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Blue Jays-Rays Preview

Sep 18, 2009 - 3:42 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Toronto (66-80) at Tampa Bay (73-73), 7:38 p.m. EDT

For a team that has few highlights over the last few weeks, the Tampa Bay Rays are hoping a series against the Toronto Blue Jays, who they've dominated this season, will provide some.

The Rays try for back-to-back wins for the first time in three weeks Friday night when they begin a three-game series with the Blue Jays.

Tampa Bay (74-73) returns home after a miserable road trip that all but pushed the defending AL champions out of the playoff picture. With 15 games remaining, the Rays, who went 2-9 on the trip, are 13 games back of Boston for the wild card.

Tampa Bay finished its swing with a split of a four-game series against last-place Baltimore, recording its second win in 15 games with a 3-0 victory Thursday. Rookie Wade Davis pitched a four-hitter, striking out 10 for his first career victory.

"I am a firm believer that a young guy like that, if he has a chance to throw a complete game and a shutout, it can really catapult him," manager Joe Maddon said.

Maddon and the Rays are looking to win consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 24 and 25, also against Toronto (66-80). Tampa Bay has won 11 of 15 against the Blue Jays, including five of six at home.

Carl Crawford is hitting .340 with three homers and eight RBIs this season against the Blue Jays. He's 7 for 17 in his last four games.

Crawford and the Rays open the series against Scott Richmond (6-9, 5.03 ERA), who seeks his first win since June 24.

Richmond, who spent July on the DL with shoulder tendinitis, is 0-5 with a 7.48 ERA in his last eight starts. He lasted 4 1-3 innings against Detroit on Saturday, allowing six runs, three homers and four walks. The Blue Jays went on to win 8-6.

The right-hander is 0-2 with a 4.38 ERA against the Rays. He gave up three runs and walked five in seven innings of a 4-1 loss on June 30.

Toronto has split the first six contests on a nine-game trip, losing 5-4 at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.

Starting pitcher Brian Tallet was pulled after two innings when he was hit on the right foot by a line drive and reliever Scott Downs left in the eighth after injuring his hamstring.

While it's uncertain whether Downs will be available Friday, the Blue Jays know that they won't have Jesse Carlson for the first two games as he completes a three-game suspension for his role in Tuesday's brawl with New York's Jorge Posada.

"That's not too good," manager Cito Gaston said of his depleted bullpen.

James Shields (9-11, 4.03) will take the mound for the Rays on Friday.

The right-hander failed to win his third straight decision Sunday, allowing six runs over 6 1-3 innings in a 4-0 loss at Boston.

Shields is 5-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 12 starts against the Blue Jays, going 1-2 with a 4.03 ERA this year.