Last night Joe Saunders put his 6-0 ledger on the line against the Rays, and today Santana will do the same. Santana has been remarkable since the beginning of the season, winning six of his seven starts, while posting an outstanding 2.02 ERA.

The 25-year-old put forth his best performance this past Monday in a 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Santana tossed a complete game shutout against an inferior KC squad, scattering just four hits, while striking out nine batters and walking none.

The young hurler has been tremendous on the road thus far, recording a 2.54 ERA, while winning all four of his outings away from home.

In his career against the Rays, the right-hander has struggled, posting a mediocre 3-3 mark to go along with a lackluster 5.94 ERA.

The Rays will send their own surprise hurler to the hill this afternoon in hopes of keeping Tampa in the win column. Andy Sonnanstine has done an impressive job in the early going, and is currently 5-1 with a 4.63 ERA.

The right-hander has won his last four starts, including a 5-4 decision over the Blue Jays this past Tuesday. In the victory, the 25-year-old tossed six innings, surrendering just four runs on 10 hits, while striking out two batters.

On Saturday, Scott Kazmir tossed six effective innings and outdueled the previously unbeaten Joe Saunders helping the Rays to a 2-0 triumph over the Angels.

Kazmir (1-1) rebounded nicely in his second start of the season since coming off the disabled list, allowing just three hits. He did walk three but struck out six helping the Rays set a franchise-record with their eighth consecutive home win. Tampa won its third straight overall including shutouts in the last two. Troy Percival earned his eighth save of the year after a perfect ninth.

Kazmir was rattled in his season debut against Boston this past Sunday when he surrendered four runs -- three earned -- on six hits and three walks. Kazmir did strike out five batters, but lasted only four innings and took the loss.

Carl Crawford had a hit, two walks, a stolen base and scored the Rays' second run. Akinori Iwamura had three hits and scored a run and Jason Bartlett added two hits for Tampa.

Saunders (6-1) settled down after a rough start after walking four in the first two frames. He tossed six innings allowing one run on four hits, and also walked four and struck out three while collecting his first loss of the season. Los Angeles dropped its third straight contest after winning four straight.

Gary Matthews Jr. had a double and two walks and Erick Aybar added a double for Los Angeles.

LA won six of eight from the Rays last season and is 13-6 against them since the start of the 2006 season.