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By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 21, 2001
THE GAME
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg.
TV/RADIO: FSN; WFLA-AM 970, WLCC-AM 760 (Spanish). TODAY'S PROMOTIONS: Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, honoring the memory of Tampa police officer Lois Marrero, killed in the line of duty July 6. Also, Autograph Day: four players or coaches available at 2:55 p.m. for a 30-minute session.
TICKETS: Available at stadium box office; through Ticketmaster phone and retail outlets; and at team stores in WestShore Plaza, Brandon Town Center and BayWalk.
INFO: Call 1-888-FAN-RAYS.
Ryan Rupe
Rupe (4-8, 7.12) makes his 16th start of the season and 10th since being recalled Memorial Day from Triple-A Durham. The start is the 57th of his career, which will move him past ex-Ray Rolando Arrojo into second place in team history (Bryan Rekar, 74).
Oliver (7-5, 6.48) makes his first start of the season against Tampa Bay; he is 6-3 with a 2.39 ERA in 13 career starts against the Rays. His last start was a 7-6 loss to Giants (51/3 innings, 8 hits, 7 runs, 6 earned) and he is 0-3 with a 9.56 ERA in his past three starts.
Manager Hal McRae was asked, in view of the Rays' inability to drive home runners in scoring position, what he would pay for a base hit in such situations. "A premium," he said. "And I'd pay big for contact."
FRIDAY'S CROWD: 13,611
TROPICANA FIELD CAPACITY: 44,445
SEASON TOTAL: 749,941
PER-GAME AVERAGE: 15,305
2001 LARGEST CROWD: 41,546
2001 SMALLEST CROWD: 10,539
2000 PER-GAME AVERAGE: 19,368
1999 PER-GAME AVERAGE: 19,296
1998 PER-GAME AVERAGE: 30,939