By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Rays at Blue Jays
When/where: 7:07 tonight, Rogers Centre, Toronto
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)
Starting pitchers
Rays
RH Wade Davis (4-3, 3.47)
Jays
LH Ricky Romero (3-4, 3.35)
Watch for ...
Wading in: Davis is eager to pitch after making adjustments during his bullpen session. Though his stats aren't bad, he has been inconsistent with command and velocity. Facing the Jays could help, he is 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA in four starts.
Mr. Ricky: Romero has been a bit inconsistent and also has been tougher on right-handed hitters (.206 average) than lefties (.258). He was scratched from his last start against the Rays, and overall is 2-3, 4.12 in six outings.
Key matchups
Rays vs. Romero
Johnny Damon 6-for-10, HR
B.J. Upton 1-for-14
Ben Zobrist 7-for-15, HR
Jays. vs. Davis
Jose Bautista 1-for-9
Aaron Hill 5-for-10, HR
Corey Patterson 3-for-6, HR
On deck
Friday: at Marlins, 7:10. Sun Sports. Rays — Andy Sonnanstine (0-1, 3.92); Marlins — Anibal Sanchez (3-1, 2.90)
Saturday: at Marlins, 4:10. Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (5-3, 3.59); Marlins — Javier Vazquez (2-4. 7-55)
Sunday: at Marlins, 1:10: Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (4-2, 2.26); Marlins — Josh Johnson (3-1, 1.64)
Stat of the day
43 Games by the Rays without making multiple errors, trailing only the 2010 Twins (who went 48) as the only teams in the last 65 years to get that deep into a season.
Mr. Everything
RHP James Shields, right, planned for extra duty in Toronto. First, with the bullpens so far away, he said in the event of any brawls he'd be "the enforcer" until Kyle Farnsworth could join in. With RHP Andy Sonnanstine skipping the trip, Shields volunteered to be first in "in case we run out of position players." With LHP David Price also staying home, he has to be "the extra loud cheerleader" in the dugout. "That's going to be the toughest task," Shields said. "We thought of hooking up a Skype call so Price could be in the dugout and yell, but I don't think we're allowed."