Rays open eight-game homestand on Tuesday
The Tampa Bay Rays return home from the west coast to begin a three-team, eight-game homestand on Tuesday. The Rays will host the Los Angeles Angels (June 9-11) and Chicago White Sox (June 12-14) before closing out the homestand against the Washington Nationals (June 15-16).
The Rays and Angels open their series on Tuesday, June 9 for the first of three 7:10 p.m. games. Before Thursday's first pitch, the NCAA Division II National Champion University of Tampa baseball team will take batting practice and be recognized on the field.
When gates open prior to Friday's 7:10 p.m. game against the White Sox, all fans will receive an MLB Network Reusable Tote Bag presented by Bright House Networks, while supplies last.
Friday night's game is also Pride Night at the ballpark for all members of the LGBTQ community. Major League Baseball's first Ambassador for Inclusion and former big league outfielder Billy Bean will also be in attendance. For more information on other Rays special events, visit raysbaseball.com/specialevents.
Following Saturday's 4:10 p.m. game, country act Lee Brice is set to take the stage as the third act in the Rays 2015 Summer Concert Series.
Brice's "I Don't Dance" marked his first No. 1 Billboard Country debut and highest-ever hit on the Billboard 200. Along with the smash success of the album's title track-which has been nominated for ACM's 2015 "Single Record of the Year" and reached No. 1 at country radio-the "evocative, rough-edged singer" (New York Times) recorded his third studio album in Nashville, writing and producing 13 of the deluxe edition's 16 songs and playing almost every instrument. "Nobody in Nashville writes better love songs right now than Brice," said USA Today. For more on Brice, visit leebrice.com and follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
When gates open on Sunday, June 14, all kids 14 and under will receive a Rays Etch A Sketch presented by Sagicor Life Insurance Company, while supplies last.
The Rays host their first National League team of the season when the Nationals come to Tropicana Field for a two-game series. Both Monday's and Tuesday's games are slated for 7:10 p.m. first pitches.
During this homestand, the Rays will also continue to "Rays Up for Kids" by visiting All Children's Hospital, participating in a question-and-answer with middle school boys from the Poynter Institute's Write Field Program and kicking off the "Reading with the Rays - Read Your Way to the Ballpark" program. For more information on the "Rays Up for Our Community" campaign, visit raysbaseball.com/raysup.
FAMILY FUN DAY-Every Rays Sunday home game features free parking for cars with four or more passengers and a variety of free activities for kids on the concourse. There will also be Kids Run the Bases and the DJ Kitty Kids Party.
TICKETS-Tickets for Rays 2015 regular season home games are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Rays Tampa Store (400 N. Tampa St.) and the Gate 1 Tropicana Field Box Office, as well as over the phone at 888-FAN-RAYS and 1-800-745-3000, or online at raysbaseball.com.
GATES OPEN-Monday through Thursday, one-and-a-half hours prior to game time; Friday through Sunday, two hours prior to game time.