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Rays briefs

By KEVIN KELLY and Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 16, 2001

Timing the priority as players renew workouts

ST. PETERSBURG -- It still didn't feel right, but the Rays conducted their second practice of the week on Saturday at Tropicana Field.

Tampa Bay will continue working out each day until it opens a three-game series at Boston on Tuesday. Baseball resumes play Monday after postponing games because of the terrorists attacks in New York and at the Pentagon.

"We're going to try and stay in some kind of routine, running and throwing and hoping that we'll be ready come Tuesday in Boston," manager Hal McRae said. "Timing is the key. The hitters are going to lose their timing and the pitchers are going to lose their rhythm."

Protected by a screen, Rays starters threw off the mound to batters for 10 minutes each. The relievers will do the same, but for only two batters during today's workout.

"It kind of felt like spring training out there doing live batting practice, a lot of standing around," Aubrey Huff said. "It's not as hard as taking three or four months off, but I was starting to get back by about my third or fourth round. The first couple of rounds, it felt like I've never hit before."

ROTATION: The pitching rotation is set for the team's eight-game trip to Boston, Toronto and New York.

Tanyon Sturtze, a native of Worcester, Mass., will pitch the series opener in Boston, the Red Sox's first game at Fenway Park since the terrorist attacks. Sturtze also will pitch Sept. 25 against the Yankees in their first game at Yankee Stadium.

"Isn't that great? It just gets easier," Sturtze said sarcastically. "I think that's going to be even tougher than the Boston day.

"I've got to think about Boston's lineup for right now and that's all I can really try to think about because I do have a job to do. I get paid to do that job. I know that a lot of things have happened, a lot of people are suffering, but I have a job to do."

Following Sturtze in the rotation: right-handers Paul Wilson, Ryan Rupe, Bryan Rekar and left-handers Nick Bierbrodt and Joe Kennedy.

THE RIGHT CALL: Nobody disagreed with Friday's decision to postpone Monday's home game against the Yankees until Oct. 4.

"We were willing to adjust and not criticize and not second-guess whatever the league decided to do," McRae said.

The postponement sets up an 11-game homestand against Toronto, Boston and New York to close the season.

"I wouldn't say it's an advantage but it's always nice to be home," McRae said. "It's nice to finish the season at home because it's preparation for most guys to get back home. They're able to pack and take care of things that have to be taken care of and possibly leave for their homes the following day.

"It's a convenience, not an advantage."

ODDS AND ENDS: Catcher John Flaherty got a cortisone shot to treat the herniated disc in his neck on Friday. He was not at Saturday's workout but, if he feels up to it, will take batting practice today. ... Players and coaches were briefed before practice about new travel procedures.

Around the leagues

INDIANS: Ellis Burks, who was unable to throw properly when baseball was shut down Tuesday, feels like a new man. At least new enough to be a more dangerous threat to opposing teams.

No longer is Burks' sore right elbow an issue. He had awakened one morning to find that his elbow was swollen, and that he couldn't straighten it. After a few days, he was able to swing, but when play was stopped last week, he still couldn't throw.

"It's fine now," Burks said. "They drained it and gave me a shot of cortisone."

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