Tampabay.com
AUGUST 09, 2008

Longoria out again, Bartlett the DH

Bartlett3B Evan Longoria is out of the Rays lineup again tonight, the result of being hit by a pitch Thursday on the back of his right wrist. Longoria said he likely won't be back until Tuesday. SS Jason Bartlett's bruised right index finger is still not healed enough for him to play the field, but he is in the lineup tonight as the DH.

Bartlett said he and team trainers decided to rest the finger and not throw for a day or two, and he is now aiming to return to the field Tuesday in Oakland. That likely further delays the return of Rocco Baldelli.

The overall lineup is rather interesting as the Rays seek their franchise tying 70th win against Seattle lefty Ryan Rowland-Smith, with Bartlett hitting fifth and Ben Zobrist sixth. Willy Aybar is again at third base.

No sign yet of new reliever Chad Bradford, though he will wear No. 53. And OF Eric Hinske was sporting a nearly shaved head, saying, "I go bald every year,'' and that, "I (stink) right now so I might as well try to change it up.''

The lineup:
Rays
Iwamura, 2b
Upton, cf
Crawford, lf
Pena, 1b
Bartlett, dh
Zobrist, ss
Aybar, 3b
Navarro, c
Gross, rf
Garza, p

(Pictured - Jason Bartlett injures his finger on an attempted bunt against the Tigers. Times photo - James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

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