By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, May 9, 2011
Rays at Indians
When/where: 7:05 tonight; Progressive Field, Cleveland
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Probable pitchers:
RAYS: RH Andy Sonnanstine (0-0, 2.19)
INDIANS: RH Josh Tomlin (4-1, 2.43)
Watch for …
Sonny's day: Sonnanstine makes his first start of the season, taking the rotation spot of injured Jeff Niemann. The Ohio native has struggled against the Indians, posting a 3-3, 9.51 mark and allowing a .343 average overall (0-3, 10.67, .379 in Cleveland).
No Joshing: Tomlin, a 2006 19th-rounder, has been a hit since making his big-league debut in July. He's coming off his first loss but still pitched well at Oakland. He hasn't faced the Rays before.
Key matchups
Rays vs. Tomlin
Johnny Damon 2-for-3
C. Kotchman 1-for-3
Indians vs. Sonnanstine
Orlando Cabrera 6-for-13
Shin-Soo Choo 1-for-9, HR
J. Hannahan 4-for-10, 2 HRs
On deck
Wednesday: at Indians, 7:05, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (4-3, 3.26); Indians — TBA
Thursday: at Indians, 12:05, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (3-2, 2.01); Indians — Justin Masterson (5-0, 2.25)
Friday: vs. Orioles, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (3-2, 3.72); O's — Jeremy Guthrie (1-5, 4.09)
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
Quote of the day
"I like their pitching. I like their bullpen. They're playing with a lot of energy. It's no fluke. They're going to be there all year."
Rays manager Joe Maddon, on the surprising Indians
Tribute of the day
The Rays on Friday will "retire" the official radio call signs of slain St. Petersburg police officers Thomas Baitinger, David Crawford and Jeffrey Yaslowitz, who all worked shifts at games, with a display on the back wall of the stadium beyond right-centerfield. "These men were a part of our Tropicana Field family," Rays president Matt Silverman said. Police Chief Chuck Harmon called it "a powerful, lasting tribute."