Albie starts to make a name for himself

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 14, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- Albie Lopez says there are no secrets to his success: "Just throw strikes and let your defense come through."

The way he's going, his success no longer is going to be much of a secret.

Lopez on Sunday won his 10th game overall, and sixth in his past eight starts. It was his second straight complete-game victory, and he lowered his ERA, which already was second-best in the American League, to 3.51.

"You can't pitch any better than he's pitched since he's been starting here," manager Larry Rothschild said.

Lopez fell behind early as the Sox turned two bad pitches into two runs, ending his career-high scoreless innings streak at 14, but never gave in.

"He gets more, I don't know if it's more focused, or more determined, but especially in a game like today, where every pitch is important, the last three innings he threw as good as I've ever seen him throw," catcher John Flaherty said.

Lopez, who joined the rotation May 28, is the second 10-game winner in Rays history, and with 20 career victories is one behind Rolando Arrojo's franchise mark. In 15 starts, he is 8-4 with a 2.97 ERA.

HOME COOKING: The Rays finished the seasonlong home-stand 7-6, including four walk-off wins. "I thought we played very well on this homestand and had some tough losses," Rothschild said. "We could have run off a bunch more."

UP NEXT -- P. MARTINEZ: Most teams cower at the thought of facing Boston ace Pedro Martinez. The Rays go into tonight's game looking to make history by beating him for a third straight time.

The Rays topped Martinez 3-2 on July 7, 1999, at the Trop, with Dave Eiland getting the win, and May 6 at Fenway, when Martinez struck out 17 but Steve Trachsel got the 1-0 win. No American League team has beaten Martinez in three straight, and one National League team has, the Mets from May 28, 1997, to June 5, 1998. Only seven teams have beaten him in back-to-back games.

"I think you know what you're up against," Rothschild said. "It's going to take a well-pitched game and it's going to take good concentration throughout a game. If we have some confidence in facing him, so be it. I think if we'd scored 10 runs against him it would be a little different. He still has some pretty good games against us, but, sure, it can be done."

TONY TIRED: Tony Saunders will get a few extra days before making his next rehab start, tentatively scheduled for Saturday at Sarasota.

Saunders got "a little tired, a little fatigued" during his 59-pitch outing for Class A St. Petersburg on Saturday and probably could use the two additional days of rest. "It may be exactly what I need," he said. But he was adamant that the tiredness should not be considered a setback, especially since his pitch limit was increased from 40 to 60.

Saunders, who fractured his left arm throwing a pitch May 26, 1999, has made three rehab starts and hopes to rejoin the big-league team in September after three more. "I'm in the middle of my rehab starts and I've got to get it going," he said.

BOBBY BOUNCING BACK: Infielder Bobby Smith, who was playing well before spraining his right knee July 5, is close to returning. He is heading to Triple-A Durham and will DH today, then play several days in the field and be revaluated. The original prognosis had Smith out until September. "It's been a little bit quicker," Rothschild said. ... Infielder Damian Rolls, 1-for-4 in his rehab debut Saturday, will stay with Class A St. Petersburg for five games.

RAYS BITS: The Rays have won nine games on the final pitch, matching their combined total from 1998-99. ... At 12-6, they have the best record in the American League since July 26. ... Jose Guillen is on a career-high 10-game hitting streak. ... Bryan Rekar, still sore from being hit with two balls Saturday, said there is a "96 percent" chance he will make his next start.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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