News
Road swing continues vs. Orioles
Tampa Bay (72-71) at Baltimore (58-84), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
09/13/09 6:15 PM ET
BOSTON -- Next up for the Rays comes the final leg to what has been a painful road trip: Baltimore. The Rays begin a four-game set at Camden Yards on Monday and will play the Orioles eight times over their final 19 games. For the season series, the clubs are tied at five games each, which is two more losses against the Orioles than the Rays had all of last season. The Rays owned the Orioles in 2008, producing a 15-3 record that was the Rays' best against any opponent. That mark stands as Tampa Bay's best against an American League East opponent in club history. David Price will start for the Rays, and the biggest question will be which Price shows up Monday night. Will it be the dominant left-hander who controls the game, or the inconsistent rookie who allows the game to control him? "That's part of it," Price said. "There's not a person who hasn't gone through it. That's part of baseball." Price deserved a better fate in his last outing Tuesday against the Yankees when he allowed two runs on three hits in six innings, but received a no-decision.Price likely will have three more starts in his rookie season, which many figured to be a lot more promising.
"I just want to finish strong, whatever happens for the rest of the year happens and you take it into next year," he said.
Pitching matchup
TB: LHP David Price (7-7, 4.65 ERA)
Price gave the Rays a quality start Tuesday night in the Bronx when he allowed two runs on three hits in six innings against the Yankees. Unfortunately for the left-hander, he received a no-decision for his night's work. Price has live stuff in most of his outings. Fastball command has been his biggest improvement over the course of the last month. As a result, he's been getting ahead in the counts more often and walking fewer hitters.
Hernandez struggled in his last outing, Tuesday in Boston, lasting just 2 2/3 innings, giving up six runs on four hits (four home runs) and two walks with three strikeouts. He has given up 17 home runs in his past eight outings, including seven round-trippers in his past seven innings. In his last five starts, he is 0-3 with an 8.22 ERA. Tidbits
Jason Bartlett is vying to become the second shortstop since 1900 to finish a season with at least a .325 average, 15 home runs and 25 stolen bases, joining the Marlins' Hanley Ramirez, who hit .332 with 29 home runs and 51 stolen bases in 2007. ... Trying to lighten the mood in the clubhouse, the Rays will wear the jersey of their favorite football team en route to Baltimore. Among the more interesting selections was Gabe Gross, who wore an Auburn jersey. Gross played quarterback at Auburn, so it was a bit unusual that the jersey he wore was No. 55. Jeff Bennett donned a No. 75 black Steelers jersey, a la "Mean" Joe Green. Perhaps the oddest selection belonged to Jeff Niemann, who chose to wear Plaxico Burress' red No. 17 Giants jersey. ... Carl Crawford collected his 91st career triple Tuesday night against the Yankees, which puts him in third place among active triples leaders Johnny Damon (95) and Jimmy Rollins (92) Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• Sun Sports On radio
• WDAE 620 Up next
• Tuesday: Rays (Jeff Niemann, 12-5, 3.57) at Orioles (Jason Berken, 4-11, 6.02), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Rays (TBD) at Orioles (Chris Tillman, 2-3, 4.91), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Rays (Wade Davis, 0-1, 8.38) at Orioles (Brian Matusz, 5-2, 4.63), 7:05 p.m. ET
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
