Rays/MLB

Baldelli's return sends Gathright to Durham

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published June 7, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - As he dressed next to his locker after Tuesday's game against the Angels, a reserved Joey Gathright was disappointed but certainly not shocked to learn the Rays were optioning him to Triple-A Durham to make room in the outfield for Rocco Baldelli. Frankly, he saw it coming.

"You're never okay with being sent down from the big leagues," Gathright said. "But you kind of expect it when you're not performing."

In 55 games, Gathright, a player noted for his exceptional speed, was batting .201 with 13 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Ironically, the centerfielder went 1-for-1 as a pinch hitter Tuesday night and was 1-for-3 with a double Monday. "I had two months here to do what I needed to do," Gathright said. "I knew Rocco was coming back."

Second baseman Jorge Cantu, who had been on the disabled list since April 24 because of a broken bone in his left foot, was activated Tuesday and returned to the starting lineup.

"We have our second baseman back." Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "His personality is always good to have in the clubhouse."

Cantu arrived just after noon Tuesday from Double-A Montgomery. He went 0-for-4 but looked solid in the field, and he received an ovation after running down a rightfield popup early in the game.

"I felt pretty good," Cantu said. "I'm 100 percent. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here."

With Cantu back, Ty Wigginton made his first career start in rightfield - the fifth position he has started at this season.

If Rays pitching coach Mike Butcher ever decides to quit his current gig, he might want to try promotions. When discussing the fact Tuesday's game was played on 6-6-06 with Maddon, Butcher said the Rays should have considered using the opportunity to make a name change - especially since they were playing the Angels.

"Today would have been the perfect day to do that, to extricate the Devil from Devil Rays," Maddon said. "... Throughout the country, that would have been a big story."

After Monday night's game, Maddon visited several friends from the Angels (a group of about 25 that included manager Mike Scioscia), and it turned out to be a long night.

"We sat around at the Vinoy until about 3:30 a.m. and had a blast," Maddon said.

Because he was ejected for arguing a call in the fifth inning Monday, Maddon was prepared to hear about it from his former team. But he described their jabs as "very minor."

Earlier in the night, the Angels wore replicas of Maddon's black retro glasses during the national anthem. A photo of the moment ran in Tuesday's Times.

"That's one picture I want to keep," Maddon said.

Just what did Beanie, Maddon's 73-year-old mom, say to her son about his ejection, which she witnessed firsthand from a first-level seat? Apparently, not much.

"I actually got that from her," Maddon said. "She shouldn't be surprised. Beanie was the animated one in the family."

Jaena, the wife of Rays infielder Greg Norton, gave birth to the couple's second child, a girl, Tuesday morning at 6:45. ... As of Tuesday, Jonny Gomes was 15th among American League outfielders in fan balloting for the All-Star Game. He had 175,629 votes. ... The Rays have committed three errors in their past nine games, all by pitchers.

[Last modified June 7, 2006, 02:00:17]