Quote of the day
"I'm not trying to have James Shields' changeup, because that doesn't come along too often."
LHP David Price, on getting tips from RHP Shields, whose best pitch is a changeup
Quote of the day 2
"Rollins, Utley and Howard were pretty good, too. I've been pretty fortunate."
DH Pat Burrell, a former Phillies slugger, on it being very appealing to hit fifth behind Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria and Carlos Peña
Spanish phrase of the day
"El lago de los derechos."
Manager Joe Maddon, on two homers Tuesday heading toward the lake behind the leftfield fence, what he dubbed the "lake for the (right-handers)."
Race of the day
Third-base coach Tom Foley raced speedy shortstop Tim Beckham, the 2008 top pick, during the morning warmups. And Foley won. Though there appeared to be an inside joke — and reason — behind the upset, Foley said: "I beat him so bad, he didn't even finish."
Number of the day
.000 2B Akinori Iwamura's batting average through three games of the World Baseball Classic (0-for-9)
Number of the day 2
3 Home runs for nonroster invitee OF Ray Sadler, tying him for the team lead with Elliot Johnson
Prediction of the day
The Rays have today off and will host their annual golf tournament. Manager Joe Maddon said LHP David Price is an "absolute sleeper" to win it. "He's off the tee, he's got draw, like 300 yards, firm, smooth swing, and then he's got touch around the green. It's really sickening. And on top of that he's a pretty good left-handed pitcher."
Taking the fifth
An occasional look at the competition for the No. 5 starter spot:
LHP David Price pitched two scoreless innings in his spring debut, giving up no hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
On deck
Today: Off
Thursday: Phillies, at Charlotte Sports Park, 1:05. Rays — James Shields; Phillies — Jamie Moyer
Friday: Blue Jays, at Dunedin, 1:05. Rays — Carlos Hernandez; Jays — TBA
Saturday: Reds, at Sarasota, 1:05. Rays — Scott Kazmir; Reds — TBA
Sunday: Pirates, at Charlotte Sports Park, 1:05. Rays — Matt Garza; Pirates — TBA
Monday: Pirates, at Bradenton, 7:05. Rays — TBA; Pirates — TBA
Rays exhibition schedule info
Home games at Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte
TICKETS: All reserved seats sold out, Red Sox and Yankees games sold out; limited berm seating available for $9 for Thursday's Phillies game. Available through raysbaseball.com, at Tropicana Field and Charlotte Sports Park box offices, Tampa team store, and through Ticketmaster.
MORE information: 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Joe Smith, Times staff writer
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