By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Best sight of the day
The Rays have had trouble with LHP Cliff Lee, but manager Joe Maddon was thrilled to see him on the mound Sunday — pitching for the Phillies, and not the Yankees. "That was like my worst thought all winter," Maddon said. "I had different things going on, losing Carl (Crawford), losing Carlos (Peña), whatever, but Lee to the Yankees would have been truly — that's all of our guys leaving wrapped up into one horrible move."
Numbers of the day
7; 8 Losses by the Rays this spring; total for last spring.
Explanation of the day
RHP Wade Davis hasn't gotten much national attention despite his success, which seems to be just the way he likes it. And somewhat, manager Joe Maddon said, by design: "He's not the Twitter kind of guy, he's not a blogger yet, he hasn't written any minor-league novels to date."
Appreciation of the day
Always entertaining bullpen coach Bobby Ramos will be limited physically for 4-6 weeks due to his ribcage strain, but Maddon said, with a straight face, "it's all about what he brings to the table with his mind." And then added: "It's the first time in the history of his life that anybody's discussed that."
Rays at Pirates
When/where: 1:05 today; McKechnie Field, 1611 9th St. W, Bradenton
Tickets: $10-$20, available by calling 1-877-893-2827, via pirates.com and at the stadium.
Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Pitchers: Rays — David Price, Mike Ekstrom, Rob Delaney, Matt Bush, Alex Cobb; Pirates — Ross Ohlendorf, Mike Crotta, Evan Meek, Daniel Moskos, Jose Veras, Tyler Yates
Heads-up
Expect most of the big names — Johnny Damon, Evan Longoria, Manny Ramirez and B.J. Upton — to be in the lineup today.
Who is this Ray?
He set major-league records by going 274 consecutive games and 2,379 chances without an error at first base. He has been in the postseason four times. He was the 13th overall pick of the 2001 draft. He signed as a minor-league free agent.
On deck
Tuesday: Blue Jays, 1:05. Rays — James Shields; Jays — TBA
Wednesday: Blue Jays, 1:05. Rays — Jeff Niemann; Jays — TBA. vs. Netherlands at St. Petersburg, 1:05. Rays — Chris Bootcheck, Netherlands — TBA
Upcoming schedule
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: 1B Casey Kotchman
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer