News
Rays vs. Red Sox
When/where: 4:10 today; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg
TV/radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Starting pitchers:
Rays
RH James Shields (8-7, 2.33)
Red Sox
RH John Lackey (6-8, 6.84)
Watch for ...
Bounce back: Shields has lost three in a row despite allowing a combined six earned runs. He's 6-9, 4.71 in 17 starts against Boston and threw a complete-game shutout against it June 14.
Johnny on the spot: Lackey snapped a three-game skid his last time out with 62/3 scoreless innings against Baltimore. He has fared well against Tampa Bay, 11-4, 3.75 in 16 starts.
Key matchups
Rays vs. Lackey
Johnny Damon 18-for-50
Evan Longoria 5-for-18
B.J. Upton 3-for-21, HR
Red Sox vs. Shields
David Ortiz 12-for-36, 3 HRs
Dustin Pedroia 13-for-34, 2 HRs
Kevin Youkilis 3-for-35
Memory of the day
As memorable as RF Matt Joyce's first All-Star Game was, including hitting a single with his father "absolutely ecstatic" in the stands, he said the most fun was hanging with other stars. He chatted with Yankees 2B Robinson Cano before the Home Run Derby and with Red Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez and Rangers OF Josh Hamilton at dinner. He talked hitting with White Sox RF Carlos Quentin. "It was funny because he was asking me questions," Joyce said. "I was like, 'Wait a minute here, buddy. I don't know if I'm the guy to ask.' "
Quote of the day
"They've done a remarkable job, especially considering all the changes that have taken place. And they've got the perfect guy running the show."
Tim McCarver, Fox analyst and former big-league catcher on the Rays and manager Joe Maddon
Guest of the day
Former Florida football coach Urban Meyer chatted with Rays manager Joe Maddon, Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg and Red Sox manager Terry Francona during batting practice.
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