Gaudin earns second chance

CLEVELAND - Chad Gaudin wasn't happy with his performance in his first major-league start.

Now he'll get another chance.

Manager Lou Piniella named Gaudin, at 20 the youngest pitcher in the majors, to start Thursday's game at Baltimore, allowing him the opportunity to make up for his uneven 32/3-inning outing Saturday.

"The first one is basically just getting your feet on the ground," Piniella said. "He was probably nervous. I think he'll be a little readier for the second start mentally wise. He deserves that."

Gaudin, who allowed six hits and three runs while throwing 83 pitches, welcomed the opportunity.

"I'm glad; I'll go out again and try to get the team a win," Gaudin said. "I've made some adjustments since the last time out, minor things, and hopefully they will help. I was sometimes overthinking. I feel confident I'll be a lot better."

Piniella also wants to see Jon Switzer as a starter but said he is reluctant to put two rookies in the rotation, in either a five- or six-man configuration, with the Rays playing most of their 39 remaining games against contending teams.

"We'd catch some slack for that, there'd be some teams complaining, and we don't want that," he said.

KENNEDY ON LEAVE: Pitcher Joe Kennedy went home to California to be with his grandfather, who is ill, but is expected back to make his scheduled Friday start against Cleveland at Tropicana Field.

"He took his shoes and his glove and he'll get some throwing in out there," Piniella said.

BIG SWINGER: Julio Lugo had the second two-homer game of his career; the other was June 16, 2002. It was the first time a Rays shortstop has hit two homers in a game.

TOP GUN: Toby Hall caught two more runners stealing, improving his percentage to .433 (26-of-60), and moved past Anaheim's Bengie Molina for the top spot in the league.

ROOM SERVICE: Mark Malaska couldn't be happier than to wake up, late, today in Baltimore. Homecoming weekend in Cleveland was an exhausting one for the rookie left-handed reliever, who was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, and went to college in Akron.

"These last couple days I saw pretty much everyone I've ever played baseball with or against in my life and my whole family's been here," said Malaska, who left 25-35 tickets each day. "It's fun, but at the same time it adds a little bit of pressure. They tell me you get used to it, but I don't think I'm close to getting used to it."

Malaska's friends and family got to see him get his second big-league win Saturday and watched him give up hits that allowed the Indians to briefly take the lead Monday.

But it's what Piniella has seen over the month since Malaska was called up from Triple A that has been even more important.

"Malaska really, quietly, has done a very respectable job," Piniella said. "He's solidifying himself a nice position here for next year as a second lefty out of the bullpen."

In 12 appearances, Malaska, 25, is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA.

VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN: Piniella was nominated for the new Manager's Move of the Week award for Jared Sandberg's winning pinch-hit Aug. 11. Florida's Jack McKeon and Kansas City's Tony Pena also were nominated. Fans can view video of the plays and vote through noon Wednesday at MLB.com.

MISCELLANY: Player development/scouting director Cam Bonifay continued discussions over the weekend with top draft pick Delmon Young, with a deal possible this week. ... Carl Crawford broke Jason Tyner's team record with his 18th straight successful stolen-base attempt and 39th overall. ... Aubrey Huff went 0-for-5, ending his hitting streak at 13 games. ... Last year the Rays won their 50th game on Sept. 1. They were 50-100. ... Durham outfielder George Lombard was named Triple-A International League player of the week after hitting .538 (14-for-26).