DRG here again to get you through the weekend...

Yesterday: Tampa Bay Rays.

• The Good: Scoring 13 runs in Yankee stadium in the first regular season game since the incidents in spring training. Like Prof keeps saying. If you want respect, you gotta punch the bully right in the mouth...The Bullpen was solid, even with the game out of reach. Three relievers combined for 3 hitless innings with only one walk...Carlos 'El Gato' Pena hit his second home run in 3 games. Anybody still think he will only hit 30 this year?...Cliff 'Dr. Huxtable' Floyd with his second also. After the game he sat Elliot Johnson on his knee and taught him some lessons picking on his sisters too much...Shawn Riggans came on after Dioner Navarro had to leave the game with an injury and delivered the knockout blow. A huge 3-run double to right-center.
  
• The Bad: Scoring 13 runs in Yankee stadium in the first of a 4-game series. The Yankees were undoubtedly embarrassed by their performance. Let's hope the Rays did not wake the sleeping giant...Carl Crawford grounded into a double-play. Still trying to figure that one out...
  
• The Telling: Eric Hinske made his first start at third base since July 22, 2006 over Elliot Johnson and of course poor Joel Guzman who of course is still in the minors 26 years after the Dodgers signed him as a 16-year old prospect...Jonny Gomes was originally penciled in to make his first start of the season in right field even with a right hander on the mound. Instead he served his 1-game suspension...Dioner Navarro was in the 6th spot of the lineup rather than his usual 8-hole. It appears as if Joe Maddon was ready to ride his hot bat before he was injured...With a 1:05 start today, it is unclear if Mike DiFelice will make it to the ballpark in time for the game. If he does he very well could get the start in a day game after a night game.
  

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA...

• Jonny Gomes had his suspension reduced from 2 games to 1 and he served it last night. Melky Cabrera and Shelley Duncan also had their suspensions reduced by one game. Cabrera served his suspension last night and today. Duncan will serve his 2-game suspension starting Sunday. [The Heater]
  
• Dioner Navarro has been placed on the 15-day DL and Mike DiFelice has been recalled from Durham to take his place on the roster. Navarro slipped entering the dugout and cut two fingers on his hand. He needed 12 stitches. [MLB]
  
• Sounds like a little luster has come off Ian Kennedy already which if you ask me is awesome because I am sick and tired of hearing from Yankees fans how great their pitching staff is this year. [New York Post]
• Edwin Jackson makes a huge start today in his career. Joe Maddon is hoping that Jackson can focus on every pitch and try not to rush when things start to unravel. [MLB]
  
• DRays Bay found some rather disturbing photos of BJ Upton. [DRays Bay]
  
• Brian Griese will throw out the first pitch at a Rays home game on April 18. Good thing for Griese, Shawn Riggans will not be moving or else the pitch would certainly be about 5 yards behind him. [Tampa Bay's 10]
  

Indians 6, Devil Rays 4.
It is hard to get too upset when the worst is expected and the worst happens. The "highly potent" Rays offense was only able to manage 5 hits and once again the bullpen blew a lead. With Al Reyes unavailable after pitching in the first two games of the series, Joe Maddon called on Brian Stokes to close out a 4-2 ballgame. When Stokes hit the first batter he faced, a collective sigh could be heard from the crowd of 18,000 at the Trop. It was as if everybody knew what was going to happen next and that is exactly what happened. After a run-scoring single, Stokes gave up a 3-run home run to somebody with 8 career home runs. On the bright side, James Shields was masterful and solidified himself as the Rays best pitcher, going 8 innings, allowing only 2 hits and matching the Devil Rays team record of 12 strikeouts.

• Despite second-guessers calling for James Shields to come out for the 9th or for Juan Salas to be there in the 9th, Joe Maddon's decision to use Brian Stokes was the correct one. Stokes just did not get the job done.
  
• We disagree. James Shields performance did not fly under the radar. Performances like that by a D-Rays pitcher are noticed, no matter what the end result.
• It could be another week before the team seeks relief relief from AAA.
  
• BJ Upton is finally hitting the ball, but considering his frail frame, questions remain as to whether he can sustain this all season.
• Carlos Pena is now getting regular playing time. What happens when Greg Norton comes back from the DL?
  
• Mets fans just cannot let go of Scott Kazmir. Now they are analyzing his struggles during his recent start and wondering aloud if he is injured. Of course, Kid K out-dueled Johan Santana in the start before that. Sure looked fine that night.
  
• Manny Stiles at the Trop, day 2.
• Current Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms as well as former Bucs QB Brian Griese will throw out the first pitches tonight in the series opener against the Yankees. We are not sure what is more likely to happen...Brian Griese is injured during the pitch or Chris Simms has pitch knocked down by Derek Jeter before it reaches the plate. We are taking bets on both.