Tampa Bay Rays News

Carl Crawford lines up with his fellow All-Stars before the game in San Francisco.

As he is apt to do, manager Ron Washington gave his first atta boy in the postgame media session to the Texas Rangers' starting pitcher.

Scott Richmond has joined the long list of Toronto Blue Jays pitchers to go in the disabled list this season.

The Cleveland Indians have activated recently acquired right-hander Winston Abreu and designated Matt Herges for assignment.

Sorry for the lack of posts as a busy schedule makes writing hard right now. The Tampa Bay Rays now sit in third place in the standings with 85 games left.

In the Rays ' first 11 years, they didn't have anyone named player of the month.

Tommy Hunter earned his first career victory on his 23rd birthday, Hank Blalock homered and the Texas Rangers won their third in a row, beating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 Friday night.

Outfielder B. J. Upton #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts to a called strike against the Boston Red Sox May 3, 2009 at Tropicana Field in St.

The Tampa Bay Rays take their hot streak into the Lone Star State, where the defending American League champions will start up an intriguing three-game series with the Texas Rangers this evening.

It may have taken a little while, but the Gabe platoon in rightfield is turning out the way the Rays had hoped.

The Rays are arguably the hottest team in Baseball. And like most of the times they have put a winning streak together, manager Joe Maddon said, "It pretty much starts with pitching, and it pretty much ends with pitching, too." He wasn't as dominating as in his last outing, an eight-inning gem against the Phillies, but he showed poise in working ...

Toronto Blue Jays Adam Lind, right, celebrates his eighth-inning solo home run with teammate Lyle Overbay during AL action against the Tampa Bay Rays in Toronto on Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

Right-hander Winton Abreu has been acquired by the Cleveland Indians from the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league right-hander John Meloan.

Rivera began the evening by delivering a ceremonial first pitch as the Yankees honored him for earning his 500th career save Sunday.

So far this season, the Tampa Bay Rays' pitching staff has looked more like a M.A.S.H unit.

What's new: The Jays have leveled off after a 27-14 start, going 14-22 since. But they continue to mash, leading the AL in hits and in the top five in average, runs and slugging percentage.

But it was his single up the middle with two strikes in the first that served as an example of what manager Joe Maddon calls one of the club's biggest improvements since last season and a reason why the Rays are among the majors' best in several offensive categories.

Rays at Blue Jays When/where: 1:07 today; Rogers Centre, Toronto TV/radio: FSN; 620-AM, 680-AM Probable pitchers: RAYS: RHP James Shields JAYS: LHP Ricky Romero Watch for Strong Shields: Shields leads the Rays staff with 10 quality starts, including his last one, a no-decision against the Marlins in which he gave up three runs in 6 2/3 innings.

Kazmir and Bradford will join the team tomorrow which could be the end for Niemann as a SP orit could mean nothing Rotation: 1. James Shields 2. Matt Garza 3. David Price 4. Jeff Niemann 5. Andy Sonnanstine...... Coming Soon: Scott Kazmir but for who?! reply actions Single, single, wild pitch, reach on error, McGee yanked.

Updating 6:20 p.m. Manager Joe Maddon had a couple reasons for starting Willy Aybar at second base today instead of Ben Zobrist.