Tampa Bay has already taken three of four from the Twins this season, and the Rays are 10-5 against Minnesota since May 29, 2009. The two teams’ history has been lopsided for even longer than that. The Twins haven’t taken a series from the Rays since 2006.

Nonetheless, heading into a three-game set at the Twins’ Target Field that starts Tuesday, Rays manager Joe Maddon isn’t looking at past success as any guarantee for the future.

“You’ve got to be on your toes,” Maddon said. “You know what they’re going to do. You know what they can do. You know the pitchers are going to throw strikes. You know they’re going to play the game properly. You know they’re not going to make mistakes, you know they’re not going to beat themselves. I have a lot of respect for them. I always have.”

Both clubs are off on Monday, and Tuesday’s first pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. CT. Tampa Bay couldn’t be much hotter: they’re on a 10-3 run, and their starters have gone at least seven innings in 11 of those games.

Left-hander Francisco Liriano is set to pitch for the Twins after his start on Friday was pushed back because of a rainout. He’s coming off his best outing of the year, when he allowed two runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings against the Orioles on April 18.

Liriano walked five that game, but nonetheless said he felt strong.

“I felt really comfortable,” he said. “I made two mistakes. Even though I walked a couple of guys, I wasn’t overthrowing.”

Right-hander Wade Davis is scheduled to make his fifth start for the Rays, after he went seven innings and took victories in each of his previous two outings. He’s not striking out many — 10 in 26 1/3 innings — but he’s also not allowing many walks or runs. He’s given up eight of both, and he’s facing a Twins team that has struggled at the plate all season.

Whatever the reason for Minnesota’s offensive woes, Maddon doesn’t think it’s because of their ballpark.

“I just like [Target Field],” he said. “If I had my druthers as a manager, I would always want a pitching and defense ballpark. I’d always want that. The Twins should benefit, because they play the game right. So I think if you’re a real fundamental team and you do have some speed and defense, and pitching, which every team would normally like to build themselves like, I like the bigger yard. I think it just speaks to a better game of baseball. The cheaper home run is not a part of the game. I kind of like it.”

Rays: Farnsworth not official yet
• Right-hander Kyle Farnsworth has converted his five save opportunities this season, but manager Joe Maddon has not officially appointed him as the team’s closer.

“I’m just trying to go out there and take it as any other inning,” Farnsworth said. “Try to make good quality pitches. Just be aggressive, and just go out there and have fun. Try not to look at it any other way.”

Twins: Gardenhire hopes shuffling provides spark
• Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he plans to use Michael Cuddyer at second base so that Jim Thome and Jason Kubel can both be in the lineup regularly.

Through their first 19 games of the season, the Twins scored five runs or fewer — one of just four teams in history to do so, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. They broke out on Saturday for a 10-3 win over Cleveland.

“I’m trying to get as many bats as I can, and I really have no problem with Michael Cuddyer playing second,” Gardenhire said. “There’s going to be days when Thome needs a break. I’ll put maybe Kubel back there. Kubel also likes to play [in right field]. He feels better when he’s playing the outfield than he does.”

Gardenhire also emphasized the importance of the middle of the order, not just the bottom, in rescuing the Twins from their offensive doldrums.

“When a lot of guys are scuffling offensively, a lot of emphasis gets put on guys at the bottom of the order,” he said. “But it should be on the middle of your order, they’re the ones who are supposed to get it done. But in order to be a good team, you have to be all the way up and down. You need offense all the way through.”

• Left fielder Delmon Young is expected to return to the lineup after sore ribs and the flu had sidelined him since last Monday. He took batting practice this weekend.

Worth noting
• Just how much has Tampa Bay’s success been predicated on pitching? They have 10-plus hits in just four games. Only the Padres entered Sunday with fewer: three.

Tampa Bay has already taken three of four from the Twins this season, and the Rays are 10-5 against Minnesota since May 29, 2009. The two teams’ history has been lopsided for even longer than that. The Twins haven’t taken a series from the Rays since 2006.

Nonetheless, heading into a three-game set at the Twins’ Target Field that starts Tuesday, Rays manager Joe Maddon isn’t looking at past success as any guarantee for the future.

“You’ve got to be on your toes,” Maddon said. “You know what they’re going to do. You know what they can do. You know the pitchers are going to throw strikes. You know they’re going to play the game properly. You know they’re not going to make mistakes, you know they’re not going to beat themselves. I have a lot of respect for them. I always have.”

Both clubs are off on Monday, and Tuesday’s first pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. CT. Tampa Bay couldn’t be much hotter: they’re on a 10-3 run, and their starters have gone at least seven innings in 11 of those games.

Left-hander Francisco Liriano is set to pitch for the Twins after his start on Friday was pushed back because of a rainout. He’s coming off his best outing of the year, when he allowed two runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings against the Orioles on April 18.

Liriano walked five that game, but nonetheless said he felt strong.

“I felt really comfortable,” he said. “I made two mistakes. Even though I walked a couple of guys, I wasn’t overthrowing.”

Right-hander Wade Davis is scheduled to make his fifth start for the Rays, after he went seven innings and took victories in each of his previous two outings. He’s not striking out many — 10 in 26 1/3 innings — but he’s also not allowing many walks or runs. He’s given up eight of both, and he’s facing a Twins team that has struggled at the plate all season.

Whatever the reason for Minnesota’s offensive woes, Maddon doesn’t think it’s because of their ballpark.

“I just like [Target Field],” he said. “If I had my druthers as a manager, I would always want a pitching and defense ballpark. I’d always want that. The Twins should benefit, because they play the game right. So I think if you’re a real fundamental team and you do have some speed and defense, and pitching, which every team would normally like to build themselves like, I like the bigger yard. I think it just speaks to a better game of baseball. The cheaper home run is not a part of the game. I kind of like it.”

Rays: Farnsworth not official yet
• Right-hander Kyle Farnsworth has converted his five save opportunities this season, but manager Joe Maddon has not officially appointed him as the team’s closer.

“I’m just trying to go out there and take it as any other inning,” Farnsworth said. “Try to make good quality pitches. Just be aggressive, and just go out there and have fun. Try not to look at it any other way.”

Twins: Gardenhire hopes shuffling provides spark
• Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he plans to use Michael Cuddyer at second base so that Jim Thome and Jason Kubel can both be in the lineup regularly.

Through their first 19 games of the season, the Twins scored five runs or fewer — one of just four teams in history to do so, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. They broke out on Saturday for a 10-3 win over Cleveland.

“I’m trying to get as many bats as I can, and I really have no problem with Michael Cuddyer playing second,” Gardenhire said. “There’s going to be days when Thome needs a break. I’ll put maybe Kubel back there. Kubel also likes to play [in right field]. He feels better when he’s playing the outfield than he does.”

Gardenhire also emphasized the importance of the middle of the order, not just the bottom, in rescuing the Twins from their offensive doldrums.

“When a lot of guys are scuffling offensively, a lot of emphasis gets put on guys at the bottom of the order,” he said. “But it should be on the middle of your order, they’re the ones who are supposed to get it done. But in order to be a good team, you have to be all the way up and down. You need offense all the way through.”

• Left fielder Delmon Young is expected to return to the lineup after sore ribs and the flu had sidelined him since last Monday. He took batting practice this weekend.

Worth noting
• Just how much has Tampa Bay’s success been predicated on pitching? They have 10-plus hits in just four games. Only the Padres entered Sunday with fewer: three.

Rays Report

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Tuesday, April 26, 2011

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Quote of the day

“It’s just a nice little bear hug just like the one you get from your grandpa.”

James Shields, offering further explanation of the hugging ritual between him and David Price

Rays at Twins

When/where: 8:10 tonight; Target Field, Minneapolis

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers

RAYS

RH Wade Davis (2-2, 2.73)

TWINS

LH Francisco Liriano (1-3, 7.40)

Watch for …

Wading in: Davis beat the Twins at home April 15 and the White Sox on April 20, allowing one run over seven innings both time, working with less velocity and more command. His prior start at Target Field didn’t go well as he allowed three homers, two to Jim Thome. Overall he is 1-0, 5.71 in three starts vs. the Twins.

Frank approach: Liriano hasn’t been as sharp as during his 13-10, 3.62 2010 season, but he’s getting there based on his last outing in Baltimore on Monday. A Friday rainout pushed him back until tonight, and for good reason: He is 2-1, 2.16 in five starts vs. the Rays.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Liriano

Kelly Shoppach 4-for-14

B.J. Upton 4-for-11

Ben Zobrist 1-for-7

Twins vs. Davis

Michael Cuddyer 2-for-8

Jim Thome 2-for-4, 2 HRs

Delmon Young 3-for-8

On deck

Wednesday: at Twins, 8:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeff Niemann (0-3, 7.08); Twins — Nick Blackburn (1-3. 4.01)

Thursday: at Twins, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (1-2, 4.32); Twins — Scott Baker (1-2, 3.24)

Friday: vs. Angels, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (3-2, 3.19); Angels — Ervin Santana (0-3, 5.51)

Saturday: vs. Angels, 1:10, Ch. 13. Rays — James Shields (2-1, 2.35); Angels — Jered Weaver (5-0, 1.23)

Happy homecoming

1B Dan Johnson said he greatly enjoys playing at home in Minnesota (which he last did in 2007 with Oakland) and seeing all the friends and relatives who come out to the games. It was just paying for the tickets that was a bit problematic and something he won’t do again. “It crushed me,” he said. “I think we left 200-some tickets one game and 175 another. So it ended up being like a lot — especially when it’s coming out of your paycheck.”

Rankings of the day

2-3-13 Rays ranks among AL teams in fielding percentage, ERA and batting average.

Damon’s hit list

A look at where Johnny Damon stands on the all-time list:

75. Steve Garvey 2,599

76. Ed Delahanty 2,593

77. Luis Gonzalez 2,591

78. Johnny Damon2,590

79. Julio Franco 2,586

80. Reggie Jackson 2,584

Source: Stats, Inc.

First things first

Remember that talk a couple of weeks ago about the Rays hitters being more aggressive earlier in the count? Well, it has worked out pretty well. While the Rays rank 27th overall in the majors with a .227 average, when they put the first pitch in play, they have a .391 average, tied with the Royals for second in the majors behind the Brewers (.394). The problem? On all other pitches, the Rays are hitting .205.

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Apr 25, 2011 05:00 PM

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MINNEAPOLIS — The Rays delight in the havoc caused by stealing bases, and the threat of doing so, having led the leagues in larceny during Joe Maddon’s five-plus seasons holding the green light.

But they decidedly detest being the victims, as they have increasingly been, and are determined to do something (actually several things) about it.

“I don’t like it,” Maddon said. “We really take a lot of pride in that not happening. We have to do better at that. I really talked about it a lot in spring training because I thought you were going to see a lot more of it from all the teams this year. …

“I don’t want people doing to us what we do to them.”

So far, they haven’t done a very good job. The 21 steals against them (in 22 games) is the third most in the American League, and their five runners thrown out is more than just five teams.

And from early indications the challenge is going to continue to grow with more teams on the run.

“The game’s changing,” bench coach Dave Martinez said. “Teams are building themselves more around speed, they’re hitting and running more, they’re bunting more, and they’re stealing more.

“We do it as a big part of our game, so we’re trying to defend it as much as possible.”

The fastest way for the Rays to stop teams from running is to have their pitchers be quicker in their deliveries to the plate, increasing the chances for catchers John Jaso and Kelly Shoppach to throw them out.

But that has been a, um, slow process, so the Rays are resorting to other means: making more throws over to first, having the pitchers vary their delivery speeds to disrupt the runners’ timing, and trying more pickoffs (with four so far, third most in the majors).

They are also paying much more attention to runners on second base, experimenting with a series of pickoff moves and set plays, seeking to cut down on thefts, or at least big leads.

“We’re trying all kinds of things,” Martinez said. “We want to keep double plays in order, we want guys to stay closer to the base to give our outfielders a chance to throw them out, we want to keep them from taking the extra base.”

The difference between a quick-enough and a too-slow delivery to the plate is miniscule, but that fraction of a second can make all the difference.

A good delivery time from the stretch, Maddon said, is 1.3 seconds from when the pitcher first lifts his foot until the ball hits the catcher’s glove. “At 1.35 to 1.4, the better baserunners can really take advantage,” he said. “And at 1.4-plus a lot of guys can take advantage.”

The pitchers are just the first line of defense. The average time for a catcher to make the throw to second is 2.0 seconds, so any delay there can be just as impactful. And accuracy is important because the time it takes the infielder to make the tag is also part of the equation.

“We’re not good,” Maddon said. “We’ve got to get better. I’ve been on them about it.”

Jeff Niemann, the tallest of the Rays starters at 6-foot-9, has, not surprisingly, been the biggest offender, with 26 of the past 29 basestealers against him (going back to 2009) reaching safely. Jaso has been the problem at the other end, throwing out just one of 17 so far this season (with Shoppach three of eight, and one caught stealing credited to a pitcher).

“Each person in that scheme has to do their job to shut down the running game,” Shoppach said.

They are also trying to be more creative, especially at second base, where there typically isn’t much done to defend runners. They’ve worked hard on a “quick pick” move where the pitcher whirls and throws as the infielder breaks — with some risk of course — and caught ex-mate Carl Crawford that way April 12. They have also sampled several set plays, where they fake to one base and throw to another.

“There’s a lot of emphasis at second base,” pitching coach Jim Hickey said. “You kind of forget about it. When you have a runner at first you’re conscious of the fact that he may steal, you’re trying to be quick to home, you’re trying to vary your times, you’re trying to throw over. And at second base you kind of get away from that a little bit.”

Rays ace David Price has, of course, his own ideas on how better to control the running game: “Don’t let them on base.”

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.

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Starting pitching has keyed Tampa Bay’s turnaround following a brutal start.

The Minnesota Twins already have been stymied by the Rays’ rotation.

Wade Davis(notes) looks to shut down the Twins for the second time in less than two weeks and help Tampa Bay move over .500 for the first time Tuesday night at Target Field.

The Rays (11-11) took three of four from Minnesota from April 14-17, limiting the Twins to 12 runs and a .234 batting average. All four Tampa Bay starters lasted seven innings, including Davis (2-2, 2.73 ERA) in the second game as he allowed one run and four hits in a 5-2 victory.

The right-hander followed that gem by yielding a run and six hits in seven innings in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Chicago.

That victory evened Tampa Bay’s record at 9-9, helping the Rays become just the second team since 1900 – joining the 1991 Seattle Mariners – to reach .500 in April after starting the season 0-6.

Tampa Bay has split its four games since and is again in position to move above the break-even mark.

“Ever since we had that 0-6 start, our motto is, ‘We want to win series,’” said James Shields(notes), who pitched a four-hitter in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Toronto for his second consecutive complete game.

“That’s all we’re worried about right now, we don’t care about anything else. All we want to do is win series.’”

The Rays have won their last four series, posting 10 victories in 13 games after opening 1-8.

Tampa Bay’s rotation has been instrumental to the turnaround. Its starting pitchers have worked seven or more innings in 11 of the past 12 games while posting a 2.65 ERA.

Like the Rays, the Twins (9-12) also are starting to come around, having won three straight and five of seven after opening 4-10.

Minnesota defeated Cleveland 4-3 on Sunday to take both games of the rain-shortened set for its first series win.

“We got that first one out of the way,” said Jason Kubel(notes), whose two-run double in the seventh inning Sunday put the Twins ahead. “Hopefully we can just keep rolling.”

Delmon Young(notes) is expected to return to Minnesota’s lineup after sitting out the last five games with sore ribs and the flu.

Young is off to a slow start, with no homers and six RBIs after hitting 21 home runs and driving in a team-high 112 runs last season. He was 3 for 13 at Tropicana Field last week.

Justin Morneau(notes) wasn’t any better there, going 2 for 12, but he’s had two hits and two RBIs in each of his two games since missing five with an illness.

Tampa Bay’s Johnny Damon(notes) drove in six runs in the Minnesota series, while Matt Joyce(notes) went 8 for 14 (.571) with three doubles and three RBIs.

The Rays didn’t have to face scheduled starter Francisco Liriano(notes) (1-3, 7.40) last week, and that likely worked to their advantage.

Liriano is 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA in five career starts against Tampa Bay. In his lone outing versus the Rays last season, the left-hander gave up a run and four hits while striking out 10 in seven innings of Tampa Bay’s 8-6 comeback win July 3.

Liriano is coming off his best outing of the season, and he’ll be going on seven days’ rest after his start Friday was skipped because of a rainout.

Against Baltimore last Monday, Liriano allowed two runs, five hits and five walks in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-3 victory. He had a 9.42 ERA in losing his first three starts.

“We need him to get on a roll and start throwing the ball well,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “(This is) a really good builder for him.”

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Apr 25, 2011 03:49 PM

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Tampa Bay Rays starter James Shields has been named AL Player of the Week for his pair of complete game victories.

Shields became the third Ray to log complete game wins in consecutive starts, joining Rolando Arrojo (1998) and Albie Lopez (2000).

He beat the White Sox at the Trop last week and then shutout the Jays on Sunday in Toronto, compiling a 2-0 record with a 0.50 ERA and 16 strikeouts, allowing just a .138 average. His 18 innings were tops in the majors.

This is Shields’ second AL Player of the Week award; he also won in April 2008.

For winning, he gets a Game Time watch.

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« Center Field Options For The Nationals | Main | Rosenthal On Fielder, Putz, Reyes »

By Tim Dierkes [April 25, 2011 at 12:44pm CST]

The Rays are next in our 2012 Contract Issues series.  Here’s what the team faces after the 2011 season:

Eligible For Free Agency (4)

Contract Options (3)

• James Shields: $7MM club option with a $2MM buyout.  Otherwise arbitration eligible.  This seems like it will be an easy choice to exercise.  Shields is under control through 2014, and if he becomes available this summer or winter the Rays could get a nice bounty.  We’re getting ahead of ourselves, though – the team is only three games back in the AL East.
• Kelly Shoppach: $3.2MM club option with a $300K buyout.  Shoppach hasn’t done much hitting in his Rays career, so this is a tough call.  One factor to consider is the progress of catching prospect Robinson Chirinos.
• Kyle Farnsworth: $3.3MM club option with a $650K buyout.  He’s gotten the job done so far, and this option will merit consideration.

Arbitration Eligible (7)

Price is primed for a record-setting salary for a first-time arbitration eligible starting pitcher, say around $5.5MM.  Niemann could get $3MM, though the Rays could trade him as early as this summer even if they are contending.  Upton’s price will be held down by his unspectacular offense, but he could get $7MM or more and is also a trade candidate.  There is some uncertainty with the other pitchers but for the sake of argument if everyone besides Johnson is retained the total bill could be around $21MM.

2012 Payroll Obligation

The Rays’ 2012 payroll obligation, according to Cot’s, is $13MM excluding buyouts.  However we could tack on as much as $35MM if the three options are exercised and the arbitration eligibles are retained.  That’d have the club $6MM over this year’s payroll, which was reduced drastically from years prior.  There are many moving parts here, and given their current big league talent and highly-regarded farm system, the Rays should find a way to compete next year even if payroll stays under $50MM.  That is no small feat.

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TAMPA, Florida — Troubled former Tampa Bay Rays player Elijah Dukes has been charged with driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.

Hillsborough County Jail records show Dukes, 26, was released Sunday afternoon on a $250 bond. Officials say he was arrested at 2:24 p.m. Sunday on an exit ramp of Interstate 75.

This was the latest in a string of arrests for Dukes, who most recently played for the Washington Nationals.

Dukes was also arrested March 2 after a former girlfriend accused him of hitting her. At that time, he was charged with aggravated assault on a pregnant woman and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

TAMPA, Fla. – Troubled former Tampa Bay Rays player Elijah Dukes has been charged in Florida with driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.

Officials say the 26-year-old Dukes was arrested Sunday afternoon on an exit ramp of Interstate 75 near Tampa.

Hillsborough County Jail records show he was released Sunday on a $250 bond.

It was the latest in a string of arrests for Dukes, who most recently played for the Washington Nationals.

Dukes was also arrested March 2 after a former girlfriend accused him of hitting her. At that time, he was charged with aggravated assault on a pregnant woman and driving with a suspended or revoked license.

Shields (2-1) threw just 95 pitches, wrapping up his seventh career complete game in a brisk 2 hours, 5 minutes. The righthander also threw a four-hitter against the Chicago White Sox last Tuesday.

Over the winter and during spring training, Shields worked with pitching coach Jim Hickey to tweak his delivery, changing the way he steps back when working from the windup and twisting his upper body less when he throws.

“I just simplified things,” Shields said. “I’m a lot quieter in my delivery, I’m not so violent.”

It’s the third time in Rays history that a pitcher has won back-to-back complete games. Rolando Arrojo did it in 1998 and Albie Lopez did it in 2000. Tampa Bay starters have worked seven or more innings in 11 of the past 12 games and posted a 2.46 ERA over that span.

Shields struck out seven, walked two and lowered his ERA to 2.35. The Rays won for the 10th time in 14 games following a 1-8 start.

“Ever since we had that 0-6 start, our motto is, ‘We want to win series,’ ” Shields said. “That’s all we’re worried about right now, we don’t care about anything else. All we want to do is win series – and that’s what we did today, so that’s good.”

Ricky Romero (1-3) lost despite striking out 10 in seven innings.

Romero allowed five hits, including Zobrist’s homer in the first, and walked one. He has lost his past three starts, with Toronto scoring just three total runs in those games.

“We’re in a little bit of a funk, but I can’t control what they do as hitters,” Romero said.

The Blue Jays were blanked for the first time this season and have lost 10 of 14 following a 5-2 start.

Toronto’s Jose Bautista walked in the first, the 11th straight plate appearance he’d reached safely. Needing one more to tie Lyle Overbay’s team record, Bautista lined out sharply to third in the fourth.

Zobrist hit his fifth homer of the season and second in as many days. He lined an 0-2 pitch over the left-field wall.

A switch-hitter, Zobrist hit a three-run shot from the left side of the plate in Saturday’s 6-4 victory.

Shields didn’t allow a hit until Juan Rivera’s ground-ball single to begin the fifth. J.P. Arencibia and Travis Snider struck out before John McDonald lined a single to center, but Shields fanned Mike McCoy to end the inning.

Corey Patterson led off the Toronto sixth with a double down the right-field line, but Shields got the next three batters in order.

Rays 2, Blue Jays 0

Tampa Bay 200 000 000 – 2 6 0

Toronto 000 000 000 – 0 4 1

Tampa Bay AB   R   H   BI   BB   SO   Avg.   

 Fuld lf 4   0   0   0   0   4   .346   

Damon dh 4   1   2   0   0   0   .260   

Zobrist rf-2b 4   1   2   2   0   1   .203   

D.Johnson 1b 3   0   1   0   0   0   .131