Rays vs Blue Jays, 3/23/12

The Rays take on the Jays tonight in Port Charlotte. BJ Upton is still out of the lineup with lingering issues following his collision with left-fielder, Desmond Jennings, a bit back. Sam Fuld will again get the start in CF in lieu of Upton. Brignac is still out at least until the middle of next week. Jeff Keppinger will take his place in the lineup. Interestingly enough, a little birdie, in the form of a Rays insider, has mentioned that he thinks Elliot Johnson will be taking Brignac’s spot on the roster come opening day because of this injury.

LHP David Price takes the bump following a poor outing in his last official spring start, and a much better start in an intrasquad game last Sunday. Expect to see Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta following Price.

Joe Smith of the Times just reported that a players union rep, Michael Weiner, met with the Rays this afternoon to update them on everything going on. I’d have to assume that includes the Matt Bush drunk driving hit and run situation.

Rays vs Jays 3/23/12:

Rodriguez SA
Zobrist RF
Longoria 3B
Keppinger 2B
Pena 1B
Scott DH
Joyce LF
Molina C
Fuld CF
price P

8:26 Update: The Rays are up 4-1 in the fourth. Tampa Bay had a big second inning, moving three runners across the plate. Price also settled down in the third after a shaky second inning where he gave up three hits and a run, including a dinger. Blue Jays Starter Jeff Cecil was pulled from the game in the third after 88 pitches.

8:56 Update: At the end if five, the Rays are still up 4-1. Tampa Bay has now stranded seven on the base-paths. Rodney is warming up in the pen and will, presumably, come in relief in the seventh.

9:06 Update: Price is done in the top of the sixth, leaving the game with two on. Rodney is coming in now.

9:12 Update: Rodney with a K on a nasty change-up to end the inning, and put an end to the Jays sixth inning threat.

9:30 Update: Rodney is in a jam with the bases loaded and only one out. Now with a K. Two batters down, one to go.

9:36 Update: Rodney walks in a runner and is promptly pulled for Joel Peralta. Peralta inherits a bases loaded situation with two outs. Jays cut the lead to one, 4-3 Rays. Peralta gets the pop-out to end the inning and the Jays threat.

11:13 Update: I stop listening to the game for an inning and a half, and Nunez blows the save?! For fuck sake!

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