ANAHEIM, Calif. - Had Eduardo Perez's line drive to right-center been a few feet higher, he could have jogged around the bases.
Instead, the ball struck off the wall, he was running full-speed around second toward his first big-league triple since 1995, and his season ended came to an abrupt end when he tore his left Achilles' tendon.
"Some kind of guard dog got me and I went down," Perez said. "When it pops, you know you're done."
Perez was put on a stretcher, taken off the field on a cart and examined and fitted with a splint by Angels team doctor Craig Milhouse. He flew home with the team and will be re-evaluated today in St. Petersburg by Rays orthopedic team physician Koco Eaton, but acknowledged that he is headed for surgery and a lengthy rehab.
"You just have to see how strong you are, see how you bounce back, see what attitude one has toward this," Perez said. "I've been through a lot of injuries before. This is another obstacle to overcome."
Perez, 34, signed a two-year, $1.7-million contract. He hit .210 with one homer and seven RBIs in limited action at first base, DH and the outfield. The Rays will decide today how to replace Perez on the roster. Damian Rolls, who was sent down to Durham last week, and Jonny Gomes are likely the top candidates to replace him.
NO O: The four runs were the most the Rays scored in a game since Tuesday, but their lack of offense is close to unprecedented.
With 100 runs in 30 games, they are not only the lowest scoring team in the American League this year, but over the past 20 years only two AL teams scored fewer - the 2003 Tigers (80 in 30 games) and the 1988 Orioles (85).
1,000 AND COUNTING: Sunday was the Rays' 1,000th game, and first-base coach Billy Hatcher - for better or worse - has the distinction of being the only person who has seen them all live.
"They've actually gone by pretty quickly," Hatcher said.
Hatcher obviously has seen plenty of low moments as the Rays have lost 610 of the first 1,000. But he has witnessed some memorable moments too.
His top three:
- The March 31, 1998, inaugural game. "That was the first one, that will always be a highlight."
- The 2003 opening-day win in Lou Piniella's managerial debut. "It was Lou's first game since he came over, and we won in dramatic fashion."
- This year's season-opening trip to Japan. "That was awesome."
Hatcher, a coach each of the Rays seven seasons, stands alone, but not by much. Trainer Ken Crenshaw has missed one game, radio broadcaster Paul Olden three and colleague Charlie Slowes five. Next on the unofficial list would be video coordinator Chris Fernandez and team travel director Jeff Ziegler.
ALL RIGHT: Trever Miller is supposed to be the Rays' left-handed relief specialist, but he is not likely to be used in late-game situations after failing for a third time Saturday.
He previously allowed a game-tying single in the ninth at Chicago on April 25 and a grand slam to Oakland on May 1. Overall, six of the 12 runners he has inherited have scored.
Right-hander Lance Carter, who is usually effective against left-handers because of his changeup, likely will handle the assignments.
CHARITABLE CAUSE: As part of MLB's Mother's Day program, Rays players, under Carter's direction, signed a commemorative home plate that will be auctioned to benefit the Big Bam! Foundation, which promotes breast cancer awareness and prevention.
MISCELLANY: The 9-21 record matches the Rays' worst starts (2001, 2002). ... Tino Martinez hit his team-high sixth homer. ... Rocco Baldelli has his first double. ... Catcher Toby Hall had three putouts on plays where the ball didn't leave the infield. ... The Rays were swept for the second time in four series. ... They are 3-14 on the road. ... Hall and several other Rays plan to attend tonight's Lightning playoff game. ... Dewon Brazelton allowed 13 runs (nine earned) in 21/3 innings for Triple-A Durham on Saturday.
