Brandon Gomes News

What's new: The Red Sox lost three of four to the Orioles after last week's series win over the Rays but remain in first place in the AL East.

Sunday's game was decided by a matchup that Rays manager Joe Maddon believed was tilted heavily toward the home team.

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Back on April 26, Rays manager Joe Maddon moved Matt Joyce to the leadoff spot in an attempt to get him going at the plate.

The 2012 Rays bullpen led the American League in ERA and FIP and were 2nd in fWAR For the first time in several off-seasons the Rays front office was not reconstructing a bullpen over the winter.

LHP David Price walked off the field Monday after throwing another bullpen session yelling, "The best I felt all year."

The Rays will have Alex Cobb, their 25-year-old right-hander, on the mound Monday when the American League East-leading Red Sox come to town for the opener of a key series in the division.

What's new: The Sox have the league's best record - 39-25 - and are the only AL team to be above .500 all season.

The past several years, the Rays have become renowned throughout baseball for their pitching depth.

Corey Kluber brings a 3-3 record with a 4.57 ERA into Friday night's start against the Rays at Progressive Field.

The Tulane baseball team ended its season on Saturday at the Conference USA baseball tournament but Olive and Blue fans need only to snap on the television set to see Green Wave products excelling in baseball.

The meeting took place a week or so ago in Atlanta. a Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton had played together for years in the Rays outfield, and Crawford sought out his former teammate to offer what advice he could.

Rays officials talk constantly about the importance of organizational depth, and the first two months of this season have again shown why, specifically in terms of having major-league quality arms at Triple A. Twice they've had to summon relievers, first Brandon Gomes then, when Gomes was hurt, Josh Lueke.

Despite blowing twice as many saves than last year in 37 fewer chances, Fernando Rodney will remain the Rays' closer.

Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, says about the stadium debate, "I get a sense that, perhaps over the summer, there may be some movement." ST.

Joyce rf, Zobrist 2b, Scott dh, Longoria 3b, Loney 1b, Johnson lf, Fuld cf, Lobaton c, Escobar ss, Hernandez p DEVELOPING: The Rays, coming off an off-day following a six-game road trip, are back at home to face the first-place Yankees at the Trop.

Closer Fernando Rodney has been in the spotlight, though seemingly not in jeopardy of losing his job, having already blown more saves and allowed more earned runs , walks and home runs than in his entire record-breaking 2012 season.

SS Yunel Escobar responded to constant booing in his return to Rogers Centre by hitting a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning that gave the Rays a late shot before they lost 7-5. But now Escobar, who played 21/2 seasons in Toronto, will have to answer to manager Joe Maddon because of his reaction afterward, a slow trot around the bases, ... (more)