Rays endure wild swings of youth

ST. PETERSBURG - In one start a Devil Rays pitcher pitches well. In the next he has trouble getting outs. Sometimes the cycle runs from inning to inning or even batter to batter.

Such is the nature of a young pitching staff.

The latest example is Rays ace Joe Kennedy. He pitched a one-hitter May 2 in Detroit, then was pounded for 10 runs on 13 hits in four innings Wednesday.

All manager Lou Piniella can do is watch and hope the young staff at least is getting some experience.

"What you would like more than anything else is more consistency," Piniella said. "You don't necessarily want them (way up or way down) but more even. Now that's what you're shooting for ... whether you're a regular or a youngster."

In more established organizations, pitchers can learn in the minors.

"But we're learning here," Piniella said. "For us, we got to give these kids a chance to ... learn how to pitch through it. And get that second wind."

That's part of the reason Piniella often lets a starter stay in a game even though he appears to be hanging on by his fingernails.

"It's easy to talk about, but sometimes it's a little hard to watch," Piniella said. "I'm sure the pitchers out there don't want to get lit up either. But we're trying to help them get the experience of learning how to pitch."

PARQUE IS IN: Left-hander Jim Parque gets his second start of the season tonight. Parque was knocked around in his first start back on April 1, the Rays' third game. He gave up 10 runs on 13 hits in 62/3 innings in a loss to the Red Sox. The next day, Parque was put on the disabled list with tendinitis in his left shoulder.

He made three rehabilitation starts for Triple-A Durham, going 0-0 with a 1.42 ERA in 19 innings.

PARRIS IS OUT: To make room for Parque, the Rays likely will put starting pitcher Steve Parris on the disabled list because of a sore shoulder.

Parris is 0-3 in seven starts with 6.25 ERA.

EASY DOES IT: Third baseman Damion Easley was back in the lineup after being out most of the past two weeks with a bruised right knee sustained in a collision April 23. Easley made six pinch-hitting appearances and one start since after starting 16 of the Rays' first 18 games.

While Easley was out, Chris Truby filled in well, at least well enough to continue playing now and then.

"Defensively at third base, (Truby) has been excellent," Piniella said. "We'll play them both."

DE-FENSE: Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin attended Thursday's game and got a good look at some great defense by Rey Ordonez. The shortstop made several outstanding plays, including a diving, over-the-head catch in short leftfield. Ordonez, though, re-aggravated a sore left knee and said he might not be able to play tonight.

"It's not good if I'm not 100 percent," Ordonez said. "I want to play, I want to help the team win. (But) sometimes it's better to put the guys who are 100 percent on the field."

GIVE ME A SIGN: Kennedy made a comment after Wednesday's game that suggested he and catcher Toby Hall weren't on the same page on pitch selection in the Rays' 11-6 loss. Ultimately, though, it's the pitcher's responsibility as to what pitch he throws, according to Piniella.

"Until the pitcher nods," Piniella said, "the ball can't be thrown."

Kennedy said Thursday that he agrees and that the "bad pitch selection" was his fault.

"I can always shake him off," Kennedy said. "He makes suggestions, but it's my decision, my responsibility."

MISCELLANY: Leftfielder Carl Crawford was a last-minute scratch from the lineup because of a stomach virus. ... Kyle Lohse's complete-game victory was the first by a Rays opponent at Tropicana Field since Boston's Pedro Martinez pitched a one-hitter Aug. 29, 2000.