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Rolling Rays aim for fourth straight win

Aug 16, 2008 - 10:09 AM Tampa Bay (74-47) at Texas (61-62) 8:05 p.m. EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Rays have not let injuries stop their quest to reach the playoffs for the first time. The Rays will be in search of their fourth consecutive win on Saturday when they visit the Texas Rangers.

Tampa has been without star Carl Crawford and Rookie of the Year frontrunner Evan Longoria since last weekend, yet the club has gone 6-1 in their absence.

Willy Aybar has helped fill Longoria's void at third base, hitting .310 with two doubles, three home runs and seven RBI in seven starts.

The Rangers, who lead the major leagues in runs scored, were shut out Friday for the fifth time this season as Matt Garza limited the powerful lineup to two hits. All five of Texas' shutouts have come in the last month - four in the last eight games.

The Rays will send perhaps their hottest pitcher to the mound in Edwin Jackson (9-7, 4.07 ERA). The 24-year-old righthander has picked up the win in each of his last four starts while posting a 3.18 ERA.

Jackson was at his best Sunday at Seattle, allowing one run in seven frames. A win would give Jackson 10 on the season, doubling his previous career high of five set in 2007.

The Rangers will counter with rookie Matt Harrison (4-2, 7.07). The lefthander has had a rocky start to his major league career, allowing five runs or more in five of his eight outings.

Despite the struggles, Harrison has picked up the victory in each of his last two starts, besting two other American League East teams - the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles.