Rays get better across the board

There is a reason the Devil Rays already have won more than twice as many games in July (11) as they did in June (a franchise-low five).

Actually, there are several.

Manager Lou Piniella said the improved record - 11-12 with three July games remaining starting tonight in Toronto - is the result of overall improvement.

They've done better in close games, winning six one-run games after going 0-9 in June; they've hit better, .284 since the All-Star break, fourth in the league; they've had a more stable rotation, using the same five starters; they've established defined roles for the relievers, allowing for more favorable matchups; and they've fielded better, moving up to ninth in the league.

"It's been a combination of things," Piniella said.

If the Rays can win at least two of three in Toronto, they can make July their first non-losing month since going 14-13 in September-October 2001.

That would be a good thing, though it's really not good enough.

"What's not good is that if we have a .500 month, we feel it's good," Piniella said. "And that's not so good.

"I think for this year we'd be satisfied with that, but in the future, that's not acceptable."

ANDERSON OUT: Second baseman Marlon Anderson's suspension starts tonight and will be for the original three games.

MLB president Bob DuPuy declined to reduce the punishment after hearing Anderson's appeal. Anderson had expected it to be cut to one or two games.

The discipline stemmed from Anderson's role in starting a June 14 brawl with the Pirates. Pittsburgh's Jason Kendall's appeal of his three-game suspension also was denied.

Anderson is hitting .258 with four homers and 45 RBIs, third on the team. Antonio Perez is likely to replace him at second.

SEEING RED: Now that Jim Bowden has been fired by the Reds, expect a fresh wave of rumors about him being headed to Tampa Bay.

Bowden is a master at the publicity game, and the fact that he and Piniella are tight from their days in Cincinnati, and that he went to Rollins College, all will feed the rumor mill.

Rays general manager Chuck LaMar, however, is signed through the 2004 season and managing general partner Vince Naimoli has said LaMar will finish his contract.

ADIOS, MY FRIEND?: Jeremi Gonzalez, a pitcher of interest to several teams, could be making his last Rays start tonight.

Gonzalez, who made it back to the majors in May after a five-year injury journey, has been scouted heavily recently and, with the nonwaiver trading deadline two days away, could make a further impression with a strong performance. St. Louis is believed to be among the teams interested, and Cincinnati may have been.

Like anyone, Gonzalez would find the move from last place to a pennant race exciting. "I've been thinking about it a little bit," he said. "But whatever happens happens. I don't have the power to say yes or no."

But he said he also would enjoy staying with the Rays as they gave him the chance to get back to the big leagues after three major surgeries (two elbow, one knee).

"I love it here," he said. "I feel like I have family here. ... I love the coaching staff and I love the manager.

"I'd love to stay here."

LaMar said he continued trade talks with several teams about several players Monday but didn't know if there would be a deal by Thursday.

10-YEAR MAN: It was a big deal for utilityman Terry Shumpert to make it to the 10-year big-league service milestone.

And not just for tangible benefits, like the pension plan, but for what it means to a 36-year-old who has bounced between Triple A and the majors for much of his 17 pro seasons.

"I never played every day," Shumpert said. "I've seen some unbelievable guys come through this league, guys that are really, really good, and I'm the one still playing."

Shumpert wants to play until he turns 40.

MISCELLANY: Rocco Baldelli's 124 hits match New York's Hideki Matsui for most by a rookie. ... Assistant general manager Bart Braun was named to the Olympic team-selection committee.