By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
. UP NEXT
at Blue Jays
Tonight-Thursday
What's new: The Jays have been on a roll, winning six straight going into play Tuesday. Since last facing the Rays on May 5, the Jays have activated 2B Aaron Hill and INF Jayson Nix from the DL but lost 1B/DH Adam Lind (lower back) and called up OF Eric Thames. A bigger deal is that OF Jose Bautista, who missed the last Rays series with a stiff neck, is back and as hot as ever, leading the AL in hitting (.370), homers (16), runs (35), total bases (101), OBP (.516) and OPS (1.365). Also, the bullpen has been better.
Key stat: The Jays are a major-league best 11-2 in the first game of series.
Connections: Jays RHP Jesse Litsch is a Dixie Hollins High grad and former Rays batboy, RHP Shawn Camp and Bautista are former Rays players, 3B coach Brian Butterfield a former Eckerd College assistant.
Series history: Rays lead 114-113; Jays lead 66-49 at the Rogers Centre.
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer