By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, March 4, 2011
Announcement of the day
1B Chris Richard, 36, a longtime Triple-A Durham Bull and briefly a Ray, announced his retirement Friday at the Bulls' Fan Fest. Richard played for the Bulls the past four seasons and is the Triple-A club's all-time leader in home runs and RBIs. "He's a great professional; he really served us well," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "He did a lot of good work on the Triple-A level. Great personality. I am certain he's going to be very successful whatever he chooses to do next."
Flashback of the day
RHP Matt Bush, who threw a scoreless inning Friday against the host Twins, said he had mixed memories of Hammond Stadium. It was the last place he pitched last season for Class A Charlotte before being shut down and having radial nerve surgery on his arm. But in 2003, when Bush was a high school shortstop prospect in San Diego, he hit a homer in an all-America game. He became the top overall pick in the 2004 draft.
Rays vs. Twins
When/where: 1:05 today; Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte
Radio: 620-AM
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 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 left.
Parking: $10, lots open at 10
Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Pitchers: Rays — Andy Sonnanstine, Adam Russell, Chris Bootcheck, Chris Archer; Twins — Nick Blackburn, Matt Capps, Jeff Manship, Pat Neshek, Dusty Hughes, Deolis Guerra
Heads-up
RHP Andy Sonnanstine will try to bounce back from his outing Tuesday, when he gave up five homers vs. the Orioles. RHP Chris Archer, a key prospect acquired in the Matt Garza trade, will pitch in relief.
Who is this Ray?
This utilityman from Sacramento, Calif., who spent three seasons with the Blue Jays, has actually pitched one game, for the Brewers last season. He was signed as a minor-league free agent last month.
On deck
Sunday: at Phillies (ss), 1:05. Rays — Wade Davis; Phillies — Cliff Lee
Upcoming schedule
March
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: INF Joe Inglett
Joe Smith, Times staff writer