Troublesome A's on deck again soon

© St. Petersburg Times
published May 27, 2002

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The bad news for the Rays was that they were swept Sunday in a three-game series by the A's.

The worse news is that they play them four more times, beginning Thursday.

The Rays have lost seven in a row to the A's and 15 of the past 17, being outscored 137-46. Overall, the Rays are 11-31 against the A's, their worst record against an AL opponent. The Rays also have lost eight in a row at Network Associates Coliseum, and twice in three seasons have been shut out in back-to-back games there.

Why is Oakland so dominant?

The Rays -- what else? -- were at a loss to explain.

"No excuses," manager Hal McRae said. "I don't see any matchup problems. They just beat us."

At least when they play the Rays, the A's seem to get quality pitching performances and clutch hitting.

"They have good pitchers and their guys always seem to be on when we face them, and their hitters are on when we face them too," first baseman Steve Cox said. "Those two things don't add up in our favor."

SAY UNCLE: Jared Sandberg had a special guest in the stands Sunday. His uncle, former Cubs star Ryne Sandberg, came to see him play as a major-leaguer for the first time.

Jared Sandberg didn't do much, however, going 0-for-2 to drop his average to .095.

"It means a lot," he said. "It's just too bad he had to see me right now. In the minor leagues when he came to see me play I put on a show two of the three times."

Ryne Sandberg was in the bay area for his stepson's graduation from St. Mary's College.

THE JOE SHOW: When Joe Kennedy pitched a shutout against the Mariners on Tuesday, he did so with excellent velocity and command of his fastball.

Kennedy, who turned 23 in between starts, didn't have either Sunday, which made for a short day and another lesson.

"I thought I pitched all right with what I woke up with this morning," Kennedy said. "I battled through and pitched well with what I had out there."

One difference: Kennedy pitched in Seattle with five days' rest but in Oakland with four.

Sunday was the third time in 30 career starts Kennedy has allowed as many as six runs.

ROAD WARRIORS: The Rays finished what probably was their most difficult road trip in terms of competition and distance with a 5-7 record.

"A decent trip," McRae said. "But not a good series here."

In the 12 games, the Rays hit .201, scored 40 runs and pitched to a 5.97 ERA. They had a 2.40 ERA in the five wins, 8.84 in the seven losses.

ALVAREZ ON TRACK: Wilson Alvarez threw well during his 77-pitch five-inning rehab outing for Double-A Orlando on Saturday and likely will be activated and start Friday.

If so, Travis Harper will be moved back to the long-relief role. The Rays also will have to make a roster move to accommodate Alvarez's return.

VICTOR, VICTOR: Reliever Victor Zambrano continues to struggle, giving up his third homer of the series on Sunday.

In his past nine appearances, Zambrano has allowed 16 hits, 13 earned runs, 8 walks and 5 home runs in 14 innings. His ERA has risen from 3.55 to 5.65.

"Bad things are happening at the plate," McRae said.

READY TO ROLL: McRae said both Ben Grieve and Jason Tyner, who had the weekend off because of nagging injuries, are expected to play Tuesday.

Grieve, who has been out since Tuesday, doesn't want to miss more time because of the bruise on his left thumb: "I'm just going to keep my thumb covered so no one can see it and when they ask if it's okay I'm going say, 'Yes.' "

MISCELLANY: Five of Greg Vaughn's past six hits have been home runs. ... McRae woke at 2 a.m. Sunday, started fidgeting with lineups, and decided to give Brent Abernathy the day off and play Felix Escalona at second. ... The A's plan to activate ex-Ray Cory Lidle to pitch Friday, but will also have rookie Aaron Harang, who baffled the Rays on Saturday, as an option.