Rays report

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA, Times Staff Writer
Published September 2, 2007

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Quote of the day

"Every bat is cut off at the end. Which bat isn't cut off at the end, or else it would be the infinity bat. You've got to cut them at some point. Just how it looks at the end of the bat really has nothing to do with anything, besides that it has to end at some point. There's an abrupt end to every bat."Rays manager Joe Maddon on Akinori Iwamura's confiscated bat.

Number of the day

1 - Times the Rays have had back-to-back series wins this season. The only time was on the road (June 5-10 at Toronto and Florida).e_SClBDid you know?

Yankees LHP Andy Pettitte goes into today's start having won 12 consecutive decisions against the Rays, his longest winning streak against any team.

Today: Rays at Yankees

When/where: 1:05; Yankee Stadium, New York

TV/radio: FSN; 680-AM (Spanish)

Probable pitchers: Rays - RHP Jason Hammel (1-4, 7.44); Yankees - LHP Andy Pettitte (12-7, 3.70)

Rays tickets: $8-$210. Available at Tropicana Field box office, all Ticketmaster outlets and devilrays.com.

Rays info: (727) 825-3250

Watch for ...

Hammel time: Rays starter Jason Hammel showed signs of coming around in his last start Monday despite allowing three homers and five runs over six innings. He's still searching for his first major-league win in 18 starts.

On deck

Monday: vs. Orioles, 7:10, FSN. Rays - James Shields (10-8, 4.10); Orioles - TBA