Rays Report

By Times staff
Published September 24, 2007

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Quote of the day

"You just hope the ball hits your bat because you don't know where it's going and he probably doesn't know where it's going."

Rays RF Delmon Young on facing Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

Did you know?

1B Carlos Pena's 42-homer season comes after he hit one at the big-league level last season with Boston. Only two other players have had a bigger increase over one season: Oakland's Mark McGwire (1986-87, 3 to 49) and Washington's Harmon Killebrew (1958-59, 0 to 42).

Number of the day

16,827 Rays average home attendance after Sunday's crowd of 30,310 pushed the Rays out of last place in attendance over the Marlins, who average 25 less fans, both after 78 home dates.

Tonight: Off

Tuesday: vs. Yankees

When/where: 7:10; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

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

Probable pitchers: Rays - RHP Jason Hammel (2-5, 5.88); Yankees - RHP Roger Clemens (6-6, 4.18).

Promotions: For Fandemonium, $2 scratch-off cards offer the chance to win game-worn jerseys, 2008 tickets and autographed memorabilia. Rays players Scott Kazmir, Gary Glover, Brendan Harris and Andy Sonnanstine will sign autographs from 5:45 to 6:15.

Rays info: (727) 825-3250

On deck

Wednesday: Yankees, 7:10, Ch. 66, prime pricing. Rays - J.P. Howell (1-5, 6.80); Yankees - Chien-Ming Wang (18-7, 3.72)

Thursday: Yankees, 7:10, FSN, prime pricing. Rays - Scott Kazmir (13-9, 3.54); Yankees - Phil Hughes (4-3, 4.80)

Friday: at Blue Jays, 7:07, no TV. Rays - Andy Sonnanstine (6-9, 5.80). Blue Jays - TBA