BOSTON - Geoff Blum has had such a difficult season, he almost hesitates to talk about the times he plays well.
But after getting three hits in the Rays' 8-3 victory over the Red Sox pm Monday (he would have had four if not for Kevin Millar's sprawling catch of Blum's liner in the fourth inning), the third baseman, with four hits in his previous 33 at-bats, was a hot topic.
"Today is just one day," he said. "I hate talking about myself. I really do. I know it's been awful, but I hate getting too high or anything like that. It's one day and I'm learning, too."
Acquired from the Astros in December, Blum, a career .262 hitter entering the year, is at .207 for the season.
"It's a long process and it can crush you if you let it," Blum said. "I'm trying to battle my way out of the hole I dug, and it's a pretty deep one. But if we're winning ballgames it will make it a hell of a lot easier."
Blum knows he must take it one step at a time. He played so well defensively against the Red Sox last week, manager Lou Piniella said he would play him more. The next game, his error cost the Rays a game with Seattle.
But like Piniella said, "We're an equal opportunity employer. I tend to play the people who do the job, but at the same time even if you are struggling, you get playing time. We don't just sit you. We use everybody."
Then it's up to the player to prove he belongs in the lineup. Piniella said Blum would be there tonight.
"I thought I'd be in a position to help the ballclub," Blum said. "When I feel like I'm not helping, I take it even harder. Even as awful as I've been, we've been pretty good. If I could pick it up just a little bit to finish the year, we have a chance to play .500 ball."
WAECHTER'S RETURN: Piniella said if all goes as planned, pitcher Doug Waechter will start against the A's Aug. 21 at Tropicana Field.
The righty, out since the beginning of June with a strained tendon in the middle finger of his pitching hand, made his first of what should be three rehab appearances with Triple-A Durham.
It should make for an interesting decision if the pitching remains strong and Piniella has to make room for Waechter in the rotation.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Piniella said. "But we're definitely going to put Waechter in the rotation. We need him to pitch the last six weeks of the season to get some innings in and get some work in, and maybe he'll win some ballgames for us."
Piniella wasn't as reassuring about the progress of Seth McClung, who is rehabbing in Durham from Tommy John surgery.
"He might need a little more work down there," Piniella said.
MARTINEZ LAUDED: Piniella said he talked with Seattle designated hitter Edgar Martinez when the Mariners were in St. Petersburg but got no hint Martinez would retire at the end of the season.
"A classy person," said Piniella, who managed Martinez in Seattle. "He's got Hall of Fame numbers. Reliable, durable, one of the best right-handed hitters I've ever seen. I loved watching him hit. He drove the ball from line to line, and as he got older, he started hitting for power."
Piniella said Martinez, for a time, might have been the best right-handed hitter in the game.
BOSOX BITS: Gabe Kapler had three hits, including a home run. He has four home runs in his past 15 starts after getting just one in his previous 69 games. ... The last time starter Curt Schilling gave up three home runs in one game was Sept. 21, 2003, while pitching for the Diamondbacks against the Brewers. ... Manny Ramirez sat out with the flu. ... Boston has sold out 116 consecutive games.
RAYS BITS: Tino Martinez's home run was his 316th and tied him with Ron Cey for 90th all-time. ... Julio Lugo had his career-high 28th double and two RBIs to give him a career-high 57.
