By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Quote of the day
"He hit a ball that if I throw it four straight times, he's standing on first. It was a great piece of hitting."
David Price, Rays LHP, on Jays DH Edwin Encarnacion, who hit a two-run homer in the second inning
Oh so close
DH Dan Johnson, an admitted "notoriously slow starter" offensively, picked up his first two hits of the spring Wednesday, a triple and a two-run double. Both balls bounced off the rightfield wall. Joked Johnson: "(Needed) a little more muscle, less topspin and less backspin. Combine those, it's pretty good. I wouldn't have had to run so hard."
Rays vs. Yankees
When/where: 1:05 today; Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte
Internet radio: raysbaseball.com
Tickets: Reserved seats $19-$27, berm/boardwalk $10. Through raysbaseball.com and Ticketmaster, at Tropicana Field and Charlotte Sports Park box offices and Tampa team store.
Gates open: 11 a.m.
Directions: Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Exit 179 (Toledo Blade Road), go west 6½ miles (crossing U.S. 41) to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, complex is on the left.
Parking: $10, lots open at 10
Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Pitchers: Rays — James Shields, Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta, Juan Cruz; Yankees — Freddy Garcia, Ivan Nova, Dellin Betances, Adam Warren, Robert Fish
Heads up
Many of the Rays regulars, including 3B Evan Longoria, DH Manny Ramirez, LF Johnny Damon and CF B.J. Upton will be in the lineup. Also, RHP Juan Cruz, a candidate for one of the final bullpen spots, will make his spring debut.
Who is this Ray?
He traveled with the Rays during the AL Division Series last season as an emergency catcher despite having never played a game in the majors. He caught and called the pitches for Stephen Strasburg in his professional debut in the Arizona Fall League in 2009.
On deck
Friday: at Twins (Fort Myers), 1:05. Rays — Alex Torres; Twins — Kevin Slowey
Saturday: Twins, 1:05. Rays — Andy Sonnanstine; Twins — TBA
Upcoming schedule
March
6: at Phillies (ss)
7: at Pirates
8: Blue Jays
9: Blue Jays, and vs. Netherlands at St. Petersburg
10: Red Sox
11: Pirates
12: at Phillies (ss)
13: at Blue Jays
14: Off
15: Marlins
16: at Marlins
17:- at Yankees, 7:05
18: Red Sox (ss), 7:05
19: at Twins
20: Orioles
21: Yankees, 7:05
22: at Red Sox, 7:05
23: Phillies
24: at Astros
25: Pirates
26: Orioles
27: at Pirates
28: at Yankees, 7:05
29: at Red Sox
30: vs. Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, 4:10
Who is this Ray answer: C Nevin Ashley
Joe Smith, Times staff writer