Sports: Lopez rewarded for his hot week

Lopez rewarded for his hot week

By MARC TOPKIN

BOSTON -- Devil Rays fans know how well Albie Lopez has been pitching.

Now word is starting to get around.

Lopez on Monday was named American League Player of the Week for his back-to-back complete game victories.

"It's nice to be recognized," Lopez said.

Lopez is the fifth Devil Rays player and first pitcher to win the weekly honor, chosen by Major League Baseball officials.

The other Tampa Bay winners were Quinton McCracken (March 31-April 5, 1998), Jose Canseco (April 19-25, 1999), Fred McGriff (May 3-9, 1999) and Wade Boggs (Aug. 2-8), 1999.

In 18 innings in the two starts, Lopez allowed nine hits and three runs, beating the Twins and White Sox. He joined Rolando Arrojo as the only Rays to record back-to-back complete game victories, and set a team record with his fourth complete game of the season.

After opening the season in the bullpen, Lopez has had a tremendous run as a starter since joining the rotation May 28. In 15 starts he is 8-4 with a 2.97 ERA.

What would he have thought in March about winning the league's weekly honor for two complete game victories in a row.

"Yeah, right," Lopez said. "Back-to-back saves maybe, or back-to-back holds or something."

Lopez will be presented with a watch during the next homestand.

DOWN UNDER?: Brent Abernathy, the second baseman acquired from Toronto, is under serious consideration for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

Officials are looking at top minor-leaguers, but are having to work around players who are targeted for September call-ups. Abernathy is hitting .311 with one homer and 10 RBI in 13 games at Durham, .298-5-45 overall in 104 games this season.

PINE TIME: Manager Larry Rothschild left shortstop Felix Martinez out of the lineup again Monday, hoping a couple days off would shake him from a general malaise that seems to have sprouted from his batting slump.

"It might be time for him to take a couple days and get a perspective on things. As a matter of fact, it not only might be, it is," Rothschild said.

"He's gone through a period where he's struggled and I think it's impacted him in certain ways I'd rather not have happen, whether it's baserunning or bunting or things like that, parts of the game he needs to be good at. Sometimes I think he's pressed a little bit."

ON THE OTHER HAND: Rothschild on Sunday said calls may be going against the Rays because umpires tend to give better teams the benefit of the doubt.

Umpire Rick Reed, whose blown balk call led to Saturday's loss, disputed the notion. "I think it's a statement that a lot of guys, maybe in that position, make," Reed told the Associated Press. "My credibility is on the line every game. It doesn't make any difference whether I'm doing a first-place team or a last-place team. To be honest with you, I'm not even aware of what the standings are."

NOW BATTING: Greg Vaughn wants to go back to playing leftfield and Rothschild wants to see him out there. But Vaughn continues to be limited to designated hitter duties until his strained right shoulder heals. Since he already has had three arthroscopic and one complete surgery on the shoulder, both sides want to be cautious and have set no timetable. "I don't like DH-ing," Vaughn said. "I'll be back out there."

RAYS BITS: Paul Wilson, used twice in relief, could get a start later in the 13-day road trip. ... Left-hander Cedrick Bowers, the Rays fourth-round pick in the 1996 draft, was promoted to Triple-A Durham. Denis Pujals was sent down to Orlando. ... Tampa Bay relievers through Sunday have allowed a .240 batting average, best in the league and third best in the majors. ... Triple-A Durham manager Bill Evers on Sunday won his 1,000th career game. ... Including Monday, the Rays had 27 road games remaining, second most in the AL.