The Rays cap off their three-game series today in Pittsburgh, and OF Jonny Gomes is expected to get a start against leftyTom Gorzelanny.

Gomes had the best- and longest - at-bat of Saturday's game, a 15-pitch session that ended in a game-tying solo homer. Manager Joe Maddon called it Gomes best at-bat of the season, and said it may get him going a bit.

Heading into Saturday's game, Gomes hadn't picked up a hit in his previous 12 at bats (7 Ks), dating back to a solo homer of the Marlins Mark Hendrickson on June 14. His 9-for-61 slide made his average sink nearly 100 points.

As for his marathon at-bat, Gomes said last night:

"I really didn't know it was 15 pitches until I came in and watched (the video)," Gomes said. "I truly thought it was like eight or nine. It's been a while since I was able to get in there and see some pitches. Fastball-slider guy, I just wanted to stay in and kept battling. Leadoff hitter late in the game, I was just trying to get on base any way I could and made some good contact."

Some other pre-game news:

*RHP Al Reyes threw a bullpen session Sunday at PNC Park and Maddon said the reliever is getting closer to a return from the disabled list.

*DH Cliff Floyd will not be available today, as he's flying home due to a death in the family, but he'll be back Monday for the Red Sox series.

*OF Rocco Baldelli, who is still on his rehab assignment, is doing well, but not quite there yet, Maddon said. Baldelli will DH today for Vero Beach, and Maddon said the team still hasn't decided what to do when his 20 game rehab assignment ends - whether they'll option him, or break it up for another rehab assignment.

Rays

Upton, cf

Crawford, lf

Longoria, 3b

Pena, 1b

Aybar, 2b

Gomes, rf

Riggans, c

Bartlett, ss

Sonnanstine, p

PIRATES

Wilson, ss

Sanchez, 2b

McLouth, cf

Bay, lf

Nady, rf

LaRoche, 1b

Bautista, 3b

Chavez, c

Gorzelanny, lhp

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com