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Rays come up big in seventh

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 8, 2000

CLEVELAND -- It didn't take much for the Devil Rays to break their six-game, 0-for-September losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Indians on Thursday.

Just four straight run-scoring singles with two out in the seventh, sparking their most productive inning in a week. Six decent innings from starter Bryan Rekar, who had won once in a month. Some dazzling relief work from Esteban Yan, who hadn't pitched in 11 days. And the nerve-rattling finishing touch of closer Roberto Hernandez, who allowed the potential tying run to get to second in the ninth.

"With the injuries we've had and everything," manager Larry Rothschild said, "you take what you can get and get out of here."

Having lost three straight to the hard-charging Indians, the Rays seemed on the verge of being swept out of town, trailing 3-0 after six innings. "The way the game was rolling with a three-run lead we were looking at it being another game where they get good pitching and any mistake we make they just blow it right open," Hernandez said.

Instead, the Rays rallied. The winning sequence wasn't loud, not with six of their 14 overall singles, but it was effective. And impressive, with four of the hits coming with two outs. "It was nice to be on the receiving end instead of watching the other team," Greg Vaughn said. "It was good."

Gerald Williams led off with an infield single and Miguel Cairo followed with a base hit. After two fly outs, the Rays rapped out four straight run-scoring hits.

Vaughn singled to left for one run and Vinny Castilla, 6-for-13 since coming off the disabled list, did the same off struggling reliever Steve Karsay.

Interim manager Bill Russell, filling in for the suspended Rothschild, sent rookie Aubrey Huff to pinch-hit for slumping catcher Mike DiFelice, and Huff singled to right-center, tying the score at 3.

Then rookie Jason Tyner, who had a career-high three hits, knocked in the go-ahead run with a single to center. "It's always nice when you can help your team win, especially being a young guy where you're just trying to get everybody's respect," Tyner said. "It's a good feeling to help win a big game. And when you're on a losing streak, any game you win is a big game."

A key was the five-up, five-down performance by Yan. He hadn't pitched since Aug. 26 because of inflammation in his right shoulder, and the Rays sorely missed him in the set-up role.

"Este came back and threw the ball very well which is a big pick-up for us," Rothschild said. "Without him in the bullpen it's pretty rough to get to Roberto."

"I felt good tonight," Yan said. "I don't know how I'll feel tomorrow."

At this point, that's about all you can ask.

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