Rays: Up next

© St. Petersburg Times
published April 29, 2002

Tonight: Rays at Twins

WHEN/WHERE: 8:05; Metrodome, Minneapolis.

PITCHERS: Rays -- LHP Joe Kennedy (1-1, 4.91); Twins -- Eric Milton (3-2, 5.90).

TV/RADIO: Fox Sports Net/WFLA-AM 970. WORTH NOTING: Kennedy has won both his starts against the Twins. The Rays knocked Milton out in the fifth inning Wednesday at the Trop. The Rays are 10-9 in Minneapolis, one of three cities in which they have a winning record. The others are Detroit and Kansas City.

RAYS INFORMATION: Call tollfree 1-888-FAN-RAYS.

SCOUTING REPORT: The Twins can't be too happy to see the Rays again. A week ago, the Twins were coming off an 8-1 homestand, sitting in first place and feeling pretty good about themselves.

Then they came to Tropicana Field and lost two of three, then were swept by the lowly Tigers, making their weeklong road trip a 1-5 disappointment.

Like most teams that go bad, the Twins are making too many mistakes. Their hitters are taking bad swings, and their pitchers are throwing bad pitches.

Still, this is one of the best young, small-market teams in the game.

Even without Joe Mays, their pitching staff ranks in the top half of their league, and their lineup is loaded with aggressive hitters who go to the plate ready to battle.

Torii Hunter has been one of the biggest April surprises, sharing the league lead with eight homers, challenging the team record for April hits (35), and taking a .361 average into play tonight.

Other key players include first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, leftfielder Jacque Jones, shortstop Cristian Guzman and third baseman Corey Koskie. DH David Ortiz is on the disabled list.

Lefty closer Eddie Guardado is 8-for-8 in save situations, converting 16 in a row going back to September.

TAMPA BAY CONNECTIONS: Twins ace Brad Radke starred at Tampa Jesuit and lives in Largo. ... Reliever Tony Fiore spent parts of the 2000 and 2001 seasons with the Rays. ... Mays played at Bradenton Southeast High and Manatee Community College. ... Injured reliever Mike Duvall was with the Rays from 1998-2000.

SEASON SERIES: The Rays took two of three last week at the Trop, and hold a 23-18 overall edge, their best record against any AL opponent.

WHO'S HOT: Hunter, who has hit in 12 of his past 14 games and ranks among the league leaders.

WHO'S NOT: Guzman, who went 2-for-16 on the road trip and is battling to keep his average better than .200.