Durham duo may be next in line

It seems as if every week some Rays pitcher is being demoted or sent to the bullpen or released or in some other way creating a roster spot.

This week it's Jorge Sosa, who's taking his 4-9 record and 5.06 ERA to the bullpen, allowing manager Lou Piniella to look at some of the organization's younger pitchers.

The opportunity this time will go to Chad Gaudin, who was called up Aug.1. However, there are several names that surface every time a major-league opportunity arises, and for good reason.

Two of the most popular are Evan Rust and Northeast High product Doug Waechter.

One year after setting the Rays minor-league record with 31 saves at Bakersfield and Orlando, Rust has 11 saves this season splitting time between the O-Rays and Durham. His ERA is 3.00.

Waechter would seem to have a better shot at making the Rays sooner because the team is constantly searching for starters.

Since he was drafted in the third round in 1999, Waechter has been one of the Rays' most sterling performers. He pitched the first nine-inning no-hitter in Rays history Aug.10, 2000. Despite allowing the most hits and runs in the South Atlantic League in 2001 and beginning the season 1-4, he managed a 3.95 ERA the rest of the season.

Last season Waechter led the organization with 155 strikeouts and was third in innings pitched (1622/3) and wins (10).

That hot streak has continued this season as Waechter has a combined ERA of 3.65 for Orlando and Durham. With the Bulls he is 2-2 with a 2.75 ERA in eight starts.

MAKO'S MARK: Charleston manager Mako Oliveras notched a career milestone Friday night, earning his 700th win as the RiverDogs beat Lexington 6-3.

Oliveras, 56, has been in the Rays organization for five years but only began managing again last season at Orlando. Before that he managed at Kinston, Vancouver, Edmonton and Midland, where his managerial career began in 1987.

His overall record is 701-669 (.511) and Charleston is 13 wins from making this Oliveras' most successful season at the helm.

The RiverDogs also may take Oliveras to the playoffs.

Heading into Tuesday night's games, Hickory was leading the Southern Division by one over Rome and two over Charleston and Asheville. The Crawdads, however, won the first-half title, meaning the next highest team would earn the second-half wild card.

That puts Charleston one game behind Rome for the honor, tied with Asheville and two games ahead of South Georgia.

P-RAYS TAKE CUP: Thanks in large part to some nasty weather and some decent play, the Princeton Devil Rays earned their first Mercer Cup in five years.

The Cup is awarded to the winner of the season series between Princeton and the Bluefield Orioles. The final tally was Princeton 5, Bluefield 4, rainouts 3.

Since none of those three rainouts will be made up, Princeton was allowed to take home the title and perhaps remove a little sting from its 19-32 record.

PLAYERS YOU HAVEN'T HEARD OF BUT WILL SOON: Aaron Gangi was the Rays' 14th-round draft pick out of the University of Akron in June. The 6-foot-3 lefty signed less than a week later and was sent to Hudson Valley but apparently doesn't plan on staying there long.

Monday night he battled the elements, pitching through a downpour to allow two unearned runs on three hits and struck out six in 72/3 innings as he earned his fourth win in five decisions.

Gangi has a 1.88 ERA and has struck out 40 and walked six in 522/3 innings.