Sports: McRae stands by Yan as closer

"The young guys are developing and they are comfortable in their roles," McRae said. "If we keep it like that, in the long run, we'll be a better ballclub.

"They need to grow and gain experience. (We shouldn't) put a lot of pressure on them, not the constant pressure, the everyday pressure on those guys."

Yan entered in the ninth inning with the Rays ahead 3-2 and allowed a home run to the first batter he faced, designated hitter David Ortiz. It was the fifth homer Yan allowed in a 27-batter span.

"You don't mind a closer coming in in that situation with a one-run lead and giving up a home run," catcher John Flaherty said. "You'd almost rather that happen than him walking a guy or messing around."

Yan, who leads the majors with eight blown saves, settled down after Ortiz's homer. The right-hander struck out two and gave up two hits in two innings.

"I think I've been pitching well," he said. "(Sunday) that was only one pitch and he hit a home run. I don't think I pitched bad after that."

McRae and Yan met privately in the manager's office for 10 minutes after the game. Yan emerged smiling. "We have to continue to watch and see if he improves and gets better and if he learns to handle situations," McRae said. "Making pitches, when you have the stuff, is a matter of keeping your emotions in check and to be able to focus to be able to do what you need to do.

"When you miss, you shouldn't miss by much. But that is learning through experience."

SEAY-ING BOBBY: After signing a $3-million contract as an amateur free agent in 1996 and experiencing a series of setbacks, pitcher Bobby Seay's time with the Rays is now.

The 23-year-old Sarasota native was recalled from Double-A Orlando to take Jeff Wallace's spot on the roster.

"His number has come up," McRae said of Seay. "I liked his arm in spring training. ... It gives Wally a chance to rest his arm."

Wallace was placed on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his throwing elbow. He said he had some discomfort after making a five-inning spot start Monday against the White Sox.

Seay, 0-2 with a 14.21 ERA in spring training, will be in uniform today but won't be available to pitch until Tuesday. The left-hander was 2-5 with a 6.14 ERA in 14 appearance with the O-Rays.

HOW'D THAT HAPPEN?: The Twins had eight assists in the sixth inning thanks to a trio of rundown plays in which three Rays were tagged out.

That fell two short of a major-league record for assists in an inning.

ODDS AND ENDS: Reliever Victor Zambrano, who pitched the 11th and 12th innings and allowed one hit, tied a team record with his fifth consecutive win. Reliever Doug Creek has struck out eight of the past 13 batters he has faced. McRae plans on not having his two left-handed starting pitchers, Joe Kennedy and Nick Bierbrodt, pitch back to back after the Rays' upcoming road trip to New York and Minnesota. Rays wives collected 11/2 tons of canned goods for Metropolitan Ministries of Tampa.

Today: Twins at Rays, 12:15 p.m.

WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg.

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

TICKETS: Available at all Ticketmaster locations. Also at Tropicana Field box office and Rays Dugout stores at WestShore Plaza, Brandon TownCenter and BayWalk.

INFORMATION: 1-800-FAN-RAYS.

TODAY'S PROMOTIONS: All $7 upper general admission and $12 outfield seats are half price. ... Seniors can buy a lower deck outfield ticket and receive a hot dog and soft drink for $12 or an upper general admission ticket, hot dog and Pepsi for $7.

The pitchers

NICK BIERBRODT: Bierbrodt (0-2, 6.89) makes his fourth start since being acquired from Arizona. He allowed seven runs and a club-record 13 hits in 32/3 innings against the Yankees Wednesday.

KYLE LOHSE: Lohse won his first three decisions but has lost his past four. The right-hander (3-4, 5.64) has allowed 20 runs in his past five starts.

You don't say

Someone asked John Flaherty after his game-ending home run in the 12th inning Sunday if he had dinner reservations he was trying to keep. "No," Flaherty said, "but (home-plate umpire) Wally Bell was saying he has to take his wife to the airport, so I'm sure he appreciated getting out of there."

Attendance report

SUNDAY'S CROWD: 20,869

TROPICANA FIELD CAPACITY: 44,445

SEASON TOTAL: 922,782

PER-GAME AVERAGE: 16,189

2001 LARGEST CROWD: 41,546

2001 SMALLEST CROWD: 10,539

2000 PER-GAME AVERAGE: 19,368

1999 PER-GAME AVERAGE: 19,296

1998 PER-GAME AVERAGE: 30,939

Back to Sports

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

From the Times sports desk

Bucs

It's time to get acquainted

At a glance

Coaches are looking for a 'crisp, clean game'

Rays

In a late Flash, Rays are winners again

Maddux falls short of Fischer

McRae stands by Yan as closer

College football

Drop is driving FSU's Morgan

College football around the state

Stress no less for low ranking

Sports Etc.

Gordon's win sets a record

Louisiana makes Series

Daily fishing report

From the wire

From the state sports wire Jacksonville's Spicer placed on IR after leg surgery
FIU-Western Kentucky game postponed because of Jeanne
Brown anxious to face old team for first time
Dolphins' desperate defense readies for Roethlisberger
Former Sarasota lineman sheds tough-guy image with Michigan
Rothstein rejoins Heat as assistant
No. 16 Florida has history on its side against Kentucky
FSU and Clemson QBs both off to slow starts