Stokes still adjusting to his role as reliever

RHP Brian Stokes knows his transition from starter to reliever is a work in progress.

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Published April 9, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - RHP Brian Stokes knows his transition from starter to reliever is a work in progress.

But manager Joe Maddon is giving him the opportunity to get used to it. Stokes pitched for the fourth time in five games in Sunday's 6-3 loss. He allowed two runs in the eighth inning on run-scoring singles by Aaron Hill and Gregg Zaun, and his ERA ballooned to 6.75.

"I just left a couple of pitches up, enough for them to get contact, and it fell their way," Stokes said. "I'm still adjusting. It's still so early in the season, so hopefully things will work out better. I got into a couple of jams. Unfortunately, if you keep getting yourself in those situations, the dog is going bite you eventually."

Stokes said the key is getting mentally adjusted to his new role, knowing he has to locate his fastball down in the zone and develop a reliever's mentality.

"It's one inning, and you better get it done," Stokes said. "That's an adjustment I have to make. Sometimes I feel myself out there trying to settle, and I just have to just get right down to business and make those pitches."

GETTING THEIR HACKS: Before Sunday's game, some Rays voluntarily participated in a special batting practice session in which a pitching machine throws smaller-sized baseballs to help hitters with their swing.

"Our schedule hasn't permitted it," Maddon said. "Our first week has kind of been counterproductive to any extra work on a regular basis, so today seemed to be a good day to run it back out there."

Maddon said he plans to take the machine on the road and make it a more frequent part of pregame workouts.

"We have them swinging a heavier bat and a longer bat versus a smaller ball, so you really have to be precise with the head of the bat and your hands and then I think it's a self-correcting drill, mechanically speaking," Maddon said.

SHAKING THE RUST: As RHP Edwin Jackson, who hasn't pitched in a game in 10 days, makes his first start tonight in Texas, Maddon said: "I'm concerned that he is going to be a little bit rusty, but by the same token, I'm going to consider that he may be rusty. You don't want to judge too harshly. You just want to get him back into the flow."

AL LOPEZ AWARD: C Shawn Riggans, whose .316 spring batting average was the third highest among batters with 35 or more at-bats, was awarded this season's Al Lopez Award, which annually goes to the top Rays rookie during spring training. Riggans, at Triple-A Durham, was 12-for-38 with five doubles and five RBIs. He posted a message on the Tropicana Field videoboard before the game. Rays RF Delmon Young accepted the award on his behalf.

READY TO GO: Although the season is just five games old, Maddon said he sees a different attitude in the Rays clubhouse.

"The thing I like as much as anything ... is that the way the guys walk around the clubhouse and the attitude right now among the group," he said. "I know everybody is going to be ready on a daily basis. They want to be in there. But even when they're not, they're supporting each other."

MISCELLANY: The Rays have led in four of their five games and have blown a total of five leads this season. ... Rays 3B Akinori Iwamura extended hit hitting streak to five games. He is hitting .562 (9-for-16). ... Tampa Bay is hitless in all three bases-loaded at-bats this season. ... The Rays and Blue Jays combined for 11 home runs in the three-game series. ... DH Rocco Baldelli was 3-for-3 against Roy Halladay. He entered Sunday 2-for-11 against the Toronto ace. ... Josh Paul will catch Jackson tonight, giving Dioner Navarro a night off.

[Last modified April 8, 2007, 23:20:01]