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Rays-Marlins Preview

May 22, 2009 - 4:34 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Tampa Bay (20-22) at Florida (19-22), 7:10 p.m. EDT

The Tampa Bay Rays don't see much of a rivalry developing with the Florida Marlins, but it hasn't stopped the defending AL champions from enjoying their recent meetings in interleague play.

Tampa Bay looks to keep up the momentum generated from a successful homestand Friday night when they begin a three-game set with the Marlins at Land Shark Stadium.

The Rays (21-22) were 12-6 in interleague play in 2008, including 5-1 against the Marlins (19-23). Overall, Tampa Bay has won seven of the last eight from their downstate rival, outscoring Florida 54-18 in the victories.

"I came from the Dodgers-Angels, a pretty big rivalry - like hatred when you enter their stadium (like) Yankees-Boston," closer Troy Percival told the Rays' official Web site. "I don't see this ever getting to that."

Tampa Bay completed a 5-3 homestand with a 6-5 victory over Oakland on Thursday to earn a split of the four-game series. Carl Crawford singled home Dioner Navarro with the winning run in the ninth after Ben Zobrist's pinch-hit two-run homer tied it.

Jason Bartlett's sixth-inning homer snapped a 2-2 tie, and extended his hitting streak to seven games The Rays shortstop is hitting .440 (11 for 25) during his run.

While Tampa Bay tries to move back to .500, Florida looks to avoid a third straight loss and begin to recapture its early-season success. The Marlins opened 11-1, but have since lost 22 of 30 including a 4-3 decision to Arizona on Thursday.

Dan Uggla hit his third homer in as many games, but newly called-up Cristhian Martinez was charged with a blown save and the loss after giving up two runs in two innings.

Florida's weary bullpen is 0-2 with three blown saves and a 5.40 ERA in its last six games. Relievers pitched 18 innings during the four-game series with the Diamondbacks, and led the Marlins to bring up Martinez and Dave Davidson on Thursday. Martinez was sent down after the loss.

The Marlins' Ricky Nolasco (2-4, 7.78 ERA) looks to bounce back from his worst outing of the season as he makes his first start in more than a week after a rainout pushed the rotation back.

The right-hander lasted a season-low 3 2-3 innings against Milwaukee on May 13, allowing eight runs and seven hits in an 8-6 loss. Nolasco, though, is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts against the Rays.

Tampa Bay's Andy Sonnanstine (2-4, 7.36) will take the mound, and should find himself penciled into the ninth spot in the order after being forced to bat third in his last outing due to a pregame mistake.

On Sunday against Cleveland, Sonnanstine had to step into the box after a lineup card error listed Zobrist and Evan Longoria as the third baseman. Sonnanstine was 1 for 4 with a run-scoring double at the plate, and allowed five runs and seven hits over 5 2-3 innings of the Rays' 7-5 win

"They told me that I was going to have to hit, and I corrected them and told them 'I get to hit.' I took it as an opportunity." said Sonnanstine, 2-1 with a 6.97 ERA in his last four starts.

The right-hander is 2-0 with a 3.63 ERA in three starts against the Marlins. He's also gone 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored when facing them.