Rays report

By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 10, 2007

Quote of the day, No. 1

"We put that switch in there about a week ago."

Manager Joe Maddon, joking about how the 10-minute delay due to a Tropicana Field power outage occurred with Toronto's Jesse Litsch on the mound

Quote of the day, No. 2

"The biggest thing this last month is to prove to ourselves how good we can be, and I think we're starting to show ourselves that."

Maddon, on the recently improved play

Did you know?

B.J. Upton on Saturday hit the third pinch-hit walkoff homer in franchise history, joining Bubba Trammell, April 22, 2000, vs. Anaheim, and Eduardo Perez, April 22, 2005, vs. Boston.

Tonight: Rays at Red Sox

When/where: 7:05; Fenway Park, Boston

TV/radio: Ch. 66; 1250-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Probable pitchers: Rays - LHP Scott Kazmir (11-8, 3.79); Red Sox - RHP Curt Schilling (8-6, 4.04)

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

Rays info: (727) 825-3250

Watch for ...

Curt replies: Sox starter Curt Schilling, who said recently he'd consider signing with the Rays next season, is 11-6, 3.80 against them, though it has been almost a year since he faced them. Carl Crawford is 15-for-45 with four doubles and a homer.

Special K: Rays starter Scott Kazmir is an impressive 3-3, 3.15 at Fenway Park and 5-4, 2.82 against Boston overall. He has held sluggers Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz to a combined .143 average - 11-for-73 with 21 strikeouts.

Fan club: Kazmir's first strikeout will be his 200th of the season, making him the eighth active pitcher to have that many before turning 24.

On deck

Tuesday: at Red Sox, 7:05, Ch.66. Rays - Andy Sonnanstine (5-9, 5.73); Red Sox - Tim Wakefield (16-10, 4.39)

Wednesday: at Red Sox, 7:05, FSN. Rays - Edwin Jackson (4-14, 6.00); Red Sox - Jon Lester (4-0, 4.47)

Thursday: at Mariners, 10:05, FSN. Rays - Jason Hammel (2-4, 6.57); Mariners - Jeff Weaver (6-12, 6.05)

Friday: at Mariners, 10:05, no TV. Rays - James Shields (12-8, 3.96); Mariners - Felix Hernandez (12-7, 4.17)

[Last modified September 9, 2007, 20:57:50]