By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tactical move of the day
Knowing how much RHP James Shields hates to come out of games, manager Joe Maddon was on to something by sending Bucs coach Raheem Morris to make the pitching change. "That way Shields was not upset with me," Maddon said. "I may have to do that during the season."
Long drive of the day
The Rays began the day with a golf long-drive contest on a back field and, as he did during the charity tournament, CF B.J. Upton won — with a blast estimated at 310 yards, into the wind. "Ridiculous," Maddon said.
Tribute of the day
Justine Siegal, who last month became the first woman to throw batting practice to an MLB team, will visit Rays camp today in honor of Christina Green, the 9-year-old girl who was killed in the Arizona shootings.
Rays (ss) vs. Blue Jays
When/where: 1:05 today; Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte
Tickets: Reserved seats $19-27, berm/boardwalk $8. Available through raysbase ball.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 — Jeff Niemann, Cory Wade, Dane De La Rosa, Jake McGee, Cesar Ramos, Chris Archer; Jays — Brett Cecil, Scott Richmond, Shawn Camp, Jason Frasor, Jon Rauch, Frank Francisco
Heads-up
Wade is competing for one of the open bullpen jobs, as are McGee and Ramos.
Rays (ss) vs. Netherlands
When/where: 1:05 today; Al Lang Field, 180 Second Ave. SE, St. Petersburg
Tickets: $6, stpeteinternationalbaseball.com, stadium
Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Pitchers: Rays — Chris Bootcheck, Jonah Bayliss, Richard De Los Santos, Dirk Hayhurst, Brian Baker; Netherlands — Rob Cordemanas, David Bergman, Nick Stuifbergen, Leon Boyd
Who is this Ray?
His middle name is Von. He was born in Ohio and played at Kent State. He has pitched for the Padres and Jays. He likes to write. He signed as a minor-league free agent.
On deck
Thursday: Red Sox, 1:05. Rays — Andy Sonnanstine; Red Sox — Daisuke Matsuzaka
Friday: Pirates, 1:05. Rays — Wade Davis; Pirates — James McDonald
Saturday: at Phillies, 1:05. Rays — David Price; Phillies — Kyle Kendrick
Schedule 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: RHP Dirk Hayhurst.
Marc Topkin, Times staff writer