Last night at the Trop

Posted Sep 27, 2007 by Marc Lancaster

Updated Sep 27, 2007 at 04:14 PM

Well, here we are. It’s game #81 at Tropicana Field, and though the Rays will fall well short of the 50 home wins owner Stu Sternberg and manager Joe Maddon were shooting for (they’re 37-43 entering tonight), there were highlights. The winners of the 2007 team awards, as voted on by the local media, will be unveiled in a couple of hours. For now, it’s all about packing up and getting ready to go. The clubhouse is full of bags and boxes as the players get ready for the home farewell before scattering following this weekend’s series in Toronto.

As for the Yankees, let’s just say they’re taking their time today. Still no lineup, but I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if it was the type that might get them fined during spring training for not bringing enough regulars.

The Rays will lean in that direction themselves over the weekend. Maddon said Justin Ruggiano and Joel Guzman both will start all three games in Toronto at one position or another. Other than that, not much in the way of pregame news around here.

Here’s the Rays’ crew:

Iwamura 3B
Velandia 2B
Pena 1B
Upton CF
Young RF
Norton DH
Gomes LF
Navarro C
Wilson SS
Kazmir P