Rays extra

OUTTA LEFTFIELD

Either Brent Abernathy has been eating well or the Comerica Park scoreboard operators made a mistake. Listed at 191 pounds in the Rays media guide, Abernathy gained 44 pounds and was being shown at 6-0, 235 pounds during the Tigers series. "I'd be hitting about 30 home runs if I weighed 235," Abernathy said.

TONIGHT: RAYS VS. ORIOLES

TIME: 7:15; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg.

PITCHERS: Orioles -- Calvin Maduro (1-1, 6.30); Rays -- Tanyon Sturtze (0-2, 7.56).

TV/RADIO: FSN; WFLA-AM 970.

WORTH NOTING: The Rays have turned an AL-leading 20 double plays. Thirteen have come in six games against the Tigers. ... Maduro has held left-handed hitters to a .222 average in two starts. He is 0-1 with a 3.38 in two career appearances against the Rays. ... Eight fans will be selected to win a pair of round-trip Southwest Airlines tickets. ... Gates open at 5:15 p.m.

TICKETS: Available at the Tropicana Field box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, including ticketmaster.com, and the Devil Rays dugout store in WestShore Plaza or by calling 898-RAYS in Pinellas and 282-RAYS in Hillsborough.

INFORMATION: Call toll-free 1-888-FAN-RAYS.

RAYS ATTENDANCE

Tropicana Field

TOTAL: 100,955.

AVG.: 16,825.

LARGEST: 38,142 (April 2, Tigers).

SMALLEST: 11,058 (April 12, Blue Jays).

Road

TOTAL: 225,124.

AVG: 28,141.

LARGEST: 55,771 (April 5 at Yankees).

SMALLEST: 10,736 (April 17 at Tigers).

BY THE NUMBERS

HOME/ROAD: 4-2/2-6

DAY/NIGHT: 3-3/3-5

GRASS/TURF: 2-6/4-2

VS. AL EAST: 2-6

VS. AL CENTRAL: 4-2

VS. RH/LH STARTERS: 6-6/0-2

1-RUN GAMES: 3-2

EXTRA INNINGS: 2-0

COME FROM BEHIND WINS: 5

SCOUTING REPORT: After losing six of their first seven this season, the Orioles have won three of eight. Heading into Thursday's games, Baltimore ranked last in the American League in batting average (.219), eighth with a 4.65 ERA and second with 22 home runs allowed. Outfielder Melvin Mora, who has replaced Chris Singleton in centerfield and is batting leadoff, ranked second in the AL with a .534 on-base percentage and 14 walks. First baseman Jay Gibbons' .714 slugging percentage was fourth and .410 average against right-handers sixth. The Orioles recalled two of their top pitching prospects Tuesday, Rick Bauer from Triple-A Rochester and Erik Bedard from Double-A Bowie, to help an overworked bullpen. Long reliever Chris Brock was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder injury and starter Jason Johnson is working through a dead-arm stage. He lasted 11/3 innings against the White Sox on Monday.

TAMPA BAY CONNECTIONS: Johnson was the Rays' seventh pick in the expansion draft but was traded for outfielder Danny Clyburn in March 1999. Rays closer Esteban Yan made his major-league debut in 1996 with Baltimore. Rays first-base coach Lee May played six seasons for the Orioles, including the 1979 World Series.

ALL-TIME SERIES: The series is tied at 29 overall and 14 at Tropicana Field. Baltimore won 10 of 19 against the Rays last season.

WHO'S HOT: First baseman David Segui is 14 for his past 28 with one homer and eight RBIs.

WHO'S NOT: Shortstop Mike Bordick is hitting .116 with two homers and 14 RBIs.

-- KEVIN KELLY