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OAKLAND, Calif. — When RHP James Shields pitches tonight at Angel Stadium, he'll make his team record-tying 144th start and have a chance to match the franchise record with his 55th career win.
And he'll be sharing the mound with the guy who, at least for a few more hours, is still the most successful starter in franchise history: LHP Scott Kazmir.
"It's kinda funny, kinda ironic that I'm pitching against him," Shields said. "It's going to be kinda fun, I guess."
Kazmir faced the Rays earlier this season, taking the loss May 11 for five innings of work (7 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, 2 Ks).
It was more of an event then, with Kazmir and the Rays acknowledging the oddness of the moment, especially when some of his closer friends, such as B.J. Upton, stepped in the batter's box and neither could keep a straight face.
Tonight will be more serious as Kazmir (8-10, 6.40) and the Angels have been struggling, and the Rays are locked in a tight pennant race where every game matters.
"The novelty wears off after that first time," Kazmir said. "It was strange that first game facing Carl Crawford and B.J. As soon as Upton came up, I could see a big smile on his face. I had to look into the upper deck so I could stay focused. Seeing all those familiar faces was fun, but the outcome was not what I wanted. It's time to get down to business. We have to get it together, and they have to do what they have to do."
Well, for the most part.
"I'm sure there will still be a little slight smile," Upton said.
As well as the Rays know Kazmir, they're not as sure what to expect as he has pitched better (1-1, 3.38) since a stint on the DL.
"He's still very talented," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "Whatever they're working on it seems to be working, and you just can't let up on him. He still has the swing-and-miss fastball, he has one of the better left-handed changeups in the American League, and we all know about the breaking ball (slider) coming and going. … I'm curious to see to what extent the breaking ball has come back."
In the year since the Rays traded Kazmir, he has gone 10-12, 5.23 in 26 starts for the Angels. They got INF Sean Rodriguez (.264, 8 HRs, 37 RBIs) plus prospects LHP Alex Torres and INF Matt Sweeney.
LINING UP: The big news before Sunday's game was that Maddon — often criticized for his constant tinkering — actually used the same lineup for a second straight game. (And they may use it again tonight as they face a third straight lefty.)
It was only the fourth time this season the Rays used the same lineup in back-to-back games, and the second against the same opponent (also June 11-12 vs. Florida.) Overall, the Rays have used 102 lineups in 124 games, none more than six times.
"I could have told Stosh (Stan Boroski, the assistant coach who produces the daily lineup card), 'Same as yesterday,' but I went ahead and wrote it out," Maddon said. "It felt kind of good actually."
PITCHING IN: With RHP Wade Davis set to start Tuesday and RHP Jeff Niemann on Wednesday, RHP Andy Sonnanstine is now back in the bullpen and available for long relief duty. The Rays are carrying nine relievers, but that will change when they activate Davis and Niemann off the DL, with RHPs Dale Thayer and Mike Ekstrom expected to go back to Triple-A Durham.
MISCELLANY: Longoria is the first Ray to have two 40-double seasons, having hit 44 last season. … The Rays improved their MLB-best records on the road to 37-24 and against lefty starters to 29-13. … Rocco Baldelli had a two-run homer for Durham, his second in five games. … After an 0-for-4, 2B/RF Ben Zobrist is hitting .151 in the 18 games since missing a week with a stiff back.
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