Zobrist's down with helping Rays

By Herald wire services Thursday, July 24, 2008 - Added 7m ago Ben Zobrist homered and drove in two runs to support a strong outing by James Shields, and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the Oakland Athletics, 4-3, yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla. After the game, Zobrist was optioned to Triple-A Durham to make room on the roster for the shortstop he has been filling in for, Jason Bartlett, who is expected to be activated today after missing 16 games with a strained right knee. “I understand,” Zobrist said. “I’m glad I got the chance to help the team out again today, and glad I could leave on kind of a good note going back down. Hopefully, I’ll be back up here soon.” Zobrist, the No. 9 hitter, has hit all five of his homers this season in his last 16 games. “He’ll be back,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. Shields (9-6)... [read full story]