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Tampa Bay Rays: Matt Moore climbs rookie strikeout list; Joe Maddon admits to scoreboard-watching; Chris Gimenez hexes no-hitter

 
Tampa Bay Times
Published Sept. 30, 2012

Rays at White Sox

When/where: 2:10 today; U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Probable pitchers

RAYS: LH David Price (19-5, 2.56)

WHITE SOX: LH Jose Quintana (6-5, 3.60)

On Price: Coming off his 13-K, complete-game gem in Boston, is 11-1, 2.24 over past 17 starts. Seeking to become Rays' first 20-game winner. Is 1-4, 3.66 in five starts vs. White Sox.

On Quintana: Worked in relief Tuesday, made last start Sept. 22, losing to Angels after walking five in five innings. Ejected in 4th from only start vs. Rays on May 30 for hitting batter.

Key matchups

RAYS VS. QUINTANA

Matt Joyce 0-for-2

Luke Scott 1-for-1

B.J. Upton 0-for-2

WHITE SOX VS. PRICE

Gordon Beckham 1-for-15

Paul Konerko 7-for-15, HR

Alex Rios 7-for-14, 2 HRs

On deck

Monday: vs. Orioles, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (10-9, 4.18); Orioles — Wei-Yin Chen (12-10, 4.11)

Tuesday: vs. Orioles, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (15-9, 3.62); Orioles — Miguel Gonzalez (8-4, 3.45)

Relive Game 162

As you fret over the Rays' late-season battle for a playoff spot, let us take you back one year to a night that became enshrined in baseball legend. In a special illustrated edition of Floridian, we re-create Game 162, from the first pitch to the last swing that propelled the Rays into the 2011 postseason.

A peeking Joe

After insisting for weeks he doesn't pay attention to scores or standings, manager Joe Maddon fessed up, though he claimed he doesn't let what he sees affect him. "I'm a big scoreboard watcher," he said. "I am the biggest scoreboard watcher of all major-league managers."

Another fan club

LHP Matt Moore has the most strikeouts of any "true" rookie in the past 25 years:

Year Pitcher Team K's

2012 Yu DarvishRangers 214

2005Daisuke MatsuzakaRed Sox 201

2012 Matt MooreRays 176

2005 Scott KazmirRays 174

2011 Michael PinedaMariners173

Quote of the day

"I looked up there and I was like, 'Oh, crap, we have a no-hitter going.' "

C Chris Gimenez, who had his epiphany just before Matt Moore gave up his first hit