DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA...

• Yesterday, the Rays added Wade Davis, Jake McGee and Dale Thayer to the 40-man roster. The moves give the Rays 39 players on the 40-man roster.This is significant because with an open slot on the 40-man roster, the Rays will be able to make a selection in the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Given the Rays need for help in the bullpen and the current nature of the payroll (it's high) it would not surprise us to see the Rays select a player with a real shot at being on the roster all season. The Rule 5 draft will be held December 11. [Rays Index]
  
• The Rays released the schedule of games for their first Spring Training at Charlotte Sports Park. The first game will be a home game on February 25 versus the Reds at 1:05. [The Heater]
• David Chalk of Bugs and Cranks continues his latest "Ain't S#!t" series comparing other nominees to Joe Maddon for Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" award. [Bugs and Cranks]
  
• David Chalk of Bugs and Cranks points out there is precedent for a coach to win Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year" award. [Bugs and Cranks]
  
• The various Rays prospects in the Arizona Fall League have concluded their season. Biscuit Crumbs has the final stats. [Biscuit Crumbs]
  

Joe Smith of the St. Pete Times is reporting that the Rays have added Wade Davis, Jake McGee and Dale Thayer to the 40-man roster.

Thayer is a bit of a surprise as the Rays left him unprotected last season and he went undrafted in the Rule 5 draft. However, a look at Rays Prospects' recent analysis of relief pitching in the Rays organization showed that Thayer had a very strong season with Durham.

Davis is considered one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. McGee was on a similar level to Davis, however, he will miss most of the 2008 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Rays add McGee, Davis and Thayer to 40-man roster [The Heater]
A Look at Relief Pitching [Rays Prospects]

Click on above images to be taken to full standings, box scores or schedule...

THE GOOD: Tough lefty? Carl Crawford is 9-19 (.474) in his career against Jamie Moyer. Carlos Pena is 10-20 (.500) with 3 doubles and 2 home runs. Matt Stairs (1-10) is the only Phillie that has ever faced Matt Garza, but is unlikely to face him tonight.

THE BAD: Having to explain to people that we will be late to a Halloween party because of the World Series even though they promise to have the game on. Don't care. We need to focus. This is too important.

THE TELLING: Forecast is now saying that the rain should have already passed by game time, with rain up until about 6pm and only 20% chance of rain during the game. You can get hourly updates here...The Rays were 6-3 in NL ballparks this season.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA...

• The Delaware News-Journal (Phillies country) compares the long-suffering fans of the Rays and Phillies and what this World Series means to each. The story includes some quotes from some Rays fans including some bloke named Cork Gaines. Wonder where they found that guy? [Delaware News-Journal]
• Peter Gammons compares the Rays and Phillies bullpens. Joe Maddon says the key to building a bullpen without a top-notch closer is to find 4-5 guys that are not afraid of pitching in the 9th inning and 4-5 guys that are capable of coming into a game, finishing an inning and then going back out to at least start the next inning. Interestingly, Maddon says he can see Jake McGee filling those needs once he comes back from Tommy John surgery. [ESPN]

Price obviously is going into the Tampa Bay rotation next season, but look for the Rays to take a big, hard-throwing lefty like Jake McGee -- who is coming off Tommy John surgery -- to try that role. Maddon says McGee throws harder than Price, and he sees McGee being used in important roles out of the pen once he learns how to pitch, sit and pitch again.

• Ahhh Phillies Fans. [Big League Stew-Video]
  
• Joe Maddon admits that the game is more difficult to manage without a DH. Bill Chastain also mentions that while Andy Sonnanstine and Scott Kazmir can handle a bat well, Matt Garza is a very poor hitter. [MLB]
  
• Paul White of USA Today says the ballpark is not nearly as important as the pitching matchups and the Rays have the advantage. [USA Today]
• The Rays relievers are going to have to deal with a raucous crowd near the bullpen. [LA Times]
• Ronald Blum takes a look at the Rays bullpen and notes that unlike most teams, the Rays' relievers do not have defined roles. [SI.com]
• Not a single Tampa Bay Ray was named to the Sporting News' American League All-Star team. [Halos Happenings]
  
• Carlos Pena calls Akinori Iwamura "one of the best players we've ever seen." High praise indeed. [Chicago Tribune]
  
• Piper Castillo takes a look at what is on Fernando Perez' nightstand. [St. Pete Times]
  
• Dueling Couches is none too happy that the media are talking about David Price so much. We are assuming they were just as hard on the media with Joba Chamberlain last year and Francisco Rodriguez back in 2002. Because apparently it is not impressive to record the final 4 outs of an ALCS game 7 win against the Red Sox and then record the final 7 outs of a World Series win. All after having started the year in single-A. [Dueling Couches]
• Despite solid game 1 numbers, game 2 received the second-lowest ratings ever for a World Series game. [Awful Announcing]
  
• Bob Verdi of the Chicago Tribune says this World Series is worth watching and that nobody need feel sorry for the fat cats running the television industry. [Chicago Tribune]
• A tour of Joe Maddon's office...Love the quote of about the wine and Joey Gathright. [VIDEO]
  
• Some pics of game 2 from a fan in the seats. [The Serious Tip]
• The success of the Rays has even boosted the local cigar industry. [Cigar Review]
  

Durham 7, Charlotte 1. Jeff Niemann may have used the motivation of Mitch Talbot's promotion to fuel his best start of the year, a complete game effort in which he allowed 1 run while striking out 12 and walking only 1 batter. Niemann threw 107 pitches, 74 for strikes...Justin Ruggiano was 3-4 with 2 solo home runs, his 6th and 7th...Dan Johnson added his 12th home run...Reid Brignac was 2-4 and struck out twice.

Mississippi 6, Montgomery 4. Jeremy Hellickson's second double-A start went much better than his first, giving up 2 runs in 4 innings. He struck out 3 without walking a batter and gave up 5 hits including a home run...Chris Nowak drove in 2 with 2 doubles in 4 at bats.

Palm Beach 11, Vero Beach 2 (gm 1). Ryan Morse gave up 9 runs (5 earned) in 3 innings. He gave up 7 hits and 4 walks...Wade Townsend came off the DL and pitched 1 perfect inning in relief...The D-Rays made 5 errors in the 7 inning contest and managed only 3 hits including a solo home run from Ryan Royster his 5th.

Vero Beach 4, Palm Beach 3 (gm 2). Chuck Tiffany made his second straight start working 4 innings and allowing 3 unearned runs. He struck out 4 and walked 2.

Hickory 3, Columbus 2. Jason Ragan pitched 5 scoreless innings for Columbus...Chase Fontaine finished 2-5 with his 1st home run, a solo shot...Maiko Loyola was 2-4 with a triple and 2 stolen bases. He now has 33 steals on the season, which is 3rd most in the SALy.

Batavia 12, Hudson Valley 0.

Princeton 9, Bluefield 5.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM...

• The Durham Bulls had 4 players named to the IL Al-Star team including Reid Brignac, Chris Richard, Jeremy Cummings and Dale Thayer. [Durham Bulls]
  
• 6 members of the Montgomery Biscuits were named to the SL South All-Star squad. The players include Wade Davis, Jakes McGee, James Houser, Gaby Martinez, Rashad Eldridge and John Jaso. Jaso will be making his second straight appearance on the team, something we assume doesn't happen very often. McGee will obviously not be able to participate due to his injury. Also, Gaby Martinez will not make the game due to a personal matter. [Biscuits' Batter]
  

Durham 5, Richmond 2. Ben Hendrickson gave up 2 runs in 6 innings for his 7th win...Scott Dohmann picked up his 8th save...Jon Weber was 3-5 with his 10th home run and 9th steal...Joel Guzman went 0-3 with a sac fly and Reid Brignac went 1-4 with an RBI.

Montgomery 6, Mississippi 5. James Houser gave up 2 home runs and 5 runs total in 5 innings. He struck out 4 and walked none...Ronnie Merrill led off and went 3-5, scoring 2 runs...John Jaso went 2-5 with 2 doubles and Erold Andrus hit his 11th home run.

Vero Beach (off-day)

Rome 11, Columbus 6. Jeremy Hall gave up 5 runs in 2.2 innings on the same day he was named pitcher of the week...Quinn Stewart went 3-5 with a his first home run and 3 RBI. He is hitting .324/.388/.465 in 19 games since being demoted.

Brooklyn 6, Hudson Valley 5. Nick Barnese struck out 9 in 4 innings.

Princeton 3, Greeneville 2.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM...

• Jeremy Hall was named SAL pitcher of the week. [MiLB]
• Jake McGee is scheduled to have his Tommy John surgery on July 8. [Biscuits' Batter]
  

Lehigh Valley 10, Durham 8. Yikes. Chris Mason got pounded for 10 runs on 13 hits and a walk in 3.2 innings. The 13 hits included 3 doubles and 2 home runs...Jon Weber went 4-5 with his 9th home run...Elliot Johnson was 1-3 with a bases-clearing triple in the 5-run 5th.

Montgomery 8, Mobile 2. David Price made his double-A debut last night. He picked up the win after allowing 2 runs in 6 innings. He struck out 7 but did walk 4, gave up 4 hits (all singles) and hit a batter. After cruising through the first 2 innings without allowing a baserunner, Price struggled with multiple baserunners in the 3rd, 4th, and 6th innings...Chris Nowak was 4-5 and drove in 3, including a 2-run home run.

Vero Beach 6, Sarasota 1. Kevin Lynn started but was pulled after just 5 outs and 1 run...John Matulia was 3-5 with 2 runs driven in. He is now hitting .351 on the year...Cesar Suarez and Ryan Royster each added 3 hits.

Charleston 6, Columbus 2 (gm 1). Jason Ragan gave up 5 runs (4 earned) in only 2 innings...Glenn Gibson pitched 4 innings in the continuation of a rain-shortened game from the day before. He allowed only 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 2.

Columbus 2, Charleston 1 (gm 2). Jesse Darcy started and improved to 4-0 and lowered his ERA to 2.01 with 1 run in 6.1 innings. He struck out 4 and walked none...Maiko Loyola had 1 of the Catfish' 3 hits and drove in 1 run. He stole his 30th base.

Hudson Valley 3, Staten Island 2.

Princeton 7, Burlington 6. Tim Beckham made his professional debut as the Princeton DH. He batted 2nd and went 1-4 with an infield single in his first at bat. He would eventually score the Rays first run.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM...

• Jake McGee is to have Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He will be lost for at least a year and will not be 100% until 2010 at the earliest...We used to say this all the time when the Rays supposedly had too many outfielders. The Rays do not have too many starting pitchers until they have too many at the major league level. Today that supposed depth has taken a major hit. [Biscuits' Batter]
  
• Let us not forget that the Rays not only got Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett for Delmon Young, but they also received Eddie Morlan. Well, Morlan has been named to the World Squad and will pitch in the Futures Game during the all-star break. [Baseball America]
  

Lehigh Valley 4, Durham 3. Ben Hendrickson gave up a single unearned run in 7 innings...Elliot Johnson hit his 4th home run and drove in 2.

Mobile 6, Montgomery 4. James Houser gave up 6 runs in 4 innings...Chris Nowak drove in 3 of the runs on 1-3 hitting.

Vero Beach 5, Clearwater 2. With the recent roster changes Chuck Tiffany got the spot-start and threw 3 shutout innings, on 4 hits and 1 walk. He struck out 2...Rocco Baldelli doubled, walked and drove in 2 in 5 plate appearances...Desmon Jennings was 3-5 with a double and a triple.

Columbus 6, Charleston 1. Jeremy Hall stuck out 8 and walked 1 in 8 shutout innings...Reid Frink finished 2-4 with his 8th home run. He drove in 3.

Hudson Valley 1, Brooklyn 0 (12). A John Mollicone single in the 12 won it for the 'Gades...Nick Barnese struck out 9 and walked none in 7 shutout innings. He gave up 3 hits.

Danville 7, Princeton 1.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM...

• David Price will make his double-A debut today and Tim Beckham will make his professional debut today. [Biscuits' Batter]
  
• Joel Guzman has been placed on the Temporary Inactive List so that he could return home to tend to a death in his family.
  
• ArmchairGM includes Jeremy Hellickson and Reid Brignac in their latest look at the top prospects in the minors. [ArmchairGM]
• Fangraphs wonders what has happened to Wade Davis in '08. [FanGraphs]
  
• Dexter Sports profiles Jake McGee. [Dexter Sports]
  

Durham 6, Norfolk 0. Jeff Niemann did not give up a run in 5 innings, allowing only 2 hits. But he did struggle with his control walking 5 batters and throwing a wild pitch. Of his 92 pitches, only 52 were strikes...Ben Zobrist and Reid Brignac each hit 2-run home runs for the Bulls. For Bignac, it was his 7th and he drove in 3, finishing 2-3. He is hitting .272. Fernando Perez stole his 23rd base.

Mississippi 6, Montgomery 2. Jake McGee gave up 2 runs in 2 innings on a hit and 3 walks. He was pulled with soreness in his forearm...Chris Nowak was 2-4 with a double and Sergio Pedroza hit a solo home run, his 4th.

Vero Beach 2, Clearwater 0. Jeremy Hellickson pitched a gem in his 14th and final start for Vero Beach. He worked 7 shutout innings, allowing only a 2nd inning double and retiring the final 17 batters he faced. He struck out 4 and walked none. He improved to 7-1 with a 2.00 ERA and an 83-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio...Mike Wlodarczyk pitched a perfect 8th and 9th for his first save...Ryan Royster was 2-4 and drove in both runs...Rocco Baldelli was 1-4 with a strike out and, wait for it...wait for it...Rocco stole a base?!?!? The guy can't play the field because of his legs and he is stealing bases?

Columbus v Charleston (ppd).

Staten Island 3, Hudson Valley 0.

Bluefield 10, Princeton 9 (11).

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM...

• Jeremy Hellickson will join his former Vero Beach teammate David Price in the Montgomery rotation after being promoted yesterday. Price and Hellickson will join Wade Davis and Jake McGee to form probably the best rotation in the minors, at least based on prospect status. [MiLB]
• Jake McGee will miss a couple of starts with forearm soreness. [Biscuits' Batter]
  

Durham @ Buffalo (ppd.). This game was called in the 3rd inning and will be concluded today. Joel Guzman hit his 14th home run to give the Bulls a 2-1 lead prior to the rain...Jeff Niemann had retired the first 6 batters before giving up a solo home run to lead off the third.

Montgomery (off-day)

Vero Beach 7, Brevard Co 2. David Price started for the D-Rays, working 5 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 7. The run came in the first inning when Price gave up a lead off single. That runner stole second and third, sandwhiching a pair of strikeouts, and then scored on another single. Nevin Ashley bailed out Price in the second with 2 outs and runners on first and second, following a pair of walks, Ashley picked the runner of first to end the inning. In the third, Price bailed himself out. After a leadoff triple, Price struck out the next three batters, the final one looking. Price retired 9 of the final 10 batters he faced...Rocco Baldelli made his first regular season appearance since last season as the D-Rays DH. He batted second and went 1-3 with a pair of walks. He walked in the 1st and was forced at second base. In the 2nd, he singled home 2 runs, and was again forced at second. In the 5th he grounded out to short. In the 7th he flied out to center. In the 8th, he walked with a runner on first. He was replaced by a pinch-runner.

Columbus (all-star break)

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM...

• Montgomery manager Billy Gardner says that both Jake McGee and Wade Davis need to be more consistent in the second half. [Montgomery Advertiser]

McGee, who is scheduled to start tonight, is 6-3 with a 3.86 ERA but has sometimes had control issues. He's totaled 32 walks and 62 strikeouts in 70 innings...Davis is 6-4 with a 3.47 ERA and is 8-of-14 on quality starts but also hasn't been a rock of consistency.

"Both are definitely going to have to be more consistent," Gardner said. "I think expectations can precede you and there was a lot expected from both...I think they've done better than people give them credit for. The expectations were so high, I don't think anybody could have lived up to them."

• Princeton and Hudson Valley begin their short-season schedules today.
• Emeel Salem is expected to be 100% by next Spring Training after breaking his elbow. At the time of the injury Salem was leading all of professional baseball in stolen bases. [Rays Digest]
  
• Former Devil Ray Jared Sandberg is a bench coach for the Hudson Valley Renegades. [Poughkeepsie Journal]
  

DRG here again to get you through the weekend. I can be reached here..

The Good: The call by the White Sox announcers on Cliff Floyd's walk-off home run to lead off the 9th inning. "That ball hit way back...DeWayne Wise at the fence...jumps...AND MAKES THE CATCH...no...that ball is outta here and this ball game is over." For the record, Wise missed that ball by about 8 feet. I mean he was in the neighborhood, but anybody with a pulse knew he didn't catch it. Hawk Harrelson is such a homer, that he wishes the ball into White Sox gloves.

The Bad: Rays got the first 2 batters on in the 1st inning. What are the chances of BJ Upton grounding into a double-play with Carl Crawford on first? If they play together for the next 10 years, I would be surprised if it happens 5 more times...Hawk Harrelson's grandson proposed to his girlfriend at the game. Hawk knew it was going to happen and made sure the camera's were focused on his grandson so all the friends and family could watch back home. Why do guys think this is OK? For those of you that are yet to propose...TRUST ME...they want a private moment. Just the two of you. She doesn't want to share this with your grandfather or thousands of people on the big screen or the little screen at home.

The Telling: How fast is Carl Crawford? In the 9th inning somebody hit a line drive down the left field line that was 15 feet foul and with CC playing pulled over to left-center. There shoudn't have even been a play, but Crawford actually dove for the ball. He missed it. But he and NOBODY else would have even been close to the ball.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA...

• Tyler Hissey from Rays Digest will be on 1220 AM talk radio today at 3:40 to discuss the Rays. [Rays Digest]
• Marc Lancaster takes a none too subtle shot at Rays fans and their lack of support for the Rays. Tonight's game is a near-sellout and Lancaster attributes it all to the post-game concert, and the the apparent eager anticipation of people that will go to the game just to get their free trucker hat. According to Lancaster, 10,000 people will be there for baseball and 20,000 people will be there for a few country songs and a free trucker hat. [Rays Report]
• I wasn't the only one that thought Hawk Harrelson's call on Cliff Floyd's home run was atrocious. UmpBump has a link to the video with the call. [UmpBump]
• UmpBump also has a post comparing Dioner Navarro to Tony Gwynn and shows why this season might not be a fluke. [UmpBump]
  
• Could David Price still be in the plans for the Rays this season? As a Joba Chamberlain-type?...Interesting idea, but I have to think that there is a better chance of Wade Davis or Jake McGee being called up as a dominant 8th inning guy. [Outs Per Swing]
  
• Mayor Rick Baker and the city of St. Pete have recommended to the city council that they vote for the new stadium on June 5. This is just the first step in the process to put the new stadium on the ballot in November. [Ballpark Frankness]
  

Durham 4, Richmond 1. The forgotten prospect, Joel Guzman (can I still call him a prospect?) hit a 3-run home run in the 2nd inning and that was enough for Jeremy Cummings who improved to 3-0 in 3 starts for the Rays, since coming over from Australia Taiwan. He struck out 7 and did not walk a batter in 7 innings. He gave up 3 hits and 1 run. He retired the last 18 batters he faced.

Montgomery @ Mobile (ppd Rain). This game will be made up as part of a double-header on Saturday.

Clearwater @ Vero Beach (ppd Rain). This game will be made up as part of a double-header on Saturday.

Hickory 12, Columbus 2. Glenn Gibson dropped to 1-7 after allowing 8 runs in 3 innings. That's OK. That is still more wins than Elijah Dukes would have provided for the Rays organization this year.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM...

• Jake McGee and Reid Brignac both make this week's Baseball America "Prospect Hot Sheet". BA shows that McGee struggles in the 5th inning and beyond. "In the first four innings of games, McGee has a 1.85 ERA in 34 innings. In innings 5-7, McGee's ERA stands at 7.90 at 13 2/3 innings...McGee has a 39-9 K-BB ratio in innings 1-4 and a 9-10 K-BB mark in innings 5-7." Say it with me...The closer for the 2010 Tampa Bay Rays: Jake McGee. [Baseball America]
  

Charlotte 5, Durham 2. Mith Talbot gave up 5 runs in 6 innings.

Montgomery 8, Birmingham 3. Wade Davis held Birmingham to 2 hits and no runs in 7 innings. He struck out 4, walked 1. Thanks to two double plays, he faced 1 over the minimum...Ronnie Merril had 4 hits for the 2nd time in 3 nights.

Palm Beach 6, Vero Beach 1.

Columbus 6, Charleston 3.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM...

• Eduardo Morlan and Rhyne Hughes went on the DL for Montgomery. Morlan's injury is significant because now all three of the players received from the Twins for Delmon Young and Brendan Harris have been hampered by injuries in the first month of the season. [Biscuits Batter]
  
• David Price threw a live bullpen session yesterday but there is still no timetable for his 2008 debut. [The Heater]
  
• After a slow start, John Jaso is starting to weild a mean stick. He is in at #10 on Baseball America's "Prospect Hot Sheet". However, they do note that his time as a catcher may have a shlef-life. So far this season, base stealers are 25-26 against Jaso...Jeremy Hellickson is also mentioned as being just outside the Top 13. [Baseball America]
• Tampa Bay's Tomorrow takes a look at Jake McGee. [Tampa Bay's Tomorrow]
• Minor League Ball is running a mock draft and the pick for the Rays is Aaron Crow, a pitcher from Missouri. [Minor League Ball]
  

Durham @ Norfolk, Double-Header (ppd. rain).

Jacksonville 5, Montgomery 4. James Houser shut down the Suns on 2 hits in 6.2 shutout innings. He struck out 5 and walked 2. He was never in any real danger as only one runner reached 3rd base...The bullpen blew the lead allowing 5 runs in the 8th and 9th innings combined...The Biscuits did score 2 in the bottom of the 9th and had a runner on third with only 1 out but failed to push the tying run home...Erold Andrus and John Raburn had 3 hits apiece...Pat Cottrell drove in 2 runs.

Brevard Co. 2, Vero Beach 0. It will be interesting to see how patient the Rays will be with Jeremy Hellickson as he is absolutely dominating the FSL right now. Hellickson ran his consecutive scoreless innnings streak to 16 after last night's 5 shutout innings. He struck out 7 and walked 1, with 4 hits. In 23 innings this year, he has allowed 2 runs (0.78 ERA) and struck out 30 while only walking 2...Vero Beach hitters managed only 5 hits.

Charleston 7, Columbus 2. Glenn Gibson dropped to 0-3 but looked stronger this time out. In 5 innings, Gibson struck out 5 and walked 1, allowing 3 runs. The big blow was a 2-run home run in the 2nd inning...Mike McCormick hit his first home run of the season to account for both runs.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM...

• Jake McGee who was held out from his last start with a sore forearm, had a bullpen session yesterday and felt fine. He should be good to go for his next start...Rhyne Hughes, who has missed more than week after colliding with a teammate and suffering a concussion, is expected back in the lineup tomorrow. [Montgomery Advertiser]
  
• Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Fields were named the FSLs pitcher and player of the week repespectively. [Basil's Blog]
  

Durham 2, Norfolk 0.

Jacksonville 11, Montgomery 7.

Vero Beach 10. St. Lucie 5. Dioner Navarro had a double and 4 walks in 5 plate appearances as the DH. Geez. Navi goes to Vero Beach and suddenly transforms into Barry Bonds. In 2 games he has walked 6 times...Matt Garzagoes today for the DEVIL Rays with Navi behind the plate.

Charleston 6, Columbus 0.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM...

• Jake McGee was scratched from his start last night due to a sore forearm. The move was precautionary as McGee says he could have pitched. [Biscuit Batter]
• Rhyne Hughes is scheduled to see a doctor concerning headaches he is experiencing since a collision with teammate Matt Spring. [Montgomery Advertiser]
  

Toledo 3, Durham 2. Jeff Niemann had a strong 2008 debut, throwing 71 pitches (40 strikes) in 5 innings. He allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 5...Evan Longoria went 0-3. He struck out to end the first, grounded out, flied out and was hit-by-pitch...Reid Brignac was 1-4 with a strikeout...Justin Ruggiano was 0-4 with 3 Ks.

Chattanooga 4, Montgomery 1. Jake McGee overcame a rough spring training with the big boys and picked up right where he left off in 2007. In 6 innings, he struck out 7 and walked none with only 3 hits and 1 run. he retired 10 of the first 11 batters faced with 6 Ks. A pair of singles and a stolen base led to the only run McGee would allow...Eduardo Morlan, the other pitcher in the Delmon young-Matt Garza trade, made his debut in the Rays organization. He came on in the 8th with 1 out. After giving up a double to the first batter he face, he retired 5 of the last 6 batters he face, with 3 strike outs...The Biscuits managed only 6 singles with no player with more than one hit.

Vero Beach 8, St. Lucie 3. Heath Rollins, who set the Rays organizational record last year with 17 wins, posted a no-decision in his 2008 debut. He gave up 2 runs in 5 innings on 6 hits. He struck out 6 and walked none...John Matulia and Cesar Suarez each had 3 hits and Matt Fields hit his first home run of the season...Ryan Royster was 2-5 with 2 RBI.

Savannah 2, Columbus 0. Alex Cobb, the Rays 4th round pick in '06, was strong in his '08 debut, but it wasn't enough as the Catfish were shutout on 1-hit. Cobb struck out 5 and walked none, in 5.2 innings. He gave up 2 runs (1 earned)...Greg Sexton broke up the no-hitter in the 7th with a single.

NOTES FROM DOWN ON THE FARM...

• Will Kline and David Newmann will both miss all of 2008 after injuries to the 2007 draft picks. Kline was the Rays 2nd round selection while Newmann was tabbed in the 4th. [Riverwalk Talk]
  
• Evan Longoria is looking forward to getting off to a good start in Durham. [Herald-Sun]

"I was kind of the big issue at camp, but I tried to stay away from the media stuff as much as I could," Longoria said. "I'm glad to be back here. I like the people, and I like this place. Now I just have to go out and do my job every day...I'm no different from anyone else. Everybody in this league could play in the big leagues. It's just a matter of how hard you work and how well you can refine your skills."

• Jake McGee still has a lot of work to do before he is ready for the major leagues, but manager Billy Gardner saw the first steps last night. [Montgomery Advertiser]

"He did a good job for six innings," Gardner said. "At times, he was overpowering. I thought he did a good job after the first time through the lineup mixing it better. We wanted to try and stress upon him to throw his breaking ball and his changeup. I thought his breaking ball was good. He threw it for strikes. He did his job and that's all he can do. We would have liked to have provided him with more runs. But he's going to make a lot of quality starts for us."

• Wade Davis and Jake McGee have been inseparable since starting their pro careers and 2008 is more of the same as both will be members of the Montgomery rotation and roommates...at least until the first one is promoted to Durham. [Montgomery Advertiser]
• Durham Bulls Athletic Park was named the fourth best minor league stadium. [Durham Bulls]
• Minor League baseball is thriving in Montgomery after it was considered dead less than a decade ago. [Montgomery Advertiser]
  

Tampa Bay Rays (20 days until Opening Day)

Links are coming in fast and furious today, so let's throw a few more out for your Happy Hour amusement...

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA...

• A consultant for the Rays notes that 14,000 off-street parking spots would be available during Rays home games at their proposed stadium, while sellout crowd would only require 11,950. [Tampa Tribune]
• Jayson Stark of ESPN.com is reporting that the Rays have expressed interest in acquiring Kenny Lofton. According to R.J. Anderson of DRays Bay this is not the first time the Rays have flirted with the veteran outfielder. [DRays Bay]
• Bill Chastain explores the different possibilities to replace Ben Zobrist on the opening day roster, including Reid Brignac who would be happy to play a backup role for a few weeks. [Tampa Bay Rays]

"Absolutely," Brignac said. "If that's what it comes down to, I'll be very ready for whatever option comes up. I want to play every day. But if they need me to be a utility guy for a couple of weeks, I'd be more than happy to help them out, get my at-bats here and there, be a back up at second and short."

• Outs Per Swing is playing catch-up on their "40 Rays 40 Days" feature, throwing a bunch out today tomorrow. Our favorite is Jeff Niemann. Our love for Niemann is thinly veiled on this site. We just feel, that Edwin Jackson and Jason Hammel are known commodities and they are not going to help the Rays over the top. Niemann at least has the possibility to be very good or even great and he has enough minor league innings under his belt that we feel he is ready. [Outs Per Swing]
• Marc Lancaster takes a look at the parallel careers of Jake McGee and Wade Davis. [Tampa Tribune]
• The Rays submitted a preliminary project design for their proposed stadium to St. Pete officials. [Tampa Bay Rays]

"This preliminary design consideration document illustrates how the Rays' new ballpark will respect and enhance the rich history of baseball on the Al Lang site and its dynamic downtown waterfront location; we expect this project will mean as much to downtown St. Petersburg as most of our other projects have meant to their communities," said Joe Spear, founding senior principal of HOK Sport, in a release by the Rays.

• FoxSports.com handicaps the rookie of the year races. [FoxSports.com]
  

Tampa Bay Rays (20 days until Opening Day)

Yesterday: Indians 12, Tampa Bay Rays 10. Jason Hammel did not help himself in an effort to make the Rays roster giving up 9 runs in 3+ innings. At one point after giving up 2 runs in the first inning Hammel retired seven straight before unraveling in the fourth giving up six hits and a walk in the inning. Wade Davis and Jake McGee both pitched a scoreless inning in their final spring appearances. BJ Upton had a sac fly and a 2-run home run. Reid Brignac saw action at short, going 0-2 with a walk. Evan Longoria started at third and went 2-5 with an RBI. Shawn Riggans was the starting catcher and Eric Hinske started in right seeking to be the Rays 4th outfielder.

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA...

• If you haven't had a chance to vote in this week's "Rays Confidence Survey", you can do so right HERE. [Rays Index]
• Ben Zobrist had his hot spring come to a screeching halt yesterday. Zobrist broke the tip of his thumb sliding into second base. He will miss four weeks. His absence opens the door for Andy Cannizaro to make the squad as Joe Maddon will need a backup shortstop. Then again, Joel Guzman could fill the backup role for a week or two. Look to see who gets more reps at short in the next couple of days. [Tampa Bay Rays]
• Andrew Friedman spoke yesterday about Rocco Baldelli reiterating that Rocco needs to get on the field soon with only 18 days left in Spring Training. Marc Topkin speculates on possible replacements if Rocco can't go. including James Lofton, Barry Bonds and several in-house candidates. [St. Pete Times]

"I think the only way all of us, including Rocco, can get a good feel for that is if we can get him on the field and see how he does and how he feels and kind of get him back into a fairly regular routine of playing," Friedman said.

• Scott Kazmir is hoping to make his spring debut on Sunday. When asked about starting on opening day, he was less forceful than he was in the past acknowledging the need to not rush things. [Rays Report]
• The Rays made their first round of cuts yesterday. No surprise names, although the list includes some of the Rays biggest prospects including Jake McGee, Wade Davis, John Jaso and Fernando Perez. A couple of weeks ago, we wondered if Perez might see time in right field during the season for the Rays. An exit this early from camp suggests that this is not likely. [The Heater]
  
• Joe Maddon maintains his original stance on the Elliot Johnson collision from this past Saturday, that it was a fair, hard-nosed play. He refuses to make any further comments stating that he believes the entire situation was overblown. [Tampa Bay Rays]
• Both Lou Piniella and Mike Scioscia (a former catcher) backed the Rays and elliot Johnson saying that it was just a good clean hard play. Piniella questioned how somebody can ask a young player not to play hard. Scioscia noted that injuries are more likely if you ask players to curb the intensity. [The Heater]
  
• Shelly Duncan chimed in on the collision and warned that "They showed what is acceptable to them and how they're going to play the game, so we're going to go out there to match their intensity - or even exceed it." When Duncan says "we", we assume he is referring to the Yankees that will actually be playing. Mr. Duncan, please meet Kevin Maas and Shane Spencer. Your 15 minutes is about up. [Fanhouse]
  
• Former Rays' prospect Jason Pridie was interviewed on MLB on XM Radio and among the topics he covered was his former teammate Evan Longoria. [MLB on XM]

I haven’t seen too many people who can just make solid contact and are just pure hitters like him. And a lot of people focus on his bat but I think people are going to be surprised when they see him out on the field because I’ve seen him make some plays that you just couldn’t believe, you know, those top ‘Web Gem’ plays.

• The Herald-Tribune gives a play-by-play of the goings-on in the locker room. [Herald-Tribune]
  
• Bleacher Report tells their readers why teams should fear the Rays in 2008, in one of the better and more complete Rays previews we have read. [Bleacher Report]

Tampa Bay Devil Dogs (23 days until opening day)

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

Yesterday: Tampa Bay Rays 9, Phillies 1. The big news yesterday came from the Rays biggest player, Jeff Niemann. Niemann threw three hitless innings with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Ben Zobrist started in center and made three putouts. At the plate he was 0-2 with a walk. Joel Guzman started in left field and went 1-3 with an RBI and a stolen base. Fernando Perez got the start in right field. This is something that Prof brought up earlier when he wondered if Perez might be considered at some point to be the 4th element in the RF/DH "triangle". Specifically he wondered if Perez would get PT in RF this spring. Elliot Johson continues his strong spring, going 2-2. He is now 4-8 with 2 walks, 2 steals and 7 runs scored. Jason Bartlett was 2-3 with 2 steals.

DEVIL DOGS WEBTOPIA...

• There is a new Rays blog in the neighborhood and they are looking for a name. How about Ghosts of Adam Sisk (the first Devil Ray) or Free Tim Laker (named in the Mitchell Report). [Sports Indeed]
• Jeff Niemann was a different pitcher in his second spring start compared to his first. [The Ledger]

"I was a lot more confident out there. I wasn't searching for things. Wasn't wondering if my mechanics were right, if my hips were doing the right thing," Niemann said. "It was more just go out there and pitch. You know what you need to do. Keep the ball down, throw and have fun...But it's still really early in spring. There's a lot of games to be played, and there's a lot of guys in the running," he said. "There's no guarantees for any of us that are out there fighting for those two spots. We've just got to go out there and play ball."

• David Price will make his professional debut today against the Yankees. [Tampa Bay Rays]

"Just get out there, have a good old time and throw strikes," Maddon said, when asked what he wanted to see from his young hurler. "Just be a Ray and get his pro career going."

• Brittany Ghiroli gives us a lesson in geometry with regards to the Rays right field/DH "triangle" which now looks to have more than three sides. [MLB]

With Baldelli's health progressing slower than the Rays expected and veteran Floyd expressing a desire to maintain the designated hitter slot, the Rays have taken long looks at Gomes, Justin Ruggiano, John Rodriguez, Joel Guzman and Jon Weber to help fill the void.

• The Rays may also look outside the organization for a replacement for Rocco Baldelli including a free agent such as Kenny Lofton. [Tampa Tribune]
  
• Joe Smith takes a look at Wade Davis as Jake McGee take in their first big league spring training as others wonder aloud about their ceilings. [St. Pete Times]

"With prospects, everyone thinks they'll be the next Hall of Famer, the next Tom Glavine," veteran reliever Trever Miller said. "But it comes down to three things: work ethic, ability and blessing - a little bit of luck. If (McGee and Davis) can accomplish those three things, they have no ceiling. They're masters of their own destiny."

• Rays Anatomy explores the possible replacements for Rocco Baldelli should he not be on the opening day roster. [Rays Anatomy]
• The Bradenton Herald profiles JP Howell. [Bradenton Herald]
  
• The Love of Sports names the Rays as one of five teams that could surprise in 2008. [The Love of Sports]
  

Tampa Bay Rays (31 and a half days until Opening Day)

The Rays have released their pitching schedule for the next few days, including all pitchers that are scheduled to take the mound tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday and the starting pitchers for Monday and Tuesday.

Friday at Reds
Rays—Jackson, Hammel, Sonnanstine, Balfour, Orvella, Houser

Saturday vs. Blue Jays
Rays—Shields, Talbot, Reyes, Miller, Wheeler

Sunday at Pirates
Rays—Niemann, Davis, Ryu, Munter, Birkins

Monday at Tigers
Rays—Garza

Tuesday vs. Twins
Rays—Jackson

A few notes on these assignments...

• Keep in mind that only the first 2-3 pitchers of a game are likely to face major league batters as minor leaguers and non-roster invitees will usually take over later in the game.
  
• Nary a David Price sighting. That's OK. It is still a little early and he did have some shoulder stiffness a couple of days ago
• Three of the five competing for the final two spots of the rotation will throw tomorrow.
• Jeff Niemann gets a start on Sunday, before Andy Sonnanstine and Jason Hammel. This tells us that the team knows what they have in those two, but will give Niemann plenty of opportunities to show what he can do.
• Edwin Jackson gets two starts in the first five days. This tells us that the team wants to get a real good look at Jackson and see if he can build on his second-half performance.
• We get our first look at Wade Davis on Sunday, yet no Jake McGee sightings. This is consistent with most reports that suggest that Davis is the more polished of the two super-prospects.
  

Updated pitching schedule [Rays Report]

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA...

• Bill Chastain discusses Andy Sonnanstine and how he benefited from his experience in 2007. Sonnanstine stated that he lost his confidence early on but by the end of the year, he was back on track. He also noted that he feels the competition in Spring Training will make him better. [Tampa Bay Rays]

"Now I can take that mound and know I'm going to do well," Sonnanstine said. "Just logging those innings and learning as much as I could, putting it all together in the big equation, really helped me...Right when I first got up, I had two good starts and felt like I belonged," Sonnanstine said. "After that, I ran into quite a few losses, and that shook my confidence a little bit. By the end of the year, I'm picking [Dan] Wheeler's head, talking to [Jay] Witasick. That helped. Logging the innings, talking to the older guys, and the experience, that really helped."

• MLB.com takes a look at Jeff Niemann who says he feels better this year than he usually does this time of year. [MLB.com]
• Hopes have been riding high for the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays. Rays Digest wonders how that will be affected by the recent news that Scott Kazmir strained his elbow. [Rays Digest]
  
• One website calls the Rays one of their "Top 5 Interesting Teams" for 2008. [How Youz Doin Baseball]
  

Tampa Bay Rays (34 days until Opening Day)

What could possibly knock the Barry Bonds non-story from above-the-fold. Hmmmm? What could possibly be a bigger story than that? What is THIS?

Rays ace Scott Kazmir will have an MRI exam on his left elbow this afternoon after feeling discomfort while warming up on the mound during today’s intrasquad game.

WHAT THE [several explicatives deleted]!?!?!?!? Excuse us while we go curl up in the corner in fetal position mumbling incoherently...

But wait...It might not be so bad after all.

“We did all the strength tests and everything and he said I had great strength, and I didn’t feel one thing,” said Kazmir. “That’s always a good sign.”

And could this actually be a blessing in disguise...Scott?

“It was just a little scary because I’ve never felt it before,” he said. “But after I talked with Ron and we did some strength tests, I felt confident that we’ll be all right. Just got to check it out just to make sure.”

Little nervous are we? Maybe you want to reconsider that long-term extension after all.

Kazmir headed for MRI [Rays Report]

DEVIL RAYS WEBTOPIA...

• Oh yeah. At the bottom of the same story, David Price experienced stiffness in his throwing shoulder, but it does not sound serious. [Rays Report]

He’ll be checked out again tomorrow to see if his work schedule needs to be pushed back, but Joe Maddon said there was nothing to worry about. “He’s fine,” said Maddon.

• Stuart Sternberg acknowledged that the Rays may back off of their stadium proposal if the sale of Tropicana Field does not generate as much revenue as the team has projected. Sternberg also stated that he told Andrew Friedman not to consider the fate of the stadium when making trades and signings this off-season even though more wins will certainly help push the proposal through. [Bradenton Herald]

"What I try to do and what I've instilled in the organization . . . is remove as many variables as I can from any equation. I said to them immediately, just take the stadium out of it because If you don't, you're just going to end up driving yourself crazy and what you start to do is to say, 'Were only trying to win for that reason' or, 'Lets try to win a few extra games to get some votes.' We just removed that immediately and we don't have to think about it...There are a lot of factors we can't control. Yes, we can help control the wins a little bit, but quite frankly is there a lot we can do to help us win a ton more games? If you win three or five more games is that going to make the difference at the voting booth? I doubt it. I would hope and I think that people see past that a little bit. I think if you win 53 games and were shedding payroll and were doing some bad things, that's a bad thing. But the economy is certainly an issue. How do people look at it? There's so many variables that I just try to remove as many as possible whenever I make a decision."

• Stuart Sternberg also rekindled his 2007 goal of 50 home wins (The Rays went 37-44 at home in 2007). Seven teams won 50 home games in 2007. Six of those teams went to the playoffs. He also stated that he thinks this team could make the playoffs if they stay healthy and everybody plays to their potential. [Rays Report]

"What I would love to have happen, you don't know October is going to look like, but you'd like to get well into the summer, into August and see that the guys are performing real well and that you're within at least shouting distance and that you're making some noise, making some trouble. If we can stay out of a bad stretch like we did last year, we had a real rough spot in July, I think that's very possible.''

• We already got a look at how Baseball America ranked the Rays top prospects. Now we get to see how those guys stack-up against the rest of the prospects in baseball with BA's "Top 100 Prospects". Four Rays are in the Top 20, including Evan Longoria (2), David Price (10), Jake McGee (15) and Wade Davis (17). Reid Brignac (39), Desmond Jennings (59) and Jeff Niemann (99) also made the list. [Baseball America]