Rays Notebook: 'Consistent lineup' close to reality

Manager Joe Maddon said before Tuesday's game against the Indians that he is close to using a "consistent lineup."

Of course that comes with a caution of sorts. Maddon was talking about his lineup against right-handed pitchers and he did preface the statement with the words "a more."

"Now you're going to see of a more consistent lineup," Maddon said. "That's what everybody is clamoring for. You might be able to get it right now."

With 3B Evan Longoria healthy, Maddon liked the lineup he used the last two days in Baltimore that looked like this: LF Sam Fuld, 2B Ben Zobrist, DH Johnny Damon, Longoria, RF Matt Joyce, CF B.J. Upton, 1B Casey Kotchman, SS Reid Brignac and C John Jaso.

"Talk about the flow of the lineup, I like the flow of the lineup," Maddon said. "I like the way it goes back and forth. There's a lot of left-right kind of stuff going on."

That lineup, which produced 26 hits in two games, is tough on opposing managers as they try to line up their bullpen, since it's hard to bring in a left-handed specialist for Fuld and Damon now that the switch-hitting Zobrist bats between them.

Now, Maddon said he's still going to play with the lineup vs. lefties.

"Versus the lefty it might still be kind of sporadic, but versus the righty it's kind of settling into almost one lineup," Maddon said.

Upton update

Once again, Upton said he will serve his two-game suspension Thursday and Friday, meaning he will miss the final game of this three-game series and the first game of the Orioles series at the Trop.

And, once again, Maddon said that might not be the case.

"Nothing's for sure yet. Nothing's written in stone. Nothing's etched," Maddon said. "As far as I know, nothing's been definitely, definitely done."

Upton started Tuesday and Maddon said he will start tonight.

"(We'll) see what happens after that," Maddon said.

Hug it out

LHP David Price returns to the mound tonight for the first time since he was pulled one out away from throwing his first complete game of the season.

Price, who stormed off the mound without saying a word to Maddon, said the two talked it out after last Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, which the Rays won 3-1.

"I just talked to him for a minute," Price said. "I didn't ask him why. We talked about it. Took 30 seconds, there was no yelling, no angry tones or voice or nothing. We just talked."

Said Maddon: "He came in and apologized for getting so upset. I said, 'Don't worry about it man. I know how you are.' He's very, very competitive. For me it was an absolute non-issue."

S-Rod faces a righty

UTL Sean Rodriguez started at shortstop Tuesday night against Indian righty Josh Tomlin not because Maddon wanted to give the slumping Brignac a rest, but because he wanted to give Rodriguez a chance to play.

The Rays are not scheduled to face a left-handed starter until they reach Toronto a week from today.

"If you look at the schedule coming up, he's not going to get a chance to start for several days, and I thought this would be the best right-hander based on the information I got for him to start against," Maddon said.

More on Brignac

Brignac is batting .114 in his past 10 games, including .071 this month.

Maddon said he hopes the two-day rest will spark some life in his bat, because Maddon thought Brignac looked much better at the plate Saturday and Sunday in Baltimore after sitting the two previous games.

"I thought his swing is starting to come back," Maddon said. "I feel strongly that you're going to see him swing the bat well in the next week."

Noteworthy

Damon didn't start Tuesday so he could get a two-day rest. … RHP James Shields spent the off day attending the services of his great grandmother, who passed away at age 97. … Joyce began Tuesday's game second in the AL in batting with a .351 average. … Fuld will sign autographs from 10-11 a.m. Saturday at Triple Play Sports Cards, 2219 S. Dale Mabry Highway. Cost is $15. … Tuesday was the first time the Indians and Rays played each other with both teams in first place. … OF Brandon Guyer and RHP Brandon Gomes were named the Rays' minor-league player and pitcher of the month for April.