Rays extra

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 28, 2002

OUTTA LEFTFIELD

Some might have thought Rays starting pitcher Paul Wilson intentionally walked Toronto's Jose Cruz with the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Cruz, after all, is batting .357 with six homers and 20 RBIs against the Rays this season.

But that wasn't the case.

"My intentions were for him to hit the ball," Wilson said. "I just as soon him belt a double or whatever, put the bat on the ball rather than walk him. That's giving them a free run."

TONIGHT: RAYS VS. MARLINS

WHEN/WHERE: 7:15; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg.

PITCHERS: Rays -- Wilson Alvarez (1-2, 5.30); Marlins -- Ryan Dempster (5-6, 4.82).

TV/RADIO: Ch. 32; WFLA-AM 970.

WORTH NOTING: Alvarez is making his second start of the season against Florida. He pitched six scoreless innings, allowing four hits, on June 16 at Pro Player Stadium. . . . Dempster is 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA in his past two starts and 2-3 with a 5.58 ERA in five career games against Tampa Bay. . . . Fans with a ticket stub from the Americas' Sail maritime festival can purchase a half-price outfield or lower box ticket.

RAYS TICKETS: Available at Tropicana Field box office, through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at devilrays.com or ticketmaster.com and at the Rays Dugout Store at WestShore Plaza. Beach tickets ($5 for adults, $2 for children and seniors) go on sale two hours before home games.

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

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