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Rays' smiles swept away by Yanks

Two big homers launch a 12-5 New York blowout, completing a lost series for Tampa Bay.

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 17, 2001

NEW YORK -- Maybe Yankees fans have hearts after all.

What other reason might explain why Rays outfielders weren't heckled and only one fan dared sneak on the field and lead security guards on a chase during an entire three-game series?

"They weren't as rowdy as they used to be out there," rightfielder Ben Grieve said. "They used to yell and scream and all that. I didn't hear one peep out of them."

It could've been sheer exhaustion.

Too many standing ovations. Too much effort exerted while retrieving the six home runs hit off Rays starting pitchers in a three-game sweep that ended Thursday.

New York capped its destruction with a 12-5 victory before an announced 43,600 at Yankee Stadium. Tampa Bay, which was outscored 27-11 and committed five errors during the series, has lost eight in a row in the Bronx.

"Heck, it's obvious that they're a much better ballclub," said manager Hal McRae, whose team entered the series on a four-game winning streak. "We're outmanned. That doesn't mean that we can't go out and beat them, but they're a much better ballclub. And it showed the last three days."

No where was it displayed more prominently than in the Rays' pitching lines.

The Yankees tuned up for a three-game series against the Mariners by terrorizing Tampa Bay starters for 24 hits, 24 runs and the six homers during the series.

Ryan Rupe was Thursday's offering.

The right-hander (5-10) allowed a season-high 11 runs in 52/3 innings. He walked three and struck out six.

"Every team in the big leagues, you better watch out," Rupe said. "For them at home, they're swinging the bat great right now. I put some guys on and their two, three, four, five hitters that come up, you've got your work cut out for you.

"In that lineup, there's some guys you need to take care of. Unfortunately tonight, I did neither."

Yankees designated hitter David Justice hit a three-run homer on a 3-and-0 pitch in the first inning and Paul O'Neill made it 7-2 after two with a grand slam.

O'Neill's home run landed in the upper deck in rightfield. It was the 23rd homer hit by the Yankees against Tampa Bay this season. The Rays have three.

Rupe's struggles resembled that of Rays starters in the previous two losses. Joe Kennedy gave up five runs, two on homers, in six innings Tuesday. Paul Wilson threw 131 pitches and allowed eight runs in a 62/3-inning effort Wednesday.

"They're a good-hitting club, they're playing well," McRae said. "Maybe we get away with some of those pitches against another club. Maybe we do. Maybe we don't. I don't know.

"But I do know that we have to play our best and our pitchers have to pitch well to run with these guys."

Sterling Hitchcock (2-2) started for the Yankees and was pulled after five innings because the game was out of reach. He allowed three runs on seven hits.

First baseman Aubrey Huff was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Shortstop Felix Martinez, catcher Toby Hall and Grieve also had two hits apiece.

Though Rays personnel continue to point toward overall improvement of the club since the beginning of the season, the confidence of a four-game sweep against the Twins vanished in no less than 72 hours thanks to the Yankees.

"They have a lot more than the Twins," McRae said. "The Twins are good but they're young. The Yankees are good and they're experienced. It's like night and day when you talk about the two ballclubs."

Said Grieve: "We had a good run. A couple bad games here doesn't change the fact that we have been playing well lately. I think we'll continue to improve."

There is some good news.

Not only does Tampa Bay begin a three-game series against the Twins today, but it can forget about the Yankees for a while.

The Rays' next visit to Yankee Stadium is more than a month away.

"Simply put, we ran into a hot ballclub and we're not playing as well as we're capable of playing," McRae said. "They're a much better club and they showed it the last three days.

"They're playing good and we're still trying to hold our own."

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