Devil Rays: Up next

SCOUTING REPORT: The Red Sox, battling the Yankees for the lead in the AL East, finished 7-2 on a road trip to Toronto, Kansas City and Baltimore. Third baseman Shea Hillenbrand has a 13-game hitting streak and is fourth in the AL in RBIs with 20. Right-hander Derek Lowe's 1.29 ERA is lowest among AL pitchers at night. Boston is fifth in the AL in runs with 116 and second in pitching (3.73 ERA). Pedro Martinez leads the league in hit batters with five, one more than former Ray Rolando Arrojo.

TAMPA BAY CONNECTIONS: Arrojo originally signed with the Rays and spent the 1998-99 seasons with them (21-24). Since leaving he is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA vs. Tampa Bay. Left-hander Jeff Wallace, 0-3 with the Rays in 2001, was claimed off waivers by Boston. Rays coach Billy Hatcher was a Red Sox outfielder from mid 1992 to mid 1994. Rays catcher John Flaherty played 35 games with Boston in 1992 and 13 in 1993.

ALL-TIME SERIES: The Rays are 23-33 vs. Boston, including 5-14 last season (3-7 at Fenway Park).

WHO'S HOT: Since April 15, Johnny Damon is batting .410 with two homers and five stolen bases.

WHO'S NOT: Tony Clark has five hits in his past 49 at-bats (.102) with four RBIs and 10 strikeouts.