Sanchez growing frustrated on bench

By MARC TOPKIN
Published June 11, 2005

PITTSBURGH - Alex Sanchez doesn't know what is going to happen, but he hopes something changes.

The Devil Rays outfielder is hitting .346, but he doesn't seem to fit in the lineup.

He isn't a better leadoff man than Carl Crawford, and his casual defensive play makes him a liability at times in centerfield. Damon Hollins and Reggie Taylor are both more reliable, and Taylor, a left-handed hitter like Sanchez, started the past two times the Rays faced a right-hander.

So where does that leave Sanchez?

"I don't know what's going on," he said.

Sanchez said he would like to stay with the Rays and play every day. But if he isn't getting into the lineup now, and with Rocco Baldelli expected back in less than a month, he realizes it may not work out.

"The situation here is not too good," he said. "It's frustrating. I feel very bad that I'm not playing."

Manager Lou Piniella mentioned the possibility of using Sanchez as a DH when the Rays return to AL rules next week, but Sanchez isn't excited by the possibility.

"I'll do it and I'll do my best, but I don't think DHing is a good idea," Sanchez said. "It's not good for my career and it's not good for my future."

Sanchez, who signed with the Rays after being released by Detroit during spring training, has met with Piniella several times and said his agent has tried to talk to team officials, but they haven't gotten any answers.

A trade might be the best solution.

"If the situation is going to be like this, where I am right now, it would be better if they give me a chance to go somewhere and I get the chance to play," Sanchez said.

BELL TOLLS: Rob Bell, who has been on the disabled list since suffering anxiety attacks that affected his control in mid May, made a rehabilitation appearance Friday night for Triple-A Durham.

The line was not particularly encouraging: two runs, two hits, four walks and two wild pitches in 12/3 innings.

Bell has been working out in extended spring training and has done better since a rough outing May 28, when he walked eight in less than two innings.

"He's had two more throw days over there in extended spring, and he did well enough to warrant an opportunity to pitch (Friday) in Durham," Piniella said.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT, CONT.: How bad were the Rays in Cincinnati? The Reds' 34 runs were their most in a three-game home series since May 26-28, 1898, against the New York Giants.

INJURY REPORT: Reliever Jesus Colome left Thursday's game after feeling a pinch in his shoulder, but the Rays can't find anything wrong. "He's fine from every indication we've gotten," Piniella said. ... Closer Danys Baez, who has been bothered by shoulder stiffness, is expected to be ready by tonight or Sunday. ... Second baseman Nick Green returned to the lineup after missing Thursday's game with a bruised left shoulder.

MINOR MATTERS: Double-A Montgomery outfielder Delmon Young was named the organization's May player of the month after hitting .389 with seven homers and 25 RBIs in 26 games. Class-A Southwest Michigan's James Houser, of Sarasota, was named the top May pitcher after going 1-3 with a 3.71 ERA. ... Infielder Fernando Cortez was promoted to Triple-A Durham after hitting .333 at Montgomery. ... Visalia infielder Elliot Johnson, who was leading the Class-A California League with 28 stolen bases, was promoted to Montgomery along with outfielder Jay Sitzman.

MISCELLANY: As part of the U.S. Army birthday and Flag Day activities Tuesday, the Rays will honor two soldiers from Brooksville who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Ray Freeman and Christoper Tenaro. ... Lance Carter returned to bullpen duty after serving his three-game suspension and came on in the seventh. ... The Rays signed ninth-round draft pick Derek Feldkamp, a pitcher from the University of Michigan, and 10th-rounder John Matulia, an outfielder from Eustis High. ... The Rays are 6-22 in debuts at opposing stadiums.

[Last modified June 11, 2005, 00:26:12]