Edwin Jackson

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays’ frustrating weekend can be summed up with one image: Stars B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria standing nose-to-nose in a heated dugout spat. Upton pointed a finger in Longoria’s face after the third baseman questioned the center fielder’s effort in the fifth inning yesterday, when Gerardo Parra hit a two-run homer that helped give the Arizona Diamondbacks a 2-1 win over the slumping Rays. Rodrigo Lopez and three relievers combined on a two-hitter for the Diamondbacks, who took two of three from the Rays.

Edwin Jackson wasn't about to get down on himself even though his third spring training start didn't go as smoothly as the first two. The Washington Nationals right-hander, who had pitched six scoreless innings in his first two outings, gave up four runs, two earned, while allowing five hits and walking two in a 6-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. "It's the best I've felt (this spring)," Jackson said. "The results (were) not necessarily the best, but it's spring training.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Road victories have been rare for Tampa Bay. Edwin Jackson and the bullpen made sure the Rays got one last night. Jackson surpassed his victory total for last season and the Rays snapped a seven-game road losing streak with a 5-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The Rays, who moved one game in front of the Red Sox in the AL East, won on the road for the first time since June 29, at Pittsburgh. "It's so nice to get a road victory," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

There is lots of buzz out there about the possibility that free-agent righty Edwin Jackson may accept a one-year deal with a contender to improve his value and go back into the free-agent market next season. Right now it doesn't look like Boston is going to be his landing spot, however. That, of course, could change. Jackson is a Scott Boras client and Boras recently did this with former Phillies closer Ryan Madson, signing him to a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

No matter which hitters the Tampa Bay Rays send up against Mariano Rivera, they hardly seem intimidated. Joe Dillon hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning as the surging Rays touched up Rivera for the second time this season, beating the Yankees, 9-7, yesterday in New York despite committing four errors. B.J. Upton added an RBI single off the star closer, part of a four-run rally that carried the AL champions to their fourth straight victory and sixth in seven games.

After stumbling into the All-Star break, the Tampa Bay Rays are back in stride. Carlos Peña homered, Edwin Jackson won consecutive starts for the first time since April, and the Rays beat the host Toronto Blue Jays, 3-2, yesterday, helping improve their lead in the East to three games. "This game was definitely big for us," outfielder B.J. Upton said. "To get to where we want to be, we've got to be able to win one-run ballgames. " The Rays won for the fourth time in six road games after losing seven straight away from home.

His face, underneath its cool exterior, broke enough for a muted celebration. Standing by the dugout railing, watching the other Jon finish up what he had started, Jon Lester accepted momentary congratulations, then closed again. Lester, of course, is not one for much outward emotion. Not one for self-promotion or major expressions of excitement or joy. Unlike, say, Jonathan Papelbon, who had just closed out another stellar performance from his starter. But, no matter how calm Lester is, there is one undeniable fact.

Rafael Soriano was right back out there doing the job he was hired for, two days after blowing a big lead in his eighth-inning slot. Just like the Yankees drew it up when they signed him to a $35 million, three-year contract in the offseason, Soriano got the ball to Mariano Rivera with a scoreless eighth yesterday. He protected a one-run lead in a 4-3 win over Minnesota in New York. “A lot of people — the manager, the pitching coach, the GM — everybody comes to me and say, ‘Bad day, you know, it happen to everybody here.

Jason Varitek's head was down. So it was left to the batter, Cliff Floyd, to let him know that there might be trouble on the mound. Varitek hadn't noticed when Josh Beckett's right foot slipped on the mound while he was delivering a pitch in the sixth inning last night. Though it resulted in a gathering that included manager Terry Francona and assistant trainer Mike Reinold, it didn't result in an injury to the Red Sox ace. Even though Beckett came out of the game after the inning, having thrown just 92 pitches, it was precautionary.

If patriotism is supposed to be the last refuge for scoundrels, then referencing history is the last refuge for shocked fans who have just seen their team fall behind, three games to one, in an American League Championship Series. "A lot of people were yelling things at us in the stands," said Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford, who had just become the third man in LCS history to go 5 for 5. "One guy was yelling, 'Go ask Derek Jeter.' He was really loud. Everybody heard him. There's going to be a lot more of that.

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff And then there was ... Oswalt. Edwin Jackson has agreed to a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals believed to be in the $10 million range, which was about twice as much as the Red Sox wanted to spend. Scott Boras told me moments ago he had a few offers for Jackson, some multi-year, one two-year and some one-year deals. He chose Washington which could be a contender in the NL East. Boras has a signed a few players to one-year deals recently including Ryan Madson with the Reds and Kyle Lohse with the Cardinals.

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff Lots of buzz out there about the possibility that free-agent righty Edwin Jackson may accept a one-year deal with a contender to improve his value and go back into the free-agent market next season. Right now it doesn't look like Boston, That, of course could change. Jackson is a Scott Boras client and Boras recently did this with former Phillies closer Ryan Madson, signing him to a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds. Boras also signed third baseman Adrian Beltre for one year in Boston, before getting him a huge...

Rafael Soriano was right back out there doing the job he was hired for, two days after blowing a big lead in his eighth-inning slot. Just like the Yankees drew it up when they signed him to a $35 million, three-year contract in the offseason, Soriano got the ball to Mariano Rivera with a scoreless eighth yesterday. He protected a one-run lead in a 4-3 win over Minnesota in New York. “A lot of people — the manager, the pitching coach, the GM — everybody comes to me and say, ‘Bad day, you know, it happen to everybody here.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays’ frustrating weekend can be summed up with one image: Stars B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria standing nose-to-nose in a heated dugout spat. Upton pointed a finger in Longoria’s face after the third baseman questioned the center fielder’s effort in the fifth inning yesterday, when Gerardo Parra hit a two-run homer that helped give the Arizona Diamondbacks a 2-1 win over the slumping Rays. Rodrigo Lopez and three relievers combined on a two-hitter for the Diamondbacks, who took two of three from the Rays.

No matter which hitters the Tampa Bay Rays send up against Mariano Rivera, they hardly seem intimidated. Joe Dillon hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning as the surging Rays touched up Rivera for the second time this season, beating the Yankees, 9-7, yesterday in New York despite committing four errors. B.J. Upton added an RBI single off the star closer, part of a four-run rally that carried the AL champions to their fourth straight victory and sixth in seven games.

If patriotism is supposed to be the last refuge for scoundrels, then referencing history is the last refuge for shocked fans who have just seen their team fall behind, three games to one, in an American League Championship Series. "A lot of people were yelling things at us in the stands," said Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Carl Crawford, who had just become the third man in LCS history to go 5 for 5. "One guy was yelling, 'Go ask Derek Jeter.' He was really loud. Everybody heard him. There's going to be a lot more of that.

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff And then there was ... Oswalt. Edwin Jackson has agreed to a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals believed to be in the $10 million range, which was about twice as much as the Red Sox wanted to spend. Scott Boras told me moments ago he had a few offers for Jackson, some multi-year, one two-year and some one-year deals. He chose Washington which could be a contender in the NL East. Boras has a signed a few players to one-year deals recently including Ryan Madson with the Reds and Kyle Lohse with the Cardinals.

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff Lots of buzz out there about the possibility that free-agent righty Edwin Jackson may accept a one-year deal with a contender to improve his value and go back into the free-agent market next season. Right now it doesn't look like Boston, That, of course could change. Jackson is a Scott Boras client and Boras recently did this with former Phillies closer Ryan Madson, signing him to a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds. Boras also signed third baseman Adrian Beltre for one year in Boston, before getting him a huge...

His face, underneath its cool exterior, broke enough for a muted celebration. Standing by the dugout railing, watching the other Jon finish up what he had started, Jon Lester accepted momentary congratulations, then closed again. Lester, of course, is not one for much outward emotion. Not one for self-promotion or major expressions of excitement or joy. Unlike, say, Jonathan Papelbon, who had just closed out another stellar performance from his starter. But, no matter how calm Lester is, there is one undeniable fact.

After stumbling into the All-Star break, the Tampa Bay Rays are back in stride. Carlos Peña homered, Edwin Jackson won consecutive starts for the first time since April, and the Rays beat the host Toronto Blue Jays, 3-2, yesterday, helping improve their lead in the East to three games. "This game was definitely big for us," outfielder B.J. Upton said. "To get to where we want to be, we've got to be able to win one-run ballgames. " The Rays won for the fourth time in six road games after losing seven straight away from home.