By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 2, 2011
. Up next
vs. Blue Jays
Tonight-Thursday
What's new: Since the Rays left Toronto on April 24, a lot actually: 2B Aaron Hill went on the DL, OF Travis Snider and INF Chris Woodward were sent down, OF Rajai Davis came off the DL and 1B/DH David Cooper was called up to make his debut.
Not new: RF Jose Bautista remains the AL's most dangerous hitter, though he did leave Sunday's game with neck tightness. He has reached base in 24 of his 25 games and leads the AL in batting (.357), homers (9), walks (30), OBP (.530), SLG (.762) and OPS (1.292).
Key stat: The Blue Jays are second in the AL with 33 steals, more than halfway to their 2010 total of 58.
Connections: Blue Jays RHP Jesse Litsch is a Dixie Hollins High grad and former Rays bat boy, RHP Shawn Camp and Bautista former Rays players, 3B coach Brian Butterfield a former Eckerd College assistant.
Series history: Tied 112-112 overall; Rays lead 63-46 at the Trop.
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer