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Rays: Special guest; no fireworks; longest win streaks

 
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 08:  Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Four of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 8, 2013 in St Petersburg, Florida.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 08: Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Four of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field on October 8, 2013 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Published July 26, 2014

Rays vs. Red Sox

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM

Tickets: $21-300; available at Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team Tampa store; $3 surcharge within five hours of game time.

Promotion: Rays tote bag

Probable pitchers

Rays: RH Jeremy Hellickson (0-0, 2.08)

Red Sox: RH John Lackey (11-6, 3.66)

On Hellickson: Earned a no-decision in his only start in the majors this year by giving up one run over 41/3 innings July 8 against the Royals. Has made two starts in the minors since. Is 4-2 with a 4.21 ERA against Boston.

On Lackey: Has won back-to-back starts despite striking out just a combined six batters. Is 1-0 and has given up only two earned runs in two games against the Rays this year. Threw seven shutout innings at the Trop on May 23 but got a no-decision in a 1-0 Rays win.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Lackey

Desmond Jennings2-for-18

Evan Longoria13-for-37, 2 HRs

Ben Zobrist11-for-31

Red Sox vs. Hellickson

David Ortiz9-for-24, 3 HRs

Mike Napoli1-for-12

Dustin Pedroia6-for-31, HR

On deck

Sunday: vs. Red Sox, 1:40. Rays — RH Chris Archer (6-5, 3.31); Red Sox — RH Jake Peavy (1-9, 4.72)

Monday: vs. Brewers, 7:10. Rays — RH Jake Odorizzi (6-8, 3.97); Brewers — RH Kyle Loshe (11-4, 3.07)

Tuesday: vs Brewers, 7:10. Rays — RH Alex Cobb (6-6, 3.76); Brewers — RH Matt Garza (7-7, 3.87)

Matt Baker, Times staff writer

Team Gavin

New Port Richey's Gavin Lambert was a guest on the field before the game. Manager Joe Maddon met the 8-year-old at June's Sneaker Soiree, when he was honored for his courage in battling a rare neuromuscular disease. Maddon gave Lambert a Rays jersey.

Quote of the day I

"I think it's illegal inside the dome."

Manager Joe Maddon on if he expected fireworks between the Rays and Red Sox, who have a contentious history; he added it was purely coincidental that WWE wrestler Fandango threw out the ceremonial first pitch

Longest Rays winning streaks

Games Dates

12 June 9-22, 2004

8July 12-present

8 July 4-11, 2013

8 Sept. 19-27, 2012

8 Sept. 24, 2011-April 8, 2012