Rays Say Trip Was Worth It

LAKE BUENA VISTA - The Rays believe they have made serious inroads in the Orlando market during the last two years, and the three-game series at Disney's Wide World of Sports that wrapped up Thursday night did nothing to dissuade them from that thought.

The announced attendance for the series finale was 9,540, the largest crowd of the three games this year. That brought the total for the series against the Blue Jays to 26,798 - 119 fewer fans than last year's set here against the Rangers.

While the Rays appreciated those numbers, they drew greater satisfaction by what they saw in the stands.

"I think there was a novelty factor last year, and we had a lot of baseball fans who attended the games," said team president Matt Silverman. "This year it feels more like Rays fans. We have many more fans wearing our gear, our new gear, they're staying until the end, they're cheering much more for the Rays, and that shows that that conversion is starting to take place."

Silverman said it's too early to tell whether the Rays will return to Disney for another series next season, but the team will consider it. Either way, he said, the Rays will keep trying to expand their market to the east through various measures.

"We'll continue to make investments in Orlando and Central Florida to make them feel a part of the Rays," he said. "Whether we play three games here next year or the year after or do something else, that commitment is there and we'll continue to make those investments."

BACK IN ACTION: RHP Matt Garza will come off the 15-day disabled list today to make his first start since leaving the April 8 home opener early with an irritated radial nerve.

Garza's symptoms vanished almost immediately, as he was able to throw pain-free shortly after being put on the DL following that game, and he didn't report any problems during or after his side sessions or Sunday's rehab start.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Garza probably would be limited to about 90 pitches tonight, and the key - especially against a patient Red Sox lineup - is to maximize them.

"We'll encourage him to just attack the strike zone and see what happens," Maddon said. "He's got great life on his fastball. If he's throwing that ball hard, down, with that kind of action, he should get his groundballs. We're just going to have to be in the right spots to catch them."

Garza wouldn't talk to reporters Thursday, citing a previously undisclosed personal policy of not speaking to the media the day before he pitches.

To make room for Garza on the roster, the Rays optioned OF Justin Ruggiano to Durham following Thursday's game.

A LITTLE NERVOUS: A day after joining the Rays, Gabe Gross made his first start for his new employer, playing right field and batting seventh. He had no qualms about admitting to some nerves before the game.

"I don't know how many years you have to be around to swap over to a new team and not get butterflies a little bit the first time you come up with them," said Gross. "At the same time, I've always kind of felt that if you couldn't play when you're a little nervous, then you couldn't play, because there are going to be a lot of times when you're a little nervous."

A LITTLE TIGHT: Maddon said he talked to slumping slugger Carlos Pena before Wednesday's game and tried to get him to ease off a bit. Pena entered Thursday hitting .197 this season, with 11 strikeouts in his last 31 at-bats.

"He's pressing a bit," Maddon said. "He just needs to relax, just like Papi Boston's David Ortiz needs to relax, just like Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki needs to relax. All these guys that are off to a tough start, they're all good, and by the end of the season the numbers will be there."

NOTEWORTHY: C Mike DiFelice and RHP Calvin Medlock, both of whom were designated for assignment in the past week, cleared waivers and will report back to Durham. ... Maddon said C Dioner Navarro will start tonight but get either Saturday or Sunday off.

Marc Lancaster