Tempers start rising with the loss count

RED SOX 2, RAYS 0: Ten-game losing streak is one off a team record.

[Times photo: Michael Rondou] Jason Tyner appeals to first base umpire Gerry Davis after getting picked off by Frank Castillo in the first inning. Tyner had reached on a one-out single to centerfield.

By KEVIN KELLY, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 6, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- Brent Abernathy stood defiantly at his position, arms by his side and statue-still.

A few steps away lay the bat that "slipped" out of Trot Nixon's hands and arced past the pitching mound before coming to rest near the Rays infielder during the second inning of Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

"There was definitely some crazy stuff that happened today," Abernathy said. "Some things I had never seen before and some things that I think were a little uncalled for."

Sundry storylines emerged from the Rays' 2-0 loss in front of 15,920 fans at Tropicana Field: the 10th consecutive loss for Tampa Bay despite a quality outing by starter Ryan Rupe, the ongoing struggles of the bullpen and former closer Esteban Yan, and stifling pitching by the Red Sox's staff.

The most entertaining, however, was the tense undercurrent between the teams that emerged in the first inning and didn't cease until home plate umpire Dan Iassogna warned both benches in the fourth.

"I know those guys over there have the passion to win," Nixon said. "No matter what your record is, you come out there and try to win the ballgame."

Though the scoreboard didn't reflect it, one final score was tied -- two Red Sox batters hit by pitches, one Rays batter hit by a pitch and one bat flung in the direction of Rupe.

"We weren't going to be pushed around," Nixon said. "I can tell you that much."

With one game remaining in a four-game series against the Red Sox, who have the best record in the majors and could sweep with a victory today, the last-place Rays are one loss from the longest losing streak in club history.

"They know what they have to do," manager Hal McRae said. "We're not driving for a championship. We're trying to get better."

Tampa Bay lost 11 in a row from June 30-July 3 in 1998.

"We've got a lot of frustration going in this clubhouse right now," Abernathy said. "That intensity just escalates more and more each day."

It's at a head now.

Though many of the names and faces have changed, the back-and-forth between the clubs is not new.

It was born in the final two months of the 2000 season when two bench-clearing skirmishes took place after Pedro Martinez plunked Gerald Williams on the hand Aug. 29 at Tropicana Field.

It ended a month later when former Rays closer Roberto Hernandez struck out Nixon to end a game that eliminated the Red Sox from playoff contention, waving goodbye on his way off the field.

"They're going home," Hernandez said at the time. "They don't have to worry about any playoffs now. ... Goodbye."

Sunday's continuation began when Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra took a fastball in the back in the first inning. Two batters later, Shea Hillenbrand, who won Saturday's game with a pinch-hit, grand slam in the ninth, also was hit.

Rupe, who allowed one run in seven innings while tying a career-high with nine strikeouts, retired the next batter to end the inning. The sight of Nixon's bat flying up the middle startled him the next inning though.

"My bat slipped out of my hands," Nixon said with a smirk.

All remained quiet until the fourth inning when Rays outfielder Randy Winn was hit on the hip by Boston starter Frank Castillo.

Iassogna warned both teams.

"We're not the ones that have lost nine or 10 games in a row," Boston catcher Jason Varitek said. "If they want to try to light a fire that way, we're set to protect our hitters."

Rupe, who retired 13 in a row at one point, was pulled after allowing a double with one out in the eighth. After a sacrifice bunt and walk off reliever Steve Kent, Jose Offerman hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Nixon from third.

Garciaparra added a homer off Yan in the ninth to make it 2-0.

"We've had a chance to win," Abernathy said. "I don't think you can come to the park thinking, 'Oh we're going to lose today.' I'm coming to the field expecting to win. I'm coming to the field expecting our pitchers to keep us in the game and come into the field expecting us as hitters to score them some runs.

"If you don't, you're beaten before you show up."

Today's lineup

Rays