3B Willy Aybar remains limited with a sore left hamstring but Maddon said he still thinks Aybar will be ready to go for Monday's opener in Baltimore. He said Aybar might be ready to play Thursday in Winter Haven when just about the full roster makes the trip.

* Team officials have a pretty good idea of what they want to do with their final roster - assuming there are no trades or waiver acquisitons - in all but one position, which sounds like the final bullpen spot that is being contested by Grant Balfour and Scott Dohmann. Though Maddon wouldn't say, it appears as things stand now that the bench jobs would be held by INFs Joel Guzman and Elliot Johnson, OF/INF Eric Hinske and C Shawn Riggans.

---

The Rays left early for Fort Myers for Wednesday's game with the Twins, and many of the regulars didn't go as the Rays continue to assess candidates for backup roles. Starters that are playing include are SS  Jason Bartlett, an ex-Twin; 2B Akinori Iwamura, and RF/DH Jonny Gomes.

One guy missing is 3B Willy Aybar, the expected starter for opening day. Aybar, who is nursing a sore left hamstring, isn't making the trip and won't play for the fourth straight day. Manager Joe Maddon had said Tuesday there was a chance Aybar could play today, but he was thinking about holding him out until Thursday against the Indians (and Aybar is on the travel squad to go to Winter Haven).

Elliot Johnson will get another look at centerfifeld, as he tries to make the team in the utility role. Eric Hinske - also competing for a bench job - will be in right.

RHP James Shields, the opening day starter, will get his last tuneup before Monday's opener. Also on the trip to pitch are Grant Balfour, J.P. Howell and Scott Munter.

RAYS
Iwamura 2b
Bartlett SS
Hinske RF
Gomes DH
Richard 1B
Guzman 3B
Weber LF
Riggans C
Johnson CF
Shields P

Twins
Gomez CF
Mauer C
Cuddyer RF
Morneau 1B
Young LF
Monroe DH
Lamb 3B
Harris 2B
Everett SS

Longoria sent down

Rays 3B prospect Evan Longoria was reassigned to minor-league camp after Monday's game.

The decision has been one of the most anticipated of the spring, as the Rays weighed Longoria's long-term future against his present-day performance.

Longoria said he wasn't disappointed but "a little bit let down'' and the Rays didn't tell him when he might be back.

"It's a tough thing to swallow; just go back down and keep doing what I'm doing," he said. "They didn't give me any timetable; it's really up to me."

Infielder Reid Brignac also was reassigned to minor-league camp.
 
Longoria, 22, made a strong case for himself, with a .262 average through Monday's game with 3 homers, 10 RBIs and 10 walks. But the Rays said from the start the decision will be based on more than just his performance in the games, citing intangibles and subjective topics. Plus, they've pointed out that he has had only 104 at-bats above the Double-A level.
And though the Rays say they are treating Longoria's situation independently of others, there have been comparisons made to how well Milwaukee's Ryan Braun did after starting last season in the minors while Kansas City's Alex Gordon struggled while starting the season in the majors.

Plus there are implications on Longoria's eligibility for free agency and arbitration - if he stays in the minors for even a few weeks, his eligibility for free agency would be delayed a year, until after the 2014 season; if he stays in the minors for several months, he likely would not attain early elibility for arbitration, known as Super Two status, which could save the Rays millions, or even tens of millions, over the next several years.

"It was a tough decision; it's something that was a collaborative process and we spent a lot of time thinking about it,'' Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said. "It wasn't a unanimous decision. It's one of those things I think with the way he played this year and the way he carried himself his timetable has been expedited even in our minds.''

Friedman said the Rays felt they were doing what was best for Longoria and his long-term development and that they tend to "err" on being cautious in these type of decisions. He also said the financial ramifications were "virtually irrelevant" because he expected the Rays would do a long-term deal with Longoria.

(Times photo - James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Rays and Pirates, again

Update 3:25 pm Dohmann gave up a bloop single to leftfield, which scored two runs and brought the Pirates within single digits.

WIth Balfour having pitched as good as Maddon has ever seen him during the past two outings, the pressure is on.

Rays 13, Pirates 4

Update 3:14 pm RHP Scott Dohmann, in one of camp's most competitive position battles, starts the eighth inning.

Dohmann is battling with RHP Grant Balfour for the final reliever spot, and has been neck-and-neck with the crafty Australian all spring. But Dohmann is struggling so far today, loading the bases (including a hit batter) with two outs.

Update 3:01 pm The Rays have blown it open now with a seventh-inning rally. They loaded the bases, then got what turned into a two-run fielder's choice. On a ground ball to third, Floyd was thrown out at home, but his slide threw the Pirates catcher off on his throw, which went into rightfield.

Shortstop prospect Reid Brignac then delivered a two-run homer over the rightfield wall - after the game-winning double yesterday - to give the Rays an 11-run lead.

Rays 13, Pirates 2

Update 2:40 pm Speaking of speed, Crawford just showed his wheels in the sixth. Crawford ripped a liner down the rightfield line, and turned it into a triple, scoring two runs to put the Rays up 8-2

Rays 8, Pirates 2

Update 2:37 pm The Rays extend their lead in the sixth thanks to some "small ball."

After Hinske reached base again, and Riggans got to first thanks to a botched popup, Bartlett laid down a perfect bunt toward the first base line.

It was so good, there was no play at first.

Rays 6, Pirates 2

Update 2:17 pm Carlos Pena just hit a homer that, for the most part, many in the stadium thought was a long fly ball. It just carried, and carried with the wind and went out around the scoreboard for a three-run blast.

The homer, Pena's second in as many days, scored Crawford and Aki and gave the Rays a 5-2 lead.

Rays 5, Pirates 2

Update 1:59 pm Jackson settled down after the first inning, and has now given up five hits over three innings of work.

Though he's had baserunners in each inning, he's been able to make pitches when he's needed to.

Rays 2, Pirates 2 (after four)

Update 1:32 pm Eric Hinske, a front-runner as in-house candidate for the extra outfielder/RF spot, is continuing his strong spring at the plate. The latest was a solo homer in the second, which sailed over the left-center wall.

Rays 2, Pirates 2

Update 1:22 pm The Rays got a run back in their half of the first. Aki led off with an infield single, then moved over to second when Crawford had a putout. Upton singled him in for another RBI, with Floyd grounding out to end the inning.

Pirates 2, Rays 1

Update 1:07 pm RHP Edwin Jackson got hit hard to start the first inning. Morgan led off with a sharp single, then Wilson tripled to the rightfield corner to score him. Wilson scored on a groundout by Bay.

Pirates 2, Rays 0

The Rays and Pirates will try again today under better weather conditions in the next to last spring training game at Progress Energy Park.

Not much news from manager Joe Maddon's pre-game media session except that RHP Chad Orvella and LHP Kurt Birkins both appear headed to the disabled list to start the season. Orvella has shoulder issues; Birkins irritation in his elbow.

What Maddon didn't know yet was how INF Ben Zobrist's checkup on his fractured left thumb went - which could determine if he or Elliot Johnson makes the opening day roster - and the specifics of a schedule being established for LHP Scott Kazmir.

No roster moves are expected before the game, but that doesn't mean there won't be news later.
"This whole week we'll start paring it down little by little and by the end of the week we'll be set,'' Maddon said. "You're going to see a little bit of an attrition over the course of the next couple days, people just going back to the minor-league complex. We're talking daily, we're talking constantly, i even met with (exec VP) Andrew (Friedman) last night, we're just always trying to figure this thing out. It's a steady conversation - there's little meetings interspersed within all that stuff - for right now it's basically a conversation and we'll start doing things very shortly.''

Maddon said there are "a lot of discussions" about bringing in another player from the outside, but "it's always about what everybody else wants too. If the asking price is too high then we'll just have to figure it out from what we have within and if it's a nice match then we'll do it.''

As for the lineups:

Rays
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Floyd, dh
Hinske, rf
Longoria, 3b
Navarro, c
Bartlett, ss
Edwin Jackson starts for the Rays but what could be more interesting is the ongoing battle between Grant Balfour and Scott Dohmann for the last bullpen spot.

Pirates
Morgan, cf
Wilson, ss
Bay, lf
LaRoche, DH
Doumit, c
Nady, rf
Bautista, 3b
Mientkiewicz, 1b
Rivas, 2b
Matt Morris is starting.

s

x

Rays, Reds and Easter

Update 4:28 pm The Rays take the lead back in the ninth, thanks to back-to-back doubles by C Shawn RIggans and SS Reid Brignac.

Rays 10, Reds 9

Update 4:12 pm Don't call it a comeback. The Rays got something going in the top of the eighth, with Gomes hitting his third homer of the spring to cut the lead to one. Then Elliot Johnson came through with an RBI double, scoring Bannon, who raced from first and made a nice slide under the tag at home plate.

With the lead run on third base and two outs, Evan Longoria struck out swinging to end the threat.

Rays 9, Reds 9

Update 3:58 pm The Rays six-run lead is no more.

Troy Percival just gave up a three-run homer to Valentin, with put the Reds up 9-7. The Reds, with many of their subs in, put up an impressive, seven-run rally against Percival, one of the game's top closers.

Percival had come into the game with a pretty short - and strong - spring, having 1-2-3 innings in three of his first four outings. But this time, he was a little off, and some of the Reds batters made him pay.

Reds 9, Rays 7

Update 3:47 pm Closer Troy Percival entered the game in the seventh. The veteran righthander had 1-2-3 innings in three of his first four appearances this spring.

But this outing isn't going as well. After giving up a walk, he gave up a two-run homer to Andy Phillips. Then a bloop single to right-center. Two stolen bases. Cabrera hit an RBI double to the left corner, and scored moments later on an RBI single.

Don't look now, it's 7-6. Pitching coach Jim Hickey just had a short conference at the mound with Percival, having his first struggles of the spring.

With two outs, Percival then issued a walk. There are runners on first and second with two outs.

Rays 7, Reds 6

Update 3:22 pm Garza is pulled in the sixth after another strong performance. Though he had a few more walks (and hit batters) than he wanted, he worked his way out of bases loaded jams in the fourth and fifth innings.

Garza finished giving up two run on five hits. He was replaced by RHP Scott Munter. Both teams are subbing out some of their stars, with Elliot Johnson now in center for Upton, Brignac is at short for Bartlett, and Andy Cannizaro, who has battled a sore back the past week or so, is now in at second base.

Rays 6, Reds 2

Update 2:58 pm Garza loaded the bases in the fifth as well (after a second hit by pitch). That put Ken Griffey up with two outs.

But the Rays defense came up big again, with 1b Carlos Pena snagging a sharp low liner to his left to end the threat.

Rays 6, Reds 1

Update 2:36 pm After loading the bases with nobody out, Garza got Adam Dunn to hit into a double play. The grounder put the Reds on the scoreboard, but put Garza in great position to get out of what could have been a big inning.

Rays 6, Reds 1

Update 2:31 pm After getting out of a slight jam in the third (first and second with one out), Garza is gonna have to battle again in the fourth. The Reds have put runners on first and second with nobody out (thanks to a hit by pitch). Phillips, Dunn and Encarnacion are up next.

Update 2:00 pm The Rays added another run in the second, picking up another couple walks before SS Jason Bartlett hit a sacrifice fly (scoring Upton, who had reached on a fielder's choice).

Rays 6, Reds 0

Update 1:39 pm. RHP Matt Garza was smooth sailing in the first inning, getting the Reds out 1-2-3.

Update 1:20 pm Cueto's first inning is turning into some big trouble. Having already walked three, he gave up a two-run double to INF Joel Guzman.

That made it 5-0 Rays. When Cueto fell behind 2-0 to Rays RHP Matt Garza, you could hear a heckler from behind the plate:

"Come on Johnny, it's the pitcher."

It didn't help. Garza walked on four pitches.

Rays 5, Reds 0

Update 1:15 The Rays got off to a big start off Reds prospect RHP Johnny Cueto. Aki doubled to left-center, and after Crawford walked, Carlos Pena ripped a three-run homer over the wall in left-center.

That's two opposite field hits for the Rays, something that Maddon has harped on doing all spring.

CF B.J. Upton, in the lineup for the first time since suffering a left triceps bruise last Thursday, grounded out in his first at-bat.

Rays 3, Reds 0

The Rays are going through their pre-game work at Progress Energy Park in St. Petersburg before leaving for Sarasota and though the skies are clearing, the field is too wet so they will hit in the batting cages. Most of the regulars are making the trip to play the Reds, with Cliff Floyd the only position player not going. It doesn't appear there will be any cuts this morning, which should make Monday a busy day. B.J. Upton is back in the lineup for the first time since being hit by a pitch on Thursday, and the Rays continue to explore their options with Joel Guzman starting at third and Eric Hinske in right.

While Troy Percival and Al Reyes are scheduled to work in relief, Dan Wheeler, Gary Glover and Trever Miller are throwing in a 10 a.m. game at the Rays minor-league complex in St. Petersburg.

The Rays lineup:
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Hinske, rf
Navarro, c
Bartlett, ss
Guzman, 3b
Garza, p

Rays-Pirates, by the bay

Update: Play was not resumed and the game canceled.

Under the Rays' policy for canceled games, fans may exchange tickets from Tuesday's game for a ticket of equal value to one of the two remaining spring home games (Monday or Friday), or the value can be applied to a ticket for a regular-season game at Tropicana Field. Tickets can be exchanged at the Tropicana Field box office, or at the Progress Energy Field box office (open only on exhibition game days) and by mail to:
Tampa Bay Rays
Attn: Ticket Operations
One Tropicana Drive
St. Petersburg, FL 33705

Update, 1:45 The game is delayed by rain with the Pirates leading 2-0 after two innings.

Update 1:18 RHP Jeff Niemann was optioned to Triple-A Durham, making it even more clear the final spot is between Sonnanstine and Howell.
Niemann was understandably disappointed, but took solace in knowing he made a good impression with a solid spring, going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA, with the idea that he could be back soon.
  "I think I've thrown the ball pretty well and hopefully I made a strong enough case and strong enough statement when I was out there that I'm definitely in their heads,'' Niemann said.

Update, 1:00 The Rays are going to announce their starting rotation sometime this afternoon, which reallys means it comes down to whether Andy Sonnanstine gets the fifth spot, as expected, or they give it to J.P. Howell, who is starting today. The battle for the last bullpen spot, between Grant Balfour and Scott Dohmann, could go into next week.
Manager Joe Maddon said the LHP Scott Kazmir continues to feel better, but still hasn't gotten back on the mound and there has been no date set for a return.

----

It's a slow-starting Saturday for the Rays coming off Friday's night game in Tampa, with just a light pre-game workout planned.

Neither CF B.J. Upton nor 3B Akinori Iwamura talked their way into the lineup, getting an extra day to rest their injuries. C Shawn Riggans is behind the plate, and Andy Cannizaro is back on the field at second base. The Rays appear to be looking at a few of the guys who could be under review as finals cuts are made.

The Rays lineup:
Johnson, cf
Brignac, ss
Guzman, 1b
Gomes, rf
Rodriguez, lf
Aybar, 3b
Difelice, DH
Riggans, c
Cannizaro, 2b
J.P. Howell, who seems more likely headed for a bullpen role, is starting.

For the Pirates
Morgan, cf
Jack Wilson, ss
Bay, DH
LaRoche, 1b
Nady, rf
Bautista, 3b
Paulino, c
Thompson, lf
Rivas, 2b
Duke, p

Rays and Indians, and other topics

Update 4:33 p.m The game is over, with the Rays and Indians settling for a 4-4 tie.

Manager Joe Maddon said after the game he doesn't feel B.J. Upton's left tricep injury is anything serious, but the centerfielder will still see a doctor tonight and follow up. Maddon said Iwamura, who left the game with back stiffness, will likely play Friday against the Yankees.

Update 4:04 p.m We're into extra innings now, as Barfield hit a game-tying sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth.

Rays 4, Indians 4

Update 3:24 p.m RHP Jeff Niemann pitched a scoreless seventh, stranding a runner on third when Ellliot Johnson and Reid Brignac turned a nice inning-ending double play.

In the top of the eighth, Gomes just missed a homer by seemingly a few feet. Gomes, who moved into centerfield for the late innings, ripped a pitch just wide of the leftfield foul pole. Judging by his reaction after touching first, he thought it was fair.

Rays 4, Indians 3

Update 3:17 p.m Sorry for the delay (Internet issues). The Rays got back on top in their half of the sixth, thanks to an RBI double by Joel Guzman and an RBI groundout by Bartlett.

Evan Longoria pinch hit in the seventh, but with a runner on third, he grounded out to end the inning.

Rays 4, Indians 3

Update 2:43 p.m The Indians have pulled ahead, scoring a run off reliever Scott Munter in the fifth off an RBI single by Peralta.

Indians 3, Rays 2

Update 235 p.m RHP Jason Hammel gets pulled with one out in the fifth. Overall, a pretty solid outing, with Hammel giving up two runs on four hits. The big hit, however, was a two-run homer by Martinez in the second.

RHP Scott Munter enters in relief, inheriting a runner on first base.

We'll check in with Hammel later to get his thoughts.

Rays 2, Indians 2

Update 2:17 p.m An update here on Upton. According to the Rays, Upton suffered a left tricep contusion when he was hit by a first-inning pitch. Upton has already left the stadium, and plans to get examined further by a doctor later tonight.

Also, 2B Akinori Iwamura left the game for precautionary reasons due to back stiffness. Iwamura left theh game after his second at-bat, a strikeout in the third.

Update 2:06 p.m OF Jon Weber, who's competing for the fifth outfielder spot, just came through with a solo homer in the top of the fourth.

Weber was originally not in the lineup, but inserted after B J Upton was switched to DH (due to the spongy spot in centerfield).

Rays 2, Indians 2

Update 1:48 p.m Dioner Navarro sure liked hitting in the No. 2 slot. Navarro belted a solo homer in the top of the third to bring the Rays within 2-1.

Navarro, hitting in place of Carl Crawford (who had the day off), also had a double in the first inning.

Indians 2, Rays 1

Update 1:34 p.m The Indians strike first, thanks to a two-run homer by Andy Gonzalez in the bottom of the second.

Gonzalez ripped a 2-1 pitch by RHP Jason Hammel over the rightfield fence, scoring Kelly Shoppach (who had walked).

Hammel is coming off a strong outing against the Braves, but Maddon said he's still looking for more consistency in him. "He has the stuff," Maddon said. Hammel is competing for one of the final two rotation spots (three, depending on Kazmir's availability).

Two of the other candidates, RHP Andy Sonnanstine and LHP J.P. Howell, will start the next two games. With Maddon saying the club could settle on its rotation by the end of the weekend, this could be interesting.

Indians 2, Rays 0

Update 1:04 p.m The Rays got a little bit of a scare in the top of the first. B.J. Upton, moved from CF to DH due to a huge puddle in center, got hit by a pitch from Paul Byrd. Upton appeared to get hit in the left elbow, but favored his left hand, grimacing in pain as he slowly made his way to first. Upton was walked to first by assistant trainer Paul Harker.

Upton is now being taken out of the game and being replaced at first.

We'll keep you posted.

Update 1:00 p.m. The Indians grounds crew has tried for hours to remove the water from a soggy, spongy patch in centerfield, to no avail. Manager Joe Maddon wanted CF B.J. Upton to play shallow, not in shallow water.

So here is the day's first lineup change. Upton will move to DH and Jon Weber will take his spot in centerfield and bat seventh (in place of Hector Gimenez). The Indians also scratched Grady Sizemore, erring on the side of caution.

There were five guys out in centerfield with leafblowers and squeegees of some sort, but did little damage to the puddle. Upton had a funny reaction when first catching a glimpse of the spongy turf, shaking his head and adding a few choice words. 

Some other news and notes:

*INF Ben Zobrist (broken left thumb) will get re-evaulated by doctors on Sunday, Maddon said, with the club being cautious with his activities, not wanting him to fracture the finger further.

*Backup C Shawn Riggans made the trip today and will likely catch in the bullpen. Maddon said he could be used Friday against the Yankees as fill-in duty, but would like to get him into a game on Saturday against the Pirates.

*INF Willy Aybar will make the trip Friday to Legends Field and could play, Maddon said. Aybar, the likely starter at third if Evan Longoria is sent down, has been nursing a sore left hamstring.

*RHP James Shields, the Rays opening day starter, will pitch Friday at the minor league complex, with C Dioner Navarro behind the plate.

The Rays are headed east for their game with the Indians, and word is the weather in Winter Haven will be fine. The Rays are taking a mixed crew, with Carl Crawford and Cliff Floyd among the regulars not going.

More interesting is the travel roster for the Friday night game against the Yankees in Tampa. Pretty much all the Rays are going, including OF Jonny Gomes, who certainly garnered his share of attention from Yankees fans for charging in from rightfield after Shelley Duncan's hard slide in the March 12 brawl game.

As for Scott Kazmir, he's been in the trainers' room and on the field this morning at Progress Energy Park, but hasn't done any throwing yet. And it turns out he won't throw today, meaning it will now be more than a week since he was last on the mound.

INF Ben Zobrist, recovering well from his fractured left thumb, is however, and for a few tosses was wearing his glove on his right hand, catching the ball, then taking the glove off to throw it back.

On the outfield search, ESPN's Buster Olney writes on his blog this morning that having been unsuccessful in their bid to sign free-agent OF Kenny Lofton the Rays "are also taking a look at Coco Crisp'' whom the Red Sox have been looking to trade. Olney goes on to write: "Tampa Bay is loaded with a wide range of pitching prospects, so it would seem that Boston could find a fit if it wanted to make a deal.''
Crisp's contract, however, is another matter - he is to make $4.75-million this year, $5.75-million next year and has a 2010 option of $8-million, with a $500,000 buyout, meaning the Rays would be on the hook for $11-million, which kinda seems like a lot for a platoon player.

Here is the Rays lineup for Thursday's game:

Iwamura, 2b
Navarro, c
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Hinske, lf
Gomes, rf
Gimenez, dh
Guzman, 3b
Bartlett, ss

Of Lofton and Longoria

According to Jayson Stark of ESPN, "the Rays are believed to have made an offer to free agent Kenny Lofton in the last 48 hours, but apparently got shot down.'' Stark mentions the non-roster options of Eric Hinske and Jon Weber and also suggests - as we reported Sunday - "that they could make run at someone like Cleveland's David Dellucci.''

Interesting scene in the Rays clubhouse well after Wednesday's game, when top prospect Evan Longoria unexpectedly returned after 20 minutes after he left.
Longoria sat impatiently at a table, and gave off all kinds of body language that he didn't want to be there.
Had he been called back because the Rays had decided to send him to the minors? Executive VP Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon were meeting at the time in Maddon's office, so the theory had some legs.
But only until teammate Reid Brignac emerged from the trainers' room.
Longoria's car had died, and he and Brignac live in the same St. Pete apartment complex, so Longoria was simply waiting - for what must have seemed like an hour - for a ride. And he'll be on the bus Thursday to Winter Haven.

Rays-Phils, again

Evan Longoria, right, is congratulated by Joe Maddon, left, in the three run sixth inning. [James Borchuck, Times]

Update 4:57 Rays win 3-1, matching their spring record with 14 wins.

Update 3:00 Another single by Jason Bartlett off reliever JC Romero made it 3-1, and they go now to the 7th. Troy Percival worked another 1-2-3 inning.

Update 2:53 Talk about r-e-s-p-e-c-t, 3B prospect Evan Longoria was just intentionally walked by Jamie Moyer to load the bases and bring Mike Difelice to the plate. Difelice made them pay with a single to center, though Eric Hinske was thrown out at the plate. Rays lead 2-1.

Update 2:49 Rays just tied it in the sixth when B.J. Upton led off with a double and Cliff Floyd followed with a single.

Update 2:34 Jackson is struggling a bit in the sixth, allowing two on with two out. With a single, a walk and a hit batter, th ebases are now loaded, and manager Joe Maddon just brought in Al Reyes.

Update 2:24 Phils lead 1-0 going to the sixth, and Jackson came out to start another inning.

pdate 2:14 Jackson just gave up his second hit, and it led to a Phillies run with two outs in the fifth.

Update 2:09 And there goes the no-hiter, as Geoff Jenkins singles to lead off the fifth.

Update 2:06 Heading to the fifth with no score. Jacksononly baserunner so far was a hit batter in the fourth.

Update 1:53 Rays had the bases loaded with no outs in the third, but Phils starter Jamie Moyer did what Jamie Moyer does - wriggle out of trouble. B.J. Upton struck out, and Cliff Floyd bounced into a double-play.

Update, 1:38 Jackson has been dominating, retiring his first nine, three by strikeouts. Some major winds blowing in from the outfield have helped both pitchers.

Update 1:16 Jackson had a 1-2-3 first inning; the Rays threatened when Carl Crawford doubled down the rightfield line (in the regular season it would have been one of his trademark triples), but B.J. Upton struck out against Jamie Moyer and Cliff Floyd popped up.

Update, 1:05 Edwin Jackson threw the first pitch as the Rays are wearing their new home white regular-season uniforms for the first time.

Update, 12:40 Well, there is some clarity on the status of Scott Kazmir and "catch-gate." Kazmir said he did play catch for about 5 minutes both Tuesday and today, though acknowledged it wasn't a "formal" throwing session. "We went on the back field and just threw a little bit,'' he said. So he was throwing, and reiterated that he felt fine. "This is nothing new,'' he said. "I'm good, I'm fine, I'm wonderful.''
Kazmir said he also did the aforementioned sock drill.
And he said they "hadn't decided for sure" but he was planning on a bullpen session Thursday morning. "We're kinda just playing it by ear,'' Kazmir said.

------

The Rays and Phillies are ready for the second half of their home and home series, and most of the pre-game talk was again about injuries.

Most important is the status of ace LHP Scott Kazmir, who will be limited again today to inside work with head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield, doing exercises and the "sock drill" - where Kazmir lightly throws a ball inside a sock. His status seems a bit murky - Kazmir said he played "a little bit" of catch on Tuesday, Maddon said he didn't throw at all. Kazmir said he is planning to throw a bullpen session on Thursday, Maddon didn't sound nearly as optimistic.

As for the others, 3B Willy Aybar will likely be sidelined through the weekend due to "soreness and tightness" in his left hamstring, which could further complicate things there. Maddon said, by the way, that no decision has been made yet on prospect Evan Longoria.

C Shawn Riggans said his bruised left hand was still sore and puffy but he hoped to swing  a bat for the first time today and possibly get into a game on Thursday or Friday.

As for the lineups:
Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Upton CF
Floyd DH
Gomes RF
Hinske 1b
Longoria 3b
DiFelice C
Bartlett SS
Edwin Jackson will start for the Rays, with Troy Percival, Grant Balfour, Scott Dohmann and Scott Munter also available.

PHILLIES
Bruntlett CF
Werth DH
Snelling LF
Howard 1B
Jenkins RF
Felix 3b
Smith 2b
Ruiz C
Olmedo SS
P - LHP Jamie Moyer

Rays-Tigers by the bay

Update 4:23 Rays win 7-2. That makes it 13 wins, one shy of their record for any spring.

Update 3:48 Rays extend lead to 7-2 against former teammate Bobby Seay.

Update 3:41 The attendance was 6,755 - a record for a Rays game at this stadium.

Update 3:35 Rays lead 5-2 in the eighth. C Mike Difelice made a big play when he got run into at the plate by Detroit's Edgar Renteria and hung on to the ball.

Update 2:34 Shields worked impressively into the fifth, and Grant Balfour finished. Rays are up 3-0 and coming up in the bottom of the fifth.

Update 2:14 The Rays scored 3 in the third, and could have had more as Carlos Pena and B.J. Upton both hit sac flies deep to centerfield. Willis is done after three; Shields has allowed only one hit a first inning single, but three walks and a hit batter.

Update 1:51 Both Dontrelle Willis and James Shields are pitching well, and it's 0-0 in the bottom of the third.

Update 1:28 The game sold out, and there's a heavy Tigers presence in the crowd. It's 0-0 in the second.

Update 1:10 The game got started in interesting fashion, with Rays starter James Shields hitting Tigers leadoff man Curtis Granderson with his second pitch. Shields got out of the inning without giving up a run.

All the injury updates - see previous blog entry about Scott Kazmir likely headed to the DL - occupied much of the pre-game talk. Here are the lineups:

Rays
Iwamura, 2b
Bartlett, ss
Pena, 1b
Upton, cf
Gomes, rf
Longoria, 3b
Hinske, dh
Guzman, lf
Difelice, c
James Shields, the Rays likely opening day starter, is on the mound, with Troy Percival among those also scheduled to pitch.

Tigers
Granderson, cf
Polanco, 2b
Sheffield, dh
Thames, 1b
Jones, lf
Renteria, ss
Inge, 3b
Raburn, rf
St. Pierre, c
Dontrelle Willis is starting, with ex-Ray Bobby Seay also scheduled to pitch.

Gomes to appeal, Cabrera too

Update, 12:53 Yankees OF Melky Cabrera said he would appeal his 3-game suspension and continued to deny he punched Rays prospect Evan Longoria in the back of the head during Wednesday's melee. "I didn't hit nobody,'' Cabrera said. "I don't see why I'm suspended.'' Yankees 1B Shelley Duncan said he had not decided yet whether to appeal his 3-game suspension.

----

Rays OF Jonny Gomes didn't need much time to decide to appeal his two-game suspension and $2,000 fine for his role in Wednesday's melee with the Yankees.
Gomes said Saturday morning he would appeal, in hopes of getting the suspension reduced to one game or even dropped and just have to pay the fine.
"We're going to try,'' Gomes said. "There's no risk. We threw the red flag.''
Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said Friday any appeal would be based on the premise that Gomes was not trying to injure Shelley Duncan when he charged in from rightfield but was just defending teammate Akinori Iwamura after the rough slide at second.
"I don't think Jonny's intent was to hurt Duncan, and I think that's important in this,'' Friedman said. "That's something if we do go to a heaing, that's something we'll talk about.''
Duncan and Melky Cabrera also can appeal their three-game suspensions.

Rays-Braves from Disney

Update 4:26 pm: With the tying run at third, Rays SS Reid Brignac helped turn a game-ending double play

Rays win 11-10

Update 4:13 pm Looks like the Rays patience is getting tested.

It's late in a spring squad game, which means there are a lot of minor leaguers out there. But still, of the last 12 Rays batters, four have been hit by a pitch. Four.

The latest was C Shawn RIggans, who took one seemingly right below his face. He hit the ground, quickly getting back up, but was attended to by Rays coaches and training staff. He walked off fine, likely taking the rest of the afternoon off.

The Rays get the last laugh, with them now taking a 11-10 ninth-inning lead.

Rays 11, Braves 10

Update 4:00 pm Just when you thought the game was going quickly......The Braves have now tied it up on a grand slam by catcher Corky Miller.

Medlock struggled, having control issues as he walked in a run after loading the bases. Pitching coach Jim Hickey came to the mound, likely to tell Medlock to throw strikes.

A few moments later, Miller blasted a Medlock strike over the leftfield wall.

Right now, there's some action in the Rays bullpen. With Hammel, Birkins, and Dohmann all done, the Rays have to dip into their three emergency pitchers brought from minor league camp.

Rays 10, Braves 10

Update 3:46 pm LHP Kurt Birkins' performance lasted less than an inning. With one out and runners on first and second, Birkins was pulled after a trainer and pitching coach Jim Hickey came to the mound to check on him.

Medlock is in to pitch. We'll bring you updates on Birkins status as soon as we get it.

Rays 10, Braves 3

Update 3:35 pm We have (drumroll please!) another play the plate.

The Rays put up some more insurance runs in the eighth, including some small ball (infield RBI single by Riggans and Johnson RBI bunt single).

But some real action came when Riggans was heading for home on a single. When the Braves CF (Hernandez) made a strong throw home, it beat Riggans by several steps but pulled the Braves catcher slightly to the left of the baseline.

Riggans, ever so elusive, maneuevered to the left of the Braves catcher, avoiding a collision but tagging the plate with his right hand. SAFE.

Rays 10, Braves 3

Update 3:06 pm The Braves have started a rally against Rays reliever Scott Dohmann. with SS Martin Prado delivering an RBI double in the seventh. Now, there's runners on second and third with nobody out.

Blanco hit a single in two runs to make it 5-3.

Hammel had a great outing, going head to head with John Smoltz and throwing five scoreless innings, which he admitted was "night-and-day" from his last start (giving up nine runs to the Indians).

Rays 5, Braves 3

Update 2:14 pm Talk about sooooo close. Braves leftfielder Josh Anderson nearly came up with two spectacular catches in the fifth inning.

But both balls bounced off his glove - and led to two more Rays runs.

The first came on a Jon Weber foul ball near the Rays bullpen. Anderson raced full speed, appeared to catch the ball as he flipped over the wall and into the pen. Anderson drew an ovation, but the ball bounced out. Then, after Weber reached base on an error, Carlos Pena hit a Smoltz pitch toward the berm in leftfield. Anderson timed his jump perfectly at the wall, leaped over the fence and watched the ball bounce out of the center of his glove.

As he fell down on his back on the warning track, he slapped his glove in frustration.

Rays 5, Braves 0

Smoltz was pulled after Pena's 2-run blast, going four and two-thirds, giving up four hits and five runs (3 earned), striking out four.

Update 2:08 pm Brignac is having a great game. The Rays shortstop of the future has come through with a two-run dobule in the top of the fifth, scoring both Longoria and John Rodriguez (each of whom walked off Smoltz..

Then, after a Jason Hammel sacrifice bunt, Elliot Johnson added a sacrifice fly to score Brignac from third.

Rays 3, Braves 0

Update 1:33 pm A couple great defensive plays by the Rays in the second. First, SS Reid Brignac charged a slow chopper by Martin Prado, scooped it up and gunned him out at first. Brignac also had an over-the-shoulder catch Friday which drew raves from Manager Joe Maddon, who feels that Brignac is starting to develop that major league type self confidence.

Then, another young guy who has impressed with hustle, 2B Elliot Johnson. Johnson chased a popup from Brent Lillibridge near the tarp by the Braves dugout and caught it to end the inning, tossing the ball behind his back to fans in the stands.

Rays 0, Braves 0

Update 1:20 pm There's a packed house here in Disney for the Rays-Braves split-squad game.

Though the Rays don't have many regulars here (most are at the Yankees split squad game), they get to face some of the Braves best. That includes RHP John Smoltz, a fan favorite in Atlanta (and one of RHP Dan Wheeler's favorites, too)

Smoltz made quick work of the Rays in the first, striking out two.

Rays RHP Jason Hammel got the first two outs, then gave up a walk and single to Mark Teixeira to put a runner in scoring position. Hammel then got Brian McCann to fly out to right to end the threat.

Hammel, one of the candidates for the final two rotation spots, is coming off a rocky start vs Cleveland, when he gave up nine runs.

Rays 0, Braves 0

There isn't nearly the drama surrounding this matchup, though Rays officials do get a chance to talk with the Disney people about the plans for the three regular-season games they'll play there April 22-24.
Otherwise, the highlight could be seeing Rays pitcher Jason Hammel have to bat against Braves ace John Smoltz, who is making his first spring start.
The Rays lineup:
Johnson, 2b
Weber, cf
Pena, 1b
Gomes, rf
Navarro, c
Longoria, 3b
(John) Rodriguez, lf
Brignac, ss
Hammel, p
Also on the trip to pitch are Kurt Birkins, Scott Dohmann and Calvin Medlock.

Rays-Yankees from Tampa, with more Hank

Final, Rays win 7-2.

Update, 3:49 Scott Munter is on to work the eighth with the Rays leading 6-2.

Update 3:35 Amid massive substitutions on both sides - involving a lot of guys you've never heard of since both teams are playing split squads - the Rays have extended their lead to 6-1 in the seventh, including a home run by catcher Hector Gimenez.

Update 2:40  Duncan hit again without incident, grounding out to end the fourth. Before Duncan hit, Alex Rodriguez made something of a statement of his own, realizing he was going to out by a lot and stopping well short of the plate and getting tagged out by Josh Paul. Just the way, we assume, Yankees manager Joe Girardi likes it.

Update, 2:34 Rays extended their lead to 3-1 as Eric Hinske started the rally with another hit to open the fourth.

Update 1:58 Shelley Duncan's first at-bat passed without incident. Jeff Niemann threw a fastball away and a slider, then Duncan hit a sharp grounder off 3B Willy Aybar's glove to reach first. Duncan gets as far as second on a single by Wilson Betimet but that's about it. The Yanks did score one on a double by Alex Rodriguez and a sac fly by Jorge Posada.

Update, 1:49 Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg responded on the comments below from Yankees boss Hank Steinbrenner, who suggested that since the Yankees help support the Rays through revenue-sharing, the Rays shouldn't play so rough against them.

Said Sternberg, via email: "Off the field, we are partners in trying to strengthen and grow the game of baseball. On the field, we expect our teams will compete with energy and passion, and none of us - whether as an owner, a player or a fan - would want it any other way.''

Update 1:40 Eric Hinske, trying to further his chances for a reserve spot, just homered to lead off the second. One out later, Chris Richard went deep also, making it 2-0 Rays.

Update 1:33 The YES network scouting report on 6-foot-9 Rays starter Jeff Niemann included this line, "Large one."

Update, 1:19 The game started without incident, as Akinori Iwamura grounded out to 1B Shelley Duncan, and there was not even eye contact. Rays have two on after a Jason Bartlett single and Cliff Floyd walk, but Willy Aybar lined out.

The intrigue started early Saturday, as the Yankees first called the Rays to tell them they wouldn't be able to take batting pratrice on the field at Legends Field because it was supposedly too wet. So with plans to leave at 9:30 they Rays will instead have to hit in the batting cages in Tampa.

Then the Yankees sent word that they had changed their pitching plans, switching from lefty Kei Igawa to righthander Ian Kennedy. It's not totally unusual for teams to make a switch, but they often go to a pitcher who throws from the same side as the scheduled starter as a courtesy. And it turns out the Yankees are only pushing Igawa back a few innings. Apparently it was something to do with their minor-league fields being wet.
But the highlight of the morning has to be the quotes in the New York Post from New Yankees boss Hank Steinbrenner, who essentially said that since the Yankees help support the Rays through revenue-sharing, the Rays shouldn't play so rough against them.
Seriously.
"I don't want these teams in general to forget who subsidizes a lot of them, and it's the Yankees, the Red Sox, Dodgers, Mets," he said. "I would prefer if teams want to target the Yankees that they at least start giving some of that revenue sharing and luxury tax money back. From an owners point of view, that's my point.
"Nobody likes the brawl-type garbage, it doesn't belong in sports. And I don't want to see anyone injured in a brawl."

As for the Rays lineup, it looks like this:
Iwamura, 2b
Bartlett, ss
Upton, cf
Floyd, dh
Aybar, 3b
Hinske, rf
Guzman, lf
Richard, 1b
Paul, c
Jeff Niemann will start, with Dan Wheeler, Gary Glover, Scott Munter and Andy Sonnanstine scheduled to pitch as well.

Hank Steinbrenner: It's over with Rays

New Yankees boss Hank Steinbrenner says in this New York Times piece he backs the way first-year manager Joe Girardi has handled the controversy with the Rays but also considers it to be over:

"The Yankees are my team, but the Rays are in my hometown, and hopefully it won’t become a problem,” he said. “I saw the replay of the play at the plate where our catcher got hurt, and that guy just lowered his shoulder and hit him — that wasn’t a normal collision at the plate. But now it should be done with, that’s all. They got in their shot and we got in our shot, and it’s over as far as I’m concerned.”

Steinbrenner also said: “Hopefully, everything dies down with the Rays. But nobody likes the Yankees anyway, and you just can’t continue to allow other teams to take advantage, and Joe’s certainly going to see to that. He’s got his players’ back, and I’ve got his back.”

Duncan, Cabrera get 3 games; Gomes 2

Update, 4:32 Manager Joe Maddon said the penalties assessed were too close in length given what the Yankees players did compared to what Jonny Gomes did. "That does not make any sense to me whatsoever,'' Maddon said. "What Jon did was reaction to what they had done, and we did not start a thing. I've addressed that point already - they perpetrated the entire situation. And then to have the punishment doled out almost on a similar basis, to me is unjust and it's not right. I'm sure we're going to appeal the situation and see what we can do, but that's the only part about it I'm disappointed in.''

------------

The discipline from Wednesday's incident with the Yankees look like this:
New York's Shelley Duncan and Melky Cabrera will be suspended three regular-season games and fined, and Rays OF Jonny Gomes suspended two games and fined $2,000. Yankees manager Joe Girardi and coaches Bobby Meacham and Kevin Long were also fined undisclosed amounts.

Duncan, who started the incident with a high and hard slide into second baseman Akinori Iwamura, was disciplined for for "his violent and reckless actions." Cabrera was disciplined for punching Rays 3B prospect Evan Longoria from behind during the benches-clearing melee, which MLB deemed a "violent and aggressive" action. Gomes, who charged at Duncan from rightfield after the slide, was disciplined for his "violent" actions. All suspensions are scheduled to start March 31 but can be appealed and are held in abeyance until a hearing is held.

The Rays didn't seem particularly pleased that the two Yankees only got suspended for one more game than Gomes.

"I don't necessarily think that the actions were equitable to have a suspension be that close,'' Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said, "but it's also not my place to opine on that.''

Gomes said he thought Duncan would get a longer suspension "due to maybe sending a message that there's not room for slides like that in the game,'' but said he had "no problem" with the decision. "But I'm not happy or sad, I don't really care how many games he gets.''

Gomes also said he thought the intent of what Duncan and Cabrera did would be a factor. "Those guys are trying to inflict injuries, those guys are trying to inflict pain, and I don't know how much room there is for that in this game,'' Gomes said. "There's the old "we hit you, you hit us" type of deal, but it's different with spikes high and punches being thrown.''

He also said: "I think they were two totally different acts of what happened. No matter what Shelley wants to say, I think the bottom line is what he did really could have hurt Aki. Whether he was trying to lodge the ball out or not, I don't know. But Aki does have a cut on his leg and he could have really injured Aki. I just went in for an old-fashioned forearm shimmy and I grabbed the guy. Whether I did it or a guy smaller than me did what I did, Duncan wasn't going to get hurt. I was just sending a message.  So one day difference, like I said it's out of my hands, but whatever.''

The Times reported Friday about the Cabrera incident, and that the Rays said there was video evidence even though Cabrera denied being involved. Friedman said he had heard about it but hadn't seen the video yet, but if MLB saw it that way then he was pleased with the decision: "I don't think there's a place for that in one of those incidents at all.''

Friedman said the Rays "stand behind" Gomes and would soon meet to discuss whether he would appeal.

Gomes said he "wouldn't take back what he did" and got considerable positive feedback from other major-leaguers and was happy to send out a message that the Rays had each others' backs.

Players are suspended with pay and can not be replaced on the roster.

Though the Rays made a decision to not have Gomes play against the Yankees on Saturday in Tampa, instead sending him to a split-squad game at Disney, the Yankees will play Duncan against the Rays. (The Yankees also have a split-squad game in Lakeland.)

“I’m trying to move on,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “Shelley’s play was aggressive. I don’t think he was trying to hurt anybody. Other people may see it another way. He’s going to have to play against the Devil Rays one day.”

Rays manager Joe Maddon said: "There's no reason to send Jon out over there right now, I think it's the wrong thing to do based on the recent events. He'll get his chance to play against them but for right now until this thing settles down I thought it was the appropriate thing to do.''

Gomes said he had "no problem" going to the Disney game "to let things simmer down" and he hopes the teams can put this behind them.

On Thursday, the Rays said they felt Duncan deserved to be suspended but hoped Gomes would receive a lesser punishment.

Duncan was ejected immediately from Wednesday's game after sliding into second hard and spike-high, leaving Rays 2B Akinori Iwamura with a 3-4'' cut on the inside of his right leg. Gomes then raced in from rightfield to come to Iwamura's defense and charged Duncan, sparking a benches-clearing melee. Gomes was ejected, as were Yankees coaches Bobby Meacham and Kevin Long. During that scrum, the Rays say Yankees OF Melky Cabrera punched Rays 3B prospect Evan Longoria in the back of the head.

At the time, Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Duncan's slide: "What you saw today was the definition of a dirty play. There's no room for that in our game. It's contemptible, it's wrong, it's borderline criminal. And I cannot believe they did that."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi has declined to charecterize the play but said he believes Duncan that there was no malicious intent. After the teams had an incident last Saturday in Tampa, Duncan had made some veiled threats of retribution.

The Rays say they hope there are no further incidents, but with the teams playing again Saturday in Tampa, are taking some preventive action, by putting Gomes instead on the split-squad team playing the Braves at Disney rather than against the Yankees.

"

Rays set for Friday - and (more interestingly) Saturday

Update 4:32 pm With a five-run eighth-inning rally - some against the Jays tough righty Jeremy Accardo, no less - the Rays came from behind to beat Toronto, 8-4.

A key part of the comeback was a two-run homer by touted prospect Evan Longoria. Longoria, who came in as a pinch-hitter, ripped a Accardo pitch over the right-centerfield wall. Then, to end the game, he snatched up a hard grounder to his right before throwing Marco Scutaro out at first.

Rays 8, Jays 4 (final)

Update 3:22 pm The Rays are still down 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh. Not a ton of action going on. Toronto LHP Scott Downs took over for Litsch, who threw six strong innings and got a nice ovation when he left the game.

Update 2:57 pm RHP Al Reyes has taken over for Jackson. In the sixth, the Jays had a runner on second with one out but SS Reid Brignac made a heck of a play to potentially save a run. On a blooper into shallow left-center, Brignac raced back about 20 yards before making an over the shoulder grab. He spun and nearly doubled off a Jay at second too.

Jays 4, Rays 3

Update 2:36 pm OF John Rodriguez came through with an RBI single in the fourth, scoring Eric Hinske (who had doubled). Rodriguez is getting a strong look from the Rays brass as a potential fifth outfielder, competing with likely Jon Weber.

Weber has had a great last few days, tallying the game-winning hit Wednesday vs the Yankees and hitting a homer Thursday (along with a great throw from leftfield). Now, Rodriguez showed a little something with a clutch hit.

Jays 4, Rays 3

Update 2:28 pm Local product Jesse Litsch, a former Dixie Hollins standout and Rays bat boy, has performed well so far. The righthander is now in his fourth inning, having only given up two runs (on two RBI groundouts).

Jays 4, Rays 2

Update 2:08 pm Jackson's day isn't getting any easier. After he walked Rolen in the top of the third, Rios slammed a two-run homer over the wall in left-center.

Jays 4, Rays 2

Update 2:00 pm The Rays tied the game at 2-2 in their half of the second, loading the bases on singles by Floyd and Navarro (and a walk by Hinske) before John Rodriguez and Reid Brignac had RBI groundouts.

Rays 2, Blue Jays 2

Update 1:40 pm We had a rain-delayed start here at Al Lang Field, but the Rays and Blue Jays began their matchup at 1:25 p.m. with the clouds clearing overhead.

The Blue Jays got an early jump on Rays RHP Edwin Jackson, scoring two runs in the top of the second inning. Jackson, who is competing for one of the final two rotation spots, is coming off a rough outing on Sunday, when he gave up six runs in an inning.

Jays 2, Rays 0

The Rays are preparing to play the Jays on Friday at Progress Energy Park, hoping to beat the rain, but it's their plans for Saturday that are most interesting.
Given the recent controversies with the Yankees, Rays manager Joe Maddon changed plans and will now be in Tampa on Saturday for the split-squad game with the Yankees, sending bench coach Dave Martinez with the other squad going to Disney to play the Braves.
The assignment of players is even more interesting.
Among the players NOT going to Tampa are INF Elliot Johnson, whose collision with a Yankees catcher on March 8 started the exchange; OF Jonny Gomes, who charged after Shelley Duncan as part of Wednesday's festivities; and 3B prospect Evan Longoria, who the Rays say was punched in the head by Yankees OF Melky Cabrera during the brawl.
Among those who ARE going to Tampa: 2B Akinori Iwamura, who was spiked by Duncan on Wednesday; OFs Carl Crawford, Cliff Floyd, B.J. Upton; SS Jason Bartlett and INFs Eric Hinske and Joel Guzman.
Maddon acknowledged that he changed his plans based on the recent events: "I was going to do the managerial tough guy thing by taking the long bus ride, but based on the situation I had to change it. This is all me. You just look at it, and I just can't not be there for that particular game. From our side we're just going to go play baseball, that's it. But I really felt that I needed to be there.''

Maddon said the player assignments were done in advance, but he acknowledged that he did move Gomes from the Tampa squad to the Disney group for a reason. "There's no reason to send Jon out over there right now, I think it's the wrong thing to do based on the recent events,'' Maddon said. "He'll get his chance to play against them but for right now until this thing settles down I thought it was the appropriate thing to do.''

The Friday lineup:
Johnson, 2b
Crawford, lf
Aybar, 3b
Floyd, dh
Hinske, 1b
Navarro, c
(John) Rodriguez, rf
Reid Brignac, ss
Weber, cf
Edwin Jackson is starting for the Rays, with Kurt Birkins, Trever Miller, Al Reyes, Grant Balfour, Calvin Medlock and Scott Munter also on the card.
Jesse Litsch, the Pinellas Park product and former Rays batboy, will start for Toronto.
The rest of the Toronto lineup:
Eckstein, 2b
Rolen, 3b
Rios, rf
Wells, cf
Stairs, dh
Stewart, lf
Overbay, 1b
Hill, 2b
Barajas, c

Maddon: MLB will do right thing (suspend Duncan, not Gomes)

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he has "full faith" Major League Baseball will make the right decisions on disciplinary action from Wednesday's incidents - which you can read as a suspension for New York's Shelley Duncan and not for Tampa Bay's Jonny Gomes.

"I will let MLB do their job. Somebody asked me if I thought it was a suspendable offense and I said yes, but I'm going to stay out of that,'' Maddon said. "It's up to MLB to create the sanctions they deem necessary at this point and I have full faith they will come down with the proper decision. ...

"I think if you look at the whole situation appropriately I don't think what Jon did was wrong. I think what Jon did was right. And I would really challenge anybody on any level, whether it's professional sports or it's your buddy, what you would do under those same set of circumstances. I think that's in-bred in the American people, it's in-bred within our nature. You're going to fight for your buddy under those circumstances. Especially when it was so blatantly wrong what was done against him.''

Maddon also said he felt just as strongly about Duncan's actions on Thursday as he did when they happened Wednesday, no matter what the Yankees say or think about it:
"I stand by what we said. I stand by our interpretation of the play. I will not back down for a minute. I know we are right in this regard, so it's up to them to, whether spin it the way they would like to spin it, that is entirely up to them. Everybody that saw it knows what happened. It's indisputable what happened. So bring on the spin doctors.''

Rays, Sox play to 3-3 tie, Duncan still sees no wrong

Matt Garza of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Red Sox at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers. [Amanda Inscore, special to the Times]

Update 4:45 Took a while, but the game ended in a 3-3 tie. Mitch Talbot gave up a 9th-inning homer to Brandon Moss, and the teams traded runs in the 10th and agreed to end it there. The Rays scored in the 10th when Elliot Johnson - continuing to make an impression - walked, went to third on Eric Hinske's single and scored on Chris Richard's sac fly - and, no, there was no collision at the plate. The Sox evened it up off Kurt Birkins, who hit Joe Thurston to start the inning then gave up a double.

Update 3:34 Rays 2-1 in ninth.

Update 3:22 Two interesting pitching notes from the clubhouse - Garza said some slight mechanical adjustments he made with pitching coach Jim Hickey paid off in a big way, and Howell was used in relief by design as the Rays apparently are considering him for the long man role. Also, Elliot Johnson is in the game at shortstop as the Rays continue to explore options for the backup spot with Ben Zobrist injured. The advantage Johnson has over the more experience Andy Cannizaro is that he is on the 40-man roster to the Rays wouldn't have to burn a spot to add Cannizaro for the short time (maybe 10 days) Zobrist is likely to miss.

Update 3:19 The Sox took advantage of the error to tie the game at 1-1 in the seventh, but the Rays went back ahead in the top of the eighth when Jon Weber reached on an error, moved up when Elliot Johnson came up big again with a double and, after Eric Hinske walked, scored on Guzman's double-play grounder. Mitch Talbot is pitching for the Rays in the bottom of the eighth.

Update 2:58 Rays still lead 1-0 in the seventh as LHP J.P. Howell works. Joel Guzman, who the Rays are hoping can handle some outfield work, dropped a fly ball.

Update 2:21 Garza came out to pitch the fifth, and continues to look good. He just left with 2 outs in the fifth, having allowed four hits for the day. Garza threw 71 pitches (47 strikes) in his best outing of the spring, striking out two and walking one.

Update 2:03 Garza worked four strong innings, allowing a third-inning single by Alex Cora, then a fourth inning double by Manny Ramirez and a single by Mike Lowell. Weber impressed again with a strong throw from the LF corner to second, though Ramirez nimbly - that's two words you don't often see together - got around Iwamura's tag. And the inning ended when CF B.J. Upton threw home and Ramirez opted not to run over C Dioner Navarro or slide and was tagged out. Rays still lead 1-0.

Update 1:41 Jon Weber continues to take advantage of his opportunity to fill the open outfield spot  by homering in the second to put the Rays up 1-0. Matt Garza has looked sharp for his first two innings and is ready for a third.

Update, 1:13: The Sox released veteran C Doug Mirabelli, which is good news for Tampa's Kevin Cash, who now is in position to take over as the personal catcher for knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Also, the Sox reassigned former Rays reliever Jon Switzter to minor-league camp. The Rays loaded the bases in the first against Colon but didn't score. 

Update, 12:46: Sox just scratched C Doug Mirabelli and said Dusty Brown would catch.

As the Rays and Red Sox are getting ready to get started on a beautiful day in Fort Myers in their only meeting of the spring, Yankees INF Shelley Duncan maintains he still didn't do anything wrong with his slide into Akinori Iwamura on Wednesday, saying "I still don't understand" why the Rays were as upset as they were.

As if the Red Sox don't do well enough in Boston, there is quite the scene at City of Palms Park, where every game is sold out, and fans stand in long lines to buy even more Red Sox gear. And on top of that, they charge $7 for visiting media to park. (Yes, boss, I have a receipt.)

There has been no word key from MLB on the incidents from Wednesday's game beyond the standard comment that it was "under review.'' Rays manager Joe Maddon basically stuck to his position from Wednesday, that what the Yankees Shelley Duncan did was wrong, and that what Jonny Gomes did to protect Akinori Iwamura was not so wrong.

In Tampa this morning, Duncan continued to maintain innocence. "I saw it a couple times," Duncan said Thursday. "I still don't understand why they were as upset as they were."

Also, he said: "The words that come from another team don't affect me. It doesn't bother me. They won't change how I play the game. I'll continue to play the game as hard as I can. What matters to me the most is the respect of my coaching staff and my teammates."

Iwamura said he had a 3-4'' cut on the inside of his right leg, but didn't need stitches and was fine to play today.

The Rays got good news on LHP Scott Kazmir this morning as he looked good in a batting practice session, but don't know as of now on LHP Brian Anderson, who was to undergo an MRI after feeling something come loose in his left elbow during Wednesday's game.

Here are the lineups, and Boston's is rather loaded:
Rays
Iwamura 2b
Bartlett SS
Pena 1B
Upton CF
Gomes DH
Rodriguez RF
Longoria 3B
Navarro C
Weber LF
Matt Garza is the starter, with J.P. Howell and Mitch Talbot also scheduled for work.

Red Sox