Rays/MLB

Up next: Yankees

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published July 28, 2006

WHAT'S NEW: It's tough to pick up a New York newspaper and not read something about Alex Rodriguez. His fielding has gone south (his 18 errors lead AL third basemen). There are trade rumors (though GM Brian Cashman said it will never happen). A-Rod is batting 216 (8-for-37) with two homers in his past 10 games. "It's not something that's fun to go through," he said recently.

INJURIES: Pitchers Octavio Dotel (elbow), Tanyon Sturtze (shoulder) and Carl Pavano (elbow), outfielders Hideki Matsui (wrist) and Gary Sheffield (wrist) and second baseman Robinson Cano (hamstring) are on the DL. Pitcher Kyle Farnsworth has a sore back.

KEEP IN MIND: Considering the Rays' penchant for giving up big innings, this should be scary: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Yankees lead the AL, and are tied with the Braves for the major-league lead, with 18 innings in which they scored at least five runs.

WHO'S HOT: Starter Mike Mussina, whom the Rays face Sunday, has won four straight decisions and has not lost since June 15. In that stretch the right-hander has allowed 19 runs in 41 innings for a 4.17 ERA with 33 strikeouts and nine walks.

WHO'S NOT: First baseman Jason Giambi is batting .195 in July and .167 (6-for-36) with two homers in his past 10 games.

SERIES: The Yankees lead 6-2 and 94-44 overall. New York is 2-1 at Yankee Stadium this season and 49-18 overall.

- DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times staff writer

[Last modified July 28, 2006, 05:51:33]