Advice of the day
In an effort to raise awareness for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, the Rays showed off their newly shaven heads with no hats during batting practice. They'll do the same the next couple of days, as well as wear their "Fortune Favors the Bald" shirts. The most important item on the clubhouse bulletin board, highlighted in yellow, was: DO NOT FORGET TO APPLY SUNSCREEN.
Helping hair
INF Sean Rodriguez had good reason for passing on the head-shaving Thursday: He's growing his hair out to donate to Locks for Love, an organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children dealing with long-term medical issues. "It's one way I could keep my hair," he said.
Number of the day
0 Hits combined by 3B Evan Longoria (0-for-9) and 1B Carlos Peña (0-for-12) this spring.
Center of attention
Utilityman Elliot Johnson had a busy day in center, including making a running catch at the wall. But Johnson said he should have made two more, including an over-the-shoulder attempt on a Travis Snider fly ball that eluded him when he short-armed it. "It wasn't as hard as I made it look," Johnson said.
Break it up
Though it's an unwritten rule that batters don't bunt to break up a no-hitter, OF Brandon Guyer did so to lead off the sixth. In fairness, it's spring training, and Jays starter Ricky Romero wasn't in any longer. Guyer said he saw the defense playing back and wanted to get something going. 1B Chris Gimenez followed with a single to right.
Rays at Pirates
When/where: 1:05 today; McKechnie Field, 1611 9th St. West, Bradenton
Radio: 620-AM
Tickets: $10-$22, available at stadium box office, through pirates.com or toll-free 1-877-893-2827
Pitchers: Rays — James Shields, Brandon Gomes, Jake McGee, Ryan Reid; Pirates — Jeff Karstens, Jason Grilli, Ryota Igarashi, Jared Hughes, Mike Crotta
Heads-up
1B Carlos Peña, DH Luke Scott, OF Matt Joyce and SS Reid Brignac are scheduled to play today
On deck
Sunday: vs. Red Sox, 1:05. Rays — Matt Moore; Red Sox — Clay Buchholz
Monday: Off
Upcoming schedule
All games 1:05 unless noted
March
20: at Marlins
21: Yankees
22: at Pirates
23: Jays (7:05)
24: at Twins (3:05)
25: Marlins
26: at Twins
27: at Red Sox (1:35)
28: Pirates (7:05)
29: at Phillies
30: at Pirates
31: Red Sox
April
1: at Orioles
2: Twins*
3: at Twins
4: vs. Future Rays, 1:40, at Trop
* Value game, $2 off
Who is this Ray?
He's an outfielder, and a fan of Ultimate Fighting Championship, acquired from the Cubs in the Matt Garza trade. His father, Ray, is a former semipro tennis player.
Who is this answer: OF Brandon Guyer
Joe Smith, Times staff writer
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