Game 17: Rays vs Detroit Tigers — Pregame News and Notes
Updated 12:00 p.m. After a thrilling 8–7 ninth inning victory over the Detroit Tigers, the Rays have a chance to sweep the three-game series this afternoon and move back over .500. The Rays (8–8) are now 7–2 at home, and have won five straight games at home for the first time in nearly two years (May 12–22, 2015).
The Rays have their lineup they normally use against lefties today, although Evan Longoria is the DH after last night’s nearly four-hour contest:
Souza Jr RF
Kiermaier CF
Longoria DH
Weeks 1B
Miller 2B
Beckham SS
Robertson 3B
Sucre C
Bourjos LF
The wild victory was Tampa Bay’s first that ended on an error since August 24th last year, when Heath Hembree’s miscue complete a victory over the Boston Red Sox. A sweep of Detroit (8–6) would be Tampa Bay’s first against the Tigers since July 26–29, 2010, the last time the Rays won the AL East.
Erasmo Ramirez makes the start for Tampa Bay. It’s Ramirez’s first start for the Rays this year as he fills in for Jake Odorizzi, who’s sidelined with left hamstring tightness. Ramirez threw four innings on 46 pitches after Odorizzi departed on Saturday against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
On the injury front, Mallex Smith (right hamstring strain) will begin his rehab program as soon as this weekend. Meanwhile, Colby Rasmus will resume his rehab this Saturday playing left field in a game for the Rays AA affiliate Montgomery Biscuits.
The Tigers will start lefty Daniel Norris, who threw six shutout innings his last time out against Cleveland. Norris has faced the Rays once at Tropicana Field, and that was in 2015 while with the Toronto Blue Jays.
For the Tigers, they will be playing without two key fielders. Jose Iglesias was injured on the final play of last night’s contest while Justin Upton didn’t play Wednesday with a forearm contusion. Victor Martinez is out of the DH spot for an off day but is available for Detroit from the bench if they need him.
Here is the Tigers’ lineup:
Kinsler 2B
Collins RF
Cabrera DH
Castellanos 3B
Avila 1B
McCann C
Romine LF
Jones CF
Machado SS
On the Rays minor league front yesterday:
Durham (8–5) fell 8–5 to Pirates affiliate Indianapolis. Brent Honeywell allowed three runs on six hits over six innings in his first Triple-A start.
Montgomery (7–6) dropped an 8–7 ninth inning decision at Mariners affiliate Jackson. Nick Ciuffo reached base four times.
Charlotte (5–9) won 4–3 at Reds affiliate Daytona. Michael Santos and Ian Gibaut threw three perfect innings of relief.
Bowling Green (6–6) was suspended by rain at Indians affiliate Lake County with a 2–0 lead in the fifth.
Coverage of this afternoon’s radio only broadcast begins at 12:30 p.m. on the Rays Radio Network, and Dave and Andy will have the call with first pitch at 1:10 p.m.
