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Tampa Bay Rays: Earth, Wind & Fire visit clubhouse; Tigers manager Jim Leyland has some fun with Joel Peralta

 
Published July 1, 2012

Rays vs. Tigers

When/where: 1:40 today; Tropicana Field

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Tickets: $12-$255, available at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; $3 surcharge within five hours of game time.

Promotions: James Shields bobblehead to the first 10,000 youngsters 14 and under

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Alex Cobb (3-4, 4.73)

TIGERS: LH Drew Smyly (2-2, 3.96)

On Cobb: Coming off the worst start of his career, having allowed eight runs on 13 hits over eight innings in a loss to Kansas City. Is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in four home starts this season.

On Smyly: Winless in his past four starts. Gave up six runs in 42/3 innings in a loss to Texas his last time out. Has made one start against the Rays, his first of the season, allowing one run over four innings in an April 12 no-decision.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Smyly

Carlos Peña 2-for-2, HR

Desmond Jennings 0-for-2

Jeff Keppinger 0-for-2

Tigers vs. Cobb

Austin Jackson 2-for-4

Miguel Cabrera 1-for-1

Alex Avila 1-for-3

On deck

Monday: vs. Yankees, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Matt Moore (4-5, 4.19); Yankees — Freddy Garcia (2-2, 6.39)

Tuesday: vs. Yankees, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (7-5, 4.04); Yankees — Ivan Nova (9-2, 4.03)

Wednesday: vs. Yankees, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (11-4, 2.92); Yankees — David Phelps (1-3, 3.16)

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Guests of the day

Earth, Wind & Fire, which played a postgame concert for Saturday's Turn Back the Clock Night, visited the Rays' clubhouse before the game, right. Manager Joe Maddon, a fan of the band, said member Philip Bailey is a Rays fan. Bailey also threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Joke of the day

RHP Joel Peralta, who returned to the bullpen after serving an eight-game suspension for using excess pine tar in a June 19 appearance, said Tigers manager Jim Leyland joked with him that he'd make sure to "check" his glove when he took the mound.

Number of the day

7

Walks by Rays pitchers Saturday night vs. the Tigers