2004 Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Youth Brings Hope

[BostonRS14]

Devil Rays lose Hall for season, drop opener to Angels
Game 28: Tampa Bay 3, Angels 6

When things are going as poorly as they are for the Devil Rays, losing your starting catcher for the season is taken in stride. "It does hurt us," Tino Martinez said. "Toby was a key to this club. He been back behind that plate most every game, working with our staff, trying to get us back in shape. It is not going to be easy without him."

Hall broke his wrist in a collison at home plate with Anaheim's Adam Kennedy in the bottom of the thrid. Kennedy was attempting to score from first on a double by Chone Figgins. Rocco Baldelli's throw home beat the runner, but in the collison, Hall fell awkwardly on the wrist, losing the ball and allowing the tying run to score. He immidiately starting making his way to the Tampa Bay dugout after the play.

The Devil Rays scored twice in the top of the 1st off starter Ramon Ortiz. Carl Crawford led off with a triple and scored on a Baldelli ground out. Aubrey Huff scored the second run on a passed ball, after doubling to right and advance on a Jose Cruz ground out.

The Angels took the lead for good in the 6th against starter Todd Ritchie. With the score tied at three a piece, Jason Tyner hit a two-out double to right field. After injuring himself running the bases, Tyner was replaced by Robb Quinlan. David Eckstein's single to left-center drove Quinlan home without a throw.

Anaheim added two more runs in the eight off Chad Gaudin to put the game away. Frankie Rodriguez, Derrick Turnbow, and Troy Percival threw two and a third perfect innings of relief to cap off the win.

W: Ramon Ortiz (2-3); L: Todd Ritchie (1-2); SV: (6)
Player of the Game: David Eckstein. 3-4, 3 RBIs (19)
Game Notes: Toby Hall was injured in a collision at home plate. Jason Tyner was injured while running the bases. Rocco Baldelli extends his hitting streak to a career high 12 games!

[BostonRS14]

Hall, out for season, quickly replaced by veteran catcher
Neil McCaulley, Devil Rays columnist

With starting catcher Toby Hall gone for the season with a broken wrist, Tampa Bay GM Chcuk Lamar quickly got to work on the phones before the game he was watching against the Angels was done. Lamar was trying to secure either a backup to Brook Fordyce or a replacement for Hall.

"I called about for or five different clubs that we knew were carrying to solid catcher, hoping to be able to snag one of them to help us out," LaMar explained. "Luckily we found a trading partner pretty easily."

What the Devil Rays found was a Florida Marlins ballclub that was carrying two catcher, both fighting for playing time. Pretty painlessly, LaMar shipped disgruntled Devil Ray first basemanGreg Colbrunn to Florida in exchange for 33 year old catcher Mike Redmond.

Mike Redmond, Catcher Greg Colbrunn, First Baseman

Mike Redmond, a career Marlin who debuted with the club in 1998, will provide Lou Pinella some versatility with his ability to play first and third base as well as catcher. Seeing little time with Ramon Castro emerging as the Marlins backstop, Redmond is batting .333 with two homeruns and 7 RBIs in 52 at bats.

"We felt with did the best we could here," LaMar said. "Greg [Colbrunn] wasn't happy about his playing time here and after talking with Lou, I decided we could live without his bat on the bench. Redmond is a great addition. He's a veteran who has handled young pitching in Florida and will be an asset here. He's a free agent at the end of the season, so if Toby is recovering well, then we'll be satisfied with our catching position."

The defending World series champion Marlins were in need of a short term solution at first baseman. Entering the day last in the NL East, the Marlins were employing Eric Karros and his .182 avg at first.

"We needed something, and Mike was the unfortunate victim of that need. He has been nothing but a professional through out his years with the club," Florida GM Larry Beinfest said. "We like having Conie [Jeff Conine] in left rather than first and [Hee Seop] Choi needs a bit more time before we bring him back up."

To make room for Redmond on the roster, Hall was placed on the 60 day disabled list. Hall is joing three others on the DL, SP Seth McClung (10 weeks), RP John Webb (8 weeks), and RF Josh Mailton (25 weeks).

Garrett Atkins, claimed off waiver from Colorado in April, was added to the roster to replace Colbrunn. LaMar indicated that Atkins' stay might be short, as Pinella wasn't supportive of carrying four players at first base.

[BostonRS14]

Complaints, comments, words of encouragement?

[BostonRS14]

Originally Posted by BostonRS14

Complaints, comments, words of encouragement?

I guess no one is reading then...

[JoshiQ]

I'm reading and enjoying the heck out of it. Great job so far. I like reading a dynasty with the team not in first place. Sucks about Hall as I imagine Redmond's stats are going to drop off.

[BostonRS14]

Originally Posted by JoshiQ

I'm reading and enjoying the heck out of it. Great job so far. I like reading a dynasty with the team not in first place. Sucks about Hall as I imagine Redmond's stats are going to drop off.

Yeah, I doubt Redmond is going to hit anywhere near .333 with the way the Rays are going. I think I'm gonna send my scouts out to take a look for a Triple-A catching prospect just in case he doesn't work out. Definately don't see Brook Fordyce as the long term solution either.

[BostonRS14]

Late Rally Dooms Rays, drop 2nd to Angels
Game 29: Tampa Bay 4, Anaheim 7

Jeremi Gonzalez was a bit puzzled when he took the mound in the first inning against the Angels. Behind the plate, long time Devil Ray catcher Toby Hall wasn't there. In his place, former Marlin Mike Redmond, still wearing black protective gear with a tinge of teal, was calling the pitches for Gonzalez.

"It was still a baseball game," Gonzalez explained. "But, once you spend Spring Training with a certain guy and then a month of the season competing with them, get used to how they call a game, start thinking the way they do, like he have with Toby and Brook, its tough to switch midseason."

Gonzalez was once again the unfortunate victom of a poor bullpen, a critic that is beginning to sound like a broken record. Despite getting touched up for nine hits over 5 and a third innings, Jeremi left the game with a 4-3 lead. Bartolome Fortunato, who replaced Gonzalez in the 6th, gave up the lead in the 7th with back-to-back doubles to Troy Glaus and Robb Quinlan.

The Angels took the lead for good in the 8th, when Jose Guillen crushed a two-out three-run homerun to deep right field off Al Reyes. Chad Gaudin, who replaced Fortunato in the 7th, surrendered a one-out infield single to the speedy Chone Figgins. Devil Rays manager Lou Pinella then decided to play the percentages and called upon lefty Trever Miller to face Garret Anderson. After Anderson lined out to Aubrey Huff at first, Vladimir Guerrero came in to pinch hit for John Olerud. Miller carefully pitched around the slugging rightfielder, walking him on five pitches. With right handed Guillen due up next, Pinella called upon Reyes, who was holding right handed batters to a .188 batting average. Guillen's homerun was the first surrendered by the newly appointed closer in 12 appearances this season.

Tampa Bay was the first to score, taking a two run lead in the top of the second against Kelvim Escobar. Geoff Blum started things off, leaning into a fastball for Escobar to take a base. Redmond, in his first Devil Ray at bat, singled through the hole on the right side of the infield, advaning Blum to third and taking second himself when the ball skipped past Quinlan in right. Damian Rolls drove in both runners with a double to the gap in right-center that rolled all the way to the wall.

Anaheim took a one run lead in the 5th on a two-run single by John Olerud. Aubrey Huff's 4th homerun of the season, a two-run shot off Escobar in the 6th inning, gave the Rays a one-run lead that Gonzalez turned over to the bullpen.

W: Brandon Donnelly (1-0); L: Chad Gaudin (1-1); SV: Troy Percival (7)
Player of the Game: Jose Guillen. 2-5, HR (2), K, 2 Runs, 3 RBIs (7)
Game Notes: Rocco Baldelli extends his hitting streak to a career high 13 games!

Suppan's struggles continue, spot in rotation in doubt
Game 30: Tampa Bay 3, Anaheim 10

Jeff Suppan was a highly sought after pitcher at the 2003 trade deadline. Now, in a less than one year's time, he has been traded away from a definate playoff contender to the bottom-dwelling Devil Rays and appears on the verge of losing a spot in the rotation.

"As much we see his determination to pitch well," Lou Pinella explained, "We need guys that can produce strond outings that will enable us to win ballgames."

Suppan continued to struggle, dropping his fourth decision with the Rays. Once again, Jeff was unable to work late into a game to give a much needed rest for the Tampa Bay bullpen.

Anaheim blew the game open in bottom of the fifth, sending 10 batters to the plate and scoring 7 runs, four of which were credited to Suppan. Already leading 3-0, Anaheim opened the inning with four straight singles against Suppan, scoring twice before Travis Harper was called out of the bullpen. After a Troy Glaus fly out, Anaheim loaded the bases on a Robb Quinlan bloop single to right-center. Shane Halter followed with a pop-out to Geoff Blum, giving hope that Harper might be able to get out of the jam. Bengie Molina slow roller to second gave Rays fan hopes, but Rey Sanchez booted the ball, scoring John Olerud from third. Light-hitting Adam Kennedy, with a slugging percentage barely over .400, followed Molina with a line-drive Grand Slam homerun to right-center that just cleared Jose Cruz's glove over the outfield wall.


Anaheim's Adam Kennedy rounds the bases after his fifth inning grand slam off Trever Harper.

Bartolo Colon was in control for 8 innings before getting into trouble in the 9th. Tampa Bay, which has shown all season long that it will not go quietly, tried to rally late. Carl Crawford led off with a double down the right field line. Crawford scored on a throwin error by Troy Glaus on a routine ground-out by Rocco Baldelli. With two outs and runners on first and second, Geoff Blum continues his clutch hitting, delivering a single to left that scored Baldelli from second. Mike Redmond contined to produce for his new club, driving home Aubrey Huff with a single to short center. Scot Shields replaced Colon, retiring Tino Martinez for the final out of the game.

Rocco Baldelli, who was hitless in three at bats, saw his career high hitting streak end at 13 games.

W: Bartolo Colon (5-2); L: Jeff Suppan (1-4),
Player of the Game: Adam Kennedy. 1-4, GS HR (2), K, BB, 4 RBIs (19)
Game Notes: Adam Kennedy set a career high for RBI (4) in a game! Vladimir Guerrero extends his hitting streak to a career high 13 games!

Angels finish sweep, take 4th straight from Rays in 9th
Game 31: Tampa Bay 2, Anaheim 3

It would only seem fitting that the Angels would finish their four game sweep of the Devil Rays with a walk-off homerun by Garret Anderson with two outs in the 9th.

The Devil Rays had a chance of their own in the top of the ninth, when Aubrey Huff and Geoff Blum led off with back-to-back singles. Lou Pinella called up Garrett Atkins to pinch-run for Aubrey. Carl Crawford, after failing to put two bunt attempts into play, hit a shallow fly to right-center. Going against the obvious signals of the third base coach, Atkins decided to tag up and test Vladimir Guerrero's arm, and unfortunately paid the price, becoming just Guerreo's latest victim when Troy Glaus easily put the tag on Atkins two feet from third base. Geoff Blum advanced to second on the throw, but was stranded when Rey Sanchez grounded out to David Eckstein to end the inning.

Tino Martinez, who entered the game just 2-30 with men in scoring position, drove home the two Devil Ray runs in the 3rd with a double off the outfield wall in left. It was the first of three doubles on the day for Martinez off Angels' starter Jarrod Washburn.

Mark Hendrickson, who didn't figure into the decision, pitched 7 and two-third innings, surrendering five hits, while striking out three and walking one. Anaheim scored both its runs off Hendrickson in the 4th, when Garret Anderson and Chone Figgins hit run-scoring doubles.

W: Troy Percival (1-0); L: Trever Miller (0-2)
Player of the Game: Garret Anderson. 2-4, 2B (10), GW-HR (4), 2 Runs, 2 RBIs (21)

[BostonRS14]

May 11th, 2004
Jose Cruz done in Tampa Bay?

When a team drops out of contention as fast the Devil Rays have in the past few weeks, rumors of the future of the current roster start to pop up. The biggest name being floated is Jose Cruz, currently in his first season with the Devil Rays. In 29 games, Cruz has been a bit of a disappointment, batting .240. "I was brought in here to drive runs home, and I ain't doing that," Cruz said. "We need to get guys that can get on base in front of me and then there will be opportunites for me to do my job." While many in the organization wouldn't comment on the record about these remarks, it was clear that Cruz's remarks didn't go over well with management.

GM Chuck Lamar, who signed Cruz away from other teams by offering him a two year deal worth $2,100,000, was blunt about the rumors. "They are there for a reason. Things have not gone as planned, so we are looking to retool the roster for 2005. Jose might not be included in those plans as of now. Rocco [Baldelli] and Carl [Crawford] are not going anywhere, and Jonny Gomes is putting up numbers in Durham (.313 avg, .401 obp, .534 slg.) that deserve a callup. I know it's just May and we don't want to give up, but being this far back in this division, it isn't easy to climb back."


Jose Cruz, shown above during Tampa Bay's trip to Japan, has been the
subject of recent trade rumors.

The Devil Rays, despite the presence of stars Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford, have been unable to draw fans all season. Averaging only 12,773 fans per home game, a contract like the one given to Cruz will soon become a burden for the Rays and a blessing for another club. The Devil Rays have had scouts all over baseball this week, checking out some of baseball's better young pitchers.

"We are going to take out time," LaMar said, deny reports something was imminent. "No one is being actively shopped. We are having general conversations, testing the market. As the deadline gets close, then we'll see where we stand and make moves."

Word around the league was that, initially, it was Cruz being shopped for a replacement for the injured Toby Hall. Instead, LaMar dealt disgruntled Greg Colbrunn to Florida.

LaMar has acknowledged discussions with Oakland and San Francisco, but would not comment on specific names. It is obvious from talking with Lamar that he is interested primarily in Rich Harden, who started recently against the Rays. Oakland could definately use a bat like Cruz to replace Eric Byrnes (.185 avg., .228 obp, 30/6 K/BB ratio) in the lineup, but A's GM Billy Beane has denied Harden's avaliability. Other names in the Oakland organization to watch out for include Joe Blanton (AAA, 2-1, 4.08, 29/9 K/BB), John Rheinecker (AAA, 2-1, 3.23, 25/11) and Brad Sullivan (AA, 2-3, 2.88, 46/70).

San Francisco newspapers are reporting that the Giants GM Brian Sabean has offered SP Kevin Correia, who, in 5 starts with the Giants, is 1-1 with a 6.39 ERA. Lamar wouldn't comment on the report, but a scout with knowledge of the situation commented that Correia "would be a good fit in Tampa as a 2nd guy in the rotation. He has good stuff, but probably could best be used in Triple-A right now, not a pennant race. He keeps the ball down well and mixes his pitchers enough to keep hitters guessing."

Sabaen is well aware of Cruz's abilities, having signed the right fielder in 2003 to supply support for San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds. In 158 games with the Gians, Cruz batted .250 with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs. Cruz is a lifetime .251 hitter, with 158 homeruns and 474 RBIs in six seasons with Seattle (1997), Toronto (1997-2002), San Francisco (2003) and Tampa Bay.

B.J. Upton promoted to Triple-A Durham

With the Devil Rays now 9.5 game behind the Yankees in the American League East, many in the organization are starting to turn their attention to 2005, and the first thing that comes to mind is the progress of former first round pick, shortstop B.J. Upton. Drafted second overall in 2002, Upton has risen quickly though a system that has lately turned out solid contributors like Rocco Baldelli, Carl Crawford, and Aubrey Huff.

This morning, after flying back with the club from Anaheim, GM Chuck Lamar announced that Upton was being promoted to Triple-A Durham, a clear sign that the 19 year old would be in the opening lineup next season.

"We are not going to project what is going to happen between now and opening day next year," LaMar responded to being asked Upton's spot with the club. "But, B.J. is clearly on the right track. I think he will spend most of the season with the Bulls, maybe coming up later, but we'll see how he adjusts to the advanced pitching before putting any kind of time table on this."

Despite dropping to 66th on Top 100 prospects list by Baseball America, Upton is clearly one of the rising stars of baseball. After 31 games with Double-A Orlando, Upton was batting .278 with 2 homeruns and 8 RBIs. While his 22/7 K/BB ratio is a bit disappointing, scouts around the league are still raving. "He's 19 and still hasn't tapped into all his potential. He has an abundance of talent and will someday prove the Devil Rays right when they drafted him in 2002 ahead of Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, and Khalil Greene."

Devil Rays change Double-A affiliates



Cam Bonifay, Director of Player Development and Scouting, annouced that, effective this offseason, Tampa Bay will move its Double-A franchise to Montgomery, Alabama.

The Biscuits, who will play in Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium (capacity: 7,000), will be a member of the Double-A Southern League West Division along with the Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox), the Huntsville Stars (Milwaukee Brewers), the Mobile BayBears (San Diego Padres), and the West Tennessee Diamond JAxx (Chicago Cubs).

Montgomery will be joining the Durham Bulls (AAA) of North Carolina and Bakersfield Blaze (A) of California as Tampa Bay's minor league affiliates.

Noteworthy News from Elsewhere in the Country:



Harvey Keys Angels Rout of Tigers.
In a rout that hasn't been seen in baseball in ages, Anaheim defeated the Detroit Tigers 27-6 behind 9 RBIs by first baseman Ken Harvey. Acquired off waivers from Kansas City primarily to serve as a backup to the oft-injured Darin Erstad, Harvey made the most of a rare start, hitting a grand slam during a six-run sixth. Ken also had a sacrifice fly in the 1st, a two-run double in the 3rd, a run-scoring ground out in the 5th and a RBI single in the 8th. For the season, Harbey is batting .403 in 67 at bats, with 6 homeruns and 23 RBIs.

[BostonRS14]

Upcoming Series:

Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tropicana Field, Tampa, Florida

Team Records:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 10-21, .323 (HM: 6-7), 5th AL East, -9.5
Texas Rangers: 18-13, .581 (RD: 6-6), 2nd AL West, -0.5

Season Series: 2-1, Texas

Pitching Matchups:
05/11: Glendon Rusch (1-3, 4.54) vs. Victor Zambrano (1-2, 6.63)
05/12: Kenny Rogers (6-1, 2.94) vs. Jeremi Gonzalez (3-2, 5.27)
05/13: Chan-Ho Park (1-3, 6.53) vs. Jeff Suppan (1-4, 6.69)

Series Preview:
The Rangers are making their only apperance in Tampa this season. With the departure of Alex Rodriguez, the Rangers have a new life and appear to be on the verge of rising out of a rebuilding mode and into serios playoff contender. Built much like the Devil Rays, with young positional players and little pitching depth, the validity of their playoff hopes rest on their ability to win the easy games against struggling teams. Kenny Rogers, who leads the league with 6 wins, will look to continue his resurgance at the age of 39.

The Devil Rays, on the other hand, are about one or two losing series away from packing it up for 2004 and selling off their veterans to playoff contenders. Jose Cruz's name has already began to create a buzz, and you can expect guys like Jeff Suppan, Tino Martinez, and Al Reyes to be valuable pieces of someone's puzzle.

Tampa Bay News: (05/06-05/10)

• 05/06:
  -MR Ramiro Mendoza was put on waivers.
  -MR Danys Baez was sent down to Triple-A Durham.
  -MR Bartolome Fortunato was promoted from Triple-A Durham to the active roster.
  -C Toby Hall was injured in a collision at home plate with adam Kennedy of the Anaheim Angels. Hall suffered a broken wrist and will miss the rest of the season.
• 05/07:
  -MR John Halama was released.
  -C Toby Hall was put on the 60 day DL.
  -SP Jason Standridge was actived from the DL and assigned to Double-A Orlando.
  -1B Greg Colbrunn was traded to the Florida Marlins in exchange for C Mike Redmond. Redmond was placed on the 40-man roster and assigned to the active roster.
  -1B Garrett Atkins was put on the 40-man roster and promoted from Triple-A Durham to the active roster.
• 05/08:
  -SP Jorge Sosa, of Triple-A Durham, strained a ligament in his elbow and will miss about one week of action.
  -SP James Houser, of Single-A Bakersfield, was improved the bite on his pitches, increasing his movement.

Around the League: (05/06-05/10)

• 05/06:
  -Tampa Bay C Toby Hall will be sidelined for the rest of the season after breaking his wrist in a collision at home plate.
  -Anaheim RF Jason Tyner will be sidelined for 3 weeks are pulling his medial collateral ligament while running the bases.
  -Cleveland 3B Lou Merloni was injured will in a bar fight. Merloni, who lost some teeth, will be day-to-day for 3 days.
• 05/07:
  -Florida trades C Mike Redmond to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in exchange for 1B Greg Colbrunn.
  -Baltimore SP Kurt Ainsworth will miss two weeks after pulling his rotator cuff miscle while pitching.
  -Boston RF Trot Nixon has been listed as day-to-day after injurying himself while running. Doctors have diagnosed an inflamied hamstring muscle, which will take about 3 weeks to heal.
• 05/08:
  -Los Angeles traded MR Eric Knott to Minnesota in exchange for RF Michael Ryan.
  -Kansas City claimed 1B David Segui off waivers from Baltimore.
  -San Francisco's Barry bonds hit the longest homerun of his career, a 503 ft. blast off of Cincinnati's Danny Graves.
• 05/09:
  -Milwaukee claimed SP Pat Hentgen off waivers from Toronto.
• 05/10:
  -Boston signed free agent MR John Halama to a one year contract worth $380,000.
  -Florida released SP Aaron Sele.
  -Kansas City released SP Kevin Appier.
  -Chicago (N) released SP Sergio Mitre.
  -American League Player of the Week: LF Manny Ramirez (BOS). He batted .476 in 21 AB, with 4 HR and 8 RBI.
  -National League Player of the Week: LF Lance Berkman (HOU). He batted .571 in 21 AB, with 5 HR and 7 RBI.

American League East Standings: (05/11/2004)

Team        W-L   PCT   GB  Streak Last 10
New York  20-12  .625    -    W1    6-4
Boston    18-16  .529  3.0    L2    5-5
Toronto   16-16  .500  4.0    L2    6-4
Baltimore 12-20  .375  8.0    W1    4-6
Tampa Bay 10-21  .323  9.5    L4    1-9

[BostonRS14]

Devil Rays return home with win over Rangers
Game 32: Tampa Bay 3, Texas 1

Rocco Baldelli credited a restful off day from the baseball diamond as one of the reason the Devil Rays were able to snap out of their losing ways in the opener of a brief three-game homestand against the Texas Rangers. "When you play that many days in a row, and lose hard games like we did, it takes a day away from baseball, away from your teammates' faces to get your battery recharged."

In what turned out to be the closest the Devil Rays have seen to a pitchers duel all season long, Glendon Rusch and Victor Zambrano both cruised through seven innings of work before the Rays took the lead. Rusch, working on a one hitter, allowed a single to right fielder Damian Rolls to lead off the 8th. After being worked around to third on groudouts by pinch hitters Jose cruz and Mike Redmond, Baldelli took a 2-1 fastball and deposited it in the right field seats for a two run Tampa Bay lead. Rusch would pitch all eight innings for the Rangers, surrendering all three earned runs on 5 hits, while striking out 6 and walking none.


Tampa Bay's Rocco Baldelli is greeted at the dugout by teammate Jose cruz after Baldelli's 8th inning homerun.

Victor Zambrano matched Rusch for the better part of seven innings before running into a little trouble himself. After walking DH Brad Fullmer on his 115 pitch of the night, manager Lou Pinella called upon Bartolome Fortunato out of the 'pen to strike out Hank Blalock. Al Reyes work the perfect to save Fortunato's first major league win.

Texas scored first in the top of the 4th when Kevin Mench hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field, scoring David Dellucci from third without a throw from Carl Crawford. Dellucci, who walked to lead off the inning, had advante to third when Brook Fordyce threw the ball into centerfield on an attempted steal of second. The Devil Rays tied the game right back up in the bottom of the inning with back-to-back doubles by Eduardo Perez and Aubrey Huff.

W: Bartolome Fortunato (1-0); L: Glendon Rusch (1-4); SV: Al Reyes (3)
Player of the Game: Victor Zambrano. 7.2 IP, 3 Hits, 1 Run, 5 BB, 8 K's, 115 PI.

Gonzalez chased early, bullpen finally comes through in win
Game 33: Tampa Bay 11, Texas 6

After enduring numerous pain staking loses when the bullpen was unable to hold onto a lead, it must be been reassuring to see Travis Harper, Chad Gaudin and Bartolome Fortunato combined for 6.2 innings of work, surrendering just one run in relief of Jeremi Gonzalez.

After 4 straight starts with atleast 5 innings of work, Gonzalez didn't stay around long against the Rangers, leaving after recording just one out in the 3rd. After a sacrifice fly by Alfonso Soriano cut the Devil Rays lead to 6-5, Lou Pinella knew he couldn't rely on Gonzalez this day. All 5 runs he surrendered were earned on 6 hits, one a 3-run homerun by Greg Zaun that momentarily tied the game at 4 in the 2nd.

Kenny Rogers didn't fare much better than his counterpart, working only an inning and a third in his shortest start of the season.

Julio Lugo gave the Devil Rays an early 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 1st with his fifth homerun of the season. After an Eduardo Perez double, Aubrey Huff and Mike Redmon sandwiched RBI-singles around a Fred McGriff fly out to make the lead 4-1. McGriff was the only Devil Rays starter without a hit on the day.

The Devil Rays took the lead for good in the 3rd, when Julio Lugo got his third RBI, a single to left that scored Geoff Blum and chased Kenny Rogers from the ame. Erasmo Ramirez replaced Rogers and allowed Lugo to score on a Jose Cruz single after he stole second base.

Edurado Perez contines to punish left-handed pitching, crushing his 5th homerun in just 26 atbats against southpaws. Mike Redmond hit his first homerun in a Devil Rays uniform in the 7th to cap off the scoring.

W: Travis Harper (2-0); L: Kenny Rogers (6-2)
Player of the Game: Julio Lugo. 3-4, HR (5), Sac (2), 2 Runs, 3 RBIs (16), SB (5)
Game Notes: Gregg Zaun hit the longest homer of his career, it went 345 feet. Mike Redmond hit the longest homer of his career, it went 409 feet.

Rangers survived three Tampa HRs, take series finale
Game 34: Tampa Bay 5, Texas 6

When it appeared that things might be on the upswing for the Devil Rays, Jeff Suppan spoiled the party when he couldn't keep the Rangers off the bases. Suppan surrenderd ten hits in six and a third innings, suprassing his season high in hits allowed (three times he has given up 9).

The Rangers jumped out to a 4 run lead before Geoff Blum launched a two-run homerun in the bottom of the 2nd off Texas starter Chan Ho Park to cut the lead in half.

Suppan got into real trouble in the 7th, when he surrendered the eventual game winning run on a sacrifice fly by Brian Jordan. With the bases loaded and one out, Jordan hit a high fly to Carl Crawford in left-center, but Laynce Nix was able to score without a throw. Chad Gaudin came into the game to relieve Suppan and pitched the final two and two-third innings without allowing a baserunner.

Damian Rolls hit his first homerun of the season in the 8th, and Aubrey Huff launched a two-run homerun to one, beofre Francisco Cordero entered with the winning run at the plate in the form of Fred McGriff. The Crime Dog, stuck on career homerun 492 for well over a month, ground into an inning-ending double play.

The Devil Rays had the bases loaded with one out in the 3rd inning against Park before Tino Martinez and Brook Fordyce both struck out swinging.

W: Chan Ho Park (2-3); L: Jeff Suppan (1-6); SV: Francisco Corder (5)
Player of the Game: Laynce Nix. 3-5, 2 Runs, RBI (14)
Game Notes: Geoff Blum hit the longest homer of his career, it went 448 feet. Damian Rolls hit the longest homer of his career, it went 395 feet.

[BostonRS14]

Upcoming Series:

Tampa Bay Devil Rays vs. Cleveland Indians

Jacobs Field, Cleveland, Ohio

Team Records:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 12-22, .353 (RD: 4-13), 5th AL East, -8.5
Cleveland Indians: 19-16, .543 (HM: 8-9), t-1st AL Central

Season Series: 0-0, 1st meeting.

Pitching Matchup:
05/14: Mark Hendrickson (2-1, 3.43) vs. Cliff Lee (3-2, 3.98)
05/15: Todd Ritchie (1-2, 4.50) vs. C.C. Sabathia (4-4, 5.24)
05/16: Victor Zambrano (1-2, 5.48) vs. Jason Stanford (0-1, 22.50)

Series Preview:
Cleveland, much like the Texas Rangers, were thought to be a team on the rise with 2005 playoff hopes. Well, no one seems to have told them that. The Indians are currently tied with the Minnesota Twins for first place in the American League Central division. With the emergence of budding stars Victor Martinez, Jody Gerut and Travis Hafner, adding a bat like Pat Burrell's really has ignitate the Indians. C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee lead the pitching staff, but a lack of depth in the rotation might turn out to be the team achille's heal.

With a series win over the Rangers, Tampa Bay was able to stay close to the fourth place Orioles in the East. Eight and a half games behind the East-leading Yankees, the Rays have made getting out of the basement their immediate goal. At this point, anything else than that is a fools dream.

Tampa Bay News: (05/11-05/14)

• 05/11:
  -B.J. Upton was promoted from Double-A Orlando to Triple-A Durham.
  -SP John Switzer was activated from the disabled list and assigned to Triple-A Durham.
  -MR Ramiro Mendoza and 1B Garrett Atkins were traded to Los Angeles in exchange for C Koyie Hill, who was assigned to Triple-A Durham.
  -C Mitch Meluskey was released.
  -CF Adam Hyzdu was added to the 40 man roster and promoted to the active roster.
  -Free Agent SP Sergio Mitre was signed to a one year contract worth $300,500.
  -CF Cody Ross was claimed off waivers from Los Angeles and assigned to Triple-A Durham.
• 05/12:
  -SP Doug Waechter injured his should while pitching. He is expected to make a full recovery in 5 days.
• 05/14:
  -SP Shawn Estes was placed on waiver.

Around the League: (05/11-05/14)

• 05/11:
  -Toronto 3B Eric Hinske had 5 hits against the Kansas City Royals.
  -Boston SS Nomar Garciaparra injured his elbow while field a ball. He is expected to miss between one and two weeks of action.
  -Cleveland SP Jeff D'Amico strained his back muscle while pitching and will miss two weeks in order to recover.
• 05/12:
  -Florida claimed CF Craig Biggio off waivers from Houston.
• 05/13:
  -Arizona SP Elmer Dessens will miss the next five weeks after injuring his back pitching. The team doctors diagnosed back spasms that'll keep him off the field.
  -Arizona SS Matt Kata will miss the next two months of action after tearing his thigh muscle running the bases.
  -Cincinnati LF Adam Dunn dislocated his shoulder while diving to make a catch. He will be OK in about 3 weeks.

American League East Standings: (05/14/2004)

Team        W-L   PCT   GB  Streak Last 10
New York  21-14  .600    -    L2    5-5
Boston    20-17  .541  2.0    W1    5-5
Toronto   18-17  .514  3.0    L1    6-4
Baltimore 13-22  .371  8.0    L2    4-6
Tampa Bay 12-22  .353  8.5    L1    3-7

[BostonRS14]

Devil Rays blow 5 run lead, drop opener to Indians
Game 35: Tampa Bay 7, Cleveland 9

The look on Travis Harper's face the second Jody Gerut connected with his 7th inning fastball was one that Devil Ray fans have seen countless times. Harper looked shocked when his perfectly placed 0-2 fastball was deposited 419 feet away to the left-center bleachers. The Grand Slam capped a 5 run comeback by the host Indians.

Mark Hendrickson was roughed up in his seventh start of the season. In six and a thid innings, Hendrickson surrendered 6 runs, four of them earned, on eight htis and 4 walks. He struck out four on 97 pitches.

Hendrickson was removed by manager Lou Pinella after allowing singles to two of the first three batters of the 7th inning. Both would later scored when Harper gave up Gerut's homerun.

Tampa Bay got on the board in the first against Cliff Lee, scoring three runs on RBI singles by Tino Martinez and Jose Cruz. They would eventually stretch the lead to 5 runs in the 6th on three straight hits against Cleveland reliever Jack Cressend. Julio Lugo started the scoring off, tripling home Geoff Blum. Eduardo Perez single to left-center scoring Luho easily from third. Tino Martinez followed with his second RBI on the evening, slapping a double to the right-center gap that scored Perez all the way from first.

Matt Lawton added a RBI double in the bottom of the 8th for final Indians' run.

W: Dave Veres (2-1) L: Travis Harper (2-1), SV: David Riske (9)
Player of the Game: Jody Gerut. 1-4, Run, GS-HR (6), 4 RBIs (24), K
Game Notes: Jody Gerut set a career high for RBI (4) in a game!

Indians survive Baldelli cycle, take 2nd straight from Rays
Game 36: Tampa Bay 4, Cleveland 7

It took a controversial infield hit in the 7th inning against C.C. Sabathia, but Rocco Baldelli became the first Devil Ray to hit for the cycle in the franchise's brief history. Baldelli led off the game with a triple to right-center, then followed that up with a double in the 3rd, a solo homerun in the 7th and finally a controversial infield single that had Indians manager Eric Wedge fuming.

"I don't want to take away from his accomplishment, but at the time, we were battling and I think about the Indians first and foremost. To be honest, I wasn't aware of it until I was back on the bench and it came up on the scoreboard."

Even though a lot of the excitement was lost in the defeat, many were taking some good out of the game.

"He's getting more and more condistent," Devil Rays manager Lou Pinella said.

"He's one guy when he gets hot, he can be really hot. He had a good night tonight. Balls found holes. You have to have a little luck involved, but he also hit some balls very hard."


Rocco Baldelli slides into second for the 2nd of his 4 hits against the Indians.

Todd Ritchie pitched into the 6th, walking two batters before surrendering back-to-back ground outs to Ronnie Belliard and Coco Crisp that gave the Indians a two run lead, 6-4. Travis Harper relieved Ritchie and was able to pitch the final two and a third innings, giving up only one hit, an 8th inning solo homerun to Pat Burrell.

W: C.C. Sabathia (5-4); L: Todd Ritchie (1-3)
Player of the Game: Rocco Baldelli. 4-5, 2b (7), 3B (2), HR (7), 3 Runs, 2 RBIs (24), SB (21).
Game Notes: Rocco Baldelli set a career high for hits (4) in a game! Julio Lugo was ejected in the 7th for arguing a strike three call.

Zambrano exits early, Rays bound Stanford to escape with victory
Game 37: Tampa Bay 9, Cleveland 7

After earning Player of the Game honors in his last star, a 3-1 win over Texas in which he earned a no decision, Victor Zambrano looked poised to take the title of staff ace that has been unclaimed all season long. Unfortunately, Zambrano took a major step back against the Indians, walking the first two batters of the game on eight pitches before surrending 5 runs. Zambrano was only able to get two batters out before Lou Pinella had to turn to the overworked Travis Harper way too early in the game. Harper, working for the fourth time in five games, got the Indians out of the jam, striking out Alex Escobar to end the threat.

Despite watching their early lead, which came on a two-run homerun by Julio Lugo in the top of the first, evaporate before their eyes, the Devil Rays didn't quit. Lance Carter came on when Harper surrendered two singles in the bottom of the second and pitched three much needed innings, surrendering one run in the 5th.

The Devil Rays cut the lead to one in the 4th with a run-scoring triple bu Carl Crawford. Geoff Blum followed with a ground out to the shortstop that scored Crawford from third.

After a scoreless bottom of the 4th, the Devil Rays blew the game open in the 5th. Julio Lugo opened the inning with a double, and, after a gutsy sacrifice bunt by Fred McGriff, scored on a Jose cruz two-run homerun. Aubrey Huff and Mike Redmond followed with singles before Eduardo Perez crushed a double off the outfield wall, scoring both men. Geoff Blum capped the inning with a single to right field that scored Perez. Blum was thrown out trying to advance to second on the thrown home to end the inning.

Pat Burrell's two-run homerun in the bottom of the 5th cut the lead in half, but Trever Miller and Al Reyes were able to work the final 3 innings to secure the win.

W: Lance Carter (1-1); L: Jason Stanford (0-2); SV: Al Reyes (4)
Player of the Game: Pat Burrell. 2-4, 2B (11), HR (8), 2 Runs, 5 RBIs (21)
Game Notes: Carl Crawford was injured while making a catch. Pat Burrell hit the longest homer of his career, it went 446 feet. Pat Burrell set a career high for RBI (5) in a game!

[YankeeFanatic04]

Keep the Dynasty going. I'm liking this dynasty. Keep it cruising.

[BostonRS14]

May 18th, 2004

Trade Rumors

-Jose Cruz continues to be the big name mention on the roster, but scouts have come around looking at Jeff Suppan, Al Reyes, 1B Tino Martinez and C Mike Redmond, all veterans that could contribute greatly in a support role for a playoff contender. Houston appears in need of some catching help with Brad Ausmus supplying little support with his bat. Cleveland, with only one starter over the age of25, appear in need of a starting pitcher with some experience. Luckily for Tampa, Suppan missed starting against the Indians, thus saving some of his potential trade value.

-Despite the recent injury to Manny Ramirez, Boston has yet to inquire about Cruz. It appears for the meanwhile that Brian Daubach will fill in, but a .114 batting average will do little to replace the clean up hitter.

-Los Angeles has been added to the list of teams interested in Cruz. While no word has come out of the front office, the word is that SP Brian Piksington (AA) is being dangled. Pilkington was recently ranked as the 8th best propsect in the Dodgers system, but might not be much better than San Francisco propsect Kevin Correia, who has been previously linked ot Cruz.

Player Development
-Carl Crawford, despite struggles against left handed pitching (.174 in 46 ABs), appears to be improving his ability to make contact with pitches. "He's taken some noticible steps to progressing as a major league hitter." In some other organizations, one might find the 22 year old Crawford still in Triple-A working out his struggles, but in Tampa, Crawford is enjoying his second full major league season and learning on the fly.

[BostonRS14]

Originally Posted by YankeeFanatic04

Keep the Dynasty going. I'm liking this dynasty. Keep it cruising.

Thanks. I'm trying, just updating on weekends is tough...

[BostonRS14]

Upcoming Series

Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tropicana Field, Tampa, Florida

Team Record:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 13-24, .351 (HM: 8-8), 5th AL East, -9.5
Boston Red Sox: 21-19, .525 (RD: 11-10), 2nd AL East, -3.0

Season Series: 2-1, Boston.

Pitching Matchups:
05/18: Curt Schilling (0-7, 5.37) vs. Jeremi Gonzalez (3-2, 6.02)
05/19: Pedro Martinez (4-2, 3.15) vs. Jeff Suppan (1-5, 6.96)
05/20: Byung-hyun Kim (3-1, 3.29) vs. Mark Hendrickson (2-1, 3.72)

Series Preview:
The Devil Rays return home from Cleveland for a 12 game homestand against four playoff calibur teams. This is probably their last hope of getting into the playoff race. Anything below .500 here, and its what already seems certain will become a reality.

Boston, once again chasing the Yankees for first place in the division, suffered a huge blow when Manny Ramirez (.344, 11 HR, 26 RBI) went down with a torn calf muscle. Five weeks without their slugger will be tough, but when you look to replace his bat in the lineup, don't look to Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon, both of them are once again injured and already on their second DL stint. Curt Schilling's glorious return to the Red Sox organization has not gone close to plan. The 37 year old is 0-7 in 8 starts with opponents batting .280 against him. His career high for loses in a season is 12, and we are not even done the second month of the season. Things are not looking good at Fenway.

Tampa Bay News: (05/14-05/17)

• 05/14:
  -SP Shawn Estes was put on waivers.
• 05/15:
  -CF Rocco Baldelli hit for the cycle against the Cleveland Indians.
• 05/16:
  -Carl Crawford injured his neck while making a catch. He will recover in about 5 days.
• 05/17:
  -SP Boof Bonser was signed to a minor league contract and assigned to Single-A Bakersfield.

Around the League: (05/14-05/17)

• 05/14:
  -Boston LF Manny Ramirez was injured while running the bases. The diagnosis is a torn calf muscle which will require 5 weeks to heal.
• 05/15:
  -Tampa Bay CF Rocco Baldelli hit for the cycle against the Cleveland Indians.
  -Baltimore SP suffered a scratched cornea after being hit by a line drive from Anaheim's Jose Guillen.
• 05/16:
  -Anaheim acquire SP Miguel Batista from Toronto in exchange for RF Tim Salmon, SS Brandon Wood (A), 3B Don Kelly (A) and $2,500,000 in cash.
  -Tampa Bays' LF Carl Crawford injured his neck while making a catch. He will recover in about 5 days.
• 05/17:
  -Arizona trade SP Casey Fossum and SP Casey Daigle to Milwaukee in exchange for 3B Wes Helms and $1,100,000 in cash.
  -Tampa Bay signed free agent SP Boof Bonser.
  -Milwaukee claimed SP Jason Young off waivers from Colorado.
  -Cincinnati signed free agent SP Kevin Appier to a one year contract worth $300,000.
  -Oakland claimed LF Armando Rios off waivers from Florida.
  -American League Player of the Week: 2B Orlando Hudson (TOR). He batted .545 in 22 AB, with 2 HR and 6 RBI.
  -National League Player of the Week: 1B Jim Thome (PHI). He batted .571 in 21 AB, with 5 HR and 10 RBI.

American League East Standings: (5/18/2004)

Team        W-L   PCT   GB  Streak Last 10
New York  23-15  .605    -    W2    5-5
Boston    21-19  .525  3.0    W1    4-6
Toronto   20-19  .513  3.5    L2    5-5
Baltimore 14-24  .368  9.0    W1    3-7
Tampa Bay 13-24  .351  9.5    W1    3-7

[BostonRS14]

Red Sox break tie in 8th, taken opener from Tampa
Game 38: Tampa Bay 4, Boston 7

Some how, despite missing three of their four best bats and having a starter that has lost seven of eight starts, the Red Sox were still able to take advantage of Tampa Bay's bullpen and pull out a 7-4 win. Jeremi Gonzalez well enough to keep the Devil Rays close, but Travis Harper and Trever Miller once blew a close game, surrendering 3 runs in the eight after the Devil Rays battled back from a four run deficit.

Harper, who replaced Gonzalez to start the seventh, worked a 1-2-3 inning before surrending a leadoff single to Brian Daubach, who was batting just .114 to that point. Trever Miller came into the game to replace Harper. After Pokey reese flied out to short center, Doug Mirabelli singled with runners on first and second, sending home Jeremy Owens, who had pinch ran for Daubach, with the eventual game winning run. A wild pitch scored Mark Bellhorn before a Gabe Kapler single increased the lead to three. Chad Gaudin came in and walked the bases loaded before getting Jason Varitek to ground out to the first baseman to end the threat.

Curt Schilling earned his first win of the season by surrendering four runs on seven hits in seven and two-third innings of work. He also struck out a season high 10 batters.

After falling behind by four, the Devil Rays rallied back with a run in the 6th and three in the 7th. Damian Rolls scored the first run on a Rocco Baldelli single to left. In the 7th inning, Fred McGriff tied the game with a three-run homerun to deep right-center (410 ft.). It was McGriff's 493rd career homerun, which moved him into a tie for 21st with Lou Gehrig, two behind ken Griffey for 20th.

W: Curt Schilling (1-7); L: Travis Harper (2-2); SV: Keith Foulke (7)
Player of the Game: Jason Varitek. 2-5, 3 RBIs (25)

Martinez shuts out Rays behind 12 K's
Game 39: Tampa Bay 0, Boston 5

Despite all their troubles, the Devil Rays had yet to be shut out this season. Of course, the mand to finally do it was none other than Devil Rays nemesis Pedro Martinez.

Martinez scattered four hits over nine innings, striking out a season-high 12 batters on just 101 pitches. Jeff Suppan was the hard luck loser, throwing his best game as a Devil Ray against his former teammate. Suppan was the victim of two costly errors that led to two unearned runs. On he day, he allowed eight hits and 4 runs while walking none and striking out 4 in eight and two-third innings. Chad Gaudin worked the final third, surrendering an unereaned run.

Despite a boost from three uneared runs in the top of the ninth, Martinez was in fine form all game, sending down twenty-two of the first 23 batters he faced. Back-to-back singles in the 8th put runners on the corners with one out, but Martinez struck out Fred McGriff and Aubrey Huff looking to end the threat.

The Sox got a run in the first on a Gabe Kaplyer single, followed by a Kevin Millar double. Mark Bellhorn added a solo homerun in the 5th for a two run cushion.

W: Pedro Martinez (5-2); L: Jeff Suppan (1-6)
Player of the Game: Pedro Martinez. 9 IP, 4 Hits, 12 K's, 101 PI.
Game Notes: Mark Bellhorn hit the longest homer of his career, it went 450 feet. Pedro Martinez sets a career high for K's (12) in a game!

Ray survive four Boston HR's, take series finale
Game 40: Tampa Bay 7, Boston 6

After being held scoreless in the loss to Pedro Martinez, the Devil Rays bounced back in style, jumping out to an early 5 run lead before watching the bullpen struggle to hang on.

"This is Devil Rays baseball, for all the good and the bad." Aubrey Huff explained. "We don't win pretty and very really do we win easily, but every once and awhile we do win."

Damian Rolls spared the offense, hitting his second homerun of the season, a 399 three-run blast in the 4th that pushed the Rays to a 4-0 lead. Jose Cruz, after stealing his first of three bases on the day, scored the first run on a ground out by Mike Redmond early in the inning.

A single by Geoff Blum in the 5th scored Jose Cruz with the fifth run before Boston started to chip away.

Pokey Reese hit a solo homerun to lead off the sixth against Mark Hendrickson. Two doubles and a single later, Boston had cut the lead to three runs, 5-2.

A RBI-single in the bottom of the 6th by Jose Cruz got one run back, but Mark Bellhorn hit a homerun in the top of the 7th to keep pace.

Mike Redmond led off the bottom of the 7th with a double and would score the eventual game-winning run on a Rocco Baldelli single to left. Gabe Kapler and Kevin Millar each added another solo homerun to cut the lead to one, but Al Reyes was able to finally shut the door with the tying run on third to secure the win.

W: Mark Hendrickson (3-1); L: Byung-Hyun Kim (3-2); SV: Al Reyes (5)
Player of the Game: Damian Rolls. 1-3, HR (2), RBI (3)
Game Notes: Damian Rolls hit the longest homer of his career, it went 399 feet.

[BostonRS14]

Upcoming Series:

Cleveland Indians vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tropicana Field, Tampa, Florida

Team Records:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 14-26, .350 (HM: 9-10), 5th AL East, -10.5
Cleveland Indians: 23-18, .561 (RD: 11-7), 2nd AL Central, -0.5

Season Series: 2-1, Cleveland

Pitching Matchups:
05/21: C.C. Sabathia (5-4, 5.20) vs. Victor Zambrano (1-2, 6.40)
05/22: Francisco Cruceta (1-0, 4.35) vs. Todd Ritchie (1-3, 5.08)
05/22: Jason Stanford (0-2, 16.20) vs. Jeremi Gonzalez (3-2, 6.02)

Series Preview:
After losing two of three in their previous matchup, Tampa Bay has fallen a difficult ten and a half games out of first place. A huge mental barrier to pass, the season appears to officially be over. Baltimore is still struggling and is well within reach in 4th.

Cleveland has slipped a half game behind the Twins in the Central and will once again be looking to win an easy series here. Chicago is still alive in third, a mere 2.5 games back of Cleveland.

This will the final meeting between the two clubs for the season.

Tampa Bay Team News: (05/18-05/20)

• none

Around the League: (05/18-05/20)

• 05/19:
  -Seattle's Joel Pineiro strained a muscle in his biscep and will be sidelined for about five weeks.
• 05/20:
  -Montreal claimed LF Ruben Sierra off waivers from New York (A).
  -Cincinnati claimed 1B Brian Daubach off waivers from Boston.

American League East Standings: (5/18/2004)

Team        W-L   PCT   GB  Streak Last 10
New York  25-16  .610    -    W1    6-4
Boston    23-20  .535  3.0    L1    5-5
Toronto   20-21  .488  5.0    L4    4-6
Baltimore 16-25  .390  9.0    W2    5-5
Tampa Bay 14-26  .350  10.5   W1    4-6

[BostonRS14]

Sabathia throws One Hitter, Shuts Out Rays
Game 41: Tampa Bay 0, Cleveland 5

Rocco Baldelli's 8th inning single to right was the only blemish on a near perfect night for 23 year old right hander C.C. Sabathia. It took only 100 pitches, but Sabthia threw the second shutout of the season for his 5th straight win.

"Giving my team a chance to win is the most important thing for me. I was able to do that today, " Sabathia said after the game. "Things worked well for us today. Minnesota lost to Chicago so we have first place again. I'm excited, we're ready to compete!"


Cleveland Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia winds up to deliver
a pitch to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the second inning,
May 21, 2004, in Petersburg, Fla.

The closest the Devil Rays got to scoring was in the 8th, when Damian Rolls, who broked up the perfect game when he reached on a Ronnie Belliard error, was thrown out at third by Jody Gerut on Baldelli's single.

"He's been our guy," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge boasted. "It's awesome watching him work like that. No disrespect to Tampa, but come on, thats was great."

Cleveland got the only run it needed on a first inning solo homerun by Jody Gerut to left field off Tampa starter Victor Zambrano. Ben Brossard followed with a double, but Travis Hafner stranded him when Zambrano caught him looking on a called thrid strike.

Coco Crisp hit a towering three-run homerun in the 5th to increase the lead to 4. Casey Blake walked to open the inning and Ronnie Belliard singled to center before Crisp's second homerun if the season. Ben Broussard hit a solo homerun in the 8th of Zambrano, falling just a triple short of the cycle. Travis Harper replaced Zambrano after he faced Broussard and worked the final scoreless inning and a third.

W: C.C. Sabathia (6-4); L: Victor Zambrano (1-3)
Player of the Game: C.C. Sabathia. 9 IP, 1 Hit, 5 K's, 100 PI.
Game Notes: Coco Crisp hit the longest homer of his career, it went 365 feet.

Carter gives up 6 out of 'pen, Tampa drops second to Indians
Game 42: Tampa Bay 6, Cleveland 10

Dropping eight of nine series is bad enough, but watching your bullpen implode once again is going to tear this team apart in the not so distant future. Soon, GM Chuck LaMar is going to exploded a bullpen that has done a lot of imploding this season and start from scratch. And one of the first huys out of town will be Lance Carter, a former All Star who surrendered six runs in just an inning and two-thirds of work.

Tampa got on the board first with a Julio Lugo double down the left field line that easily scored Carl Crawford with the first run of the game. Crawford lead off the bottom of the 1st with his major league leading fifth triple.

Cleveland broke open a tied game in the 5th with a two-run double by Jody Gerut. Travis Hafner greeted Lance Carter in the 7th with a solo homerun to deep center field for a 4-1 lead that would reach 8 runs before Tampa battled back.

Fred McGriff hit his 494th career homerun in the bottom of the ninth to spark the rally. Damian Rolls followed with a single off Luther Hackman. Scott Stewart entered the game and surrendered a double to Carl Crawford, scoring Rolls from first. A walk to Rocco Badelli followed. Julio Lugo slapped a bloop single to center, scoring the speedy Crawford, who was off with the pitch, from second. Jose Cruz ended the threat with a ground out to the pitcher, leaving runners on the corners.

W: Francisco Cruceta (2-0); L: Todd Ritchie (1-4)
Player of the Game: Ronnie Belliard. 3-5, HR (5), 3 Runs, 2 RBIs (24)
Game Notes: Travis Hafner hit the longest homer of his career, it went 428 feet.

Tino smackes 2 HR's, leads Rays to win.
Game 43: Tampa Bay 11, Cleveland 5

After being pushed to the bench in favor of the older fred McGriff, Tino Martinez snapped out of his season long funk, putting two balls into the seats pat the outfield wall to give the Rays a win in the series finale against the Indians.

"We have a couple different guys that can play my position, so we have to throw different looks out there and see what is clicking and what isn't." Martinez said about his recent demotion to Lou Pinella's bench.

Tino homered to lead off the bottom of the fourth, tying the game at one before the Devil Rays took the lead on a sacrifice fly by Aubrey Huff. Mike Redmond followed Huff with a single and scored all the way from first on Damian Rolls' triple.


Tampa Bay Devil Rays' Tino Martinez, right, is congratulated by teammate
Jose Cruz, Jr., left, after hitting the first of two homeruns against the
Cleveland Indians on May 23, 2004 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Once he was given the lead, Jeremi Gonzalez settled down, working into the 8th before departing after walking the first two batters he faced. Travis Harper came into the game and allowed a sacrifice fly, scoring inherited runner Travis Hafner from first.

On the day, Gonzalez surrendered 7 hits in seven plus innings, walking four and striking out three. He allowed three runs, all earned.

Tampa Bay broke the game open in the 5th, scoring 4 runs on two hits. Jason Stanford loaded the bases with no outs on two walks and a single before forcing in a run with a four-ball walk to Jose Cruz. Luther Hackman was summoned out of the bullpen by manager Eric Wedge, but he proved to be rather ineffective. Aubrey Huff hit a high fly to left-center that scored Eduardo Perez. Carl Crawford lined a single between the first and second baseman, brining Tino Martinez home. Mike Redmond would score the 8th run of the game on an error by Lou Merloni, scoring from third when the first baseman couldn't come up with a grounder by Damian Rolls. Rolls would end the inning trying to steal second.

Tino Martinez added his second homerun of the day in the 8th when he went back-to-back with Rocco Baldelli against Dave Veres. Cleveland added three more run against Harper on a ninth inning homerun by Jody Gerut, who went 6-14 over the three games with 2 homeruns, 2 triples, a double and five RBIs.

W: Jeremi Gonzalez (4-2); L: Jason Stanford (0-3)
Player of the Game: Tino Martinez. 2-4, BB, 2 HRs (5), 2 RBIs (12), 3 Runs
Game Notes: Tino Martinez hit the longest homer of his career, it went 450 feet.

[Mikecouil]

Originally Posted by BostonRS14

I guess no one is reading then...

I've read it from top to bottom and am enjoying it. Not much here in the words of encouragement. My 2004 Twins just finished up with a whopping 49 wins. Johan Santana was hurt all season going into the first week, I received a top pitching prospect AND Tim Salmon for Koskie and then Salmon got hurt for the year, and I lost Mike Lowell (who was acqquired for Christian Guzman) to free agency because he won't resign with my pitiful club.

I'm guessin you dont need any advice from me

Mike