Location's everything for Piniella's pitchers

© St. Petersburg Times
published March 1, 2003

ST. PETERSBURG -- If it starts to sound repetitive, so be it. But if Devil Rays pitchers keep throwing strikes, manager Lou Piniella is going to keep praising them for it.

The Rays beat Eckerd College 11-0 on a soggy Friday, but the coaches seemed more pleased with the lack of walks -- three total; two by long shot Wayne Gomes -- than the 14 hits, three home runs, or anything else.

"Outside of Gomes, all of our pitchers threw strikes, and that's something that I like," Piniella said. "I'll say that a lot during the spring."

Nine pitchers held the Division II Tritons to three hits, with relievers Travis Phelps and Jesus Colome standing out.

"They're throwing the ball over the plate, and that's something (pitching coach) Chris Bosio has been preaching all spring," Piniella said. "So far, in the intrasquad game and (Friday), we've done a pretty good job of it. Let's hope that continues."

The game was scoreless into the fourth and 2-0 through five innings before the Rays started hitting Eckerd hard. Three veterans competing for backup jobs -- third baseman Chris Truby and outfielders Ryan Thompson and Chad Mottola -- homered in a span of 12 at-bats.

For Thompson, it was a breakthrough after having two long drives knocked down by the wind in Thursday's intrasquad game.

"I can't afford to make a small impression," Thompson said. "Everything I do has to be done on a big scale."

FOR STARTERS: The Rays had their outfield of the future together in a game for the first time, starting Carl Crawford in left, Rocco Baldelli in center and Josh Hamilton in right.

"Obviously all three are very talented and in spring training we'll give them a real good look and see as to how far they're along," Piniella said.

"You really don't see three kids coming along that are pretty close in their stage of development and age-wise. It's a little bit of a rarity."

Friday, they didn't put on much of a show, going a combined 1-for-8, a broken-bat double by Hamilton. Baldelli and Crawford are in the lineup again today, and all three are scheduled to start again Sunday against the Yankees in Tampa.

OLD COLLEGE TRY: Eckerd coach Bill Mathews, who was up at 3 a.m. watching the Weather Channel, said the day was rewarding for his Tritons. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, something these guys will tell their grandkids about," Mathews said. "And we competed so well for 4 1/2 innings, that can have a real impact for us." ... Roy Silver, a former Eckerd player and Rays minor-league manager, was the Tritons' honorary captain.

BRAZELTON BETTER: Pitcher Dewon Brazelton, who tweaked his right knee in a sliding drill Wednesday, threw in the bullpen before the game with no problems.

"He threw, I talked to him and he's fine," Piniella said. "He's still getting a little treatment but I don't think it's going to hinder when we can get him on the mound and when he can get out there pitching. That's the best news of all."

Brazelton hoped to make a scheduled appearance on Monday, but Piniella said the team probably will have him throw again in the bullpen then get him in a game in midweek.

"I felt comfortable," Brazelton said. "I'm not going to rush back. Whatever they say is fine."

STANDING TALL: Jason Standridge didn't get much of an opportunity in the big leagues last season, making one mid-season relief appearance. That makes him even more excited about his chances to make the rotation this spring, beginning with the start in today's Grapefruit League opener against Toronto.

"It's a great opportunity for me and I'm really excited about it," Standridge said. "I expect to get looked at and I'm confident I can get the job done. This camp is exciting for me."

Standridge said the lack of opportunity last season stemmed from a lack of communication over how much to throw his breaking ball. "All they had to do was tell me what they wanted and I'd do it," he said. "There's better communication now."

MEET THE RAYS: With most regulars in the lineup today, Piniella will take a look at what might be his preferred outfield alignment with Crawford in rightfield and Ben Grieve in left.

Also scheduled to play are SS Rey Ordonez, DH Aubrey Huff, 1b Travis Lee, C Toby Hall, 3b Jared Sandberg and 2b Brent Abernathy.

MISCELLANY: Felix Escalona agreed to terms on a one-year deal, leaving nine players unsigned with the team planning to renew contracts on Sunday. ... The Rays are 6-0 against college teams with four shutouts. ... After finding out the Huggins-Stengel complex was unavailable on weekends, the Rays made plans to bus players crosstown to the minor-league complex for extra work.