By DAMIAN CRISTODERO and MARC TOPKIN
Published August 5, 2004
ST. PETERSBURG - The education of B.J. Upton will be an ongoing process.
The Devil Rays' 19-year-old rookie is having a few problems adjusting as the youngest player in the major leagues.
In his first big-league start at shortstop Tuesday, it was a foul ball he lost in the lights that eventually led to two Boston runs. Wednesday, he made an errant throw to the plate, allowing a run to score, and booted a routine ground ball, leading to another Boston run.
"He's still getting his feet under him," infield coach Tom Foley said. "He's a good kid."
Upton has a very strong arm and appeared to get a bit excited relaying a throw from the outfield to the plate. Doug Mientkiewicz looked like he would be out by 10 feet, but Upton's throw sailed high and wide.
"As soon as I threw it I knew let it go high," Upton said.
Upton has been working hard to improve his defense, having made 91 errors in 228 minor-league games. He said many of his mistakes come on routine plays, and that was the case in the sixth inning, when he tried to backhand a grounder by Orlando Cabrera and booted it.
"I should have gotten in front of it instead of backhanding it," Upton said. "It was the mistake of the game."
Foley, who talked to Upton after the play, said Upton immediately realized his mistake.
RELIEF WORK: After Rays starter John Halama gave up Bill Mueller's home run that gave Boston 4-1 lead to start the seventh, Tampa Bay relievers retired six consecutive batters with four strikeouts.
Travis Harper was perfect in the seventh and struck out Kevin Youkilis to end the inning. Jesus Colome struck out Cabrera and Manny Ramirez in the eighth, and Danys Baez struck out Jason Varitek.
Bringing the right-handed Baez in to face the left-handed Varitek was interesting. Piniella said he liked the matchup.
"That's what I got a closer for," he said. "Two outs in the eighth inning against the righty hitter, we bring him in. ... Varitek is more of a low ball hitter and Baez throws on top. It's a difference of the zones."
COMFORT ZONE: Julio Lugo admitted it's going to take some time to feel comfortable at second base. Moved from short to accommodate Upton, Lugo had not played second since September 2000 for the Astros.
"Maybe in a couple of weeks I'll like it," he said. "I just have to give it a chance to see how I play and how he plays. We might click and we might not. It's not like I'm not going to give it a try. If we click, it's going to be good. He's a talented player. We can do some good."
GONZALEZ RECALLED: Righty Jeremi Gonzalez was called up from Triple-A Durham and righty John Webb sent down.
Gonzalez is 0-5 with a 7.02 ERA in nine games with the Rays but won three starts after his July 8 option to Durham. Webb pitched 11/3 scoreless innings Monday against the Red Sox after Saturday's callup from Double-A Montgomery.
"Jeremi has more experience than the kid we had here," Piniella said. With Tampa Bay's rotation set, Piniella said Gonzalez, with eight starts this season, will likely be used in long and middle relief.
"Wherever they want to put me," Gonzalez said. "I'm ready."
GLAD TO SEE YOU: Piniella will face his former team tonight for the first time this season when the Mariners open a four-game series.
He clearly has a soft spot for Seattle.
"Once they leave here I wish them all the success in the world. I'd like to see them do well," he said. "But we've got them here for four games and we're going to try to play as well as we can against them."
WAECHTER TO DURHAM: Righty Doug Waechter, out since early June because of a strained tendon in his right middle finger, was sent to Durham and will pitch Saturday. ODDS AND ENDS: Carl Crawford turns 23 today. ... Baez bobblehead dolls will go to the first 5,000 fans attending the Sept. 27 game against the Red Sox. ... Ex-Ra Victor Zambrano makes his first start for the Mets today against the Brewers.
