Rays say NL just got in their way
By MARC TOPKIN
Published July 5, 2004
MIAMI - Last season, the Devil Rays seemed to be out of their league during interleague play, losing a record 15 times in 18 games and dropping their major league-worst overall interleague record to 38-68 (.358).
This season, even with Sunday's loss, they had their way with the National League teams, winning 15 of 18 games, including eight of nine played under NL rules.
"It's quite a turnaround," manager Lou Piniella said. "We're pleased with it."
The Rays say there was no obvious reason they did so well against the NL teams, just that they were playing well overall, the 15-3 record coming as part of their 30-11 run since May 20.
"I don't think it was the National League, I think we're just playing good baseball," rightfielder Jose Cruz said. "We've been playing good against American League teams, too."
"Whether it's in the NL parks or in the AL parks, we're just playing real well," infielder Geoff Blum said. "You can't say it's the DH or not the DH, that our pitchers are raking and getting big hits, it's just good baseball all the way around."
As a result, they say they expect to continue playing well when they return to American League games, starting with today's day-night doubleheader in Baltimore.
"There's no tricks going on," Piniella said. "We're not going to be able to play 30-11 ball, but we're capable of playing good baseball."
Had the Rays won Sunday, they would have been the first team to go unbeaten on the road (and under reverse rules) in interleague play for a whole season and would have matched Oakland's 2002 record 16 wins.
FAMILIAR SETTING: Last May, the Rays called up Jeremi Gonzalez when they were in Baltimore, and he pitched well enough to earn a spot in their rotation, then went on to be their most consistent starter.
They are hoping history repeats when Gonzalez, sent down after going 0-4 with a 6.69 ERA in eight games, is recalled from Triple A to start the second game of the doubleheader.
"We need it," Piniella said. "The reports are that he was throwing the ball very well. He had the hop in his fastball back and the breaking ball had improved. When I heard the reports from (Durham pitching coach) Joe Coleman, I thought we were getting a different pitcher. The reports are good. Let's see what we get."
The Rays are likely to send down reliever Bartolome Fortunato to make room for Gonzalez.
ALL-STAR DETAILS: First baseman Tino Martinez got the most fan votes of any Ray, finishing eighth with 420,185. Cruz was 14th among outfielders at 376,077, Carl Crawford 20th at 283,304 and Rocco Baldelli 24th at 241,153. ... Crawford, like the other Rays with less than three years in the big leagues, does not have an All-Star bonus clause in his contract. ... Victor Zambrano was philosophical about not being named to the team: "I'll have a lot of opportunities in future years to go."
SOSA SO-SO: Piniella is not pleased with the recent work of reliever Jorge Sosa. After allowing one run in nine innings and striking out 14 over his previous four outings, Sosa has allowed five runs on five hits and six walks in 22/3 innings over his past two, including four Saturday night with a 6-0 lead.
What's he doing wrong?
"Sosa's walking people," Piniella said. "When he came back up from Triple A he was really pitching well, and for the most part he has. I don't know if he gets a little comfortable or loses concentration, but his last few haven't been good."
MISCELLANY: Right-hander Seth McClung will start pitching his way back from Tommy John elbow surgery, making his first rehabilitation start Tuesday for Class A Charleston (S.C.). ... Aubrey Huff is likely to DH in one of the games today. ... The Rays are 1-6 on Fourths of July. ... The Rays are one of 14 teams in the past 15 years to play at a .750 or better pace for one-fourth of the season, winning at least 30 times in a 40-game stretch. ... Florida's A.J. Burnett won for the first time since Aug. 18, 2002. ... John Halama hit three batters. ... The game started 52 minutes late due to rain.