By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Rays at Indians
When/where: 12:05 today; Progressive Field, Cleveland
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Probable starters:
RAYS
RH James Shields (3-2, 2.01)
INDIANS
RH Justin Masterson (5-0, 2.25)
Watch for …
Shields up: The Indians have been a problem for Shields, who is 0-4, 4.06 in six starts, and 0-2, 5.11 in three in Cleveland. He has, however, been on an impressive roll, going 3-0, 0.81 in his past four starts and ranking fifth in the AL in ERA.
Master of his domain: Masterson, the former Boston prospect, has been impressive thus far, going at least 6 IP each start, though he is winless in his past two outings. He is 1-4, 6.00 in nine games (five starts) vs. the Rays.
Key matchups
Rays vs. Masterson
Johnny Damon 0-for-5
Evan Longoria 5-for-17
B.J. Upton 5-for-11, HR
Indians vs. Shields
Orlando Cabrera 6-for-18
Travis Hafner 2-for-11
Grady Sizemore 1-for-15
On deck
Friday: vs. Orioles, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (3-2, 3.72); O's — Jeremy Guthrie (1-5, 4.09)
Saturday: vs. Orioles, 4:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Wade Davis (4-2, 3.07); O's — Brad Bergesen (0-4, 5.57)
Sunday: vs. Orioles, 1:40, Sun Sports. Rays — Andy Sonnanstine (0-0, 2.87); O's — Jake Arrieta (4-1, 4.17)
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer
Historic note of the day
When Matt Joyce led the AL in hitting through Wednesday, it marked the second latest into a season a Ray has been on top in their 14 years of play. The list:
Player Avg. Date
Jason Bartlett .373 May 24, 2009
Matt Joyce .358 May 11, 2011
Sam Fuld .366 April 22, 2011
Quote of the day
"If anybody's going to pick up the other ball on the field, you would bet it would be Mikey Jaso."
Rays manager Joe Maddon, on his quirky catcher, above, and an odd play in Tuesday's game
Giveaway of the day
For Tuesday's game against the Yankees, the first 10,000 fans in Rays gear or with a military ID will get a Rays/Navy Seals T-shirt.