ST. PETERSBURG - In a close game, against a team that demoralized them a week ago, the Rays had to have a solid effort from the bullpen Friday night.
They can thank relievers Trever Miller, Lance Carter and closer Danys Baez for providing precisely that.
With the Rays trailing 3-2, Miller, who got the win, entered and quickly strangled any Cleveland hopes. He gave up no runs and one hit and struck out three in three critical innings.
"To get on any kind of streak, any kind of roll, there has to be a team thing," said Miller, who picked off Casey Blake, the only Cleveland player to get on base against him. "You can't depend on the same guy or the same two guys every night. Either in the bullpen or on the field. We're starting to get a little of that. ... Now we're starting to get contributions from one through nine. It's a couple of different guys every night."
Right-hander Carter came in for Miller in the seventh and did virtually the same before handing the ball to closer Baez with one out in the eighth. Baez did the rest.
"The bullpen has done a nice job," manager Lou Piniella said. "In (Thursday's game) against Boston and (Friday night). We're using them all. I sort of like Miller a little bit in those middle roles. ... They are all pitching."
One reason could be the tremendous Mexican spread the Rays set out for players before the game. Miller could not confirm if the fajitas were the cause but said the team can't settle for two wins in a row.
"It's not that big a deal," he said. "Now we start winning eight or nine in a row, I guess then we can feel (good) about it. Until then, two wins and that spread we had tonight, all that gets us is 12 wins and high cholesterol."
WAYWARD VICTOR: The recent control perils of right-hander Victor Zambrano continue to dumbfound the Rays. Zambrano started 3-0 but is now 3-4 with a 6.18 ERA and has struggled to keep the ball over the plate.
Thursday against the Red Sox, Zambrano walked a team-record nine. One day later, the Rays still had no answers.
"It's only a concern on the day he pitches. The rest of the time, it's no concern," Piniella quipped. "I wish I knew what causes that; I really don't know."
Zambrano, expected to be the ace of the rotation, has pitched six innings, given up 16 walks and thrown 204 pitches in his past two outings.
"I gave him every opportunity I could (Thursday) night to win a ballgame," Piniella said. "With the idea of knowing that would be the best confidence builder for him, to put a W on (his) record. But, it didn't quite work out. ... But, he's getting in his work."
CRIME DOG CHALLENGE: The news that veteran first baseman Fred McGriff is on his way back to the majors may have brought some excitement to the fans, but the road isn't going to be that easy.
McGriff, who went 0-for-4 in his first Triple-A game, was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run in a 5-0 Bulls win Friday in Indianapolis. Piniella said he is going to need some work and some time to get ready for the big leagues.
"It's a little tougher proposition than it looks like," Piniella said. "Doing things on the field, baseball-wise, are a lot different than doing things in the gym."
NUTS AND BOLTS: Outfielder Midre Cummings accepted his assignment to the minors and will report to Durham today. Right-hander Jeremi Gonzalez also will report to Durham, along with Bulls pitching coach Joe Coleman, who filled in for a week while Chuck Hernandez attended to his father, Carl, who had a heart attack. ... Durham manager Bill Evers will be away for two days as he attends the graduation of his son, Bill Evers III, from Eckerd College. ... Aubrey Huff had his first start at first base this season. ... Left-hander James Houser, playing for Class A Charleston, was placed on the seven-day disabled list and returned to St. Petersburg for an MRI exam.
