ST. PETERSBURG - Jason Tyner was disappointed to be sent down last month after hitting .290 in limited duty over 31 games. But now that he's back, recalled Monday from Triple A, he figures he just has to do better this time.
"I understand why they did it," Tyner said. "I've always been one of those guys that if I'm not doing well I don't expect to be here. I'm not one of those guys who thinks the team owes me anything. It's an honor to be a big-league baseball player. You have to earn it and keep earning it.
"And in my case I've got to really earn it. It makes it rewarding, though. Go back down, keep playing hard and things work out. That's always been my philosophy. It's good to be back. Now I've got to earn staying."
Tyner went 1-for-4 playing rightfield Monday and will get opportunities throughout the outfield.
"We know Jason," manager Lou Piniella said. "It's just a question of getting some playing time and making the most of it."
Tyner had been doing well at Durham, with three three-hit games and a four-hit game this month as part of a 19-game hitting streak. Overall he hit .332 in 60 games at Durham.
Tyner replaced Jeff Liefer, who was outrighted to Durham after an unimpressive 2-for-13 performance after being promoted July 29.
"In his defense, he didn't get all that many at-bats," Piniella said. "But he did struggle."
Liefer, claimed off waivers from Montreal in June, has three days to accept the assignment or become a free agent.
YOUNG CLOSE: A deal with top draft pick Delmon Young appeared to be close Monday night as player development/scouting director Cam Bonifay was in California having extended discussions with Arn Tellem, Young's agent.
The Rays have offered Young a five-year package that includes a major-league contract and is worth in excess of the $4.8-million deal that No. 2 pick Rickie Weeks got last week from Milwaukee.
Young is one of three first-round picks who haven't signed, and the Rays would like to get him on the field and working out with one of the minor-league teams soon. The power-hitting outfielder, 18, then would report to the instructional league in mid September and possibly go to the Arizona Fall League.
SOSA TO PEN: Jorge Sosa won't have to worry about pitching in the first inning anymore.
Sosa, who allowed 18 runs in the first innings of his 13 starts, was dropped from the rotation and moved to the bullpen.
"The first inning has been a problem," Piniella said. "I don't have an answer for it. If I did, I'd have already made a suggestion. We've tried a few things. It's probably inexperience more than anything else. He hasn't been pitching that long."
Rookie right-hander Chad Gaudin, at 20 the youngest pitcher in the majors, is expected to take Sosa's place at Cleveland on Saturday. Rookie lefty Jon Switzer is a possibility.
TOP GUN: Toby Hall has thrown out 21 of 54 attempted base stealers, a .389 percentage that is second in the AL behind Anaheim's Bengie Molina.
RUNNING MAN: Julio Lugo was pretty intent on scoring from first base on Jared Sandberg's ninth-inning double no matter what third-base coach Ton Foley thought. "I was going to get a ticket," Lugo said. "I was going to run through the stop sign."
MISCELLANY: The Rays are 25-25 against AL East teams; they were 25-50 last season. ... Travis Harper earned the win with two strong innings of relief. ... Al Martin has been slowed by a sore toe. ... The Rays have nine walkoff wins, matching their 2002 total. They had a record 11 in 2000. ... Monday's game was the first of 13 straight against the Orioles and Indians. ... Piniella on Sunday moved past Miller Huggins into 23rd place on the all-time games managed list at 2,570. ... The Rays are 32-34 in a major league-high 66 games decided by one or two runs.
[Last modified August 12, 2003, 01:32:34]
Today's lineup
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Other sports
