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Kennedy's future top priority in loss

Rookie's solid outing ends after 6 in Angels' 2-1 win as Rays coddle the promising left-hander.

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 19, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- Hal McRae heard the fans above the Rays dugout questioning his decision. He listened to the pleas from catcher Mike DiFelice and starting pitcher Joe Kennedy.

But nothing could have swayed his decision to take Kennedy out after the sixth inning of the Rays' 2-1 loss against Anaheim before an announced 12,234 at Tropicana Field.

"Anything shy of the seventh game of the World Series, he's going to come out," the Rays manager said. "Tonight, he knew he had good stuff at the end and he was saying, "Why am I coming out? Let me go one more.' "

The reason was simple.

Even in a game as tight as Wednesday's, and as well as Kennedy was pitching, Tampa Bay has decided to play it safe when it comes to the 22-year-old's future as a big-league starter.

"He's going to be a valuable guy because he does have a good arm," McRae said. "He throws as hard as any lefty in the league, has as good a stuff as any lefty in the league."

Kennedy, who began the season at Double-A Orlando and is 3-4 with the Rays since being called up from Triple-A Durham on June 1, was pulled after throwing 94 pitches and giving up one run on eight hits in six innings. He struck out a career-high six and worked his way out of jams in the first, fourth and fifth innings.

"That's up to him," Kennedy said of McRae's decision. "I go out there and throw as many innings as I can and when Hal comes up to me and says, "You're done.' "

Still, he is wise enough to realize the Rays are doing what is best for his longevity.

"This year, to me, it's not win or lose," Kennedy said. "It's just getting the experience, being able to be up here hopefully for the rest of the year."

Anaheim starter Ismael Valdes rivaled Kennedy's performance.

The right-hander (6-5) pitched magnificently for six innings, though his reason for being taken out before the seventh was entirely different.

A blood blister formed on his right index finger.

Valdes retired the first nine batters he faced and allowed two hits before manager Mike Scioscia pulled him during warmups for the seventh.

"It's tough to come out of a ballgame like that," Valdes said.

That blood blister gave the Rays a chance.

Relief pitcher Ben Weber replaced Valdes and gave up a pair of doubles, one to first baseman Steve Cox that scored designated hitter Greg Vaughn from second to make it 2-1.

The Rays loaded the bases in the eighth but were unable to score as Cox struck out against closer Troy Percival.

"It was one of those situations where either he gets me or I get him," Cox said. "He ended up getting me. That's the way it works sometimes."

The Angels, who have won five straight road games, scored first.

Rookie shortstop David Eckstein, who played at the University of Florida and won a state championship at Sanford-Seminole High, hit a leadoff single in the first inning and advanced to second on Troy Glaus' single to rightfield.

Eckstein, who finished 4-for-4, scored on a fielder's choice when Darin Erstad beat the relay to first to avoid a double play on a grounder to shortstop Andy Sheets.

Kennedy got out of it when Erstad was caught stealing and leftfielder Garret Anderson flied out to center.

Anaheim didn't score again until the seventh inning when four of the first five batters relief pitcher Travis Phelps faced reached base. Benji Gil, who tripled to lead off the inning, scored on a sacrifice fly by catcher Bengie Molina to make it 2-0. Adam Kennedy struck out but made it to first on a wild pitch.

Doug Creek replaced Phelps with the bases loaded and one out and got two strikeouts to end the inning. Creek, making his 40th relief appearance this season, struck out four and didn't allow a hit in 12/3 innings.

"(Creek) was brilliant tonight," McRae said.

The Rays could do nothing with Percival in a ninth inning that included a pinch-hit appearance for Fred McGriff, his first at home since turning down a trade to the Cubs this week. He struck out to end the game.

"We had a few shots but not enough shots," McRae said. "We were unable to get a key base hit but we didn't get many opportunities to get hits."

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