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By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 21, 2001
The game
WHERE: SkyDome, Toronto.
TV/RADIO: Ch. 32; WDAE-AM 620, WLCC-AM 760 (Spanish).
vs. Central: 13-1
vs. West: 10-26
vs. NL: 10-8
vs. RH starters: 40-72
vs. LH starters: 11-22
on grass: 17-46
on turf: 34-48
in day games: 21-33
at night: 30-61
one-run games: 16-15
two-run games: 10-17
extra innings: 5-4
scoring first: 38-27
scoring four or more: 46-38
scoring fewer than four: 5-56
There was a time Rekar was pitching better than his record indicated, but that isn't the case anymore. He is 1-13 with a 6.12 ERA, but 0-6 with an 8.08 ERA in the nine starts since his win June 13. Against Toronto, he is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA in seven starts
The 21-year-old right-hander has made seven starts since being called up, going 5-2 with a 4.05 ERA while striking out 21 and walking just nine. Lyon was Toronto's fourth-round pick in the 1999 draft and is in his second pro season.
While resuming games apparently has provided a welcome diversion for troubled fans around the country, returning to the field has proved to be a welcome relief for the players as well. "As professional athletes we get a 31/2-hour escape from what's going on," Rays pitcher Tanyon Sturtze said. "We're in a game and we're back playing baseball, and that takes all of our focus."