=== Tampa Bay Devil Rays Team Report - June 15 === (My Sportsbook) - Emotions may be running high this afternoon when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of a three-game set at Tropicana Field. Last night, the Pirates and Devil Rays could not control themselves. The bad blood simply boiled over and a bench-clearing brawl ensued. Pirates catcher Jason Kendall was one of three Pirates hit by a pitch in Friday's loss and when Kendall was hit again last night the Pirates had enough. In the fourth inning last night, Pirates pitcher Josh Fogg hit Marlon Anderson with two outs and the bases empty. With that one pitch both benches emptied, while Kendall and Anderson tussled with each other. The Devil Rays, who are losers of 11 of their last 13 contests, will send young Jason Standridge to the mound in the finale of the three-game series. The 24-year-old pitched in his first game of the 2003 season on Tuesday against the Reds at Tropicana Field. In that contest, the 6-4 righthander was defeated, allowing three runs on three hits in six innings. Standridge will make his first appearance against the Pirates today. Last night, Jason Tyner finished with three hits and Julio Lugo had two hits and drove in two for the Devil Rays. Rob Bell (0-1) absorbed the loss in his season debut, allowing six runs and four hits in 3 1/3 innings. The Devil Rays are just 13-20 overall at home this season. |
