Chaotic play ends in protest

ST. PETERSBURG - All it takes is one incorrect call by an umpire and confusion reigns.

There was so much disorder after an inaccurate call in the first inning Tuesday that the Devil Rays played the game under protest. But not until the umpires had two huddles, listened to arguments from both managers, reversed the call, amended the ultimate call and delayed the game 10 minutes.

The chaos started when the Rays had runners on first and second with one out. Marlon Anderson hit a blooper to shallow center. Boston centerfielder Johnny Damon made a diving stab and first-base umpire Mike Fichter ruled that he caught it.

Damon then threw to second to double off Travis Lee, who was standing on third, and the inning appeared to be over. But the Rays argued the catch, and after a brief huddle second-base umpire Andy Fletcher indicated the ball was not caught. (Television replays showed the ball was trapped.) The umpires called the Red Sox back on the field and the Rays had the bases loaded with one out.

The Red Sox, though, argued that Damian Rolls, who originally was on first base, should be out at second on a force because Damon's throw to second beat him to the bag. Rolls had retreated to first after Damon's dive.

The umpires agreed and Rolls was called out. Rolls said he only went back to first because he saw Fichter's out call on the catch.

Rays manager Lou Piniella said, "My complaint was, "We'll give you the force if you give us the run.' (Lee) was already on third and would've scored."

Piniella's beef was Lee stopped at third only because the umpires ruled a catch. Otherwise he would have kept running. He thought either Rolls should be allowed to stay on second or Lee should have been awarded home.

The umpires, though, stood by the call - the ball was not caught and Rolls was out at second for the second out of the inning - and that's when Piniella protested the game.

"It was a matter of getting the play right ... it seemed like the best way to handle it at the time," crew chief Joe Brinkman said.

ONE MORE TIME: Pitcher Joe Kennedy, out the past month with left shoulder inflammation, might not start Saturday as planned.

Piniella said Kennedy might pitch once more in the minors before being inserted back into the Rays rotation. This news comes after Kennedy struggled in a rehabilitation stint at Double-A Orlando on Sunday. He gave up three runs and six hits in 31/3 innings.

"He threw mostly fastballs," Piniella said. "His breaking ball wasn't very good, and neither was his changeup. Remember, he has been off the field for nearly a month."

Piniella hinted Kennedy might be better off pitching once more in Orlando or at least pitching a simulated game on the side.

"The decision hasn't been entirely made," Piniella said.

LONG AND SHORT OF IT: Shortstop Rey Ordonez had successful surgery Monday in Miami to repair a torn left knee ligament but still will miss the rest of the season and perhaps next spring training. The surgery reminded Piniella of the blow to the Rays.

"He was basically our big acquisition over the winter," Piniella said. "He was not only solidifying our infield, but at the same time he was hitting the ball. It's a big loss for us.

"There are a lot of guys who are really good shortstops, but when you're talking about the top five or six, he's right in that mix."