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Standridge seeks his lost aggression

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 29, 2001

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Jason Standridge isn't sure exactly what went wrong, doesn't know precisely why a promising season turned so bad so unexpectedly.

But he has an idea.

Standridge was involved in an ugly incident in the second inning of his third start for Triple-A Durham. Down 8-0 after giving up two home runs, Standridge hit Toledo's Tom Evans, who charged the mound, sparking a multi-player brawl.

Standridge ended up with a swollen eye, a sore hand and a five-game suspension. But the more significant damage may have been psychological.

"It was kind of tough," said Standridge, a practicing Christian. "I started getting a little tentative, I didn't want anybody to charge the mound any more. It's almost like it took away the inner half of the plate for me to throw there, because I was afraid I was going to get charged again. It took me a little bit to get over that, but I'm over it. It played with my emotions a little bit. But I'm okay, I'm ready to go."

Standridge threw five shutout innings in each of his first two starts, winning one. From the brawl game on, he is 4-10 with a 5.85 ERA. The Rays promoted him Friday in hopes the major-league environment improves his performance.

"It's been kind of a disappointing year," Standridge said. "This has kind of rekindled my fire. If this doesn't get you going, nothing will. I'm happy to be here, happy they had the confidence in me to bring me up. ... I appreciate them believing in me that I can pitch here. Now I have to believe in myself that I can pitch here."

GUILLEN ANTSY: Two weeks into a maximum 20-day rehab assignment, outfielder Jose Guillen said his sprained left knee is healed and he is ready to rejoin the team. The Rays, though, don't seem to be in a hurry to bring him back. "I don't know what the deal is," Guillen said from Durham. "I'm driving the ball, catching all the fly balls, running very well. I've been ready to go since last week."

REHAB REPORT: Wilson Alvarez is scheduled to make his 15th rehab start today for Double-A Orlando. He pitched nine games in extended spring training, then six with Orlando and Durham to rehab his shoulder, but he was sidelined with forearm inflammation. Today marks the start of a new assignment. ... Juan Guzman's 30-day rehab is about to expire, leaving the Rays with the choice of activating him, putting him back on the disabled list or parting ways.

WELL-REPRESENTED: The trade of Albie Lopez and Mike DiFelice left the Rays without a players union rep or an alternate. Catcher John Flaherty will take over on at least an interim basis.

DOUBLE-UP: Fans who buy regular-priced tickets (except the Southwest Airlines seats) for any of the Aug. 7-9 games against the Yankees will get a free general admission ticket to the Aug. 10 game against Minnesota. Tickets must be purchased at the Tropicana Field box office or team stores at WestShore Plaza, Brandon Town Center and BayWalk.

RAYS BITS: Chris Gomez's second-inning blast gave the Rays a homer in a season-high seventh straight game. ... Ben Grieve on Friday had his third five-RBI game of the season. Only Sammy Sosa and Alex Rodriguez have had more. ... Scouting director Dan Jennings and Bo McKinnis, the adviser to top draft pick Dewon Brazelton, have continued discussions.

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