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Devil Rays look to maintain perfect mark against Diamondbacks

Jun 19, 2007 - 1:51 PM Tampa Bay (31-37) at Arizona (40-31) 9:40 pm EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays look to remain perfect against the Arizona Diamondbacks when the teams meet on Tuesday.

The Devil Rays won here on Monday to improve their record against the Diamondbacks to 7-0 all-time.

J.P. Howell (1-1, 3.60 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season for the Devil Rays, who have finished last in the American League East Division in eight of nine seasons since joining the league as an expansion team in 1998.

Howell, who allowed one run in eight innings in his first start on June 3 against the Kansas City Royals, is coming off a solid effort. The 24-year-old lefthander allowed one earned run in seven innings during a 7-1 loss to the San Diego Padres on Thursday, rebounding from his previous start when he allowed six runs in five frames against the Florida Marlins.

Arizona counters with Doug Davis (4-8, 3.70), who has not enjoyed facing AL East squads this year. Davis faced the New York Yankees in his last start, allowing four runs in five innings during a 7-1 loss. In the start before that, he allowed five runs in four innings in a 10-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

Jonny Gomes homered and doubled as the Devil Rays posted a 10-2 victory here on Monday.

Gomes, who was recalled from Class AAA Durham last Wednesday, has hit .555 (10-for-18) with four home runs and four doubles since he rejoined the club.