Sports: Bullpen pitching well, but too much

Bullpen pitching well, but too much

By KEVIN KELLY

NEW YORK -- The price of being competitive, the Rays bullpen discovered during the recent homestand, is an increased workload.

Manager Hal McRae was adamant about trying to get seven innings out of rookie Joe Kennedy on Tuesday -- he got six and used two relievers -- in an attempt to rest tired arms after a 4-3 homestand against the Yankees and Twins.

"This is the first time we've really got into a situation where they have pitched too much," McRae said. "But we're at the point now where they're pitching too much."

Relievers Jesus Colome, Doug Creek, Travis Phelps, Esteban Yan and Victor Zambrano combined for 222/3 innings during the homestand. The pen ranks second in the majors in ERA (2.95) since the All-Star break before Wednesday's game against New York.

"We've been struggling down in the pen a little bit as far as trying to save innings and keep guys fresh," Phelps said. "But we're doing a good job. Guys are picking each other up every day down there. That's what we need."

Before Wednesday, Rays starters had lasted a little less than the league average of 5.94 innings, and only one Tampa Bay pitcher (Albie Lopez on April 13) had thrown a complete game.

"Everybody's going through the same thing," McRae said. "The starters are not pitching. We did it for seven days and we can't do it for another seven, not the way we did it."

The additions of Jason Standridge and Bobby Seay should help as both will be used in short relief.

STILL WORKING: A slight adjustment to Brent Abernathy's batting stance after an 0-for-3 night against the White Sox on Aug. 3 continues to prove beneficial.

Abernathy moved his hands up 5 inches and was 16-for-35 with seven walks in 10 games before Wednesday.

"I went ahead and made the adjustment with my hands because I feel like in the long run that will make me a better player, doing the things I'm supposed to do as a No. 2 hitter and second baseman," he said.

"The effect is that I get on top of the ball. I'm hitting more line drives with carry on them and more ground balls. I'm not the type of guy, being 6-foot, 180 pounds, that can hit fly balls that are over outfielders' heads."

NOT JUST A BAT: Catcher Toby Hall was hitting .429 in his past six before Wednesday but continues to impress McRae more with his defensive awareness.

Hall has thrown out 44 percent of would-be basestealers and showed his mobility in the fifth inning Tuesday when he fielded a bunt and threw to third on a force play.

ODDS AND ENDS: First baseman Steve Cox, on the 15-day DL with a strained lower back, is expected to start taking full batting practice by Friday before going on a short rehab assignment. ... Pitchers Wilson Alvarez (Triple-A Durham) and Bryan Rekar (Double-A Orlando) reported no problems in their rehab starts Tuesday. Both are expected to pitch Sunday. ... The game against Chicago on Aug. 25 will be Fire and Rescue Appreciation Day at Tropicana Field. The team will provide four tickets to all fire and rescue personnel in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Sarasota and Manatee counties. ... The Rays' 16th-round draft pick, first baseman/pitcher Timothy Layden from Deer Park, N.Y., worked out with the team before Wednesday's game.