Sports: Rupe back on staff as Rose goes to pen

ST. PETERSBURG -- For days, the Rays had maintained Brian Rose would start today's home game against Anaheim, but after Sunday's win, Tampa Bay recalled right-hander Ryan Rupe from Triple-A Durham and will start him instead.

"He was a mismatch in that league, so it was time," pitching coach Bill Fischer said. "He has to get his confidence back, and he was lights out there. They couldn't hit them."

Rupe allowed one run in 11 innings in two starts at Durham, striking out 17 and walking one. He struggled in six starts with the Rays, leaving with a 9.00 ERA after allowing opponents a .348 average.

With Rupe arriving, reliever Mickey Callaway was optioned to Durham, eight days after being promoted. Callaway, whose 50 minor-league wins are the most in Rays history, took the move in stride.

"You just go down and pitch, try to work your way back up again," said Callaway, who made two appearances during his call-up, his first in the majors since 1999. With Rupe as the No. 5 starter, Rose will shift to the bullpen. ON THE ROAD BACK: Second baseman Russ Johnson, on the disabled list since May 16 with a strained right quadriceps, likely will be activated Thursday in Oakland.

Johnson has a two-game rehabilitation stint at Double-A Orlando today and Tuesday, then will participate in extended spring training Wednesday before flying out to meet the team.

Manager Hal McRae wouldn't commit to Johnson returning directly to the starting lineup, but Johnson seemed to have little doubt.

"For sure," said Johnson, batting .290 with 14 RBI. "I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be that way. We haven't played any better with me not in the lineup, that's for sure."

Johnson's replacement at second, Damian Rolls, has filled in admirably, getting hits in 10 of 11 games during Johnson's absence. Rolls had two singles Sunday and a stolen base that gave him a share of the team lead with Gerald Williams at nine. His .329 average trails only Randy Winn's .351.

What most impressed McRae was the way Rolls tagged up from second to advance on a pop fly Angels second baseman Adam Kennedy fielded while off-balance in shallow rightfield in the sixth. He called the move a "heads-up play" and said the rookie is making a case to keep his starting spot.

"He's been very convincing so far, but I'm not going to commit," McRae said. "Maybe he's convinced everyone but me. Maybe I'm the last holdout."

PLAYING IN PAIN: Shortstop Felix Martinez, who lost his starting job to Andy Sheets, has tendinitis in his left knee. Martinez, who made his first start since May 17 on Sunday, said the knee has been bothering him since spring training.

"It's hurting me more now than it has all year," Martinez said.

HOO-RAYS: Today's game closes a 10-game homestand in which the Rays have gone 3-6. Tampa Bay's home record is 8-19, worst in the American League. ... Ben Grieve has reached base in a major-league best 33 games after a single and walk Sunday. ... The Rays are 0-3 all-time on Memorial Day.

Today: Angels at Rays, 4:15

WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg.

RADIO: WFLA-AM 970, WLCC-AM 760 (Spanish).

TICKETS: Available at the Tropicana Field box office, Ticketmaster outlets and Devil Rays Dugout stores at WestShore Plaza and the Brandown TownCenter. Tickets also can be purchased by phone at (727) 898-RAYS or (813) 282-RAYS.

TODAY'S PROMOTION: Half Price Monday -- All upper general admission tickets (normally $8) and outfield seats (normally $14) are half price.

INFO: Call 1-888-FAN-RAYS

The pitchers

RYAN RUPE: Rupe (2-4, 9.00) had two strong starts at Durham, allowing one run in 11 innings for a 0.82 ERA while striking out 17 and walking one. In his first stint with the Rays, he gave up 32 earned runs and seven home runs in six starts.

S. SCHOENEWEIS: Schoeneweis (3-3, 4.48) gave up five earned runs in three innings against the Rays last season. The Duke graduate's seven wins in 2000 tied for the team lead among starters, and he shares that honor this season with Ramon Ortiz and Jarrod Washburn.

You don't say

Pitchers have taken the blame for Tampa Bay's 37 wild pitches, on pace for a major-league record 122. The Rays had two more balls get away Sunday, but manager Hal McRae said catchers John Flaherty and Mike DiFelice also need to work on staying in front of pitches. "We can do a better job," McRae said before the game. "We're not putting a body on the ball. Everything has been addressed, and re-addressed."

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