Storm pounds park

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published May 13, 2005

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - There was quite a show before Thursday night's game with the Royals as a storm blew across Kauffman Stadium with a ferocity that had flags flying stiffly on poles that were ominously bent.

The storm delayed the start 96 minutes until 9:46 p.m.

"It got real dark real quick," Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella said.

The heavy weather was expected, and Kansas City's grounds crew covered the field in anticipation, anchoring the tarp to the turf with metal clamps and utility vehicles parked on the corners.

The precautions were warranted as heavy rain was preceded by an eerie scene in which winds pushed black clouds that looked like smoke over the top of the stadium. Napkins from the open-air concession area sprayed onto the field as if pushed by a giant fan. Fans in the stands ran for cover.

It was 80 degrees before the storm, 61 after.

BUSINESS AS USUAL: With Dewon Brazelton's demotion to Triple-A Durham, Casey Fossum has a chance to be a starter, something the left-hander was last season for the Diamondbacks and wanted to be again.

"It's more of a relief, I guess," Fossum said. "I've been working hard and working on things. Every time I had an opportunity to get more than a couple of innings, I took advantage of it."

Fossum is 2-1 with a 3.92 ERA in 11 games and has struck out 23 in 202/3 innings. He pitched 41/3 scoreless innings Wednesday against the White Sox and struck out five.

His first start is scheduled for Tuesday against the Tigers. Fossum said there is no need for adjustments.

"It's a lot easier on me because I know I'm going to be there once every five days," he said. "As for the pitching I'm doing, it's going to be the same. It's just more of a routine."

BELL TO DL?: There are indications pitcher Rob Bell is headed for the disabled list. Piniella declined to speculate, but there is no question something is bothering the right-hander.

In his past six outings, Bell has allowed 27 hits, 17 earned runs, nine walks and six home runs in 13 innings. In his last appearance, he threw five pitches, one to the backstop and two in the dirt, before taking himself out of the game.

SCARY MOMENT: Rays catcher Toby Hall was shaken in the fourth inning when his scorching line drive into the seats along the third-base line hit a young boy in the head.

Adam Lechner (no age or hometown was available) never lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Hall crouched with worry and Royals pitcher Jose Lima grabbed his head with his hands as the boy was treated and carried out of the stands.

"I couldn't shake it," Hall said. "That's no good. You think about the kid. You think about your kids."

Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said Hall sent Lechner a signed bat.

MISCELLANY: Royals DH Mike Sweeney, with seven homers in his past 10 games and an 11-game hitting streak, was scratched with a sore oblique. Julio Lugo returned to shortstop after a day off. ... Hall's 11-game hitting streak ended. ... Rightfielder Chris Singleton made his fifth consecutive start. ... Piniella said he expects reliever Lance Carter's appeal of his suspension to be heard next week. ... Major League Baseball voided the option to Durham of pitcher Franklin Nunez after it was determined his injured right shoulder was worse than first believed. Nunez will return to the 15-day disabled list. ... The Devil Rays dropped to 1-11 on the road.

[Last modified May 13, 2005, 01:49:02]