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Rays: Joey Butler calls tying home run

 
Published March 31, 2015

Call him 'Babe'

Having already been told he was sent down, OF Joey Butler came up big for the Rays on Monday with a tying three-run homer with two outs in the ninth off LHP Wesley Wright. Even better? He called his shot in the dugout. "He said, 'Do you guys want to play extras?' He looked at me and (bench coach Tom) Foley and said it," manager Kevin Cash relayed. "Whack, first pitch." Butler shrugged it off. "I kind of had an idea what I was looking for," he said. "I guess I was just feeling it."

Quote of the day

"I'm not going to make any excuses: Next time, catch it. It's that simple.

John Jaso, after botching his first fly in what had been a solid experience learning to play outfield

Trop trip

The Rays break camp after today's split-squad games and relocate to the Trop, where they will do pregame work this week to get familiar with the surroundings.

Opening day memories

Rays manager Kevin Cash had a memorable first opening day in Toronto in 2004, when just warming up Roy Halladay became an adventure. "They cut the lights off in the SkyDome and they had these dancers, they put on this crazy thing," he said. "So we had two lamps in the bullpen and I'm trying to catch Roy Halladay, (his ball was) cutting and sinking. (I'm like,) 'You've got to be kidding me.' As long as the fans had a good experience with it being dark."

The dish

Rays (SS) vs. RED SOX

When/where: 1:05; Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte

Tickets: Reserved seats $19-29, berm/boardwalk $12. Available through raysbaseball.com and Ticketmaster, at Tropicana Field and Charlotte Sports Park box offices, Tampa team store, via phone (toll-free 1-800-745-3000).

Gates open: 11 a.m.

Directions: Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Exit 179 (Toledo Blade Road), go west 6½ miles (crossing U.S. 41) to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, complex is on the left.

Parking: $10, lots open at 10.

Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297

Pitchers: Rays — Jim Miller, Brandon Gomes, Jeff Beliveau, C.J. Riefenhauser, Steve Geltz; Red Sox — Wade Miley, relievers TBA

Rays (SS) vs. ORIOLES

When/where: 1:05; Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota

Tickets: $10-$23, available via orioles.com, 877-222-2802.

Pitchers: Rays — Everett Teaford, Mike Montgomery, Jhan Marinez; Orioles — Kevin Gausman, relievers TBA

Heads up

Aside from Kevin Kiermaier and Steven Souza Jr., most of the regulars will play in Sarasota, where bench coach Tom Foley will manage.

On deck

Wednesday: at Yankees (Tampa), 1:05. Rays — Jordan Norberto; Yankees — Chase Whitley

Thursday: at Phillies (Clearwater), 1:05. Rays — Chris Archer; Phillies — TBA

Friday: at Tigers (Lakeland)**, 1:05. Rays — Jake Odorizzi; Tigers — TBA

Saturday: vs. Tigers* (Trop), 12:35. Rays — TBA; Tigers — TBA

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* Televised by Sun Sports; ** televised by MLB Network