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TB@NYY: Cobb fans four in solid start vs. Yanks

Players on both the Marlins and Rays may be feeling a little tired after Saturday's marathon 15-inning game that lasted more than five hours.

On a little more than 13 hours of rest, the two clubs play the final game in the weekend's Citrus Series on Sunday tied at one game apiece. Tampa Bay already clinched the season series 4-1.

Both teams will be facing the effects of the fatigue, but Rays infielder Sean Rodriguez said the preparation doesn't change.

"You should take the same approach," Rodriguez said. "If you're a little more tired, maybe you take less reps of whatever it is, swings in the cage or whatnot. You can't change your preparation because of the outcome of this game and how long it took or then you're working yourself out of that game."

Both bullpens had plenty of work as well, with Miami's logging 8 2/3 innings and Tampa Bay's pitching 7 1/3. Rays manager Joe Maddon expects his team's arms to be ready, saying, "I think we're fine tomorrow."

Saturday's game was tied for the third longest in Rays history and fifth longest in Marlins history. The Marlins may hope for another long one Sunday after improving to 6-1 in extra-innings contests on the season.

Marlins: Johnson's delivery improving
• Miami's Josh Johnson is set to make his 14th start of the season and has been hot as of late, going 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA in his last seven starts.

In his most recent outing, the righty threw seven innings, allowing one run on four hits. After missing most of the 2011 season due to shoulder inflammation, Johnson was forced to regain his strength and has been touching as high as 96-mph on his fastball.

"The ball feels it is coming out the same way as before, but my delivery is so much more consistent," Johnson said. "And I know where the ball is going when I let it go. If I can't repeat my delivery, there is no point in trying to throw hard, and have the ball go all over the place."

Pitching coach Randy St. Claire said the delivery is getting better, but still isn't what it was last season.

"It's not the same delivery, he knows it," St. Claire said. "We've looked at it. It's getting closer, but it hasn't come back. ... When he's on, he's one of the best in the game."

Rays: Cobb looks for rebound start
• Tampa Bay starter Alex Cobb got roughed up for five earned and one unearned run in his last start, a loss to the Mets. To make matters worse, it was his third straight loss in as many starts.

But Cobb said he was pleased with how he pitched, he just needs to avoid making compounding mistakes which led him to a 6.27 ERA over that stretch.

"Last three starts have felt great," Cobb said. "The results haven't been showing it, but I feel like I'm competing. I'm going out, throwing good quality starts through five or six innings, and one inning here or there has been hurting me."

Worth noting
• Hanley Ramirez returned to the lineup on Saturday night after missing Friday night with a bruised nose. He sustained a slight break to the bridge of his nose after he was struck by a ball during batting practice.

• The Rays have lost four of their last five after winning the previous four.

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