Up next for the Rays

© St. Petersburg Times
published May 28, 2002

SCOUTING REPORT: Not much has changed since the Rays won two of three in Seattle last week.

The Mariners took two of three over the weekend from Baltimore, and their pitching continues to be impressive. Seattle hurlers have a 2.04 ERA over their past nine games, and the bullpen hasn't allowed a run during that stretch.

The Mariners used the off day to their advantage, moving ace Freddy Garcia up to pitch Wednesday and pushing veteran James Baldwin back to Saturday.

The one new face is outfielder Chris Snelling, a native Australian who was promoted to allow manager Lou Piniella to rest some of the veterans. The Mariners scrapped plans to activate veteran DH Edgar Martinez this week.

The Mariners rank in the top five in the league in almost every offensive category and are tops in on-base percentage, which isn't a good combination against a Rays pitching staff that puts men on base way too often.

TAMPA BAY CONNECTIONS: Piniella is a Tampa native and legend. ... Rays relievers Jorge Sosa and Steve Kent were Rule 5 draft picks from the Seattle farm system. ... Rays 3B Jared Sandberg grew up in the Seattle area. ... Ex-Rays reliever Norm Charlton is on Seattle's disabled list.

ALL-TIME SERIES: The Mariners lead 31-16, including a 15-6 record at the Trop that is the Rays' worst home record against any American League opponent. The M's have won 11 of the past 14 games at the Trop.

WHO'S HOT: OF Ichiro Suzuki went 10-for-24 on Seattle's six-game homestand, which is hot for most players, about normal for him.

WHO'S NOT: OF Mike Cameron, who hit four homers in a May 2 game, went 2-for-17 with 1 RBI on the homestand.