Rays' pitchers may be missing calling

Tampa Bay sets a record for hits by an AL pitching staff in interleague play.

By MARC TOPKIN
Published June 21, 2007

PHOENIX - Measured by their major-league-high 5.68 staff ERA, the Devil Rays have not been very effective pitchers. But they are the best hitting pitchers in American League history.

James Shields' fifth-inning single was their eighth hit, surpassing Texas' AL interleague record of seven in 1997.

In nine NL-rules games, Rays pitchers were 8-for-22, a .364 average, and drove in four runs. That's more RBIs than the pitching staffs of four NL teams (Astros, Marlins, Mets, Nationals) and nearly as many (six) as the Rays had in their first nine seasons. The league RBI record is five, by the '97 Rangers and '99 Orioles.

"That really speaks to our pitching coach, who's the finest hitting pitching coach in all of major-league baseball, " manager Joe Maddon said. "Jim Hickey has had them on a plan for a while and he does a great job preparing them to hit. Hick's got a great game plan, he works with them diligently and I think that's a big part of the reason they've done so well."

Andy Sonnanstine was 2-for-5, J.P. Howell 2-for-6, Jason Hammel 1-for-1, Scott Kazmir and Edwin Jackson 1-for-2 and Shields 1-for-6.

DUKES DAILY: Troubled OF Elijah Dukes' days in Tampa Bay appear to be numbered as the Rays work to make a trade (perhaps with Florida?) or decide to release him.

Dukes has indicated to team officials he would like to move on, and the feeling seems to be mutual as he hasn't started in eight games. That includes Wednesday when the Rays gave LF Carl Crawford the day off and played Jonny Gomes in leftfield and Greg Norton in right.

Rays officials said Tuesday they were disappointed and frustrated by the distractions Dukes had caused and were "eager" to shift the focus back to the team.

Before Wednesday's game, Dukes made threatening comments to a St. Petersburg Times reporter in the clubhouse, saying: "You'll get what's coming to you, " and using several vulgarities and derogatory phrases. He also criticized the Times for not telling "the whole story" but declined to further explain.

Rays officials were made aware of the incident and executive vice president Andrew Friedman said: "We have not had an opportunity to assess the situation, so any comment would be premature."

ROCCO REPORT: CF Rocco Baldelli said Wednesday he was "frustrated and disappointed" with the latest setback in his recovery from a mid May left hamstring strain. The Rays won't know how long Baldelli will be out until he is evaluated this morning by Dr. Koco Eaton, but it could be up to another six weeks.

UPTON UPDATE: 2B/CF B.J. Upton, who strained his left quad June 8, is improving but probably won't be running 100 percent until next week. If he can, he may play three rehab games for Class A Vero Beach in a June 27-30 series at Tampa's Legends Field.

MISCELLANY: Hickey's followup exam on his right eye that was bruised by an errant golf ball showed "no detached retina or detached anything else." ... Veteran RHP Roberto Hernandez, an ex-Ray who still lives in South Pasadena, was released by the Indians and could be signed for about $200, 000. ... No. 1 overall draft pick LHP David Price was voted SEC male athlete of the year by conference athletic directors, the second Vanderbilt winner in the award's 31 years.

[Last modified June 21, 2007, 00:56:56]