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CLEVELAND - Rookie Doug Waechter was giving the Devil Rays exactly what they needed Sunday, a strong start to keep them in the game and rest a weary bullpen.
He sailed through the first four innings, allowing only two singles and a pair of walks. But after the Rays made a couple of defensive mistakes behind him, Waechter had some problems of his own, walking two batters to load the bases and then allowing a well-struck double by Travis Hafner .
Afterward, he said he has to learn to not let those type of situations snowball.
"I left a few balls up, and things didn't work out they way we wanted them to; that's part of baseball," Waechter said. "Being a pitcher, I need to get over things like that and step on the mound and get the next guy out."
Waechter had another problem Sunday. With two outs in the first and a full count on Jody Gerut, he made the mistake of licking his fingers while on the mound (it's okay on the grass). Home plate umpire Larry Poncino called a ball and awarded Gerut first base.
"I have a bad habit of doing that," Waechter said. "I just like that sticky feeling on my fingers, and I guess I was kind of in that tunnel vision when I wasn't thinking about anything else and I just went to my face.
"When he put him on base I was like, "What just happened?' " He finally came out and told me. I thought you get a warning usually; it kind of depends on the umpire I guess."
Reliever Jorge Sosa had a different issue when he came in - he had to take off his large earrings.
CALLING THE CRIME DOG?: If the Rays continue to struggle, one option would be to activate Fred McGriff, who still is in the organization on a minor-league contract.
"We've mentioned his name," manager Lou Piniella said.
McGriff, 40, hasn't played since spring training but still is working out and last week showed up at the minor-league complex. "I think Fred could still contribute," Piniella said.
The Rays could use some help - their DHs are hitting .161, about the same as National League pitchers. Midre Cummings hasn't done much as an extra bat, going 1-for-12 since being called up, so it's reasonable to think the Rays may make a move soon. Another possibility would be to promote speedy outfielder Joey Gathright, who is healthy and playing regularly at Double-A Montgomery (Ala.).
DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN: Damian Rolls is one of the most upbeat players the Rays have. So it figures he'd try to find some good amid all the gloom.
"Sometimes you've just got to fight through times like this and keep playing hard," Rolls said. "It's got to turn around eventually. Maybe it's just a test of our character. See if we can pull together as one big unit and keep pressing forward no matter how hard the times get."
TYNER HOMERS! REALLY!!: When Jason Tyner played with the Rays from 2000-2003, he often was teased about his inability to hit a home run. Tyner had not gone deep in a regular-season game since high school, leaving him homerless in college, the minors and the majors.
Tyner, now playing for Atlanta's Triple-A team in Richmond, Va., finally ended the streak on May 6, knocking a 1-0 pitch over the rightfield wall for a two-run home run. It was his 2,632nd professional at-bat.
MISCELLANY: The Rays were shut out for the sixth time. ... Of the 25 batters the Rays walked in the three games, 12 scored. ... The Indians scored in 12 of the 26 innings they batted and were retired in order only five times. ... The Rays have lost eight straight road games. ... Tampa Bay pitchers struck out 13 Sunday, matching their season high. ... Pitcher Jeremi Gonzalez went home to Venezuela to finalize his divorce and is expected back on Tuesday. ... With Marcus Giles out six to eight weeks with a broken collarbone, the Braves could have interest in second baseman Rey Sanchez . ... The Rays on Saturday were the first team to walk 12 in a nine-inning game since Sept. 12, when the White Sox did it at Boston.