By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Rays at Blue Jays
When/where: 7:07 tonight; Rogers Centre, Toronto
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Probable starters
RAYS: RHP Jeremy Hellickson (1-2, 4.50)
JAYS: LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (0-2, 6.75)
Watch for ...
Bounce back: Hellickson lost his last start against the Twins but pitched pretty well, giving up four runs over seven innings. It was his longest outing of the season. Hellickson has never pitched against Toronto.
Leaning left: Reyes is coming off back-to-back road losses, including giving up four runs on seven hits in just three innings in his last start in Boston. He has never faced the Rays.
Key matchups:
Rays vs. Reyes
Casey Kotchman 0-for-3
Felipe Lopez 1-for-1
Jays vs. Hellickson
Rajai Davis 1-for-3
Corey Patterson 1-for-1
On deck
Saturday: at Jays, 1:07, FSN. Rays — David Price (2-2, 2.83); Jays — Brandon Morrow
Sunday: at Jays, 1:07, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (1-1, 3.07); Jays — Ricky Romero (1-2, 3.12)
Joe Smith, Times staff writer
House guests
RHP Adam Russell, left, has welcomed his older sister, Tracy Galvin, 35, and her kids, Fiona, 4, and Tommy, 1, to his Tampa home the past couple of days. Galvin, a Cleveland resident who has Stage 4 breast cancer, is on a nonprofit-sponsored vacation and has taken her kids to Disney World and the Florida Aquarium. They all feel at home with their uncle. He set up a bed in his office for Fiona. "She asked if (Russell) was going to paint her room pink," said Galvin, on right with Tommy center.
Quote of the day
"We have those heroes night in and night out, it just seems like he's been the hero every night."
3B Evan Longoria, on OF Sam Fuld's impressive all-around play the past couple of weeks
Encouragement of the day
The Rays planned to wear Lightning shirts and hats to Toronto late Thursday, showing support for Tampa Bay, which trails the Penguins 3-1 in the best-of-seven NHL series. Game 5 is Saturday in Pittsburgh. "They've been playing hard, just need breaks to go their way," OF Matt Joyce said. "I see that happening."