TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Storm Could Disrupt Angels Series

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARC LANCASTER The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 18, 2008

Updated: 08/18/2008 12:11 am

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Rays return from their longest road trip of the season uncertain how many games they will be able to play during a scheduled three-day homestand.

With Tropical Storm Fay expected to move up the Gulf Coast during the next two days and possibly reach hurricane strength, the Rays were in contact Sunday with Angels and Major League Baseball officials about contingency plans for the series that begins tonight.

Rays president Matt Silverman said tonight's matchup of first-place teams definitely will be played, but the status of the final two games is uncertain.

"If the storm maintains its current path, Tuesday would be in doubt, and then we'll make a call on Wednesday based on Tuesday," he said. "We're in communication with the league and with the Angels about it, and we're hopeful we're going to get the series in. Two out of three is the most likely case, but with the unpredictability of the storm, it's pretty much a wait-and-see game."

Silverman said the Rays should know tonight whether Tuesday's game will be played. There is a possibility the Angels might fly to Atlanta or Miami following tonight's game to get clear of the storm if Tuesday's game is postponed, then return to play Wednesday if necessary.

Silverman said a doubleheader Wednesday is unlikely and any games that had to be postponed likely would be made up Sept. 1, a mutual off day for the Rays and Angels. There has not been any discussion about moving the series to a different venue.

The Angels flew to St. Petersburg on Sunday after wrapping up a weekend series at Cleveland. CF Torii Hunter, who experienced a hurricane while playing minor-league ball in Florida more than a decade ago, told reporters he was not enthusiastic about heading into town just before an evacuation might take place.

"People are going to be leaving and the dumb Angels are going there," he said. "I can see the headlines: 'They were the best team in baseball. Now they're swimming.'"

All kidding aside, Rays manager Joe Maddon said the team's focus is on the safety of everyone involved. Rays director of team travel Jeff Ziegler held a brief meeting before Sunday's game to lay out the possibilities for the players.

"We're just most concerned about making sure that our guys can be with their families if indeed this becomes a more serious situation," said Maddon. "Baseball is one thing; your family's something entirely more important. We'll just have to deal with that as it comes along. We'll try to get baseball games in but make sure that the players can be involved with their families."

UNDER THE KNIFE? Closer Troy Percival could undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today, but he was hoping it wouldn't be necessary.

"It's very possible" surgery will be necessary, he said. "But I felt good today, played catch - had pain, but nothing that's debilitating."

Percival said he made about 40 throws Sunday and didn't feel well enough to pitch, but thinks he will be able to in another day if he continues to progress as he has since receiving a cortisone shot Friday.

Percival was to see Rangers orthopedist Keith Meister for the second time Sunday and visit with Rays orthopedist Koco Eaton this morning before a decision is made.

IN AND OUT: CF B.J. Upton didn't just return to the lineup Sunday; he moved to the top of the batting order. With 2B Akinori Iwamura getting a day off, Upton batted leadoff for the fourth time this season. Ben Zobrist took Iwamura's spot in the field and hit second.

BIG SERIES: This week's schedule is daunting for the Rays, with series looming against fellow first-place teams Angels and White Sox, but Maddon isn't worried about it.

"It's the way it should be," he said. "You've got to beat the best to be the best, and I anticipate it will bring the best out of us, too."

Marc Lancaster

BAD WEATHER

Rays games called off due to hurricanes

•Sept. 17, 2000, vs. Oakland, Hurricane Gordon, canceled

•Sept. 4-5, 2004, vs. Detroit, Hurricane Frances, made up as a doubleheader Sept. 30

•Sept. 17, 2004, vs. Toronto, Hurricane Jeannie, canceled

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT