By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, March 21, 2011
Good deed of the day
The Rays announced Monday they will make a $10,000 donation to Save the Children to benefit the Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund. Meanwhile, the team will match up to $15,000 more in donations made by fans to Red Cross volunteers at the April 1-3 opening weekend series at Tropicana Field.
Play of the day
With two outs in the third inning, the Yankees had a runner on third when Derek Jeter ripped a long fly ball to deep centerfield. CF B.J. Upton appeared to get a late jump on it but raced to the warning track for an over-the-shoulder catch, the kind he makes often. "Unreal," RHP Jeremy Hellickson said. "You kind of get used to it, but it still wows you every time."
Bracket buster of the day
With all the upsets so far in the NCAA Tournament, it wreaked havoc on people's brackets. And Florida State's surprise 71-57 drubbing of No. 2 seed Notre Dame on Sunday definitely damaged the chances of OF Matt Joyce winning his pool. Why Notre Dame? Said Joyce, smiling: "I'm Irish."
Visitors of the day
MLB Network's 30 Clubs in 30 Days tour will visit the Rays today and Wednesday.
Rays at Red Sox
When/where: 7:05 tonight; City of Palms Park, 2201 Edison Ave., Fort Myers
Radio: 620-AM
Tickets: $10-$46, available at City of Palms Park, via redsox.com or by calling 1-888-733-7696.
Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)
Pitchers: Rays — David Price, Cesar Cabral, R.J. Swindle, Cory Wade; Red Sox —John Lackey, Bobby Jenks, Dennys Reyes, Randy Williams
Heads-up
Manny Ramirez, above, is scheduled to be in the lineup to face his former team, the Red Sox, playing in leftfield. Ben Zobrist, Evan Longoria, B.J. Upton and Reid Brignac are scheduled to make the trip.
Who is this Ray?
He did not appear in a game for the Rays last season but had a two-day stint on the active roster in April. He was claimed off waivers from the Padres in July 2009 and led Triple-A Durham last season in games caught (62).
On deck
Wednesday: Phillies, 1:05. Rays — James Shields; Phillies —Roy Oswalt
Thursday: at Astros, 1:05. Rays — Wade Davis; Astros: TBA
Schedule
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 Jose Lobaton