Piniella snaps before finale

PITTSBURGH -- A day after taking an 18-2 loss, Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella boiled over prior to Sunday's game against the Pirates.
"When I came here three years ago, we were talking about a situation where we wanted to win now," Piniella said. "And we were interested in winning now. And you know what, with a small payroll, we improved from 55 to 63 [wins], and 63 to 70. This was supposed to be the breakout year. The problem is, we've got a new ownership group here that's changed the direction we're headed. They're not interested about the present. They're interested about the future. And that's their right.

"But when other teams are getting better presently when we're not, you're going to get your butts beat. And that's exactly what's happening. Now, I'm not going to take responsibility for this. If I had been given a $40 or $45 million payroll and we're getting beat like that, I'd stand up like a man and say it's my fault. We'll, I'm not going to do it. So if you want answers for what's going on around here, you call the new ownership group and let them give 'em to you. That's all I've got to say."

Stuart Stermberg, who heads the new ownership group, was not available for comment. Vince Naimoli, the Rays' managing general partner, had no comment when asked about the situation.

In the Rays' clubhouse, some of the players who have been with the team awhile expressed their frustration after being told about Piniella's remarks.

"It's hard to play not to lose 100 games," said shortstop Julio Lugo.

Lugo said any kind of move by the front office would go a long way.

"Of course," Lugo said. "Because it will boost you up, it will give you a little lift. If you know they are trying to help, your mind is going to change."

Left fielder Carl Crawford said, "You just wish you had a little more help around to where you can at least be competitive. We're not even competitive right now. We're getting blown out. It's been embarrassing, but right now, you just want to hide your head under the ground."

Crawford said the current stretch of losing the team is going through is the toughest he's experienced since he first came up with the Major League club in 2002.

"I'm afraid that we might break a record for losses this year," Crawford said. "I sit down and talk about that all the time. I'm afraid we might break that [106-loss club record]. And it might not even be close, either. That's just being honest. Right now, you just wish for anything to happen."

Right fielder Aubrey Huff said "something's got to happen."

"It can't continue to be like this every year," Huff said. "We're just not making any strides to get better. Every year, it's the same song and dance -- other teams are getting better. Look at Arizona. They were one of the worst teams in baseball last year, and they've gotten better. Something's got to be done. ... We really honestly can't mentally handle a season like this if it goes on like it has. It's got to get better."

Colome to DL: Right-hander Jesus Colome has been placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to June 10) with right shoulder inflammation. To fill his spot, the Rays recalled right-hander Franklin Nunez from Triple-A Durham. Nunez, 28, on the DL from the start of the season until May 27 with right shoulder tendinitis, was reinstated on May 28 and optioned to Durham. He pitched in six games in relief for the Bulls and had a 2-0 record with a 1.23 ERA.

Next homestand: The Devil Rays will have many promotions during their upcoming six-game homestand against the Brewers and Cardinals. The following are the ones beginning on Monday, June 13:
• Checkers Doubloon Giveaway (June 13, 14, 15, 19): A special coin will be given to fans in attendance, while supplies last, that is good for one free Champ Burger, with purchase.

• Rays Insider Special (June 13): Subscribers to the Rays Insider will have the opportunity to get a free ticket, with the purchase of either a Lower Box or Diamond Box ticket. Free ticket will be for same location as ticket purchased. To sign up for the Rays Insider, visit www.devilrays.com.

• Tijuana Flats "10 for 10" Promotion (June 13, 14, 17, 18): If the Rays get 10 hits in any one of these games, fans are able to present that game's ticket stub at any Hillsborough County Tijuana Flats to receive a free 10" burrito. No purchase necessary.

• Verizon Superpages Grand Slam Book Challenge (June 13-19): -- Fans can drop off their new or gently used children's books at Tropicana Field Guest Services desks in exchange for one or two ticket vouchers to the July 29 game (one-four books = 1 ticket voucher; five-plus books = 2 ticket vouchers), while supplies last.

All fans are invited in two hours before the first pitch. Fans can see the final 30 minutes of Devil Rays batting practice and all of the visitors' batting practice. All gates are open two hours before first pitch for all home games.

Tickets are still available at the Tropicana Field Box Office, www.devilrays.com, and the Devil Rays Dugout Store at WestShore Plaza. The numbers to call are (727) 898-RAYS (in Pinellas, Manatee, Pasco, Sarasota) and (813) 282-RAYS (Hillsborough, Polk, Hernando, and Citrus).

On deck: The Rays begin a three-game series against the Brewers at Tropicana Field with Monday's 7:15 p.m. ET contest. Right-hander Doug Waechter (2-3, 5.55) will start for the Rays and will be opposed by left-hander Chris Capuano (5-5, 3.40). Waechter's last outing was on Wednesday at Cincinnati, when he left after 5 1/3 innings with a 7-3 lead, which the bullpen could not hold.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/

Rays take first game from Brewers

ST. PETERSBURG -- Jonny Gomes came to a conclusion about how to escape Triple-A.
"You can't walk out of Durham," he said.

Gomes left Durham on Monday morning and arrived in Tampa at approximately 4:45 p.m. ET after getting his second call to the Show this season. He didn't arrive at Tropicana Field until the last group took batting practice so he hustled into the cage and took his cuts.

"That saved me," he said.

Gomes then gave his teammates a lift with a solo home run to left field in the fourth inning that gave the Rays a 3-0 lead, which they carried to a 5-3 victory in front of an announced crowd of 8,878.

"My approach today was to just get my foot down and be aggressive," Gomes said. "I mean I didn't come up here to walk and be selective. Especially my first day, coming off the plane, I just wanted to swing at as many strikes as I saw. So I was just overaggressive today."

Gomes, 24, was just one of the young faces on the Devil Rays excelling against the Brewers Monday night.

Doug Waechter, 24, got the start and, sporting a change-of-fortune beard, gave the Rays a much-needed lift in the starting pitching department by allowing just three runs in eight innings work. Waechter then handed the ball off to Danys Baez in the ninth and the Rays closer got the final three outs to pick up his eighth save on the season.

Note to Rays fans: Get used to Waechter's whiskers.

"Oh yeah, the beard stays," Waechter said. "I told my fiancée I might not cut my hair for the rest of the year. I thought she was going to slap me."

If Waechter continues to pitch like he did against the Brewers, Rays manager Lou Piniella might intervene on Waechter's behalf with fiancée Kristin Kravitz. The team has now won two in a row and, after a disastrous 2-10 road trip, moved its home record to 17-14.

Waechter's only bump in the road came in the fifth when he surrendered a two-run homer to Chad Moeller and a solo shot to Lyle Overbay that tied the score at 3.

"It's not going to be the first and it's not going to be the last home runs I've given up," said Waechter, who has surrendered a team-high 13 home runs on the season. "I've given them up before, so you've got to go just one pitch at a time. You just have to go out there and get the next guy out. And that's what I told myself."

And he continued to get the next guy out, while also getting a little help from his friends in the field.

Carl Crawford made an acrobatic catch against the wall on J.J. Hardy's sixth inning drive that Crawford hauled in for the third out. Shortstop Julio Lugo then robbed Moeller of a base hit in the seventh when he dove to snare a ground ball up the middle and threw him out at first.

"I was mixing my pitches well," Waechter said. "Felt like I was attacking the strike zone early in the count, which helped me out a lot. Defense really played great for me tonight. There were a couple of exceptional plays. Lugo up the middle, C.C. off the wall, it was a very impressive defensive display."

Eduardo Perez's RBI single in the fifth gave the Rays a 4-3 lead and Travis Lee added a pinch-hit home run in the eighth-his first of the season-for a 5-3 cushion that would be the final score.

"Good ballgame," Piniella said. "Well pitched. Waechter really hung in there and gave us eight innings. Nice hitting, a couple of home runs. Good win."

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/

Rays revamp roster

ST. PETERSBURG -- A day after closing a 2-10 road trip, the Devil Rays were busy making roster moves.
For starters, the Rays recalled catcher Kevin Cash and outfielder Jonny Gomes from Triple-A Durham; and they selected right-hander Tim Corcoran from Durham.

To accommodate their additions, the Rays placed left-hander Trever Miller (hamstring strain) on the 15-day disabled list, released catcher Charles Johnson and outfielder Alex Sanchez was designated for the assignment. The Rays have 10 days to trade, release or ask waivers on Sanchez.

Johnson, who hit .196 in 19 games, did not seem surprised by the move.

"I came here thinking I'd get a chance at playing," said the veteran catcher. "I think it all came down to me not hitting. They did tell me they wanted to go with youth and that I did not fit into the equation."

In deference to Johnson, Sanchez seemed genuinely surprised and disappointed. He was hitting a team-high .346, but was not happy about not playing every day.

"I play hard, I do what they want," Sanchez said. "I want to play."

When asked about Sanchez, manager Lou Piniella mentioned how Sanchez had talked about wanting to go elsewhere if he didn't play every day.

"I don't know how he can be disappointed," Piniella said. "Now he's getting what he wanted."

Gomes, who hit .304 with two home runs and five RBIs in an abbreviated stint with the Rays earlier this season, was tearing it up at Durham where he was hitting .321 with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs in 45 games.

"We want to give this young man as many at-bats as we can," Piniella said.

Miller's going on the DL leaves the Rays without a left-hander in the bullpen.

The Rays have now added seven players in the last 15 days: Cash, Corcoran, Gomes, Chad Orvella, Lee Gardner, Reggie Taylor, and Franklin Nunez.

About Lou: On Sunday, Piniella expressed his displeasure with the new ownership and the direction the club was going. Monday his statement was revisited by the local media when the Rays returned home to Tropicana Field.

Chuck Lamar, the Rays general manager, said he talked to Piniella prior to batting practice and said the Rays' manager was frustrated.

"Lou Piniella wants to win," said LaMar, who added that he thought Piniella was the best manager in baseball and still is. "he wants to win and wants to know that this organization is committed to winning. He didn't take this job to "develop players." He wants to win and he wants to win now."

Piniella said he would let his statement stand, but added: "The amazing part of it is the new people who bought this baseball club, they're nice people. There's absolutely nothing personally against anybody. They're a good group of men. But it's a tough business."

Colome MRI: Rays reliever Jesus Colome -- on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 10 -- had an MRI Monday, which revealed a slight inflamation of his right shoulder. He will not throw for a week to 10 days.


Upcoming promotions: Devil Rays promotions beginning Tuesday include the following:

ARMY CELEBRATES 230TH BIRTHDAY -- The U.S. Army will celebrate its 230th birthday and Old Glory's 228th at 14 Major League Baseball parks across the country Tuesday, including Tropicana Field. As part of pre-game events, two local soldiers returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom will be honored at the game and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Tampa Recruiting Battalion will present colors as well as distribute mini American flags to fans in attendance. A University of South Florida Army ROTC cadet will perform the national anthem. Forty future soldiers will also take part in a re-enlistment ceremony on the field before the game.

TAMPA TRIBUNE TWO-FER TUESDAY -- Buy one Outfield ticket, get one free with coupon from The Tampa Tribune and receive a Checkers Combo Meal voucher good at participating Checkers outside of Tropicana Field.

STUDENT NIGHT -- Students 18 and under will be able to purchase a Beach Ticket for $3 and Pepsi's for $1.

TUESDAY'S CHAMPION -- Every Tuesday home game, the Rays will host a child from the Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Children's Dream Fund. This opportunity includes meeting players pre-game and throwing out the Ceremonial First Pitch. Tonight's Tuesday Champion is 6-year old Chase from Make-A-Wish. This will be a reunion for Chase and Toby Hall, who will catch Chase's First Pitch. Hall and his wife, Karra, fulfilled Chase's wish by donating a wood playset for Chase's backyard on May 25th.

On deck: The Devil Rays meet the Brewers in the second game of their three-game series Tuesday at Tropicana Field in a 7:15 p.m. ET contest. Left-hander Casey Fossum will start for the Rays and right-hander Tomo Ohka will oppose him for the Brewers. Fossum is coming off his worst start of the season against the Reds Thursday in Cincinnati when he allowed five runs on four hits and a career-high six walks in four innings.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/

Rays can't get anything going vs. Ohka

ST. PETERSBURG -- Casey Fossum used the Brewers to air-condition the building, but in between the many strikeout victims accrued by the Rays left-hander were two blemishes that resulted in four runs.
And those four runs were the only stat that mattered Tuesday night, since the Rays generated no runs in a 4-0 loss to the Brewers in front of an announced crowd of 8,897 at Tropicana Field.

The Brewers' victory ended the Rays' two-game win streak.

Fossum tied a career high by striking out 10 Brewers in seven innings of work in his fifth start since leaving the bullpen for the starting rotation on May 17. The total was the most by a Rays pitcher since Victor Zambrano struck out 10 on April 29, 2004, and the highest by a Rays pitcher inside Tropicana Field since Joe Kennedy struck out 10 against the Yankees on May 9, 2002.

Unfortunately for the Rays, the Brewers got to Fossum in the first inning after the left-hander walked the leadoff batter. Brady Clark and Rickie Weeks followed with singles before Lyle Overbay's double drove in both for a 2-0 lead.

In the sixth, Fossum surrendered three consecutive singles to Bill Hall, Damian Miller and Wes Helms to take a 4-0 lead.

"It was one of those games where I got better as the game went along," Fossum said. "I was antsy a little in the first inning, but I settled in and started throwing. My curveball and slider were working great today. They kept chasing that fastball up in the strike zone. It's frustrating not getting any runs. But, you know, I did my best to keep us in there."

Fossum threw 120 pitches, the most by a Rays starter all season.

"I told [Rays manager] Lou [Piniella] that I haven't done that since college," Fossum said.

Fossum's seven-inning, four-run performance was "very acceptable" in Piniella's eyes, but he added: "[We] just didn't have any offense."

Meanwhile, Brewers starter Tomo Ohka did his best to validate the Brewers' belief in him in his first start for his new team. Ohka came to the Brewers on Friday in a trade that sent second baseman Junior Spivey to the Nationals.

"After joining the Brewers, I was thankful for the opportunity to show what I am capable of," Ohka said. "I did not think I could get a complete-game shutout. I don't really care about what I did; the team winning was more important."

Fossum talked about how quickly Ohka worked. "It was a quick inning every time," Fossum said. "It seemed like by the time I sat down and got something to drink, I was already getting ready to get back out there. ... I came in [the clubhouse] and watched [Ohka] on TV the last two innings. He was just painting that fastball on the outside corner."

Piniella cited Ohka's ability to throw strikes and stay ahead in the count against the Rays' hitters for helping him complete the shutout, the third time the Rays have been shut out this season.

"We only had a couple of chances," Piniella said.

The Rays' first opportunity came in the second, when Ohka hit Damon Hollins to lead off the inning; Travis Lee followed with a single. Then Ohka got tough, striking out Jonny Gomes and Toby Hall before retiring Nick Green on a groundout back to the box.

Ohka, who joined the team on Saturday, then put his pitching on cruise control until the eighth, when the Rays loaded the bases with one out. But Hollins hit into a 6-4-3 double play, allowing Ohka to escape the jam.

"Outside of [the two threats], he set us down pretty good," Piniella said. "He threw a lot of strikes, a lot of strikes. He moved the ball around, changed speeds. It was a good pitching performance."

Ohka pitched the ninth, finishing off his first career shutout when he retired Green on a popout to right field to end the game.

"[Ohka] goes about his business real quietly, real professionally," said Brewers manager Ned Yost. "He keeps the hitters off balance."

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/

Cantu enjoying hot streak

ST. PETERSBURG -- Jorge Cantu is all smiles these days, and what hitter wouldn't be while in the midst of a hot streak the likes of the one Cantu is enjoying?
"He's been swinging the bat awfully well," said Rays manager Lou Piniella.

Cantu has hit .408 (29-for-71) in the 19 games since May 22, raising his average from a season-low .262 to .310, his highest since April 23 (.311).

"I'm seeing the ball well," Cantu said. "It's big. I'm just trying to make good contact. ... When you're hitting the ball good, you're seeing the ball well."

Cantu has new music when he steps up to bat at Tropicana that has a Mexican flavor.

"I figured I'd do something to remind me of home," he said. "That's mariachi [music]."

Taking advice: Doug Waechter pitched well in Monday night's win against the Brewers, throwing eight innings and allowing just three runs in earning his third win.

Just over a week ago, Piniella told Waechter that he needed to throw the ball harder. Though "throwing harder" isn't something a pitcher can do on command, Waechter understood what his manager meant and took his advice to heart.

"The reason he said that was because at times I become more of a feel pitcher, which I'm not," Waechter said. "He wants me to let go of the ball, and what he means by that is just throw it and not guide it.

"And a lot of times pitchers can get out there and guide the ball. You might be a little more accurate, but you get hit more, because you're not throwing like usual. That's all [Piniella] was trying to tell me. And every pitcher does that at times, and I was glad he noticed it because it helped me out a lot."

Waechter said the advice has helped him gain some confidence.

"You're throwing it harder and you've got more on it, so, obviously, you have a little more confidence," Waechter said. "When you're guiding the ball, you don't put all your effort behind it. [But] when you're throwing, you just get out there and let it rip. It's a good feeling."

Scott Kazmir / P
Born: 01/24/84
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 170 lbs
Bats: L / Throws: L

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About those beards: Rays starters Waechter, Casey Fossum and Mark Hendrickson continue to let their whiskers grow for a change of pace. When Waechter was asked if he would try to fashion a Johnny Damon-type beard, he laughed. "No, he's got a good beard," Waechter said. "This thing is going to be so spotty it's going to be hideous. But I'm still not shaving it."

Starters Hideo Nomo and Scott Kazmir don't seem to be participating -- though Kazmir's nonparticipation may not be by choice.

"I think [Kazmir] has been trying for about two months, and he still doesn't have a whisker," Waechter said.

About Interleague Play: Piniella says he likes Interleague Play, but he wouldn't mind if the games were tweaked a bit. For starters, he'd like to see American League rules played in National League parks and visa versa. "I think that's a good idea," Piniella said. "Let the fans see what it's like on the other side."

And the Devil Rays manager believes the National League has an advantage in Interleague games.

"The format favors the National League teams," Piniella said, "because their pitchers hit all the time."

A reporter asked Piniella if he wished Interleague Play had existed during his playing career so he could have faced a challenging pitcher he might not otherwise have faced.

Piniella smiled at the question, then answered: "I liked the challenges of facing the No. 4 and 5 starters instead of the No. 1 and 2."

As for the much ballyhooed schedule, which will see one team play an Interleague game against a team winning its division while another team plays a cellar dweller, Piniella has no problem with the status quo.

"With the way they have an unbalanced schedule, it shouldn't matter," Piniella said. "You play the teams in your division, what, 18, 19 times?"

On deck: The Rays wrap up their three-game series with the Brewers on Wednesday in a 7:15 p.m. ET contest at Tropicana Field. Nomo (3-6, 6.69 ERA) will start for the Devil Rays and will be opposed by right-hander Victor Santos (2-5, 2.74). Nomo will be making his fourth attempt to win his 200th career game (Japan and Major League combined).

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/

Baldelli faces Tommy John surgery

ST. PETERSBURG -- Rocco Baldelli has torn the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will have Tommy John surgery next week.
"Obviously, it's disappointing," Baldelli said. "I don't have to say that. That's obvious. But I'm not going to take any time and feel bad for myself. I'm just going to rehab this injury and get better. My leg is healing and has been feeling great. Everything has been working out well with that. That's it. Just a pretty big setback."

The recovery time for a position player to come back from the surgery -- which has evolved light years from when it was first performed on its namesake -- is eight to nine months.

"If everything goes well, he should be ready for Spring Training," said Rays general manager Chuck LaMar.

Baldelli said he injured the elbow June 7.

"I knew I did something to it," Baldelli said. "But when you play every day, you have injuries and you work your way through them even though they hurt. So I played in a couple of extended games, but then I realized it wasn't getting any better and it was really, really bothering me, so I got it checked out."

Baldelli finally got his elbow examined before Tuesday's game.

The initial diagnosis by Dr. Koco Eaton, the team's orthopedic doctor, was a ligament tear. That diagnosis was confirmed in Birmingham on Wednesday by Dr. James Andrews.

"His injury has been a huge blow to the organization all year," LaMar said. "He sort of sets the tone for this organization, he's not a complainer, he's not a whiner, he's a winner. All the fans of Tampa Bay know that and will get to see that in the future. It's a shame for him and for us that he misses the year. But when healthy, he's going to be just an outstanding baseball player. We wish him the best. It's been a tough year for him."

Baldelli had been performing well in his comeback, playing in extended Spring Training games in advance of moving on to Double-A Montgomery. The plan for his return had him spending a brief period in Montgomery before moving on to Triple-A Durham, then taking three days off during the break for the All-Star Game before being activated and joining the Rays as their center fielder July 14.

Baldelli had surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee in Colorado on Nov.5 after injuring his knee playing in the front yard of his family's Rhode Island home.

"It's tough," Baldelli said. "Just going through that ACL rehab, I had, obviously, days when I showed up that I just didn't want to be there. I showed up every day for about seven months. You just get tired of doing the same thing, the same boring stuff every day. I'm sure I'm going to get that again, but you know what? This is my job and this is what I have to do."

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com

Baldelli may need elbow surgery

ST. PETERSBURG -- Rocco Baldelli might need Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
According to the Tampa Tribune, the Devil Rays center fielder, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the offseason, injured his elbow while working out on the field at the Raymond Naimoli complex this week.

Baldelli told the Tribune the injury occurred on a throw while taking infield during a recent extended Spring Training game.

Baldelli had been close to beginning a Minor League rehabilitation assignment. Now he will fly to Birmingham, Ala., on Wednesday, where Rays team physician James Andrews will examine the elbow to determine the extent of the injury.

"He's had a little bit of a setback," Rays manager Lou Piniella said. "We'll let you know [more] in a couple of days."

Baldelli had surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee in Colorado on Nov. 5, 2004, and had been playing regularly in extended Spring Training games. Should Andrews decide surgery is necessary, Baldelli would be out for the season.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/

Nomo notches No. 200

ST. PETERSBURG -- Hideo Nomo took to the mound at Tropicana Field on Wednesday night making his 313th Major League start with the hope of gaining his 200th career win -- combined between Japan and the Major Leagues, of course.
Considering the gifts he once carried to the mound -- nasty splitter with a mid-90 mph fastball -- Nomo must curse the baseball gods when those same pitches now arrive at home plate at speeds ranging anywhere from the mid 70s to mid 80s.

Yet there is something noble about the way a professional like Nomo continues to compete, using guile, wits and a lifetime of baseball wisdom, which explains how this 36-year-old can still retire Major League hitters. He did that on Wednesday night in a 5-3 Rays victory in front of an announced crowd of 8,801.

"You know that [Nomo] has to work hard," said Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella. "To stay where he can compete at the big-league level and win some baseball games. I remember him when he was with the Red Sox and he was basically the same type of pitcher. The only difference was, he had a lot more velocity on the ball, struck out a lot more hitters. [His] split finger was a little harder.

"And now he has to locate more, where before he just overpowered you. But you know, if you want to pitch into the later stages of your career, those are the adjustments you have to make as a Major League pitcher."

Nomo's reward finally came against the Brewers on Wednesday night, when he pitched seven innings, allowing two runs and four hits to claim victory No. 200 -- a huge accomplishment to the Japanese baseball-following public.

Many in the crowd huddled around the home dugout after the game to pay tribute to Nomo when he returned to the field. A large contingent of Japanese media was on hand to chronicle the event.

"I think it will be a real good memory one day," Nomo said. "I got to celebrate with my teammates and the fans. One day I can look back and it will be a real good memory."

Nomo remains an icon in Japan. Since arriving in the Major Leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995, Nomo has cobbled together 122 wins -- which makes up more than one-third of the 343 games (entering the 2005 season) won by Japanese pitchers in the Major Leagues all-time.

With the win, Nomo has reached the milestone to become the 45th member (16th pitcher) of Meikyukai. There are two Hall of Fame equivalents in Japanese baseball. One is the Japanese baseball Hall of Fame; the other is Meikyukai. Hall of Fame members are elected. Membership in the Meikyukai is automatic after a position player reaches 2,000 career hits, or a pitcher reaches 200 career wins. The totals are roughly the equivalent of 3,000 hits or 300 wins in the United States because the Japanese season is shorter.

"Quite an accomplishment," Piniella said. "He's had a great career. And this is a special win. ... We didn't have champagne but we had the beer -- so he got doused with beer and everybody gave him a standing ovation. It was really respectful of a heck of a competitor and a great pitcher."

Nothing comes easy at age 36, and right out of the gate Nomo surrendered a solo home run to leadoff hitter Brady Clark. The Brewers added another in the second to put Nomo in a 2-0 hole.

But Nomo continued to fight, and he got a little help from his teammates -- and Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks.

Kevin Cash homered in the second -- in his first at-bat of the season after being recalled from Triple-A Durham -- to cut the lead to 2-1. Weeks then made the first of his two errors, allowing Nick Green to reach base leading off the fourth. Two batters later, Alex Gonzalez doubled home Green to tie the score. Weeks' error in the fifth allowed the go-ahead run to score and the Rays padded the lead in the seventh with an RBI double by Julio Lugo and a sacrifice fly from Green to make it 5-2.

"It was [Nomo's] game," Piniella said. "I was going to basically let him go as long as he wanted. And when he came out after the seventh, he said he'd had enough and we brought in our bullpen."

Nomo gave way to Franklin Nunez, who pitched an immaculate eighth before Danys Baez took over in the ninth, and despite surrendering a run, picked up his ninth save on the season.

In addition to paying tribute to Nomo after the game, players in the Rays clubhouse seemed to genuinely appreciate the opportunity to be part of Nomo's accomplishment.

"It just shows what a pro he is and what a great career he's had," Cash said. "It was exciting, something that was nice to be a part of."

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/

Brazelton back in focus

ST. PETERSBURG -- After disappearing, going on Major League Baseball's restricted list and returning, Devil Rays right-hander Dewon Brazelton is now getting back to the basics.
"[Brazelton] threw today [at the Raymond Naimoli Complex]," said Rays general manager Chuck LaMar. "He threw 88-91 [mph] if you want to measure him on the gun.

"He threw some good sliders. Some good changeups." Brazelton has kept a low profile since deciding not to report to Triple-A Durham within the required 72-hour period after being optioned May 11, a decision that landed him on the restricted list. Upon his return from being AWOL, Brazelton chose not to give an explanation for his absence.

Brazelton has not pitched in a Major League game since his May 11 start against the White Sox at Tropicana Field. Now he appears to be working in earnest toward getting his career back on track.

"He just hasn't been [on the mound] in a month," LaMar said. "He'll have another sideline outing then we'll probably send him out [to Double-A Montgomery or Durham] next week."

Niemann progress: Jeff Niemann has been in St. Petersburg for several weeks after experiencing shoulder stiffness while pitching for Class A Visalia. LaMar said the Rays' No. 1 selection of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft should be back in action soon.

"He's doing fine," LaMar said. "We gave him an MRI just to make sure, because the prognosis was always good, but we just wanted to make sure his shoulder was absolutely 100 percent.

"I think you'll see him back pitching in a game -- hopefully in the next week or so."

Niemann has an 0-1 record with a 3.98 ERA in five starts with the Oaks.

More promo nights: The following promotions will take place, or begin, on Friday at Tropicana Field:

BEACH PARTY NIGHT, PRESENTED BY 98 ROCK (June 17) -- College students can get a Beach ticket for $3 with a valid college ID. Budweiser will be offering $1 drafts until the end of the 7th inning, also with valid ID.

AUTOGRAPH FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY (June 17, 18, 19) -- Friday and Sunday's autograph sessions will feature four Rays players signing for 10 minutes each day, while the Saturday session features two players signing for 30 minutes. This will continue throughout the season for all Friday, Saturday and Sunday home games.

OUTBACK'S BASEBALL ON THE BRAIN (June 17, 18, 19) -- One lucky fan per day will be selected at random to participate in a baseball-themed trivia contest during each of this weekend's home games. Outback provides a gift certificate to the contestant along with a food item from their concession stand located in the 3rd base food court at Tropicana Field. "Baseball on the Brain" is featured on the Rays' DiamondVision and accompanied by a live PA.

CROWN CASH N MATCH INNING (June 17, 18, 19) -- One fan will be selected at random to take part in the Crown Cash N Match contest. The fan will win cash prizes based on the performance of the first Devil Rays batter in the 6th inning. For an out or a walk, the contestant will take home $100, $250 for a single, $500 for a double, $750 for a triple and a grand prize of $1,000 if the Rays' leadoff hitter smacks a home run. Crown Auto Dealerships will match each prize with a donation to the Bayfront Trauma Center.

KANE'S AUTOGRAPH BASEBALL (June 17) -- Kane's Furniture will set up registration boxes at the Guest Services desks at Gates 1 and 3, where fans can register for the opportunity to win an autographed baseball signed by a Rays player.

THROWBACK NIGHT (June 18) -- The St. Louis Cardinals will be wearing their '82 replica jerseys, while the Rays will don re-creations of the uniform Lou Piniella wore while attending the University of Tampa in 1960. Both teams' jerseys will be auctioned online after the game at devilrays.com, with proceeds benefiting the Rays of Hope Foundation.

On deck: The Rays begin a three-game weekend series against the Cardinals with a 7:15 p.m. ET contest Friday at Tropicana Field. Left-hander Scott Kazmir will start for the Rays and will be opposed by fellow lefty Mark Mulder. The Cardinals are the only team the Rays have never faced in regular-season play.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/

Rays discuss Piniella's future

Lou Piniella's agent, Alan Nero, and Devil Rays senior vice president of baseball operations and general manager Chuck LaMar met Thursday to discuss Piniella's future with the organization.
"This morning I met with Alan Nero, Lou Piniella's representative," said LaMar in a statement released Thursday by the Devil Rays. "As we have on a number of occasions over the last year, we discussed Lou, the organization and our direction for the future.

"It was, as it has been in the past, a constructive session with Alan. I would anticipate we will continue to share this open dialogue in the future."

According to the Tampa Tribune, the meeting was requested by Nero on behalf of Piniella, who indicated he would be receptive to getting bought out by the club for the remaining year-and-a-half of his four-year, $13-million contract.

Despite Piniella expressing his frustration Sunday with what he said was the team's ownership for not providing the necessary backing to field a competitive team, LaMar told reporters earlier in the week that Piniella will be afforded the opportunity to manage the team for as long as he wants.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/

Mailbag: Trade for pitching?

OK, the time has finally arrived... the Devil Rays need to dump Aubrey Huff. ... His potential replacement this season is Jonny Gomes who has one less home run in 200 less at-bats than Aubrey. Plus, Huff is set to make over $8 million next year, and that could go a long way to free up money for a proven pitcher like Jake Peavy or Kip Wells. ...
My plan is to trade Huff for Brett Tomko... he's a very consistent starting pitcher who's in the prime of his career. Tomko has great control, would eat up innings and would be a perfect veteran to teach our new guys Wade Townsend and Jeff Niemann coming in next year. Another idea is to trade Huff and Dewon Brazelton to the Braves for pitchers Chris Reistma and John Thomson. The point is, the Devil Rays desperately need a proven starting pitcher to be locked into the rotation. Even if Tomko doesn't have a dazzling record or ERA, he can be our guy for the next several years. A rotation of Scott Kazmir, Niemann, Tomko, Wells and Townsend will settle this team down dramatically, and our young position players can begin to take games over with their speed. -- A. Needham, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Sounds like a plan, though I'm not exactly sure if it's a workable one. The bottom line is most teams in baseball need pitching and it is hard to come by, whether you are developing your own or trying to trade for or sign free agents. As for Huff, let's give him a little more time. His body of work as a Devil Ray suggests he will come around this season.

When do you think that Joey Gathright is going to be called up? I thought that he was doing pretty well this year. He'd be a good fit for the Rays and would probably be able to start in a year or two. -- George G., St. Catharines, Fla.

With the recent news about Rocco Baldelli being out for the season and the fact that Alex Sanchez -- who is the same type of player as Gathright -- was designated for assignment bodes well for Gathright getting called up at some point. However, the Rays would like to see him play every day, which he would not currently do at the Major League level.

In what order do you think the young prospects we have in the Minors -- Delmon Young, B.J. Upton, Gathwright, Townsend, and Niemann -- will make into the big leagues for good? -- Phillip H., Tampa, Fla.

I would say Gathright, Upton, Niemann, Townsend, and Young.

SourceL http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/

First-round pick Townsend signs with Devil Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect Wade Townsend wanted no part of another long holdout.

The former Rice pitcher signed a minor league contract worth about $1.5 million Friday, just three days after he was selected eighth overall in the baseball draft.

That's less than the $1.85 million Baltimore offered last year, when Townsend also was the eighth pick. However, the 22-year-old right-hander insisted he had no regrets about rejecting the Orioles.

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``I'd much rather be with an organization that likes me as a player,'' Townsend said, adding that he had also hoped to be picked by the Devil Rays in 2004, when Tampa Bay took his former college teammate, Jeff Niemann, fourth overall.

``I'm in a great situation, in an organization that wants to move you along. ... I'm definitely looking forward to getting started.''

Townsend, 25-3 with a 2.05 ERA in three seasons at Rice, hasn't pitched in a game in a year. Still, he was impressive enough during workouts that the Devil Rays didn't hesitate to select him.

Based on predraft discussions, team officials were confident they could strike a quick deal, in part because Townsend is eager to end his long layoff. After helping Rice win the College World Series two years ago, he was 12-0 with a 1.80 ERA as a senior for the Owls.

The right-hander, one of three Rice pitchers taken among the top eight picks in last year's draft, will begin working out with the Devil Rays' extended spring players this weekend.

Once he's in shape, and the Devil Rays feel he's ready to throw in a real game, he'll be assigned to one of the club's minor league affiliates.

``There are no predetermined expectations,'' of what he might be able to accomplish the remainder of this summer, Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar said.

Asked to describe what the past year has been like, Townsend said: ``Unbearable. Boring. It was tough to watch baseball, knowing I wanted to be out there.''

The pitcher said his focus now is to build arm strength and regain his competitive edge.

``You can throw in a bullpen ... and work on different things,'' he said. ``But there's no substitute for throwing in games.''

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/

The nightmare season keeps getting scarier

PITTSBURGH - It's obvious how bad things are right now for the Devil Rays.

Saturday's 18-2 bashing by the Pirates was the latest in their litany of embarrassing defeats, a sorry stretch in which they've lost seven straight, 10 of 11 on the roadtrip that mercifully ends today, and 12 of their past 13.

But with key players struggling and hurt, no indication the front office will make any upgrades and a challenging portion of their schedule looming, they have to face the very real - and somewhat discouraging - possibility that things actually could get worse.

"I've never seen anything stink like this," said rightfielder Aubrey Huff, who has been a Ray longer than any of the others. "This is bad. You can keep saying, "Keep your head up, keep your head up, good things will happen.' But good things never seem to happen around here."

It's hard for much good to happen as badly as they've played.

They're on the verge, at 20-42, of dropping past Kansas City for the worst record in the majors.

They're on pace for 110 losses, which would be the most in the history of a franchise that is steeped in losing tradition.

They've matched the worst road start in modern history at 4-28, something done only by the 1982 Twins, 1916 Athletics and 1904 Senators.

Specifics?

They have the highest team ERA in the majors (5.94), have allowed the most runs (393, an average of 6.3 a game) and issued the most walks in the AL (260). Plus, they've made the most errors in the majors (56, after making three Saturday), have the worst fielding percentage (.974) and have allowed the most unearned runs (40, after giving up six more).

Could it get worse?

"It's already spiralled out of control," Huff said. "Are you kidding me? We've won four games on the road. We get beat in every which way possible. How could it get any worse? Oh man, I'll tell ya, if this happens like this the rest of the year, I don't know how much more guys can take. It's mentally frustrating. Tough to come to the ballpark when you're playing like this. Zero fun right now."

Saturday was their worst loss of the season. Scott Kazmir, who had looked so good over his previous four outings, wasn't sharp from the start, putting the first four on. Overall, the pitchers, fresh off a Friday staff meeting, allowed a season-high-matching 20 hits. The fielders made three errors and botched a half-dozen other plays. The batters managed only seven hits and struck out 10 times.

"We're big leaguers, and we've got to act like it," said Eduardo Perez, a veteran of 12 major-league seasons. "We've just got to go out there and battle and keep playing. You start putting your head down, you're going to get your a-- kicked, and that's the bottom line."

Manager Lou Piniella has kept relatively calm, but that too may end in a matter of time. His frustration is mounting, particularly with the shoddy defense and poor pitching.

Since Piniella said Thursday afternoon they'd hit rock bottom, the Rays have lost three games by a combined score of 39-9.

Is there anything that can be done?

"Where do we make changes?" Piniella said. "I don't know. Where do we make them? The only people that can get this thing stopped are the players."

Source: http://www.sptimes.com/

Pittsburgh 18, Tampa Bay 2

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates know all about bad baseball, having gone through 12 consecutive losing seasons. Even they haven't seen anything like the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Jose Castillo homered and drove in five runs to support Oliver Perez's seven effective innings, and the Pirates reached .500 after June 1 for the first time since 1999 by beating the Devil Rays 18-2 Saturday night.

``But we're not satisfied with being .500,'' Humberto Cota said. ``We want to be above .500 and compete with the big teams.''

Pittsburgh, winning a season-high fourth in a row, opened a 3-0 lead in the first against Scott Kazmir to back Perez's fourth consecutive victory. Perez (5-4) struck out 10 and retired 13 in a row at one point while limiting Tampa Bay to five hits and one run over seven innings.

The Pirates won their ninth in 12 games on a homestand that wraps up Sunday and are 30-30 -- the latest in a season they've been at .500 since September 1999. They are 22-14 since being 8-16 on May 2.

By comparison, Tampa Bay's awful season keeps getting worse, if that's possible. The Devil Rays are on pace to lose 110 games, and are 1-10 on their current road trip with seven consecutive losses.

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``I've never seen anything that stinks like this,'' Aubrey Huff said. ``This is bad. We keep saying 'keep your head up, keep your head up, and good things will happen.' But good things never seen to happen around here.''

Not even having Kazmir (2-5) on the mound -- he's been their most reliable starter -- prevented the Devil Rays' latest blowout loss. They allowed 10 or more runs for a remarkable sixth time in 11 games and have been outscored 25-4 in the first two games of the interleague series. They have given up 71 runs in seven games and an ERA-inflating 50 runs in their last four.

``Where do we make changes?'' manager Lou Piniella said about possible lineup alterations. ``The only people who can get this thing stopped is the players.''

The Devil Rays' 4-28 road record is one of the majors' five worst to this point of a season since 1900, and they are 0-8 against the NL after going 15-3 a season ago, the best interleague record in the majors.

Asked if he feared the season is spiraling out of control, Huff said, ``It already has spiraled out of control. We've won four games on the road. We get beat in every which way possible. How could it get any worse? If it happens like this the rest of the year, I don't know how much more guys can take.''

For the Pirates, getting to .500 is a small step on what they hope is the path back to respectability for a franchise that hasn't had a winning season since Barry Bonds was its left fielder.

``That isn't our goal,'' manager Lloyd McClendon said. ``Our goal is to get better. I don't know the significance of it in June.''


AP - Jun 11, 10:17 pm EDT
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Castillo made a slight adjustment in his stance after going 0-for-18, then had a run-scoring single after the first four Pirates reached base in a three-run first. He added a three-run homer, his third, in a six-run fifth inning.

Kazmir had won his last two starts and had given up two or fewer earned runs in three of his last four starts, but allowed eight hits and nine runs in 4 1-3 innings to jump his ERA from 3.86 to 4.70.

Daryle Ward drove in four runs, and rookie Ryan Doumit reached base five times, had three hits, scored three times and had his first three career RBIs in his second major league start.

Perez was 1-4 with an 8.03 ERA after an 8-4 loss to Arizona on May 6, and has since lowered his ERA to 5.88. But his enthusiasm in doing so is angering some opposing hitters.

Eduardo Perez, unhappy with what he felt were the left-hander's showboat antics, stepped out of the box and signaled his disapproval in the fourth, then struck out.

``If a guy starts clowning around out there, I'm going to let him know about it,'' he said.

Notes

The Pirates have won their last five home series. ... Pittsburgh hadn't won four in a row since Aug. 14-17. ... Oliver Perez didn't allow a homer or an extra-base hit after giving up 16 homers in his first 11 starts. ... The Pirates hadn't been .500 since they were 23-23 last season. Their 20 hits and 18 runs were a season high. They hadn't scored as many as 18 since a 19-2 win over the Mets on Sept. 26, 1992. ... Tampa Bay allowed 19 runs in a 19-8 loss to the Yankees on April 18.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/

Rays opt for new look

PITTSBURGH -- Looking to change their fortunes, Rays starters have begun to sport facial hair.
Sunday's starter, Mark Hendrickson, has the stubble from several days' growth and he said of his hirsute appearance: "I'm just going to go with it."

Handicapping the rest of the starting rotation, Hendrickson noted that baby-faced Scott Kazmir was folically challenged in the facial hair department, Hideo Nomo could get something going and Casey Fossum could have a full beard by Sunday. As for Doug Waechter?

"He's got that fluff thing going," Hendrickson said.

Waechter had another view of his scruffy appearance.

"I'm going with the bad hygiene look," Waechter said.

While they're not exactly the House of David -- the fabled all-bearded team -- the Rays' starters are hoping the new look will bring a different karma with it.

The streak quietly passes: Billy Hatcher slipped out of Seattle and found his way home to see his son Derek graduate from Tampa's Berkley Prep on Monday.

Well, the Rays' first base coach might not be Cal Ripken when it comes to having a streak, but until he missed Sunday's game, Hatcher had been in uniform for every Rays game in the team's history, for a total of 1,886 games.

Hatcher missed only Sunday's game against Seattle and rejoined the team in Cincinnati to begin a new streak on Tuesday.

Good and bad: Mired in a terrific slump, the Rays have accomplished some good things to date and some not-so-good things. Here's a look:

The good:

• With a .278 team batting average, the Rays are tied with the Red Sox for the second-best average in the Major Leagues behind the Orioles (.286).

• The team is hitting .306 with runners in scoring position, tied with the Twins for best in the Major Leagues.

• The Rays own 59 stolen bases, second most in the Majors behind the White Sox (64).

• Rays pinch-hitters are batting .333 (15-45), third in the Majors behind the Mets (.347) and Blue Jays (.333); they also have two pinch-hit home runs (Eduardo Perez, Jonny Gomes). The White Sox also have two.

The bad:
• The team ranks 30th in ERA at 5.82.

• Rays starters have registered just 16 quality starts in 61 games, fewest in the Majors.

• Only the Yankees have allowed more unearned runs in the Major Leagues with 40; the Rays have allowed 34.

• Only the Rockies have issued more walks (270) than the Rays' 256.

• The team ranks last in the Majors in fielding (.975) while committing 53 errors, most in the Majors.

This and that: Danys Baez played catch on Saturday and plans to do a bullpen session on Sunday in advance of being ready to pitch again Monday. The Rays' closer said a flaw in his mechanics put undue stress on the biceps in his right arm, thereby causing a problem. ... The Rays' 20-41 (.328) record is their worst under Lou Piniella after 61 games; only Kansas City at 19-41 (.317) has a worse record currently in the Major Leagues. The Rays have had fewer victories only one other year in team history after 61 games (18 in 2001). ... The Rays signed No. 5 pick, third baseman Michael McCormick (Marist H.S., OR); No. 6 pick, right-hander Gregory Reinhard (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater); No. 11 pick, right-hander Jeffrey Kamrath (University of Virginia); and No. 13 pick, left-hander Ryan Morse (S.W. Minnesota State University).

On deck: The Rays will complete their 12-game road trip with a 1:35 p.m. ET contest on Sunday against the Pirates at PNC Park. Left-hander Mark Hendrickson (2-3, 6.05) will start for the Devil Rays and will be opposed by right-hander Josh Fogg. Hendrickson is looking for his first win on the road since July 6, when he won at Baltimore. He is 0-7 in 11 road starts since.

Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Source: http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/