Monday, Sep. 29, 2008

RAYS EXTRA: CC to play trial game

Carl Crawford will test the surgically repaired tendon in his right middle finger at 1 p.m. today during an Instructional League game at the Rays minor league complex in St. Petersburg.

Crawford (below) was activated from the disabled list in Detroit and actually played two innings in left field during Sunday's win. He didn't bat, though.

The Rays have until 10 a.m. Thursday morning to decide whether to activate Crawford for the American League Division Series.

Sunday's game

Ben Zobrist hit a go-ahead single in a four-run eighth and had a solo homer in the 11th, lifting Tampa Bay to an 8-7 win over the host Detroit Tigers.

Edwin Jackson gave up two runs and four hits over two innings. Jason Hammell had his second save in as many opportunities.

Quote of the day

"Not only is he going to be Rookie of the Year this year, but he's going to be a perennial All-Star and right in the middle of that lineup of that great Rays team."

- Cal Ripken, Hall of Famer and TBS analyst, on rookie third baseman Evan Longoria before Sunday's telecast.

Stat of the day

4: Home runs Ben Zobrist hit during the four-game series in Detroit. The infielder/outfielder hit the game-winner Sunday and finished the regular season with a career-high 12 in only 198 at-bats. He finished tied with the Milwaukee Brewers' Russell Branyan for the most home runs in the majors by a player with fewer than 200 at-bats.

Up next

TBA AT RAYS

2:30 p.m. Thursday

The Rays are still waiting for an opponent.

That could be decided today when the Chicago White Sox play a make-up game against the Tigers in Chicago. A White Sox victory sets up a one-game playoff Tuesday for the AL Central title with the Minnesota Twins. A White Sox loss sends the Twins to the Trop for their ALDS.

Joe Maddon said he would start right-hander James Shields, who started and threw only an inning Sunday, or lefty Scott Kazmir in the first two games, but he would not say who would be on the mound for Game 1.