Rookie's moon shot ends skid

RAYS 5, TIGERS 4: Jonny Gomes crushes a two-run homer in the ninth to halt a 10-game losing streak.

By MARC TOPKIN
Published July 10, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - In Jonny Gomes' words, the Devil Rays needed something "big and dramatic" to end their 10-game losing streak.

So the rookie slugger took matters into his own hands.

Gomes went big, with a 474-foot homer that was the second longest in Tropicana Field history, and dramatic, delivering the blow with one on and one out in the ninth, to give the Rays a thrilling 5-4 victory.

"What a way to finish a ball game," manager Lou Piniella said, "and to end a losing streak."

Gomes, who hadn't homered since the Rays had last won, on June27, is known for his power. The rookie slugger came to the plate determined to use all of it.

Troy Percival's first pitch came blistering in, and Gomes sent it rocketing out, the ball soaring over the D-ring catwalk and landing high on the roof of the Batter's Eye restaurant beyond centerfield.

Only a 478-foot shot by ex-Ray Vinny Castilla into the Beach above leftfield on April4, 2001, was longer in the eight-season history of the Trop.

"That's pretty much all that was on my mind the first pitch," Gomes said. "I was going to take one pitch and just cut it loose. Luckily, it was a strike because I probably would have swung just as hard if it was a ball."

Gomes clearly enjoyed the moment, walking down the first-base line as he watched the ball soar over the fence, waving his teammates out of the dugout to meet him at home plate then flipping off his helmet halfway home so he could absorb the full head-banging celebration.

"I loved it," Gomes said. "I wanted everyone coming out. It was exciting. I was ready."

Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who tossed his own bat after an earlier homer that hit the C-ring catwalk, didn't appear to appreciate Gomes' actions, gesturing and jabbering at him before leaving the field. He declined, however, to talk to reporters after the game.

Detroit manager Alan Trammell said, "If you ask my opinion, I would always like to see guys get around the bases."

Gomes said he didn't mean anything by his actions, though it wouldn't be surprising if the Tigers reply today by throwing at him.

"I ain't looking to show anyone up. That's the bottom line," Gomes said. "I was just overcome with emotion. I mean Troy Percival, he's a legend in this game. Pudge behind the plate, he's a legend. I ain't looking to show anyone up. They're a great team. I was just overcome with emotion. That was my first big-league walkoff."

The Rays hadn't won in nearly two weeks, and the weary signs of losing were everywhere around them.

They appeared headed to their 11th straight loss after a so-so Hideo Nomo outing, which included three homers, but Travis Harper and All-Star Danys Baez teamed for 32/3 crisp innings of relief.

"That's what made it all possible," Piniella said.

The Rays used their speed, a two-run two-out double by Carl Crawford and, in the words of Detroit starter and ex-Ray Jason Johnson "so many lucky hits," to stay close. Travis Lee started the winning rally with a bloop single to left, and Gomes did the rest.

With the win, Piniella - finally - tied Earl Weaver for 19th all-time at 1,480.

"I was just hoping," Piniella said, joking, "we did it before Labor Day."

It had been a while since anybody around the Rays had smiled.

[Last modified July 9, 2005, 23:35:17]