I got here early to visit former Twins Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza. Bartlett, actually, is one of the older guys in camp and is looked to for a little leadership. I’ll have more on their feelings about leaving the Twins in the print edition.

Former Twin Grant Balfour also is in Rays camp and sez he’s throwing fire again. .

There seems to be more professionalism and optimism in Rays camp this year. We’ll see if they can jump on some teams early and give their fans some hope. You feel bad for some fans who put up with perennial losers, and the Rays have drawn the short straw in having to play in the AL East.

It’s overcast here with a threat of scattered afternoon thunderstorms….

Joe. C is back in Fort Myers watching Francisco Liriano throw and should have a report in by midday. Pat Reusse has arrived. Jim Souhan leaves tonight. So, for a few hours, we’ll be a full throttle.

Lineups:

Twins: 1. Span,CF. 2. Punto, 2B. 3. Cuddy, RF. 4. Jones, 1B. 5. Red Dog, C. 6. Mike Lamb, 3B. 7. Kubel, LF. 8. Clark., DH. 9. Everett, SS. Pitching: Less of Boof.

Rays: 1. Iwamura, 2B. 2. Bartlett, SS. 3. Pena, 1B. 4.Baldelli, DH. 5. Floyd, RF. 6. Eva’s brother, 3B. 7. Rodriguez, LF. 8. Riggans, C. 9. Weber, CF. Pitching: Jackson.

Note: The game was delayed at 1:24 Eastern. The Twins led 3-0 going into the top of the fifth. . Boof Bonser tossed three scoreless innings, followed by a 1-2-3 fourth by Nick Blackburn. Denard Span is 2 for 3…

Note II: The game has been cancelled because of rain. Everyone is headed back to Fort Myers, and so am I….

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