Shields hopes he can come up big tonight

Rays RHP James Shields would like to live up to his nickname "Big Game James" in tonight's series finale against the Red Sox at Tropicana Field.

It's a big game, indeed - and it's on ESPN national television, with a special starting time of 8 p.m.

"I get charged up for every game, but anytime you play the Red Sox and you're still in the hunt, it's exciting," Shields said. "We know we need to stay calm, but it's an exciting time right now. Coming out of spring training, this is where we wanted to be."

Shields has won his past two starts, allowing three earned runs in 13 innings, walking two and striking out 13.

"I feel really good right now," Shields said. "This is the best I've felt all year long."

He is 4-9 with a 5.25 ERA overall in 15 career starts against the Red Sox, but 3-2 with a 3.13 ERA in seven starts at the Trop.

Attendance might be interesting to track. Sunday games generally are "Family Fun Days," but instead of an afternoon start, tonight's game might end near midnight, with school in session Monday.

The normal activities - a pregame autograph session, kids running the bases and playing a wiffle-ball home-run derby in left field - will not be held. But the "Family Fun Days" four-pack tickets are available.

Crawford feeling better

Rays LF Carl Crawford returned to the starting lineup, one night after being a late scratch due to a stomach virus.

"He's still a little bit bothered by it, but he was able to eat some soup (in the afternoon)," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I think he's going to be fine. You still have to wait and see because gastro problems like that can rear their ugly head at some point."

Niemann says he's fine

RHP Jeff Niemann, who came off the 15-day disabled list with a horrendous outing (allowing 10 earned runs in 31/3 innings Wednesday against the Angels), said he was pleased with Saturday's work during what he described as a "heavy" bullpen session.

"The last (start) was a bad day ... it happens," Niemann said. "I threw a bullpen and ironed some things out. I wanted to get out there and address the issues. The mechanics, the feel, whatever you want to say it was (Wednesday), it was off and I need to get it back on. I felt good out there today."

Niemann is scheduled to start Tuesday night against the Jays.

Catch this

It had no bearing on the game's outcome, but Red Sox CF Ryan Kalish turned in one of the best catches ever seen at the Trop. With two outs in the second inning, and Matt Joyce on first base, B.J. Upton's deep liner was speared backhanded by a sprinting, diving Kalish, who somersaulted onto the turf.

Balfour's rough start

Grant Balfour allowed two hits, three walks, three runs (two earned) and struck out two in two-thirds of an inning Saturday during his first rehab stint with Class-A Charlotte.

Balfour was the starting pitcher for the Stone Crabs against Bradenton at McKechnie Field. He's scheduled to pitch Monday and is expected to return to the Rays on Wednesday.

Win Upton's BRayser

Fans can enter a drawing to win the BRayser worn by Upton during the last road trip by logging on to mcgraffle.com/upton. Tickets are $15, with the proceeds going to the Childs Park and Wildwood recreation centers in South St. Petersburg.

Odds and ends

Sean Rodriguez stole his 10th base Friday to become the sixth Ray to reach double digits in steals. The Rays are the only team with six players who have at least 10 steals. ... The three runs allowed by David Price in seven innings Friday pushed his ERA to 3.01 - the first time it has been above 3.00 since April 9. ... Rocco Baldelli played the outfield Friday for the first time since he joined Durham. He's batting .306 for the Bulls. Dioner Navarro, who will likely rejoin the Rays when the rosters expand to 40 on Wednesday, is batting .291 for Durham. ... Boston's Victor Martinez had two hits in his first three at-bats Saturday to raise his lifetime average at the Trop to .414, the best among players with at least 100 at-bats in the dome. His .375 lifetime average against the Rays is also tops among opposing players.

Joey Johnston, Roger Mooney