A grand moment in Huff's rebound

RAYS 7, ORIOLES 5: His go-ahead slam gets homestand off to a strong start.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published July 23, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Devil Rays DH Aubrey Huff wanted it clear the grand slam he hit Friday night was not his first.

He had a few in college, he said, and in the minors.

Still, there is nothing like the first in the majors, especially when it changes the tone of a ballgame as Huff's did in a 7-5 victory over the Orioles at Tropicana Field.

"It's good to get it off your back and get it out of the way," he said.

The blow on the first pitch from starter Bruce Chen went 381 feet to rightfield and primed a five-run second inning that also included Damon Hollins' 10th home run and gave Tampa Bay a 6-3 lead.

Rays starter Seth McClung said it also gave him confidence after a shaky two innings and the push to get his first victory of the season and first since May 16, 2003, also against the Orioles.

It was a nice start to a 10-game homestand and a continuation of the spunk Tampa Bay has shown while winning five of eight since the All-Star break. It also was a nice change of pace at the Trop, where the team had lost 10 of 12.

"My dad always said to celebrate all victories," said McClung, who allowed four runs in five innings, "and we do."

And though there was much to note, such as another strong outing by reliever Chad Orvella and the first appearance at home by reliever Joe Borowski, who pitched a perfect eighth, it all came back to Huff, who finally is showing signs of heating up.

Huff batted .310 (9-for-29) with two homers and four RBIs on the seven-game trip after the break, and his average is up to .261 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs.

"He's really starting to swing it better," manager Lou Piniella said.

That Huff came through with the bases loaded was a bonus. Huff had one hit in his past 19 at-bats in that situation and is batting .190 (8-for-42) with runners in scoring position.

"I always get anxious in that situation," Huff said. "And I was anxious tonight, first pitch. I figured he wanted to get ahead on a fastball. It was a fastball out of the strike zone. I just got the head out on it."

"I wanted to jam him up and in," Chen said, "and he was looking for it and he hit it."

McClung was looking for consistency. He gave up two runs in the first inning, one when rightfielder Jonny Gomes lost in the ceiling Sammy Sosa's popup, which fell in front of him.

He allowed a run-scoring single to Rafael Palmeiro, whose 3,011th hit passed Wade Boggs for 23rd all-time. And Larry Bigbie's homer in the second on a grooved fastball gave the Orioles a 3-1 lead.

But McClung, who missed last season after Tommy John surgery and began this season in the bullpen, retired seven of the next eight with five strikeouts.

"I just decided as soon as I got the lead I turned into another pitcher and tried to execute those pitches," he said.

"He looks a lot more effective starting," Huff said. "That's what he wants to do. He gets out there and has something to prove."

Things got a little squirmy in the ninth as closer Danys Baez allowed a run, but he got his 18th save when Miguel Tejada, the potential tying run, flied out.

"We started out with a good win against a good Baltimore team," Piniella said. "Let's hope we have a successful homestand."

It could be if Huff keeps finding his swing.

[Last modified July 23, 2005, 00:53:16]