Tampabay.com
MARCH 19, 2008

Rays-Phils, again

Rays

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

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

Advertisement


Meet the Rays

show linked image Joe Maddon, Johnny Damon and Evan Longoria are only some of the Rays you'll meet through our new video interview series. Don't see your favorite player yet? Check back often, as we'll add to the series as the season progresses.

Baseball Headlines from AP

Comment Policy

Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that:
Is libelous
Is abusive, harassing, or threatening
Is obscene, vulgar, or profane
Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive
Is illegal or encourages criminal acts
Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution
Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others
Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious)
Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises
The Tampa Bay Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy.