Tampa Bay Rays news and notes

Quote of the day

"We didn't hit enough fly balls."

Manager Joe Maddon, on being out-homered 6-1 on a windy day

Mistaken ace of the day

James Shields is known as Big Game James, but on the Ed Smith Stadium score sheet Wednesday he was listed as Dale Shields. "I think they called B.J. 'A.J.;' they'll get it right around here," he said. "At least they didn't call me Scot (the Angels reliever he is often confused with)."

Number of the day

5 Games during the 2009 regular season with a cooler first-pitch temperature than Wednesday's 54 degrees.

Diet advice of the day

When the nutrition-conscious Rays are on the road, they routinely ask the host teams to have no candy or non-diet soda in the clubhouse. The Sarasota crew got that right Wednesday — but had three boxes of doughnuts.

Brother act of the day

While B.J. Upton has been doing year-to-year deals, younger brother Justin hit the big money bank first, agreeing to a six-year, $51.25 million deal with the D'backs. "I'm happy for him," B.J. said with a smile. "I've got his number if you want to talk to him. I don't have anything to say about it." But, then, he did: "He's going to get me something. He's coming out of pocket."

Radio "deal" of the day

While the 14 games done by Dave Wills and Andy Freed are broadcast on free radio, the five done by Rich Herrera on raysbaseball.com require a $19.95 subscription to mlb.com's seasonlong audio package.

The dish …

Rays vs. Orioles

When/where: 1:05; Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte

Tickets: Reserved $18-25, berm/boardwalk $8 Mon-Thu and $10 Fri-Sun available for all games but March 19 vs. Yankees. Available through raysbaseball.com and Ticket­master, at Tropicana Field and Charlotte Sports Park box offices, and Tampa team store.

Gates open: 11 a.m.

Directions: Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Exit 179 (North Port/Port Charlotte). Turn right (west) on Toledo Blade Road. Go about 6½ miles (crossing U.S. 41) to El Jobean Road (SR 776). Turn right. Go about 2 miles, complex will be on the left.

Parking: $10, lots open at 10

Rays information: 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)

Pitchers: Rays — Jeff Niemann, Alex Torres, Grant Balfour, Joaquin Benoit, Lance Cormier, Dan Wheeler; O's — Brian Matusz, Koji Uehara, Mark Hendrickson

Heads-up

Most of the Rays regulars will be in the lineup today, including Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria, Carlos Peña and Pat Burrell.

On deck

Friday: at Yankees, Tampa, 1:05. Rays: David Price; Yankees: Phil Hughes

MARCH

6: Red Sox

7: at Phillies

8: Pirates

9: at Orioles

10: at Red Sox

11: at Pirates (ss)

11: Blue Jays (ss)

12: Phillies

13: Marlins

14: at Tigers

16: Red Sox, 7:05

17: Twins

18: at Yankees, 7:05

19: Yankees, 7:05

20: Twins

21: at Twins (ss)

21: at Pirates (ss)

22: at Red Sox

23: at Phillies

24: Blue Jays

25: Twins

26: at Blue Jays

27: at Astros

28: Pirates

29: at Red Sox, 7:05

30: Red Sox

31: at Twins

APRIL

1: Orioles

2: Mets at Tropicana Field, 6:10