Sports: Bullpen's reliability remains an issue

Bullpen's reliability remains an issue

By MARC TOPKIN and JOHN ROMANO

ST. PETERSBURG -- The biggest question for the Rays at the start of spring training was the bullpen. The biggest question at the end is the bullpen.

As the Rays closed the exhibition season Sunday much the way they opened it, blowing a late-inning lead, it is obvious that the reliability of the relief corps is going to be an ongoing issue.

"You have to look at the bullpen; that's one of the places you have to watch and see how it develops," manager Larry Rothschild said. "I think we have the arms out there to get the job done. We'll just see where they are."

While Tanyon Sturtze, Ken Hill and Esteban Yan don't have a lot of experience finishing games, the Rays have confidence they, along with lone left-hander Doug Creek, can do their jobs.

But the contributions from newly acquired middle relievers Ariel Prieto and Mike Judd are not as certain.

With the Rays leading 4-1 Sunday, Prieto gave up a long two-run home run to David Ortiz in the sixth inning.

In the eighth, four of the five batters Judd faced reached base and the tying and go-ahead runs scored on wild pitches.

"Mike obviously isn't real comfortable right now and we've got to do everything we can to get him ready. We'll just continue to work at it," Rothschild said. "Ariel just left a fastball out over the plate and it got hit out of the park."

OUCH: Shortstop Felix Martinez left the game in the middle of a fifth inning at-bat after fouling a ball off the inside of his left ankle, but is not expected to miss any time.

"He should be fine," Rothschild said. "From what I understand it shouldn't be a problem at all."

SPRING WRAP: The Rays finished the exhibition season with a 12-15-1 record, but the most important stat may have been that they had no significant injuries. "I started out saying I wanted to get this team ready and stay healthy, and we did that," Rothschild said. "I thought it was a good spring for us." ... The Rays averaged 4,277 in attendance for the 13 home games at Florida Power Park, ranking 16th among the 20 Florida-based teams.

TRAVIS TOUGH: No. 5 starter Travis Harper bounced back from consecutive rough outings with a sharp five-inning performance against the Twins, allowing four hits while striking out four.

"Everything felt real good today, nice, loose and live," Harper said. "I was pleased with the outing. It's a good time of spring training to feel good." ... No. 4 starter Ryan Rupe pitched five innings in a minor-league intrasquad game, allowing four runs on eight hits.

MINOR MATTERS: The minor-league teams broke camp Sunday, with top outfield prospects Josh Hamilton and Carl Crawford headed to Double-A Orlando, along with left-handed pitcher Bobby Seay.

Among other noted prospects, Matt White, Jason Standridge, Aubrey Huff and Toby Hall were assigned to Triple-A Durham. Outfielder Rocco Baldelli, the team's first-round pick in the 2000 draft, shortstop Jace Brewer and pitcher Doug Waechter of St. Petersburg went to Class A Charleston. Paul Wilder, the team's first first-round pick in 1996, and pitcher Ed Kofler are headed to the new Class A Bakersfield, Calif., affiliate.

Celebrated outfielder Greg "Toe" Nash will remain in the extended spring training program and is likely headed to the Princeton, W.Va., team in June.

FOR OPENERS: Tropicana Field gates will open at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, and fans entering through the rotunda will be greeted by Rays players and coaches. ... The Jays will take batting practice from 4:30-5:10, with the Rays hitting from 5:10-6:10. ... On-field festivities begin at 6:32. ... First pitch is scheduled for 7:15. ... The Rays will hold a closed workout at 3 today at Tropicana Field.