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LAKELAND - The Devil Rays open the exhibition season today at Progress Energy Park with a sense of urgency.
Because they have just 19 official practice games before leaving March 25 on the season-opening trip to Japan, the Rays must put more focus on participation and evaluation during the early dates.
"We only have a couple weeks. So we need to get our regulars some at-bats, and we need to get our pitchers ready," manager Lou Piniella said. "So you're going to be seeing the regular lineup a lot more early than you would in other years."
Piniella wants to get the regulars 55-60 at-bats and the top starting pitchers 20-22 innings. That doesn't leave much room for players trying to make the team, or much time. Piniella said a "sizable" cut from the 62-man roster could come within the next week.
"We're going to have to cut the camp down sooner rather than later this year," Piniella said. "Remember, after next Friday, you've got two weeks, and that's it."
Piniella not only wants to see the regulars play, but play well. The Rays went 8-19-3 last spring, and Piniella would like to see improvement.
"Playing .500 would be a nice goal for us in the spring," Piniella said. "You want to get in the habit of winning some baseball games."
The Rays start today with what could be their opening-day lineup:
Carl Crawford in leftfield, Julio Lugo at shortstop, Rocco Baldelli in center, Aubrey Huff at designated hitter, Jose Cruz in right, Tino Martinez at first, Geoff Blum at third, Toby Hall catching and Rey Sanchez at second. Jeremi Gonzalez will be the starter with John Halama, Trever Miller, Travis Harper and Lance Carter scheduled for work.
Before the game, the annual FanFest will be open from 10-1 at Tropicana Field, and the team will provide a free shuttle to Progress Energy Park. Sunday, FanFest will be open from noon-4 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
B REAL: The Rays beat the Tigers 6-2 in a B game Friday morning. Opening-day starter Victor Zambrano allowed a walk and a single then struck out five of six. "Everything was good, and I used all my pitches," he said. ... Rookie starting candidate Doug Waechter was sharp, retiring all six Tigers he faced. ... Damian Moss walked the leadoff man in both of his innings. ... Pete LaForest broke a 2-2 tie with a home run to center leading off the ninth. ... After scoring four runs, the Rays ended their ninth with two outs so there was time for Danys Baez to pitch the bottom of the inning.
BIG TALKER: Detroit's Carlos Pena was upset because he believed Baez's first pitch was at his head, continuing a feud that started in September when Pena homered off Baez (then with Cleveland) and strutted around the bases.
"He threw at my head, and that's not cool," said Pena, who took a few steps toward Baez and hollered at him. "I was hoping that he was going to miss one and throw it over the plate so I could crush it."
Said Baez: "It was my first pitch of the game. The ball went a little bit inside. I wasn't trying to hit him."
MISCELLANY: Third baseman Fernando Tatis, already a long shot for a big-league job, and pitcher Bartolome Fortunato missed the 7:45 a.m. bus and arrived in Lakeland after the game started. ... Piniella said he is leaning toward having the Nos. 3 and 4 starters pitch in the exhibitions against the Japanese teams rather than be in the bullpen for the games against the Yankees. ... A limited number of DVDs featuring the team's new commercials (plus outtakes) will be sold at today's game and Sunday's FanFest for $8, with part of proceeds going to the Rays of Hope Foundation. ... The Rays will hold a drawing for season-ticket holders, two of whom will win trips to Japan and tickets to the games. Winners, who must have a valid passport, will be announced March 16.