Pat Burrell sits out with recurring stiff neck

BALTIMORE — 2B Akinori Iwamura got Tuesday night off because manager Joe Maddon thought he looked "a little bit fatigued" and would benefit from two days' rest.

But DH Pat Burrell was out because of a stiff neck that has been a lingering problem since he was forced to miss the April 28 game and, Maddon said, could require further medical evaluation.

"It has been a little bit ongoing," Maddon said. "I'm not sure yet; right now we're calling it day to day. You can just see him walking around, it's just a little bit stoked up and he just can't get it loose. He got it loose the other day to play against the Red Sox, but today it's still bothersome."

Though Burrell was said to be available, Maddon didn't used him to pinch-hit in what seemed a prime opportunity with a man on and two outs in the ninth against lefty closer George Sherrill. Overall, Burrell is hitting .250 with one homer, four doubles and 17 RBIs.

(tampabay.com)