Rays @ Angels: Looking for sweep as Niemann returns

Posted Aug 25, 2010 by Roger Mooney

Updated Aug 25, 2010 at 02:06 PM

ROGER MOONEY
ANAHEIM - The Rays are looking to sweep their 10th series of the season during this afternoon’s finale against the Angels at Angel Stadium.

Their nine series sweeps leads the majors.

The Rays have never swept the Angels here, but are riding a four-game winning streak in this ballpark that dates back to their first trip to SoCal in May.

Jeff Niemann has been activated from the disabled list and will make his first start since straining his right shoulder Aug. 3. He will also become the seventh different pitcher to start for the Rays on this road trip.

Carlos Pena will be the DH today in an effort to keep his bat in the lineup and give him two days off his feet since Thursday is an off day.

Jason Bartlett is getting a day off.

A win and the Rays finish the trip 5-2 and will, at worst, remain tied with the Yankees for first place in the AL East should the Yankees beat the Jays tonight in Toronto.

The Red Sox come to the Trop on Friday for the start of a three-game weekend series.

Here are today’s lineup

RAYS
Jaso C
Zobrist 2B
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Pena DH
Joyce RF
Johnson 1B
Upton CF
Brignac SS
—
Niemann (10-3, 3.12)

ANGELS
Bobby Abreu LF
Howard Kendrick 2B
Alberto Collaspo 3B
Torii Hunter RF
Hideki Matsui DH
Mike Napoli 1B
Reggie Willits CF
Jeff Mathis C
Brandon Wood SS
—
Dan Haren (1-4, 4.39)