By Eduardo A. Encina, Times Staff Writer
Friday, May 27, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — INF Sean Rodriguez has spent most of his Rays career waiting patiently for his opportunity to become an everyday player, patrolling a number of positions in a utility role. For the immediate future, it appears he has found a home at shortstop.
Rodriguez made his third straight start at shortstop Friday against Cleveland, and while Rays manager Joe Maddon fell short of naming Rodriguez the new starter there, he left the door open for Rodriguez to take command of the position.
"Sean has really stayed in waiting in a very pro manner," Maddon said. "Maybe this is his time, I don't know. I do believe he deserves more at-bats. I'm not committing to anything right now. They're all going to play. I know one thing. I want to get Sean out there more often."
With Reid Brignac struggling and Elliot Johnson on the 15-day disabled list (sprained left knee), Maddon said Rodriguez will get more starts at shortstop. Rodriguez played shortstop throughout his time in the minors until he was moved to second when he broke into the majors. Friday was just his sixth major-league start at shortstop.
Rodriguez is no doubt swinging a hot bat. He doubled twice Tuesday in Detroit and singled Wednesday before the game was called due to rain. He singled and scored in his first at-bat Friday, and he also made a diving play on Austin Kearns' one-hopper into the hole in the fifth.
"Right now, I think Sean's been doing a really nice job," Maddon said. "Part of our problem concerns scoring runs, and he's earned the right to play on a more consistent basis. I thought he looked good at shortstop the last couple days in Detroit."
After Wednesday's game, Rodriguez, who also has made starts at second and third, said he still considers himself a major-league shortstop.
"Still can, still do," he said. "I love it."
SHIELDS SIZZLING: Coming off perhaps his best major-league outing, RHP James Shields hopes to duplicate the success he had Sunday against the Marlins.
Shields threw a three-hit complete-game shutout in South Florida, striking out a career-high 13, which also tied a club record. It was his third complete-game win this season, throwing a season-high 125 pitches.
"I just try to maintain what I've got right now," said Shields, today's scheduled starter. "I've been using the off-speed a lot and obviously it's been working, but I think I'm trying to maintain that fastball command in the bullpen."
Shields, who is 5-1 with a 1.42 ERA in his past eight starts, has been both consistent and durable this season. He has gone at least seven innings in nine of his 10 starts.
MISCELLANY: Maddon said hitting C John Jaso in the leadoff spot is still an "experiment," but he hopes Jaso can rekindle last year's success up top. … Injured RHP Jeff Niemann threw a bullpen session, but Maddon said there's still no timetable on his return. … With the addition of the Avril Lavigne concert, the Rays bumped today's game from the gold ($12-255) to platinum ($17-275) price category. … OF Sam Fuld will host a question-and-answer session after Sunday's game with a group from the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in the Section 130 seats. It is open to other fans also. … Fuld received a box of Iowa Cubs Sam Fuld T-shirts, which were given out as a stadium promotion for the Triple-A team Tuesday. … Shields was happy with the way his giveaway T-shirt turned out. For the second season, he designed the shirt, this year choosing "more of a surfer look than the graphic look."