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Blue Jays-Rays Preview

Jul 8, 2009 - 5:03 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Toronto (43-41) at Tampa Bay (44-39), 7:08 p.m. EDT

The Tampa Bay Rays continued to struggle at the plate in their series opener against Toronto, but managed to extend their home winning streak to six games.

The Rays look to keep rolling at Tropicana Field and end their hitting slump Wednesday night as they continue their three-game set with the Blue Jays.

Back home after batting .196 during a 2-4 road trip, Tampa Bay (45-39) had four hits Tuesday. One of them was a two-run walkoff homer by Pat Burrell in the 11th inning that gave the Rays a 3-1 victory, snapping a four-game slide and lifting them to their 17th win in 20 home games.

"We got a long way to go, and I haven't been performing. It's that simple," said Burrell, who had four hits in his previous 34 at-bats.

The Rays are trying to win seven straight at home for the first time since an 11-game streak from April 22-May 13, 2008.

Scott Kazmir (4-5, 6.79 ERA) gets the ball as Tampa Bay goes for its 11th victory in 13 home games versus the Blue Jays. Making his second start since a stint on the disabled list with a right quadriceps strain, the left-hander gave up three runs - one earned - in five innings of Friday's 3-1 loss at Texas.

Kazmir gave up a two-run shot in the fourth inning to Rangers designated hitter Hank Blalock that accounted for the game's first runs.

"Just one pitch cost us the game," Kazmir told the Rays' official Web site.

Kazmir, however, has struck out 11 and walked two since returning. He lasted five innings in each start and gave up three total earned runs.

He is 3-4 with a 3.44 ERA in 11 starts against Toronto.

The Blue Jays (43-42) counter with Brian Tallet (5-6, 4.38), who makes his first start versus the Rays after 13 relief appearances against them. The left-hander was hurt by walks in losing his last two starts, issuing 10 in those outings.

He walked four in an otherwise strong road performance against the New York Yankees on Friday, allowing two earned runs in six innings of a 4-2 defeat.

Like Tampa Bay, Toronto hasn't been producing at the plate recently. The Blue Jays have batted .229 and averaged 3.8 runs while losing nine of 12.

Toronto third baseman Scott Rolen had an eighth-inning RBI single Tuesday to extend his career-best hitting streak to 24. He is batting .380 with three homers and 15 RBIs during that stretch.

Rays left fielder Carl Crawford had his 13-game hit streak snapped Tuesday. He is 3 for 6 lifetime against Tallet.