Crawford Finally Gets A Rest

OAKLAND, Calif. - Two days might not be enough to make up for the wear and tear on LF Carl Crawford's legs through the first eight weeks of the season, but it's better than no rest at all.

For the first time in 47 games this season, Crawford's name was not in the Rays' starting lineup Wednesday. He had started 45 games in left field and one, May 8 at Toronto, as the DH. By having Crawford sit Wednesday, Manager Joe Maddon hoped to maximize his rest with an off day for the team today.

"For right now, we just need to get him off his feet," Maddon said.

He had worked out the day in advance with Crawford, who had no objections to sitting one out. On the contrary, actually.

"My body's been feeling real banged up and sore lately and we felt like this was a good time," he said.

Crawford's legs take a beating on the artificial surface at Tropicana Field, where he has played 24 games already this year (plus three more at Toronto's Rogers Centre).

HOMECOMING KING: The lone highlight in the Rays' loss Wednesday was a big one personally for Jonny Gomes. He smacked a first-pitch fastball from Dana Eveland high into the left-field seats leading off the eighth for the Rays' only run, his first homer in what amounts to his hometown park.

A native of nearby Petaluma, Gomes said he had 35 or 40 family and friends in attendance Wednesday. "These guys haven't seen me hit a home run since high school," he said.

MORE TO COME?: Maddon and C Dioner Navarro were effusive in their praise of Scott Kazmir following his best start so far this season Tuesday night, but the lefty said he still doesn't think he's at his best.

"It felt good, but it still feels like there's another step to take," Kazmir said. "Everything felt strong, I felt like I was able to stay closed a little bit and actually just let it go. I felt like I had my legs under me and everything."

That's a good step, since Kazmir felt like he was throwing too much with his arm and not enough with his body in his first three starts. Tuesday, his command was much sharper than it had been in his previous outings. He walked only one batter and struck out eight in seven innings - his best showing of the season in all three categories.

"That was his best strike-throwing performance to date this year," Maddon said.

DAY-TO-DAY: Closer Troy Percival wasn't available Wednesday after feeling some tightness in his left hamstring while pitching the ninth inning Tuesday.

Percival said he landed wrong and caught his foot in a hole that had been dug out of the mound, but it was nothing serious. Maddon hopes to have him back and ready to go by Friday.

NOTEWORTHY: RHP Scott Dohmann, who was designated for assignment last week, cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Durham. ... LHP David Price is slated to make his professional debut tonight, starting for Vero Beach at home against Clearwater. ... Beginning this week, the Rays' Saturday home games through Aug. 2 (with the exception of the July 5 game) will begin an hour earlier at 6:10 p.m. to accommodate the postgame concert series.

Marc Lancaster