masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgCarl Crawford isn’t in the lineup, and he isn’t changing his opinion of protective cups.

Crawford still refuses to use one, saying they pinch and are too restrictive.

I’m not a risk-taker. If I suffered the same injury, I’d show up at the ballpark the next day wearing a hubcap and a bungee cord.

Brad Bergesen is laboring. Evan Longoria homered in the first inning, and the Rays tacked on two more runs in the second on Matt Joyce’s double, singles by Willy Aybar and Reid Brignac, and Ben…Carl Crawford isn’t in the lineup, and he isn’t changing his opinion of protective cups.

Crawford still refuses to use one, saying they pinch and are too restrictive.

I’m not a risk-taker. If I suffered the same injury, I’d show up at the ballpark the next day wearing a hubcap and a bungee cord.

Brad Bergesen is laboring. Evan Longoria homered in the first inning, and the Rays tacked on two more runs in the second on Matt Joyce’s double, singles by Willy Aybar and Reid Brignac, and Ben Zobrist’s two-out double.

Pitching coach Rick Kranitz visited the mound after Zobrist’s RBI two-bagger. Bergesen kept nodding his head and saying, “OK.”

Maybe Kranitz said, “Stop doing that.”

Luke Scott opened the second with a double. He’s still not running full-speed, but it hasn’t been necessary.

Alfredo Simon and Koji Uehara aren’t available today, but interim manager Juan Samuel said he could use the other relievers. He’d rather lay off Matt Albers, but the right-hander is available.

Update: Doubles by Longoria and Aybar increased the Rays’ lead to 4-0 in the third. Bergesen has allowed seven hits and thrown 58 pitches.

Brian Roberts is 1-for-4 with an RBI today at Double-A Bowie, the three outs coming from the right side.

Brandon Waring is 2-for-2 with two doubles, an RBI, two runs scored and a walk. Greg Miclat is 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs.