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Rays-Marlins Preview

May 23, 2009 - 4:15 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Tampa Bay (21-22) at Florida (19-23), 7:10 p.m. EDT

While Tampa Bay closer Troy Percival contemplates his future in baseball, the Florida Marlins' pitching concerns are more widespread.

After a blowout victory in the opener, the Rays look to win their third straight Saturday when they continue a three-game interleague series with the Marlins.

Tampa Bay (22-22) extended its recent dominance of Florida with a 15-2 win Friday. The Rays have won eight of nine against the Marlins (19-24), outscoring them 72-29.

Every Rays starter - including pitcher Andy Sonnanstine - had a hit as Tampa Bay jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the third inning. Sonnanstine allowed one run and five hits over six innings and was backed by an offense that matched its season high in runs. Dioner Navarro had four hits and Gabe Gross went 3 for 5 with a homer and four RBIs.

The Rays have won six of eight, averaging 7.5 runs. They'll try to move above .500 for the first time since April 13, when they were 4-3.

Friday's victory helped temper the mood after the Rays began the day on a sour note, placing Percival (right shoulder tendinitis) and starter Scott Kazmir (left quadriceps strain) on the 15-day disabled list. The 39-year-old Percival, who ranks eighth on the career saves list with 358, flew home to California to discuss his baseball future with his family. The right-hander has converted all six save opportunities in 2009, but has a 6.35 ERA.

"There is only so much you can do when you get to be that age," manager Joe Maddon said. "He has done everything he could to be a big contributor. He's just not feeling he can be that right now."

While the Rays shuffle their bullpen to adjust to Percival's injury, the Marlins' pitching staff may be in even more disarray. The bullpen has pitched four or more innings in six of the last 10 games and has gone 25 innings in five games this week. On Friday, starter Ricky Nolasco lasted only two innings, leading to another extended outing by the relievers. With the game out of reach, the Marlins went to outfielder Ross Gload to pitch the ninth.

"I know the Marlins' bullpen has been a little bit tired," Maddon said. "That's why it's so important to do what we did to keep them tired. You want to see a bullpen, and you want to see a lot of them."

Florida is 8-23 since an 11-1 start, in large part because the rotation has been a disappointment. The starters' ERA of 5.32 is one of the worst in the NL.

Jeff Niemann (4-3, 4.97 ERA) takes the mound for the Rays on Saturday, trying to win his third straight start. The right-hander pitched a season-high eight innings against Oakland on Monday, allowing four runs and eight hits in a 13-4 victory.

The Rays have won five of Niemann's last six starts. He has never faced the Marlins.

Florida will counter with rookie Sean West. The 22-year-old left-hander will be called up from Double-A Jacksonville before the game to make his major league debut. West, a first-round pick in 2005, was 4-2 with a 4.85 ERA in Jacksonville.

Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez will miss Saturday's game to attend the graduation of his daughter. Bench coach Carlos Tosca will fill in.