By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Quote of the day
"Add that to the inauspicious awards. Let's see if I can make some records during the regular season. Those seem to hold a little bit more weight and improve your payday a little more than the spring training ones do."
INF Elliot Johnson, joking about setting a Rays spring record with 11 stolen bases, two more than Carl Crawford in 2003
Quote of the day 2
"A bunt and a bomb. You don't see that too often."
CF Sam Fuld, who had a sacrifice bunt and a two-run homer Thursday
Walk this way
LF Johnny Damon walked four times in four plate appearances Thursday, seeing two strikes among 19 pitches. "I'll take them," said Damon, right, smiling. "I'd rather get hits, though." Manager Joe Maddon said Damon's approach set a good example for the young hitters on the road trip, many of whom said they never had that many walks in a game. Quipped Maddon: "The candidates to walk four times in a game were not here."
Rays vs. Pirates
When/where: 1:05 today; Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte
Radio: Raysbaseball.com
Tickets: Reserved seats $19-$27, berm/boardwalk $10. 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 bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Exit 179 (Toledo Blade Road), west 6½ miles (crossing U.S. 41) to El Jobean Road (SR 776), right 2 miles, complex on the left.
Parking: $10; lots open at 10
Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297
Pitchers: Rays — Jeff Niemann, Juan Cruz, Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta; Pirates — Charlie Morton, Joel Hanrahan, Jose Veras, Daniel McCutchen
On deck
Saturday: vs Orioles, 1:05. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson; Orioles — Ryan Drese
Sunday: at Pirates, 1:05. Rays — David Price; Pirates — TBA
Heads-up
Jeff Niemann will make his final long start before the regular season today, likely throwing 90-100 pitches.
Who is this Ray?
This left-handed reliever missed last season due to shoulder surgery. From 2008-09, he led all relievers in wins (13). His wife, Heather, published a children's book, Dangles, last winter.
Upcoming schedule 28: at Yankees, 7:05
29: at Red Sox
30: vs. Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, 4:10
Who is this Ray answer: LHP J.P. Howell