Another implosion for Corcoran, Orvella
Utility INF Josh Wilson ends up on the mound in the eighth for his first pro pitching appearance.
By MARC TOPKIN
Published June 9, 2007
MIAMI - After watching pitchers Tim Corcoran and Chad Orvella struggle again, the Rays were willing to try anything to get some relief.
And that's how utility INF Josh Wilson ended up on the mound in the eighth inning Friday for his first pro pitching appearance, allowing one walk and one hit.
Corcoran faced six batters and delivered ball four to five of them, walking in the decisive run in the sixth as the Rays blew an 8-2 lead. Tuesday, he walked in the winning run in the ninth when the Rays blew an 11-6 advantage. Orvella gave up three hits and two walks, and he raised his ERA to 14.63.
DUKES DOWN: The Devil Rays haven't talked about sending struggling rookie OF Elijah Dukes down to the minor leagues, manager Joe Maddon said, but they are planning to drop him down in the order.
With 3B Akinori Iwamura returning to the leadoff spot, Dukes - in an 0-for-23 skid that dropped his average to .193 - will bat near the bottom of the order when he is in the lineup. Dukes didn't start Friday, though he came in during the first to replace injured B.J. Upton, who is day to day with a left quad strain. Maddon said he planned to bat Dukes seventh tonight against Marlins lefty Dontrelle Willis.
"I want to move him out of the top part of the batting order, " Maddon said. "I think he's applying a little bit of too much pressure to himself."
If Dukes continues to struggle, the Rays might revisit the issue when CF Rocco Baldelli returns from the disabled list soon.
But sending Dukes down might not be simple, either, because officials at Triple-A Durham had said they didn't want him back based on the numerous disciplinary issues he was involved in last season.
AKI'S BACK: The scar over his left eye might limit a modeling career, but Iwamura was pleased to resume his baseball career, returning after missing five games following an eye injury. He was 0-for-5 with a walk.
"I was disappointed because it was an unlucky thing, an accident that happened, " Iwamura said through interpreter Masa Koyanagi. "I'm not happy with the recovery."
Iwamura went through a full workout for the first time Thursday, having been restricted from bending down by team doctors, who were concerned about pressure building up. He planned to wear clear sunglasses in the field to provide protection, having been originally hurt by a bouncing foul ball June 2.
Maddon was equally glad to have Iwamura back, inserting him at the top of the lineup, with plans to keep him there.
MASTERPIECE THEATER: Four-time Cy Young Award and 338-game winner Greg Maddux is scheduled to start for the Padres on Tuesday against the Rays, matching up with Scott Kazmir. It will be Maddux's third career start at the Trop, his first since July 18, 2000. He is 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA, with two complete games for the Braves.
MISCELLANY: RHP Jae Seo, designated for assignment June 2 after going 3-4 with a 8.13 ERA, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A. He has until Monday to accept. ... RHP Dale Thayer, 27, could be pitching his way into a promotion, going 4-0, 2.35 with 14 saves (in 15 chances) at Double-A Montgomery.