Rays/MLB

Trying not to dwell on dubious

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published August 16, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - There is no escaping it. The Devil Rays are closing in on their third 100-loss season and first since 2002.

With a 47-72 record, Tampa Bay needs to go 16-27 in its final 43 games to avoid the century mark. That's a .372 winning percentage, 23 points behind the team's pace, which projects to a 64-98 record.

"I don't think there's been a lot of conversation in here, but I'm sure every player in here would like to stay away from that number in the loss column," rightfielder Greg Norton said Tuesday. "I think our team is too good to allow 100 losses."

If it follows manager Joe Maddon's lead.

"It only means something if you let it," he said. "If you let that matter, then you start making that your focus and you're losing sight of the one-day-at-a-time and you'll probably reach that negative goal.

"I just want us to play hard and right every night and we'll see what the number is at the end of the year."

Designated hitter Jonny Gomes agreed.

"Don't look at the standings, don't look at the stats," he said, "just play to win."

Ty Wigginton said he understands why some might keep track.

"I think any team that comes close to a 100-win season or even a 90-win season, it obviously comes to attention, and I'm sure it's the same the other way," he said.

Would a 100-loss season be disturbing?

"It should," Wigginton said. "I think a loss on any given night should be disturbing."

"We just have to battle," Norton said. "I'm not going to sit here and say we have to get 16 wins. That's settling in and of itself. We just want to go out there and play good baseball and get as many wins as we can."

BURROUGHS RELEASED: Third baseman Sean Burroughs, acquired from the Padres in December for pitcher Dewon Brazelton, was released from Triple-A Durham after batting .214 (28-for-131) in 37 games with one home run and 11 RBIs.

Burroughs' exit apparently was hastened by the Rays' acquisition of Joel Guzman from the Dodgers in the Julio Lugo trade. Guzman has played the past two games at third.

Burroughs, 25, the ninth overall pick in the 1998 draft, never hit his stride for the Rays. He missed a large chunk of the spring with a back injury and batted just .200 (7-for-35).

ROAD WEARY: Maddon said there is no secret why the Rays are a dreadful 18-45 on the road.

"I think we're just youthful," he said. "I don't think our guys are really comfortable in an unfamiliar setting yet. I think it's based on youth more than anything."

After losing Aubrey Huff, Toby Hall, Mark Hendrickson and Lugo in trades, Tampa Bay is the majors' second-youngest team. But the just-completed 0-6 trip to Seattle and Oakland is "We pitched pretty well in both places but we pretty much went away offensively," Maddon said. "I'm a big believer in pitching and defense, but we have to score more runs."

BALDELLI'S SCHEDULE: Maddon said he will use Rocco Baldelli (sore right hamstring) as much as he can on the 10-game homestand, though he expects to give the centerfielder Sunday off in a day game after a night game.

MINOR MATTERS: Evan Longoria was the Southern League's hitter of the week for the week ending Sunday. The third baseman for Double-A Montgomery hit .400 (10-for-25) with three home runs and seven RBIs. ... The Bulls' Kevin Witt has 35 home runs, breaking the organizational record set in 1998 by Durham's Scott McClain.

MISCELLANY: Reliever Chad Orvella was recalled from Durham and reliever Chad Harville was designated for assignment after the game. ... Wigginton, out with a broken hand sustained last month when hit by a pitch in New York, said he wants to be back in the lineup by the end of August. ... Several Rays players took extra batting practice. Maddon said some went voluntarily. Others were "requested."

[Last modified August 16, 2006, 01:41:45]