Casanova lands in Rays lineup right away

The veteran catcher gets the start in his first big-league action since 2005.

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Published June 6, 2007

TORONTO - Raul Casanova's return to the majors had to wait a night as the newly promoted catcher found himself stuck in Cincinnati, but Casanova has waited six years for his last extensive time in the big leagues, so one night didn't make a difference.

Then Casanova found himself in the starting lineup immediately, catching and hitting eighth Tuesday against Toronto.

Casanova - purchased from Triple-A Durham on Monday to replace Shawn Riggans, who went on the disabled list with right elbow tendinitis - played in his first big-league game since 2005 Tuesday, hitting a pair of singles and throwing out Adam Lind trying to steal second in the second inning.

He played in just eight minor-league games last season in the A's system because of a bulging disk in his back. Despite still battling back problems that force him to place heat pads on his back before and after games, he hit .258 with four doubles and three homers at Triple-A Durham this season.

"After being up and down the last four or five years, I kept trying," Casanova said. "I know I can play at this level. I've done it before. The thing is that I was hurt. That sort of kept me down. I'm glad I'm here. They know what I can do."

Rays manager Joe Maddon inserted Casanova into the lineup right away because he was familiar with Tuesday's pitcher, Andy Sonnanstine, who made his first major-league start. The fact that starting C Dioner Navarro was 0-for-6 against Tuesday's Jays starter, Roy Halladay, made the choice easier.

"I thought it was the perfect opportunity to put Sonny in a little more of a comfort zone, get Casanova involved and just to get Navi a day off," Maddon said.

Casanova flew from Raleigh-Durham to Cincinnati but was stuck there for the night because of a rainstorm and didn't arrive in Toronto until 10:30 Tuesday morning.

C.C. INTO HISTORY: Rays LF Carl Crawford's third-inning run-scoring single gave him 871 career hits with the Rays, breaking Aubrey Huff's franchise record. Crawford also added a double and his sixth homer of the season.

"It was kind of bittersweet," Crawford said, disappointed in the Rays' 12-11 loss.

His homer was his third against the Blue Jays this season. He now has 11 career homers against Toronto, the most he has hit against any major-league team.

TAKING THE PRESSURE OFF: Maddon said he'd like to use RHP Brian Stokes, who has allowed four game-winning homers, in less pressure, long relief situations to boost his confidence.

"It was probably a poor assumption on my part to think that Stokesey was just going to be able to jump in the eighth inning and be a dominant pitcher," Maddon said. "I have so much faith in him and his makeup that I may have over-evaluated that in the beginning. That was my fault."

HIT PARADE: Rays 2B B.J. Upton matched his career high with four hits in the game, including his ninth homer of the year. He also had a four-hit game May 27 in Chicago.

MISCELLANY: Maddon said that CF Rocco Baldelli's recovery from a left hamstring strain has progressed with no setbacks, but he would not estimate when he might return to the team. ... The Rays have seven players with five or more homers. Only the Jays have more, with nine.

[Last modified June 6, 2007, 01:25:12]