Tampabay.com
MAY 15, 2008

Navarro, Bartlett out of lineup

The Rays will be without two regulars in today's series finale with the Yankees.

C Dioner Navarro has been given the day off, and SS Jason Bartlett was a late scratch because he has to tend to a family matter, the Rays said.

The Rays will try to win their sixth series in their last seven tries today when they host the Yankees, having already taken two of the first three games from the AL East foes.

They'll ride the left arm of ace Scott Kazmir, fresh off Wednesday's announcement of his three-year contract extension. Kazmir threw six scoreless innings in his last start - his second since coming off the DL - but will still try to work out some kinks.

The lineups pose a few changes, with manager Joe Maddon giving Navarro a day off, his first in over a week. Navarro had been carrying a hot bat (.387), but Maddon didn't want to run him into the ground, electing to give Shawn Riggans a start today before the Rays begin an interleague series with the Cardinals this weekend.

DH Cliff Floyd was also moved up a spot in the order ahead of Evan Longoria, a switch Maddon said was due to the Yankees not having a lefty available in the bullpen.

The Yankees won't have Hideki Matsui or Bobby Abreu in the lineup tonight, their two main changes.

RAYS
Iwamura, 2b

Crawford, lf

Upton, cf

Pena, 1b

Floyd, dh

Longoria, 3b

Hinske, rf

Riggans, c

Bartlett, ss

Kazmir, P

YANKEES

Damon, lf

Cabrera, cf

jeter, ss

Giambi, dh

Duncan, rf

Ensberg, 1b

Cano, 2b

Gonzalez, 3b

Molina, c

Kennedy, P

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

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