Quantcast
Channel: Tampabay.com: Sports
Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live

Braves 4, Mets 0

0
0

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Braves 4, Mets 0

NEW YORK — Paul Maholm pitched a three-hitter in his second start for the Braves, who got two-run homers from Jason Heyward and Dan Uggla. Maholm, acquired from the Cubs on July 30, came in 0-2 with an 8.80 ERA in four games at Citi Field, but he faced the minimum through five innings this time. Heyward connected in the first, and Uggla went deep in the eighth for his first homer in more than a month.


Phillies 3, Cardinals 1

0
0

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Phillies 3, Cardinals 1

PHILADELPHIA — Roy Halladay pitched eight innings and Chase Utley hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth for the Phillies. Halladay, who missed 42 games while on the disabled list with a strained back muscle, matched a season low by allowing two hits. He didn't allow a hit after Jon Jay's two-out single in the third, retiring 16 of his final 17 batters. The only hitter to reach base was Yadier Molina, who got to first after being hit on the left elbow in the fifth.

Young Oriole blasts into books

0
0

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

BALTIMORE — Manny Machado thrust himself into the Orioles record book in his second major-league game, hitting two homers and driving in four runs as Baltimore beat the Royals 7-1 Friday.

After going 2-for-4 in his debut Thursday, Machado hit a solo shot in the fifth and a three-run drive in the sixth, which drew a curtain call from the fans.

At 20 years, 35 days old, Machado is the youngest Oriole to have a multihomer game. Boog Powell was 20 years, 258 days old when he homered twice against Minnesota in May 1962.

Machado also became the 12th youngest major-leaguer since 1918 to hit at least two home runs in a game.

Machado, the third overall pick in the 2010 draft, went 2-for-4 in his second straight start at third base. He had never played above Double A before Thursday.

"I've dreamed about that my whole life, about going out there and getting that curtain call," he said. "Second game in the big leagues I get it."

Manager Buck Showalter said: "He's hit some mistakes and hit them well, which guys have to do up here."

New Dodger Ramirez feels odd facing Marlins friends

0
0

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

MIAMI — Three hours before game time, Hanley Ramirez entered the Marlins' ballpark, began looking for the visitors clubhouse and nearly walked into a kitchen by mistake.

He had cleanup duty, but not there. Ramirez found his way to his new team and was in the lineup against his old club Friday, batting fourth for the Dodgers.

He returned to Miami barely two weeks after being traded and conceded he wasn't thrilled to be playing a three-game series against the Marlins so soon.

"A little weird," Ramirez said. "We couldn't play three games in one day and get it over with."

Ramirez was the National League rookie of the year with the Marlins in 2006 and had been the foundation of their lineup since. But the Marlins tore up that blueprint July 25, trading Ramirez and left-handed reliever Randy Choate for RHP Nathan Eovaldi and a minor-league pitcher.

Ramirez departed without leading the Marlins to a playoff game. "I couldn't get it going my way," he said. "Seven years and we never could make it to the playoffs. But that's in the past."

He drew a mix of jeers and cheers when he batted for the first time in the second inning and popped out. But he finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

Twins bench infielder: Tsuyoshi Nishioka did not start against the Rays after going 0-for-12 with three errors at second base in three games against Cleveland. He had been at Triple A until his recall Monday.

Blue Jays: RHP David Carpenter was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas, the move coming after Toronto put 3B Brett Lawrie on the DL with a strained oblique. Toronto also claimed RHP Juan Abreu off waivers from Houston and will option him to Las Vegas.

Braves: 3B Chipper Jones, scratched from the lineup with a tight back, blamed his hotel bed. He said his back has gone bad in New York three or four times over his 19-year career. He hoped to return today.

Indians: DH Travis Hafner, on the DL with no timetable for a return, had an injection to relieve inflammation in his lower back.

Red Sox: The team signed OF Scott Podsednik just over a week after trading him to Arizona. Podsednik hit .387 with one homer and seven RBIs in 19 games for Boston before being dealt July 31. He was released by Arizona after declining an assignment to Triple A. … LHP Felix Doubront, whose velocity has fallen off, will miss his next start, so RHP Aaron Cook will go Wednesday against Baltimore.

White Sox: 1B Paul Konerko, who was elbowed in the head Tuesday during a play at first base, was placed on the seven-day concussion DL.

Yankees: Injured closer Mariano Rivera said he was working hard but would not push the pace if it means risking further damage to his injured right knee. "I want to pitch now," he said. "But that doesn't mean I will come back this year. It's that 1 percent we have to hope."

Tampa Bay Rays may continue to put Ben Zobrist at shortstop

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 10, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS — On the second day of playing Ben Zobrist at shortstop, manager Joe Maddon still referred to it as an experiment. But he is open to a more permanent designation.

Maddon said Friday that his initial thought if all goes well is for a job share. Zobrist would start at shortstop when flyball pitchers such as Matt Moore and Jeremy Hellickson are on the mound, and then either Elliot Johnson or Sean Rodriguez (for now) would play when the other three starters work.

But, Maddon said, "if (Zobrist) starts getting challenged and he's doing really well, then you might reconsider even that, because offensively it really stacks up possibly better for us. So we'll see."

Zobrist, who came up as a shortstop in the Astros system and played there with the Rays before evolving into a superutility role, said he is all for the move.

"I still feel I can do it," Zobrist said. "And I still feel that is my favorite position."

Though the footwork and positioning, especially under the Rays' complex shifting, is different from second base, Zobrist said the bigger issue — "the hardest thing" — is the throw, which is longer and often made quicker.

After making only two somewhat routine plays Thursday, Zobrist was challenged quickly Friday, making two tough plays in the first, four overall. "He made some really good plays," Maddon said. "And he looked very comfortable."

Maddon moved Zobrist to short as a way to keep Ryan Roberts and Jeff Keppinger in the lineup after the return of Evan Longoria. And with the possibility, if not probability, that Rodriguez will be sent to the minors next week to make room for Luke Scott, the time was right to take a look.

J.P. DUTY: LHP J.P. Howell tied the team relief record just set by Fernando Rodney with his 22nd straight scoreless inning. "I'm honored to be next to him in anything,'' Howell said.

LONGOria UPDATE: Maddon said he was planning to not start Longoria, who had played as the DH in all three games since returning Tuesday from the DL. But Longoria said he felt good — "no setbacks, no lingering stiffness or soreness" — and head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield was "very, very strongly in favor." So Maddon happily altered his lineup Friday.

With the Rays in the midst of 19 consecutive games (and a long three-city trip), there will be a day or two when Maddon tells Longoria, who was out more than three months with a left hamstring injury, that he's going to be rested. "He's going to try," Longoria said. "Hopefully all is well and I don't have to get (a day off). I'm sure I'll be talked to at some point."

Longoria said he continues to feel comfortable at third base and, while acknowledging there will be a mental hurdle, he hopes to get back to playing the field soon. But Maddon, though glad to hear the progress report, said he did not expect that to happen during the trip, which runs through Aug. 19. "It would be a great surprise."

REHAB REPORT: Scott, recovering from an oblique strain, was rained out of his first rehab game with advanced Class A Charlotte on Friday. He will play tonight and likely again Sunday, pushing his re-evaluation back to Monday.

RHP Jeff Niemann, returning from a mid-May broken right leg, felt good in a bullpen session Friday and is set to make his second rehab start Tuesday for Charlotte at Bradenton.

MISCELLANY: Zobrist tied the team record by grounding into three double plays. … RF Matt Joyce extended his hitting streak to nine games. … LHP David Price starts tonight looking to extend his streak of nine consecutive starts working seven or more innings. "That's what you want to do," he said. … Top 2011 draft pick RHP Taylor Guerrieri was one of six short-season Class A Hudson Valley players named to the New York-Penn League All-Star team. Also named: OF Joey Rickard; INFs Tommy Coyle, Leonardo Reginatto; pitchers Jeff Ames, Jose Molina.

Padres 9, Pirates 8

0
0

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Padres 9, Pirates 8

PITTSBURGH — Chase Headley homered from both sides of the plate for the first time and drove in five. His three-run homer capped a six-run fifth and his two-run shot in the seventh put San Diego up 9-8.

Yankees 10, Blue Jays 4

0
0

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Yankees 10, Blue Jays 4

TORONTO — The Yankees' Ichiro Suzuki matched a career high with five RBIs and Freddy Garcia won in Toronto for the first time in more than a decade. Mark Teixeira hit his 22nd homer as the AL East leaders ended a three-game skid at Rogers Centre.

Tampa Bay Rays rout Minnesota Twins 12-6

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 10, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS — Evan Longoria can't have this much impact, can he?

The Rays won again Friday night, a 12-6 breeze by the Twins, making it four in a row since Longoria came off the disabled list Tuesday.

And not only are the Rays unbeaten, they are, well, relatively unstoppable.

The team that went 21 scoreless innings in the weekend series with Baltimore, the team that totaled only 25 runs for its previous 10 games, the team that was held to three or fewer runs 47 times, and averaged 3.86 per, during the 85 games Longoria missed, is suddenly a prolific offensive machine.

In the four games with Longoria, they Rays have scored 26 runs, they've rapped 42 hits, and they've posted their first four-game winning streak since early June. (Of course, facing the depleted Blue Jays and deplorable Twins may have something to do with it.) In doing so, they improved to 60-52 and are within a half-game of the AL wild-card lead.

"Him being back is big for us," leftfielder Desmond Jennings said. "He's one of the most important people on our team. Having him back, having his presence back, just being around him and having him being in uniform and back on the field just gets all of us going. We feel like everything is back to normal."

Longoria, out more than three months with a left hamstring injury, actually didn't have much to do with Friday's big numbers, going 1-for-3 (RBI single) as the DH before leaving for a pinch-runner after a sixth-inning walk.

If anything, it was a group effort. Matt Joyce topped the chart with a two-run homer and a two-run double, Jose Molina had three RBIs on a pair of singles, and Jennings had three hits, including a first-pitch-of-the-game double that sparked a two-run rally.

By the end of the night, the Rays had matched their season high for runs in an inning with six in the second, batted around in two innings, and everyone in the starting lineup had a hit except for shortstop Ben Zobrist.

Manager Joe Maddon said the most tangible impact Longoria has beyond his own contributions is making the lineup "longer and thicker," the hitters ahead of him getting better pitches and those after him more chances to hit with a runner on.

"Some people argue that could happen with economics, it could also happen within a baseball team, so, yeah, I like the trickle-down effect," Maddon said. "Longo's presence has made a difference."

Jeremy Hellickson made his way through five innings to even his record at 7-7, but what should have been an easy night really wasn't as he twice gave up runs with outs, walked the No. 9 hitter twice and threw 98 pitches.

"It was very uncomfortable, I didn't like it," Maddon said. "He got the win tonight, but that was not one of his better outings. He was really not sharp overall."

Hellickson said he felt good, "but I really couldn't put anybody away when I got the chance."

But in the Rays' new world order, the offense covered for the pitching.

"We're feeling pretty good, we're feeling pretty confident," Joyce said. "We've got Longo back and obviously he has a big impact on everybody else in the lineup."


Way to introduce yourself, Greg Schiano

0
0

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 10, 2012

MIAMI

The Greg Schiano era started Friday night in Miami. As first impressions go, Schiano's debut ranked somewhere between smashing and, well, really smashing. But let's not stop at one impression. Here are three first impressions of Schiano from the Bucs' preseason opener against the Dolphins.

Preseason optimism

The worst part of Schiano's debut as an NFL head coach was that the Bucs' 20-7 victory didn't count. And that's important to remember: It did not count.

Remember a few seasons ago when the Lions went 0-16? Yeah, well, that came after a perfect 4-0 preseason. The Redskins didn't win a game during the 1982 preseason, then won the Super Bowl. John McKay's 1983 Bucs were 4-0 in their exhibition season, then went 2-14 in the regular season.

So spending Friday night knocking around a mediocre team in lousy weather with replacement referees in a game that didn't mean a dadgum thing is no reason to start printing playoff tickets, cutting up paper for confetti and mapping out parade routes.

But, hey, when you haven't won a playoff game in 10 years and you're coming off a Dumpster fire of a season, you look for optimism anywhere you can find it. And, well, since there was another team (albeit a mediocre one) and referees (albeit replacement ones) and a scoreboard (albeit keeping track of a result that didn't matter), why not go out and try like it means something? Why not feel a little encouraged that you looked like you knew what you were doing?

The fact that the game didn't count doesn't erase what we saw, which was a group of regulars who looked prepared, focused and, dare we say, not half bad.

Coach loves smashmouth

Schiano looks like an NFL coach right out of central casting. Crew cut. Square jaw. Steely eyes. And he has the personality to match. If they ever produce a remake of All the Right Moves, hand him a golf club, give him a whistle and Schiano is your man.

The Bucs scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and did so by pounding the rock. Schiano went for it on a fourth and 1 by handing the ball to LaGarrette Blount for the first score, then gave to ball to rookie Doug Martin on a third and 2 for the second score.

Now, look, let's not be naive. It's the first preseason game and you're not going to pull back the curtain on your offense. You're not going to show the things you're going to whip out during the regular season. You're not going to run any cutesy gadget plays in either of those circumstances. And it's easy to flex your muscles and try to stuff the ball into the end zone when there aren't any real consequences for failure. In fact, the Bucs might have elected to kick a field goal on the first possession had it been a regular-season game.

But these calls did give us an early glance at Schiano. He believes in hard-nose, physical, old-school football. Those calls gave us a hint of what kind of coach he is and what kind of team he wants the Bucs to be.

He isn't totally pleased

The night was far from perfect, and Schiano has enough ammunition, not to mention the disposition, to make sure his team doesn't get too full of itself. Schiano, with his "toes on the line" approach, preaches discipline and attention to detail, and there was just enough sloppiness, even for a preseason game, to rankle him. Bucs regulars jumped a few too many times, including one on a kickoff. Preston Parker lost a fumble on a punt and also lost his cool on a personal foul penalty.

So, no, the night was not perfect. But, you know, it really couldn't have gone much better, especially for Schiano's first game in the NFL, exhibition or not.

Saints, league urged to settle

0
0

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge questioned the fairness of the NFL's bounty investigation of the Saints on Friday, then held off on making a ruling while urging all sides to settle the matter on their own.

U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan also said the seasonlong suspension of Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma was excessive and she would be inclined to rule in his favor if she were certain she had jurisdiction to do so.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has justified his suspension of Vilma by describing him as one of the ringleaders of a program that offered Saints defenders improper cash bonuses for injuring opponents.

The judge could rule at any time on Vilma's request to be allowed to temporarily return to the Saints while the case proceeds. But Berrigan urged all parties to come to an agreement first.

Garrard out 2-4 weeks

Dolphins quarterback David Garrard will have arthroscopic knee surgery and is expected to miss two to four weeks, his agent said. The recovery timetable likely takes Garrard out of the competition to win the starting job. He sat out Friday's game against the Bucs.

Garrard's knee had bothered him for a few days, and after an examination, he decided to have surgery rather than deal with the issue throughout the season, agent Al Irby said.

MORE DOLPHINS: Like the Bucs, the Dolphins are taking advantage of the relaxed blackout policy. The Dolphins will let games be televised locally when they sell 85 percent of their seats, excluding suites and club seats. The Bucs were the first team to announce it would take advantage of the new policy that allows teams to televise games locally when they are not sold out. The Raiders followed suit this week.

TEBOW'S JETS DEBUT: Former Broncos quarterback and Florida star Tim Tebow had a rocky debut with the Jets, throwing an interception to rookie linebacker Vontaze Burfict on his final throw of a 17-6 loss to the Bengals. Tebow was 4-of-8 for 27 yards, which translated to a passer rating of 18.2. He also scrambled three times for 34 yards, avoiding sacks each time.

BENGALS: Three starters left in the first five minutes against the Jets, all with right knee injuries: left guard Travelle Wharton, middle linebacker Rey Maualuga and defensive end Carlos Dunlap.

BROWNS: Wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi left with a concussion after catching the first pass rookie Brandon Weeden threw during Cleveland's 19-17 victory over the Lions. Jeff Wolfert's 45-yard field goal with 28 seconds left won it.

CHARGERS: Pro Bowl running back Ryan Mathews had surgery on a broken collarbone and is expected to miss four to six weeks. Mathews was injured on his first carry of the preseason in the first quarter of Thursday's game against the Packers.

CHIEFS: Running back Jamaal Charles, in his first action since ACL surgery on his left knee in September, took a solid hit to the left knee on his first carry, then bounced right up and helped lead two touchdown drives en route to a 27-17 win over Arizona.

49ERS: Linebacker Aldon Smith, who had 14 sacks last season, was carted off with an apparent hip injury against the Vikings.

PACKERS: Former Bears and Bengals running back Cedric Benson, a free agent, visited, and ESPN.com reported that he was expected to sign. … Linebacker Desmond Bishop will miss most of the season with a hamstring injury, the Green Bay Post-Gazette reported.

RAIDERS: Running back Mike Goodson said his neck was still sore after a hard hit sent him to a hospital this week. "It's kind of like having a crick in your neck when you wake up in the morning or something like that," he said. "A little more intense than that, but that's pretty much it."

SEAHAWKS: Guard John Moffitt is expected to have surgery on his left elbow and miss the next two to three weeks.

Tampa Bay Rays news and notes: Evan Longoria's ride to the ballpark; David Price no fan of long trips; cleanup rarity

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, August 10, 2012

Rays at Twins

When/where: 7:10; Target Field, Minneapolis

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Probable pitchers

Rays: LH David Price (14-4, 2.49)

Twins: RH Nick Blackburn (4-7, 7.42)

On Price: He had no-decisions in his past two starts despite pitching relatively well, allowing three runs total in 15 innings. He is 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA in two starts at Target Field and is 1-2 with a 2.63 ERA in five career games against the Twins.

On Blackburn: He has allowed five or more earned runs eight times and was sent to Triple A last month. He is 0-2 with a 5.63 ERA in four starts since returning and is 2-4 with a 7.20 ERA in six starts against the Rays.

Key matchups

Rays VS. Blackburn

Matt Joyce 5-for-16, HR

Evan Longoria 4-for-12

B.J. Upton 6-for-13

Twins vs. Price

Joe Mauer 2-for-11

Justin Morneau 1-for-8

Denard Span 1-for-8

On deck

Sunday: at Twins, 2:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (10-7, 4.08); Twins — Scott Diamond (10-5, 2.91)

Monday: at Mariners, 10:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Alex Cobb (6-8, 4.32); Mariners — Blake Beavan (7-6, 5.12)

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Not the normal ride to the ballpark

Evan Longoria was in a town car headed to Target Field on Friday when a Minneapolis office complex was evacuated and several streets were closed after police said a man went into a bank building and said he had a bomb or a gun. Longoria, who posted a few things on Twitter about it, called the whole scene "pretty crazy." A suspect surrendered to police.

Quote of the day

"These 10-day road trips, they seem like forever, and those 10-day homestands, they seem like two, three days."

Pitcher David Price, on the start of the Rays' fifth and final three-city journey

Stat of the day

3

Times in their past 80 games the Rays had more than one RBI from the cleanup spot

Tigers 6, Rangers 2

0
0

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Tigers 6, Rangers 2

ARLINGTON, Texas — Austin Jackson hit an inside-the-park homer and a triple for the Tigers. In the seventh, rightfielder Nelson Cruz made a diving attempt for Jackson's drive, but the ball bounced over his glove and to the wall. Jackson tripled and scored in the fourth. Prince Fielder hit his 20th homer, a three-run shot that chased Scott Feldman.

Astros 4, Brewers 3

0
0

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

Astros 4, Brewers 3

HOUSTON — Brian Bogusevic's RBI single in the ninth lifted the Astros to their first win this year in their last at-bat and halted a five-game skid. The Astros won for the fifth time in 39 games. The only team since 1900 to lose at least 35 times in a 39-game span was the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics, who finished 36-117. The Brewers have lost 10 straight on the road for the first time since 1992.

White Sox 4, A's 3

0
0

Times wires
Friday, August 10, 2012

White Sox 4, A's 3

CHICAGO — Jordan Danks hit his first major-league homer in the bottom of the ninth as the White Sox overcame a three-run deficit. With two outs, Danks sent the first pitch from Pat Neshek into the rightfield seats for a solo shot. Chicago won for the 11th time in 16 games. The White Sox Dayan Viciedo tied it at 3 with a solo homer in the seventh.

Tampa Bay Bucs rookie linebacker Lavonte David shows good hands, timing

0
0

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, August 11, 2012

MIAMI — Lavonte David grew up mere miles from where his NFL journey began Friday night.

Playing in front of 25 family members at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, the former Miami Northwestern High standout and Bucs second-round pick burst onto the scene in his first NFL action.

He made his presence felt against the Dolphins, notching a tackle for loss and an interception, but most important, he hardly seemed like a wide-eyed rookie in his first professional game.

The increase in the speed of the game barely fazed David, who started at weakside linebacker and could very well be a fixture there for a long time.

"It was definitely faster," he said. "But I kind of got used to it. As the game went on, I just adjusted."

Did he ever.

David showed himself to be the sideline-to-sideline pursuer he was at Nebraska. It's one thing to show that in practice, quite another to translate it to game day at this level.

"He's done a real good job since he started," coach Greg Schiano said. "And I think he continued to do it (Friday). … He flew around out there, and he looked comfortable. I was happy for him to do it in his hometown, too."

David's interception, off starter Matt Moore in the second quarter, came after defensive tackle Frank Okam tipped the ball. From there, it was up to David to react quickly and show off his skills as a pass defender. It's an area where the Bucs think he will excel.

It seems they are on to something.

"I want to thank the D-line for the tip," David said. "The ball was in the air for a long time. It was right there, and I just had to get to it."

He made it all sound routine. And watching David, it looked that way. The Bucs are counting heavily on the rookie to be a playmaker on a defense that needs more of that.

To let him tell it, there's more to come.

"This was Step 1," he said. "I have a lot more to go."

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@tampabay.com. Follow him on Twitter at @HolderStephen.


Angels 6, Mariners 5

0
0

Times wires
Saturday, August 11, 2012

Angels 6, Mariners 5

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Rookie sensation Mike Trout tied a career high with five RBIs, including a three-run homer, and pinch-runner Peter Bourjos scored on a wild pitch in the ninth for the Angels. Kendrys Morales led off against Josh Kinney with a double and was replaced by Bourjos. After two intentional walks, pinch-hitter Maicer Izturis saw Kinney's 1-2 pitch skip past former Rays catcher John Jaso.

Nationals 9, Diamondbacks 1

0
0

Times wires
Saturday, August 11, 2012

Nationals 9, Diamondbacks 1

PHOENIX — Stephen Strasburg allowed one hit over six innings and Ryan Zimmerman homered as the Nationals, who are on pace for 100 victories, won their seventh straight. Steve Lombardozzi had a career-high four hits and three runs and Bryce Harper added two sacrifice flies for Washington, which leads the NL East by 41/2 games.

Rockies 3, Giants0

0
0

Times wires
Saturday, August 11, 2012

Rockies 3, Giants 0

Starter Tyler Chatwood and three relievers combined to blank the Giants as the Rockies earned just their third shutout of the season. All three have come on the road and two this week. Giants ace Tim Lincecum lost, though he saw his ERA fall to a season low 5.35. Last week, San Francisco swept Colorado in a three-game set at Coors Field, outscoring the Rockies 35-13 in the series.

Trying Ben Zobrist at shortstop a logical move for Tampa Bay Rays

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, August 11, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS

The idea of moving Ben Zobrist back to shortstop has been kicked around, quietly, for weeks.

With infielder Ryan Roberts acquired from Arizona, with infielder Jeff Keppinger continuing to be one of their most productive hitters, with DH at-bats limited with Evan Longoria returning and Luke Scott on the way back this week, the Rays' issue was to find a way to get their best offensive players on the field together. And with Matt Joyce in rightfield, that meant finding a way to get Zobrist, Roberts and Keppinger in the infield.

Given that none of the above can play catcher, the other glaring area for improvement was shortstop, where Sean Rodriguez, Elliot Johnson and Reid Brignac (remember him?) have combined to hit .233 with six homers and 38 RBIs.

The Rays felt Zobrist, who came up as a shortstop and played there occasionally into 2009, could handle the defensive responsibilities, certainly more so than Keppinger or Roberts. Then they made another interesting decision, moving Roberts to second and putting Keppinger at third — the right move, since he definitely has the better arm and has played better than expected.

Part of the reason to try it out now, especially to make sure they like how Zobrist looks at shortstop, is Scott's pending return. The most obvious move to make room is to send Rodriguez, hitting .208, to Triple A for 2½ weeks, then bring him up when the rosters expand Sept. 1.

Roberts also can be optioned, but Rodriguez seems to be viewed as more expendable. Johnson, who, like Rodriguez, can play any position, and outfielder Sam Fuld are out of options, and the Rays are unlikely to risk losing them on waivers.

Part of their premise is that Roberts, who had a .140 average in his first 13 Rays games, will heat up and prove to be one of their better offensive players. But when Longoria returns to third base — and he says it's close — they can move Keppinger back to second (and occasionally to first in place of Carlos Peña). Or they could go back to playing Johnson, or eventually Rodriguez, at short and shift Zobrist back to second.

Given how they had been going, all ideas are worth exploring.

Rays Tales: Tampa Bay Rays closer Fernando Rodney could be in midst of historic season

0
0

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, August 11, 2012

RHP Fernando Rodney does some things to make you notice him, such as the odd voices, bird calls and dances he does for entertainment in the clubhouse and the imaginary arrow he shoots after each save. But what's really noteworthy are the amazing numbers he has been accumulating on the mound. Like, historically significant numbers. If Rodney were to maintain this level of performance over the final 7½ weeks, he would be in elite company. Only two relievers since the advent of the save in 1969 have had a season with 30 saves and an ERA under 1.00.

Elite company

YearPitcher, teamSV/OPERAGIPERHRBBKW-L
1990Dennis Eckersley, A's48/500.616373.119511704-2
2006Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox35/410.925968.17313754-2
2012Fernando Rodney, Rays*34/350.855352.2528512-1

* Through Friday

Rays nab such a deal

The Rays have had some good success with low-cost under-the-radar free-agent signings — maybe more so than with some of their high-priced acquisitions.

The gold standard probably always will be Carlos Peña — the 2007 version, when he signed a minor-league deal and went on to hit 46 homers and drive in 121 runs. INF/OF Eric Hinske, RHP Joaquin Benoit and RHP Al Reyes are among some others.

And now, Fernando Rodney.

Coming off two mutually frustrating and disappointing seasons in Anaheim — except for the fact that he made $11 million — Rodney, 35, was looking for an opportunity to pitch and re-establish himself. The Rays, always searching for potential under-market bargains, were interested. And it sure looks like they hit it big.

Rodney, this season, is making only $1.75 million — not even among the 10 highest paid on the team — and the Rays have an option on him for next season for $2.5 million (or a $250,000 buyout). So they could have two years of Rodney for $4.25 million.

Record performances

With 49 games left, Rodney has a good shot at the team single-season saves record:

Year Pitcher Saves

2010 Rafael Soriano 45

1999 Roberto Hernandez 43

2005 Danys Baez 41

2012 Fernando Rodney 34*

2000 Roberto Hernandez 32

2004 Danys Baez 30

2008 Troy Percival 28

1998 Roberto Hernandez 26

2003 Lance Carter 26

2007 Al Reyes 26

2011 Kyle Farnsworth 25

* through Thursday

Quantifying quality

Even with some of the advanced metrics it can be difficult to determine the value of a closer. Rays manager Joe Maddon, who likes a good sabermetric stat as much as a sauvignon blanc, said he considers Rodney's value as much by how he established order to the bullpen.

A few numbers that stand out:

0.78 WHIP: Walks and hits allowed per inning pitched; lowest among all AL pitchers (minimum 40 innings)

3.70 Win Probability Added: Per baseball-reference.com, as it sounds, suggesting he has added nearly four wins, second among AL pitchers to Cleveland's Vinnie Pestano.

2.4 Wins Above Replacement: A similar calculation, based on wins he adds vs. a generic replacement; third among AL relievers behind Pestano and Baltimore's Pedro Strop.

Rays rumblings

ESPN.com's David Schoenfield — in a good way — described the Rays as "the annoying little brother. The canker sore of the AL East. The itch between your toes. They just don't go away." … Doesn't appear C Yorvit Torrealba, released by Texas after hitting .236 with a .643 OPS as a reserve, is considered enough of an upgrade over what the Rays have to be pursued. … If the Israel team gets through the September World Baseball Classic qualifying, OF Sam Fuld is interested in playing in the spring tourney. … Annual August question: How is it again that regular-season Rays games get bumped off 620-AM radio for Bucs preseason games? … The Caracas team is interested in signing Leslie Anderson, hitting .309-11-46 at Triple-A Durham, for the winter season. … ESPN's Buster Olney currently has David Price third in the AL Cy Young race, behind L.A.'s Jered Weaver and Detroit's Justin Verlander.

Got a minute? Sam Fuld

Something you're scared of? Heights. Mainly bridges, tops of buildings, mountains; I can handle planes okay.

Karaoke song if you had to? I'd need a teleprompter, and I could probably do something like Journey, Don't Stop Believin'.

Favorite TV show? Seinfeld.

Late-night snack? Peanuts — dry-roasted, salted.

Celebrity crush? Can you make it celebrity man-crush? Matt Damon.

Viewing all 18574 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images