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Saunders adds 31/3 innings

By JOHN SCHWARB

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 20, 2000

SARASOTA -- Tony Saunders' fourth rehabilitation start was not his best on the scoreboard, but after another three-plus innings Saturday night he said he continues to be on the right track to recovery.

Pitching for the Class A St. Petersburg Devil Rays, Saunders lasted 31/3 innings, giving up three runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout. After surrendering a leadoff double and a groundout in the fourth he was removed, as he had moved to within three pitches of his 60-pitch limit.

On his most recent rehab assignment, seven days earlier at Dunedin, he threw 59 pitches over 32/3 innings, giving up two hits and one run.

"Just like the last game I got tired again late," Saunders said. "All in all, I felt better than the last time out there, so that's good. Every time I go out there I just want to feel a little bit better each time."

Sarasota scored two in the first inning. The leadoff hitter flied out, then Danny Haas homered to rightfield. The next batter walked, stole second then scored an unearned run when a ground ball was thrown away for an error.

After a 1-2-3 second inning, the Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the third after a double, a bunt single and a four-pitch walk. The next batter hit a sacrifice fly, knocking in the third run, but no further damage was done.

The five hits were more than Saunders allowed in his first three outings combined (four in 82/3), and three of his fly-ball outs reached the warning track, but he said he paid little attention.

"I'm just going out there just trying to get the ball over the plate," Saunders said. "Those guys put some balls in play, but that's what they get paid to do, too."

Saunders' top speed was 86 mph; he threw 28 of 57 pitches for strikes.

Saunders said he would pitch again in five days, and probably would find out today whether his next start will be for St. Petersburg or another club.

"Pitching's pitching right now," he said. "(The organization) doesn't really care where it's at or what level. They're just worried about me getting my pitches and my innings."

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