Racking up 4400 FF miles Rays @ Beat everyone but the crappy Cubs Marlins 5/20-5/22

[Tobywan]

Probables

Sonnanstine VS Sanchez

Price VS Vasquez

Shields VS Johnson


Rays just split 2 short series with the Yankees and Blue Jays their AL East rivals, now they head to southern FL to face their state “rivals” in the Citrus Series.

Sonnanstine has been a shell of his starter self from the past, but he has always enjoyed the series when he gets to hit so maybe he it will get him up to pitch a bit better.

The Marlins just got beaten again by the Cubs, had a two game set earlier with the Mets won on Mon. but Tues. game was PPD.

Sanchez last outing was strong against the Nats.

The Rays DFA’d Dan Johnson and called up Justin Ruggiano. Haven’t seen a line up yet, but am guessing a desire to rest a banged up Sam Fuld means Rug will be in LF tonight. He’s been having another awesome year at Durham.

P Ron Delany was sent to Durham to make room for JP Howell who has been out almost 2 years.

[Tobywan]

Rug didn’t start, kinda had a blonde moment and forgot we don’t get a DH for this series so JD was in left. Ruggiano came in the game to replace BJ in CF in the 3rd, basically the word is Upton had tightness in his butt or in the muscle there anyway. Rug went 0 for 2 with a walk.

Joyce hadn’t hit a triple yet this year and got two last night.

Howell pitched an inning and recorded a SO.
He changed his number from 39 to 74 in honor of a mentor from his home in San Francisco who passed away on Mother’s Day.

With the loss last night by the Yanks against the Mets, the Rays stay a game ahead, Sawx won so they are now a half game back. Props to the them for coming back from the bowels of the AL East, not that it was that deep with only 5 games separating 1st from 5th.





Today’s match up Price and Vasquez….Price didn’t go to Toronto in order to have an extra pitching session outside to help him in dealing with the heat. He hasn’t had much experience against the Marlins. Vasquez last faced the Rays as a Yankee when he gave up 8 hits and 8 runs including 2 homers.

I am one of those in the minority that likes the Interleague play, however the Rays are the second worst against the NL.

[Tobywan]

The Marlins have placed Johnson on the DL with shoulder inflammation. RHP Jay Buente has been called up from Triple A and wil go on Sunday against the Rays.

[Tobywan]

Price gave up 5 runs including 2 home runs and it was all Marlins until the 8th. Rays were down 5-0 then things got crazy, looking more like a spring training game . The Rays used 5 pinch hitters, the Marlins 4 pitchers and the Rays managed to score 3 runs to get it closer. The Rays used 3 pitchers, the only two starters left on the field were Brignac and Longoria, managing to keep the Marlins to 5 runs. Rays couldn’t do much against Nunez in the ninth and the Marlins win 5-3.

[DirtyKash]

Finish the sentence: When you get shut down by Javier Vazquez, your team is __________.

[realmofotalk]

Raytarded

[Tobywan]

Finish the sentence: When you get shut down by Javier Vazquez, your team is __________.

A) still winning enough to contend in the AL East.

B) still higher in the standings than 4 of the teams in the NL West

C) being poked fun at by jealous BS members who are fans of teams that either don't exist anymore or not playing .500 and relish in taking the role of “hater” to an all new low.

Take your pick.

[Tobywan]

Another CG shut out for Shields. He struck out a career high 13 and gave up just one walk.

Brignac was placed on bereavement list, he left the team to join family in Louisiana to mourn the death of his grandfather.

Felipe Lopez was called up from Durham.