Hit Show

Back-to-back doubles by Carlos Pena and Pat Burrell in the top of the first inning give the Rays a 2-0 lead.

Carl Crawford, who had singled and stole second, scored on Pena's double down the right field line. Pena came home on Burrell's two-bagger.

The Rays might have added more runs but Even Longoria's smash was caught by a leaping Jeff Keppinger at shortstop and turned into a double play when Jason Bartlett was caught off second. Bartlett reached when he was hit by a pitch.

Not a bad first inning for the meat of the Rays order. Longo, Pena and Burrell produced two doubles, two RBIs and scored a run.

The Rays lead 2-0 after one.

Rays at Reds

Scott Kazmir carried two bats into the visitor's locker room Saturday at Ed Smith Stadium, which is one of the worst spring trainig stadiums anywhere on earth.

You can see why the Reds want to leave Sarasota, and why no one wants to follow them to this dump. It's as unappealing a stadium as you can find. A cookie cutter that is too bright which always makes it feel like it's 20 degrees hotter than it really is.

Anyway ...

Kazmir is pitching today and, unlike the other National League parks the Rays have visited up to this point, he will hit, because REds manager Dusty Baker doesn't want to use a DH.

Whatever.

Kaz is excited. He even took batting practice.

Here are the lineups:
Rays
Jason Bartlett SS
Carl crawford LF
Evan Longoria 3B
Carlos Pena 1B
Pat Burrell RF
Willy Aybar 2B
Dioner Navarro C
Ben Zobrist CF
Scott Kazmir P

Reds
Willy Taveras CF
Jeff Keppinger SS
Laynce Nix RF
Daryle Ward 1B
Juan Francisco 3B
Craig Tatum C
Norris Hopper LF
Paul Janish 2B
Bronson Arroyo P

Jays down Rays, 3-1

The Rays managed eight hits against three Jays pitchers and lost 3-1 at Dunedin Stadium.

I blogged earlier that it was the largest crowd I'd ever seen at the park and I was right. The game attracted 5,691 fans, the largest crowd to see a game since the stadium was refurbished and the seating capacity lowered in 2002.

These Rays are drawing well on the road, especially in the Tampa Bay area. That will be tested Saturday when they face the Reds in Sarasota, though that's not considered the Tampa Bay area.

Rays manager Joe Maddon was pleased with the pitching Friday.

Carlos Hernandez rebounded well after walking two and giving up three straight hits to start the fourth inning. One of those hits was a two-run double by Brad Emaus.

Brian Shouse gave up another hit, but threw another scoreless inning.

Jason Hammel rebounded nicely after giving up four runs and two home runs to the Red Sox in his last outing. He threw three shutout innings against the Jays and allowed just two singles.

Jays reach Hernandez for some runs

They haven't announced the attendance yet, but this is certainly the largest crowd I've ever seen at this ballpark. The place is packed. Rays fans everywhere, which I guess is what happens when you don't train in your hometown.

Anyway ...

The Rays trail 3-1 after six.

Carlos Hernadez allowed four hits, three walks and three runs in his four innings. Those were the first earned runs he's allowed all spring and they came in the third inning.

The left-hander, competing for the final spot in the rotation, righted himself with a 1-2-3 fourth.

Rays at Jays

Learned something today. Knology Park in Dunedin is now "Dunedin Stadium."

That's important, because this is where the Rays are today to face the Blue Jays.

Doesn't it seem like the Rays are always playing the Blue Jays?

Anyway, the morning cloud have given away to a brilliant blue sky and Mr. Sun seems dialed up a few notches today. I think he is ahead of both the pitchers and the hitters.

OK, enough of that. The Rays didn't exactly bring the "A" team to Dunedin Stadium today. They will Saturday when they play the Reds in Sarasota.

Here are the lineups
Elliot Johnson CF
Justin Ruggiano LF
Ben Zobrist RF
Morgan Ensberg DH
Chris Richard 1B
Shawn Riggans C
Reid Brignac 2B
Ray Olmedo SS
Adam Kennedy 3B
Carlos Hernandez P

Jays
Joe Inglett LF
Brad Emaus 2B
Adam Lind DH
Kevin Millar 1B
Scott Rolen 3B
Jason Lane CF
Travis Snider RF
John McDonald SS
Michael Barrett C
Brett Cecil P

Phillies at Rays

The Hooters Calender girls are on hand to throw out the first pitches here at Charlotte Sports Park before today's game with the visiting Phillies. Actually, just Nikki threw out the first pitch.

Apparently, the ladies will be signing their calenders at the Port Charlotte Hooters tonight.

If that news isn't big enough there is this: Troy Percival will pitch his first inning of the spring.

Here are the lineups:
Phillies
Miguel Cairo 2B
Jason Ellison CF
Raul Ibanez LF
Ryan Howard 1B
Geoff Jenkins DH
Greg Dobbs 3B
John Mayberry RF
Jason Donald SS
Ronny Paulino C
Jamie Moyer P

Rays
Jason Bartlett SS
Carl Crawford LF
Evan Longoria 3B
Carlos Pena 1B
Pat Burrell DH
Gabe Kapler CF
Dioner Navarro C
Gabe Gross RF
Adam Kennedy 2B
James Shields P

Price: Two inning, two walks, three Ks

Davis Price got through his second inning.

He walked the lead off batter in the eighth for the second straight inning, but erased him when he started a 1-6-3 double play.

He fanned the last batter to end his day.

His line: two innings, two walks, three Ks.