By Michael Bean

– Newsdesk contributor

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Nov 3, 2011 – The Tampa Bay Rays may not have a long history, but the once moribund franchise has quickly added to its lore in recent years with surprising runs to the postseason. There are numerous players and coaches responsible for the Rays’ turnaround several years ago, and even more who pitched in during the club’s historic comeback in the American League wild card race this year.

One of those guys is Dan Johnson, who hit two of the biggest homeruns in franchise history. In case you had forgotten, Johnson was the one who saved the Rays’ season when he hit a 9th inning homerun against the New York Yankees in the 162nd and final game of the season. The two-out, two-strike shot tied the game, and it was his last hit with the Rays, as he failed to collect a hit in the postseason and has now declined a AAA assignment to Durham and instead opted to become a free agent this winter. Johnson’s flair for the dramatic also helped Tampa Bay reach the postseason in 2008, when his two-out long ball off Jonathan Papelbon put the Rays over the top and into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Johnson’s 2011 season was an unequivocal disappointment however. In 84 at bats, he hit .119 with two home runs and 4 runs batted in before losing his job to Casey Kotchman. In his six Big League seasons with the Rays and Oakland Athletics, Johnson has a career batting average of .235, with 53 home runs and 188 runs batted in. The Rays must now find a true first baseman in free agency or somewhere in their farm system, as the team enters the offseason without one on their roster.

Read More: Dan Johnson (1B – TAM), Jonathan Papelbon (P – BOS), Casey Kotchman (1B – TAM), Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays

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It was quite the ride for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011. After pulling off a historic comeback in the month of September to earn a wild card berth, the Rays fizzled out in the American League Divisional Series against the Texas Rangers. As there is every year in Tampa, there will be significant turnover on the roster this winter. But before we learn the fate of the Rays squad for 2012 and beyond, there’s the possibility of several individuals receiving hardware for the fine work they did defensively this season.

On Monday, it was announced that three Rays players had been nominated for Gold Gloves at their respective positions: Evan Longoria (3B), Casey Kotchman (1B) and Sam Fuld (LF). Were Longoria to get the nod, it would mark the third consecutive year that the 26-year old has taken home the Gold Glove award at 3B. Kotchman and Fuld have never won the award previously.

The Rawlings Gold Glove Awards will be broadcast live from Bristol, CT for the first time ever on Tuesday, November 1st. Here’s the announcement from ESPN, as well as a full list of players up for consideration:

ESPN2 will televise the first-ever Rawlings Gold Glove Awards Show – emanating from ESPN’s Baseball Tonight studio in Bristol – Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 10 p.m. ET. The one-hour telecast, hosted by Baseball Tonight’s Karl Ravech with analysts John Kruk and Barry Larkin (a three-time Gold Glove winner – 1994, 1995, 1996), will include the announcement of the 2011 Gold Glove Award winners and extensive highlights and analysis of the best defensive performers and plays during the MLB regular season.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Sunday, October 23, 2011

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ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays showed considerable faith in Reid Brigac at the start of last year, handing him his first starting job at shortstop.

They had reason to have confidence that, with Brignac’s impressive defensive skills, he could take over for former team MVP Jason Bartlett, who was traded to the Padres.

And even after a disappointing season for Brignac, in which he hit .193 and was sent down to the minors mid-year, it appears Tampa Bay is willing to give him another shot to man shortstop. But he’s going to have to earn it.

“He’ll battle for the spot, absolutely,” manager Joe Maddon said. “I thought he made some really good adjustments when he came back up. Defense has never been an issue. I love his defense. It’s about making him more of a complete player offensively. I’m not just talking about getting hits, playing the situational game. Base running needs to be worked on a bit, too.”

Maddon has raved about Brignac’s hands at short, saying he’s a good enough shortstop (defensively, speaking) to win a World Series with. But after posting the eighth-lowest average among players with 200 at-bats or more, including just five extra-base hits, Brignac, 25, lost his job and was optioned to Triple-A Durham.

Brignac, as confident as any Rays player, said he grew up a bit in his stint back in the minors, and was very appreciative when he got called back up Aug. 10. He got a start in the American League Division Series.

Though Maddon praised Brignac for how he handled everything, he wasn’t ready to give him his everyday job back once he was recalled. Sean Rodriguez and Elliot Johnson got some starts there too against left-handers.

That could be an option again this year, or a veteran infielder could be brought in to compete in spring training (much like INF Felipe Lopez was signed to a minor-league deal last year to push for a bench role).

But it appears the ball will be in Brignac’s court. And he’ll need to bring his bat.

HOT STOVE: It comes as little surprise the Angels would express interest and interview Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman, like they did last week. And it is far from a shock Friedman would be their top choice for their open GM spot, as Foxsports.com reported. But it also seems like a stretch Friedman would leave the Rays for Anaheim; he hasn’t spoken like a man looking to go anywhere. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports tweeted, quoting one source, “(Friedman’s) not going.”

RAYS RUMBLINGS: Among all the interesting revelations in the convoluted compensation package for Theo Epstein, the Red Sox initially wanted Cubs RHP (and ex-Ray) Matt Garza to be included as compensation for Epstein taking over Chicago’s GM spot. … Rays 1B Casey Kotchman took a road trip last week with his father, long-time minor league manager and scout Tom Kotchman, and visited the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. “It was his idea,” Casey told baseballhall.org. “He wanted to go and I just said okay. But I’m glad he did.” … Among the Rays prospects in the Arizona Fall League this year are former top pick SS Tim Beckham and 2011 first-round pick OF Mikie Mahtook, both with the Surprise Saguaros. … Former Rays RHP Edwin Jackson is scheduled to start Game 4 tonight for the Cardinals against the Rangers. … RHP James Shields (Outstanding Pitcher), RHP Jeremy Hellickson (Outstanding Rookie) and Kotchman (Comeback Player) are finalists for Players Choice Awards, with winners announced Nov. 3.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—The Tampa Bay Rays are running short on time in
the playoff race.

The team’s fourth loss in five games—5-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays on
Friday night—dropped them 2 1/2 games behind Boston in the AL wild-card chase,
further dampening the team’s hopes of earning a third postseason berth in four
years.

“It’s not going to be easy. It hasn’t been easy, and that’s OK,” manager
Joe Maddon said. “We’re learning a lot of lessons about ourselves right now.”

Tampa Bay has only five games remaining—two against Toronto and three
against the Yankees, who have already clinched the AL East title.

Brandon Morrow(notes) pitched seven scoreless innings and Kelly Johnson(notes) homered and
drove in two runs off David Price(notes) (12-13), whose pair of third-inning throwing
errors contributed the Rays’ demise.

“You’ve got to throw this in the trash can very fast,” Maddon said. “We
did not play well. We didn’t hit well, we didn’t do anything well. Trash it,
then come back tomorrow and get back on the right track. We’re running out of
time, but there is time. We’ve got to come back play our normal game.”

A night after pounding out 17 hits in a 15-8 road romp at Yankee Stadium,
the Rays were limited to Matt Joyce’s(notes) second-inning infield single until Casey
Kotchman(notes) singled with one out in the seventh off Morrow (11-11), only allowed
those two hits while walking four and striking out nine.

Toronto played spoiler for the second straight night. Edwin Encarnacion’s(notes)
12th-inning walk-off homer at home beat Los Angeles 4-3 Thursday, dropping the
Angels three games behind Boston in the wild-card race.

“It’s fun to win, no matter what,” Johnson said. “We’re playing against a
lot of teams that are desperate to win and we’re doing all right. It’s
definitely encouraging.”

Boston, which has six games left, was rained out at New York. Any
combination of Red Sox wins and Rays losses totaling four will eliminate Tampa
Bay from wild-card contention.

“I think I know our guys pretty well,” Madden said. “At this point in the
season, it’s not going to get into their heads. We’ll come back (Saturday) ready
to play.”

Johnson had a RBI single in the third. He led off the sixth with a home run
that drew a smattering of boos from a crowd of just 18,093 at half-filled
Tropicana Field.

Joel Carreno(notes) and Luis Perez(notes) each pitched an inning to finish a combined
three-hitter for Toronto. The Rays didn’t get a runner past second base until
the ninth, when Johnny Damon(notes) walked and wound up scoring from third on Joyce’s
two-out single.

“It’s a pretty big blow. We’ve only got five games left, so we’ve got to
win,” Price said. “We don’t think Boston is going to go and lose six out of
six, so we need to put some wins together and step up.”

The Blue Jays scored three runs in the third, two on Price’s second throwing
error of the inning. The All-Star lefty came off the mound to field Eric Thames’(notes)
high chopper with the bases loaded but his throw to the plate for a forceout
sailed and skipped off the glove of leaping catcher Kelly Shoppach(notes).

Toronto made it 3-0 on Johnson’s two-out, broken-bat single, but wound up
costing themselves a run on the play when Jose Bautista(notes) overran second base and
was thrown out by center fielder B.J. Upton(notes)—an instant before Thames crossed
the plate for what would have been a fourth run in the inning.

The way the Rays were swinging the bats, it didn’t matter.

Tampa Bay was shut out for the 16th time this season, 10th at home. Price
and the Rays beat Morrow 12-0 in Toronto on Aug. 28, but the Blue Jays
right-hander had their number from the start this time.

“They didn’t look comfortable up there hitting,” Johnson said. “He throws
so hard. He’s one of the tougher ones to hit.”

Price, 9-2 lifetime against the Blue Jays, allowed five runs—two earned—
and five hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out seven.

NOTES: Maddon said reliever Kyle Farnsworth(notes), who hasn’t pitched since Sept.
10 because of a sore right elbow, is available for the Toronto series. … Upton
was ejected in the eighth inning, when he was thrown out trying to steal second
base and argued the call with 2B umpire Ed Hickox. … Blue Jays 1B Adam Lind(notes)
left the team Friday to fly home to Toronto for the birth of his child. …
Toronto LHP Ricky Romero(notes) (15-10), Saturday’s scheduled starter, is 8-2 with a
2.84 ERA in 13 starts since the All-Star break. … Blue Jays manager John
Farrell said it’s unlikely that INF Yunel Escobar(notes) (left elbow) will play again
this season if he can’t take batting practice on Sunday. … Former supermodel
Cheryl Tiegs threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays are running short on time in the playoff race.

The team’s fourth loss in five games – 5-1 to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night – dropped them 2 1/2 games behind Boston in the AL wild-card chase, further dampening the team’s hopes of earning a third postseason berth in four years.

“It’s not going to be easy. It hasn’t been easy, and that’s OK,” manager Joe Maddon said. “We’re learning a lot of lessons about ourselves right now.”

Tampa Bay has only five games remaining – two against Toronto and three against the Yankees, who have already clinched the AL East title.

Brandon Morrow pitched seven scoreless innings and Kelly Johnson homered and drove in two runs off David Price (12-13), whose pair of third-inning throwing errors contributed the Rays’ demise.

“You’ve got to throw this in the trash can very fast,” Maddon said. “We did not play well. We didn’t hit well, we didn’t do anything well. Trash it, then come back tomorrow and get back on the right track. We’re running out of time, but there is time. We’ve got to come back play our normal game.”

A night after pounding out 17 hits in a 15-8 road romp at Yankee Stadium, the Rays were limited to Matt Joyce’s second-inning infield single until Casey Kotchman singled with one out in the seventh off Morrow (11-11), only allowed those two hits while walking four and striking out nine.

Toronto played spoiler for the second straight night. Edwin Encarnacion’s 12th-inning walk-off homer at home beat Los Angeles 4-3 Thursday, dropping the Angels three games behind Boston in the wild-card race.

“It’s fun to win, no matter what,” Johnson said. “We’re playing against a lot of teams that are desperate to win and we’re doing all right. It’s definitely encouraging.”

Boston, which has six games left, was rained out at New York. Any combination of Red Sox wins and Rays losses totaling four will eliminate Tampa Bay from wild-card contention.

“I think I know our guys pretty well,” Madden said. “At this point in the season, it’s not going to get into their heads. We’ll come back (Saturday) ready to play.”

Johnson had a RBI single in the third. He led off the sixth with a home run that drew a smattering of boos from a crowd of just 18,093 at half-filled Tropicana Field.

Joel Carreno and Luis Perez each pitched an inning to finish a combined three-hitter for Toronto. The Rays didn’t get a runner past second base until the ninth, when Johnny Damon walked and wound up scoring from third on Joyce’s two-out single.

“It’s a pretty big blow. We’ve only got five games left, so we’ve got to win,” Price said. “We don’t think Boston is going to go and lose six out of six, so we need to put some wins together and step up.”

The Blue Jays scored three runs in the third, two on Price’s second throwing error of the inning. The All-Star lefty came off the mound to field Eric Thames’ high chopper with the bases loaded but his throw to the plate for a forceout sailed and skipped off the glove of leaping catcher Kelly Shoppach.

Toronto made it 3-0 on Johnson’s two-out, broken-bat single, but wound up costing themselves a run on the play when Jose Bautista overran second base and was thrown out by center fielder B.J. Upton – an instant before Thames crossed the plate for what would have been a fourth run in the inning.

The way the Rays were swinging the bats, it didn’t matter.

Tampa Bay was shut out for the 16th time this season, 10th at home. Price and the Rays beat Morrow 12-0 in Toronto on Aug. 28, but the Blue Jays right-hander had their number from the start this time.

“They didn’t look comfortable up there hitting,” Johnson said. “He throws so hard. He’s one of the tougher ones to hit.”

Price, 9-2 lifetime against the Blue Jays, allowed five runs – two earned – and five hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out seven.

NOTES: Maddon said reliever Kyle Farnsworth, who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 10 because of a sore right elbow, is available for the Toronto series. … Upton was ejected in the eighth inning, when he was thrown out trying to steal second base and argued the call with 2B umpire Ed Hickox. … Blue Jays 1B Adam Lind left the team Friday to fly home to Toronto for the birth of his child. … Toronto LHP Ricky Romero (15-10), Saturday’s scheduled starter, is 8-2 with a 2.84 ERA in 13 starts since the All-Star break. … Blue Jays manager John Farrell said it’s unlikely that INF Yunel Escobar (left elbow) will play again this season if he can’t take batting practice on Sunday. … Former supermodel Cheryl Tiegs threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are making the AL playoff race very interesting.

Evan Longoria hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning, helping the Rays rebound after blowing a ninth-inning lead to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-5 on Saturday night and pull within 4½ games of the AL wild card leaders.

“We all believe we have a solid chance to do this,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

Desmond Jennings opened the 11th with a triple off Daniel Bard (2-7) that lunging center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury couldn’t reach. After B.J. Upton hit a grounder to first, Longoria lined a single to center on an 0-2 pitch.

“We got there at the same time and I heard him (Ellsbury) call the ball,” Red Sox right fielder Darnell McDonald said about Jennings’ triple. “Tried to get out of the way … The ball dropped. That’s about how it’s going for us right now.”

Brandon Gomes (2-1) worked 1 1-3 perfect innings for the Rays.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ellsbury hit consecutive one-out solo homers in the ninth off closer Kyle Farnsworth to pull the Red Sox even at 5.

“It’s disapppointing the way it ended, but we sure gave ourselves a chance,” Boston manager Terry Francona said.

After Dustin Pedroia doubled and Adrian Gonzalez walked, Cesar Ramos replaced Farnsworth and induced a double-play grounder from David Ortiz.

Farnsworth has blown six saves in 29 opportunities this season, including two straight outings. After the game, Maddon said Farnsworth tweaked his right elbow and will shut down for at least a few days.

Gonzalez hit his 25th homer for the Red Sox, who have lost six of seven. Ellsbury has a 15-game hitting streak.

Boston left-hander Jon Lester (15-6) and Rays right-hander James Shields (14-10) are the scheduled starters in Sunday’s series finale. Shields has 11 complete games this season, the most in the majors.

“It should be a pretty good matchup,” Francona said.

The teams begin a four-game series Thursday night at Fenway Park.

“We’ve got to stay very hot,” Maddon said. “I think we’re committed to this.”

The Rays have won 20 games in a row when scoring five or more runs, and moved a season-high 16 games over .500 (80-64).

“That was a really good gut check for us, to be able to hang in that game and pick up a must-win,” Longoria said. “These are the games we’re going to have to win if we’re going to make the playoffs.”

Tampa Bay went ahead 4-3 when Casey Kotchman hit a solo homer against reliever Alfredo Aceves during the fifth. It was Kotchman’s first homer since Aug. 12 off Yankees ace CC Sabathia.

Longoria made it 5-3 with a sacrifice fly in the sixth. He has driven in 63 runs over his last 71 games.

Gonzalez hit a two-run shot during the fifth that got Boston even at 3. Gonzalez had just seven hits, including one homer and two RBIs, in his previous 45 at-bat against the Rays this season.

Jennings drove in a run on a grounder during the second, and Kotchman gave the Rays 3-1 lead on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly one inning later.

Tampa Bay loaded the bases on two walks and a single with no outs in the first, but scored just once on Ben Zobrist’s grounder. Kyle Weiland avoided further damage by striking out Johnny Damon and getting a fly ball from Matt Joyce.

The Rays went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position against Weiland, who allowed three runs, six hits and three walks over four innings.

Boston tied it at 1 on Jed Lowrie’s second-inning RBI grounder.

Tampa Bay rookie Jeremy Hellickson allowed three runs and five hits in six innings.

Notes: Red Sox INF Kevin Youkilis (left hip) will be out until at least Tuesday. … Rays SS Sean Rodriguez set a club record when he was hit by a pitch for the 15th time this season in the sixth by Aceves. … Boston RHP Josh Beckett (sprained right ankle) threw long toss and at 60 feet on level ground, and could soon be ready to throw off a bullpen mound. … The Rays plan to purchase the contract of UTL Russ Canzler and recall RHP Dane De La Rosa from Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Friday, September 9, 2011

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More of this needed: Casey Kotchman beats the tag of Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia during a 9-6 win July 15.
	[DIRK SHADD | Times]

ST. PETERSBURG — For the Rays to actually make it to the playoffs at this point would take feats — a run by them and a collapse by the Red Sox — of near historic proportions.

But before the Rays can even get to that part, they have to get close. And that’s the opportunity in front of them this weekend, essentially a last-gasp chance to whittle the Red Sox’s 6½-game lead by taking two of three or, to make it more realistic, get a sweep.

“From here on out we have to win every single game,” Sunday’s starter James Shields said. “It’s just do-or-die right now for us.”

If they do do and sliced the margin to 3½ games by Sunday, from there their theory is the Red Sox might start feeling their presence.

“We could still make it really interesting,” said Wade Davis, who starts tonight. “It could still be an interesting ending here if we could put some pressure on them and win all these games.”

“It’s a psychological warfare right now as much as anything,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “There’s actual numbers involved, but it’s the psychology of the whole thing. I’ve talked about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, where they’re running away from these guys and they just can’t get away. Who are those guys chasing us? Who are those guys? I want to be, ‘Who are those guys.’ “

And if the Rays were to narrow the gap, with four more head-to-head games next weekend in Boston among their remaining 20, the Sox could also start to feel the weight of their fatalistic-by-nature nation.

“Let their fans sweat a little bit, it’s all for good baseball,” said Rays DH Johnny Damon, a former Red Sox star. “There shouldn’t be as much pressure on us, definitely a lot more on them. Players do know how it feels to play under a lot of pressure; that fastball down the middle seems a little tougher to hit, executing that pitch is a little tougher to do.”

The Rays lead the season series 6-5, and the key has been their pitching. In the 11 games, the Rays have held Boston batters to a .168 average and 3.79 runs per game. In the Sox’s other 131 games heading into Thursday, they’ve hit .289 averaged 5.62 runs. Since June 30, 2008, the Rays hold a 33-23 edge, plus 4-3 in the 2008 ALCS.

“We go into (tonight’s) game with full confidence against them,” Shields said. “They know we’re a challenge to them. We’ve done pretty well over the last couple years against them. We face them a lot, there’s no reason why we can’t beat them. As long as we play our game, pitch as well as we have been and get some hitting going, I think we’re going to be fine.”

Sox manager Terry Francona said Thursday that he “expected” the Rays to still be in contention despite all their changes and “it would have been a surprise if it were the other way.”

And while he wouldn’t place any more importance on this series, it was notable the Red Sox rested first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and leftfielder Carl Crawford on Thursday against Toronto.

If the Rays are going to make it at least interesting, it has to start this weekend.

“That’s what our job is right now, to let them know we’re still not going away,” Shields said. “I think they know this next series is a big series for them as well, so it should be an interesting series and a fun one.”

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Casey Kotchman drove in two with a single and another run scored on John Jaso’s double-play grounder as Tampa Bay went up 4-0 in the fourth. The Rays loaded the bases with one out on three walks from Feldman.

“Just, kind of, tried to be a little bit too fine, going for the strikeout and maybe just should have of kept my original game plan of letting them get themselves out,” Feldman said. “I had an opportunity to pitch a good game and it’s disappointing.”

Feldman (1-1) gave up four runs and four hits in five innings. The Rangers were coming off a big series at Boston during which they won two of three.

“Those walks right there (in the fourth), they delivered,” Texas manager Ron Washington said of the Rays. “Kotchman had the base hit up the middle and they scratch another run.”

Shields (14-10) struck out six and walked two. The only run he allowed came home on Michael Young’s grounder with one out in the ninth.

“He’s got a good changeup, period,” Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton said. “So, when you’ve got a good changeup, 90 (mph) looks more like 96. He looks so good to hit, and it drops off the table. He throws it and keeps it out of the strike zone. Makes it look like it’s going to be in the strike zone.”

Feldman made his second spot start this season in place of Alexi Ogando, who the Rangers thought needed a break. The right-hander threw six innings in his other start, a 2-0 win over Tampa Bay last Tuesday.

Ogando entered in the eighth and allowed a double during a scoreless inning.

Washington said it has not been determined if Ogando, who is 12-7 this season, will pitch out of the bullpen again before his next start.

“We’ve just got to wait and see how things go,” Washington said. “But we needed to get him an inning.”

Shields also became the first AL pitcher since Randy Johnson in 1993 to have at least 200 strikeouts and 10 complete games in the same season when he fanned Hamilton in the first.

The only other 200-strikeout, 10-complete game pitcher since 2000 was CC Sabathia, who accomplished the feat when he pitched for Cleveland and Milwaukee during the 2008 season.

Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton homered for the Rays, who are 24-13 since July 28. The victory was the 500th overall for Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon.

Longoria hit a solo drive in the first for his 25th homer. Upton added a solo shot in the seventh.

Texas had a runner on second with two out in the first, second and fifth, but failed to score. Shields induced a double-play grounder from Young after Hamilton drew a walk to start the fourth.

NOTES: Texas 3B Adrian Beltre, who returned from a strained left hamstring last Thursday, is scheduled to DH twice in the three-game series on artificial turf. He singled in the second and has an 11-game hitting streak. … Washington said the left index finger of LHP C.J. Wilson (14-6), Tuesday’s scheduled starter, is fine. Wilson had an infield single in his start last Thursday go off the finger. … Texas RF David Murphy was hitless in three at-bats and had his 10-game hitting streak end. … Rays RHP Jeff Niemann (9-6) will pitch against Wilson on Tuesday.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 5 (UPI) — James Shields pitched a complete-game four-hitter and Casey Kotchman drove in two runs Monday, boosting the Tampa Bay Rays to a 5-1 win over Texas.

Shields (14-10) yielded a run in the ninth inning, spoiling his shutout bid, but otherwise handcuffed the Rangers.

The right-hander gave up two walks and fanned seven batters, giving him 1,001 career strikeouts and 199 for the season, fourth-most in the American League.

Evan Longoria socked a solo homer in the first inning to put Tampa Bay ahead for good and Kotchman delivered a two-run single in the fourth to make 3-0.

B.J. Upton also went deep for the Rays.

Scott Feldman (1-1) was tagged for the loss, surrendering four runs on four hits over five innings for the American League West-leading Rangers.

Michael Young got the only RBI for Texas.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—James Shields(notes) pitched a four-hitter for his
major league-best 11th complete game and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the AL
West-leading Texas Rangers 5-1 on Monday.

Shields (14-10) struck out six and walked two. The only run he allowed
scored on Michael Young’s(notes) grounder with one out in the ninth.

Shields also became the first AL pitcher since Randy Johnson(notes) in 1993 to have
at least 200 strikeouts and 10 complete games in the same season when he fanned
Josh Hamilton(notes) in the first.

The only other 200-strikeout, 10-complete game pitcher since 2000 was CC
Sabathia(notes), who accomplished the feat when the left-hander pitched for Cleveland
and Milwaukee during the 2008 season.

Evan Longoria(notes) and B.J. Upton(notes) homered for the Rays, who are 24-13 since July
28. The victory was the 500th overall for Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon.

Texas starter Scott Feldman(notes) (1-1) gave up four runs and four hits in five
innings. The Rangers were coming off a big series at Boston during which they
won two of three.

Longoria hit a solo drive in the first for his 25th homer. He has 61 RBIs
over his last 67 games.

Casey Kotchman(notes) drove in two with a single and another run scored on John
Jaso’s(notes) double-play grounder as Tampa Bay went up 4-0 in the fourth. The Rays
loaded the bases with one out on three walks from Feldman.

Upton added a solo shot in the seventh.

Feldman made his second spot start this season in place of Alexi Ogando(notes), who
the Rangers thought needed a break. The right-hander threw six innings in his
other start, a 2-0 win over Tampa Bay last Tuesday.

Ogando entered in the eighth and pitched a scoreless inning.

Texas had a runner on second with two out in the first, second and fifth,
but failed to score. Shields induced a double-play grounder from Young after
Hamilton drew a walk to start the fourth.

NOTES: Tampa Bay DH Johnny Damon(notes) (sore leg) rested. … Texas 3B Adrian
Beltre(notes), who returned from a strained left hamstring last Thursday, is scheduled
to DH twice in the three-game series on artificial turf. … Rays 2B Ben Zobrist(notes)
was back in the lineup after missing two games because of neck stiffness. …
Rangers manager Ron Washington said the left index finger of LHP C.J. Wilson(notes)
(14-6), Tuesday’s scheduled starter, is fine. Wilson had an infield single in
his start last Thursday go off the finger. … Maddon said C Kelly Shoppach(notes) will
come off the bench as the team takes a close look at other catchers, including
Jose Labaton. … Rays RHP Jeff Niemann(notes) (9-6) will pitch against Wilson on
Tuesday.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Friday, September 2, 2011

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ARLINGTON, Texas — The Rays had reason to be frustrated Thursday night after another abysmal offensive performance led to a 7-2 loss to Texas that knocked them back to the fringe of playoff contention.

But they should have been happy the loss wasn’t more embarrassing. They were held without even a baserunner for the first five innings. First baseman Casey Kotchman, the only lefty in the lineup, broke through against Rangers starter C.J. Wilson with an infield single to start the sixth inning.

“He had no-hit stuff,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Wilson. “We were getting bad swings, and the ball was jumping.”

As impotent and inconsistent as the Rays have been at the plate this season, they at least have not had the indignity of being no-hit, as they were once in 2009 and twice in 2010. Thursday, though, was the fifth time they’d been held hitless through five innings, and they’ve had two games with only one hit.

Thursday they finished with four hits: Kelly Shoppach hit a solo homer after Kotchman was erased on a double play, Matt Joyce delivered a two-out single in the seventh and Ben Zobrist singled in the ninth. For the three games at the usually offensive Ballpark in Arlington, the Rays had six runs and 13 hits.

“We just haven’t been able to rustle up enough offense on a consistent basis,” Maddon said, “using the ‘rustle up’ term being that I’m in Texas.”

“That’s been the story of the season: the offense,” third baseman Evan Longoria said. “It’s very frustrating, especially when we know it’s there, and we’ve seen it at times, and it’s been so inconsistent. Disappointing overall.”

Maddon pitched it as a positive that they went 4-3 on the road trip to Toronto and Texas. And he insisted the Rays still have a chance to get back to the playoffs, though he acknowledged for the first time it’s a second-tier goal, but it seems more mathematical and semantical than actual.

Thursday’s loss, their third in their past four games, dropped them to 74-62 and back to 8½ games from the wild-card-leading Yankees with 26 to play. If the Yankees, who beat Boston 4-2 on Thursday night, finish 14-13, the Rays have to go 22-4 to tie. If New York goes just 10-17, the Rays still have to be 18-8.

“It’s no fun,” Maddon said. “But until the math tells me otherwise … even if we cannot arrive at that point, my second goal would be then to have the third-best record in the American League, and that’s definitely within out reach.”

The Rays didn’t pitch well, either, Thursday. Jeff Niemann struggled to get through five innings, allowing five runs, including a pair of homers, and the bullpen did not provide much relief.

But the Rays did play dazzling defense, with centerfielder B.J. Upton making a pair of running catches and rightfielder Matt Joyce leaping at the rightfield wall to rob Adrian Beltre of a home run.

“That’s one of the best feelings,” Joyce said. “If you can’t hit a home run, might as well rob one.”

Wilson had the Rays off-balance from the start, and they went 15 up and 15 down, seven of the outs by strikeouts.

“Being perfect-gamed, it’s obviously going to be a frustrating and tough first five innings for us,” Joyce said.

Kotchman bounced a ball up the middle that Wilson touched, leaving him with a numb finger that pretty much ended his night and a runner on base. “I will second-guess that Casey Kotchman at-bat for the rest of my career,” Wilson said.

Had he made the play, the Rays might have been the ones who’d never forget.

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“The biggest play of the game was Johnny beating that ball out,” Rays center fielder B.J. Upton said. “That’s why we play the game the way we do.”

Hernandez (11-11) took a one-hitter in the eighth before the Rays’ put together the late rally. An out after pinch-hitter Sam Fuld lined an one-out, opposite-field single to left, Damon had a single before Longoria and Zobrist had consecutive RBI hits to put Tampa Bay ahead 3-2.

“That’s the one thing you can actually control in this game is hustle,” Damon said. “I’ve done it ever since I was a kid and I do it now, and it paid off. There’s been plenty of times this year when I missed it by a half step, but right there I showed the track wheels that I had back in the day.”

Seattle manager Eric Wedge felt Damon’s ball to third baseman Adam Kennedy should have resulted in an inning-ending out.

“It’s just a play that has to be made … Adam just took a little too much time getting it over there (the throw to first),” Wedge said. “Inning’s over, it’s a different ballgame.”

Kennedy, when making the play, didn’t feel like he took too long.

“I didn’t think so at the time, but he was getting down the line pretty well,” Kennedy said.

Juan Cruz (5-0) got two outs in the eighth for the win. Kyle Farnsworth pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.

Hernandez allowed three runs and six hits in eight innings. The 2010 AL Cy Young winner, who had nine strikeouts and three walks in his fourth complete games this season, felt like he had no-hit quality stuff.

“It was going to be something special,” Hernandez said. “Baseball is like that. It was a tough loss. Can’t do nothing about it.”

Kyle Seager put the Mariners up 2-1 with his first major league homer, a solo shot off Wade Davis leading off the seventh.

Trayvon Robinson doubled in the third and later scored from third to make it 1-0 when Rays’ shortstop Sean Rodriguez was charged with an error for an errant throw to the plate on Franklin Gutierrez’s grounder.

Davis gave up two runs and seven hits over seven innings. He struck out eight and walked two.

Hernandez appeared to land wrong on an 0-2 pitch to Casey Kotchman in the fifth, but the right-hander wound up recording a strikeout. B.J. Upton then hit a one-out grounder that got past the glove-hand side of Kennedy for the Rays’ first hit.

“Just a couple tough plays for me and I didn’t make any of them,” Kennedy said.

After Upton stole second and third and Matt Joyce drew a walk, John Jaso tied at 1 on a sacrifice bunt. Upton had been 1 for 22 against Hernandez before the hit.

“It was a Bugs Bunny changeup, just diving off the table,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Hernandez. “There’s a reason this guy won the Cy Young.”

Mariners first baseman Mike Carp extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a second-inning infield single.

Seattle outfielder Casper Wells, hit by a pitch in the nose Wednesday, went 1 for 4 with three strikeouts as the designated hitter. Mariners catcher Miguel Olivo, who missed one game after being hit in the chin by a foul ball Tuesday, had a single in four at-bats.

NOTES: Seattle placed INF Jack Wilson (bruised left heel) on the 15-day disabled list and activated SS Brendan Ryan (left shoulder) from the DL. … Tampa Bay activated Jaso (right oblique) from the 15-day DL. C Robinson Chirinos was optioned to Triple-A Durham. … Mariners 3B Chone Figgins (right hip flexor) took grounders before the game. “He’s still going to need some time,” Wedge said. …. Seattle 1B Justin Smoak (broken nose) is taking batting practice and will be reevaluated in about a week. … Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson (10-8), Saturday’s scheduled starter, allowed four runs and eight hits in 4 1-3 innings of last Saturday’s 9-2 loss to the New York Yankees. “The last start was pretty frustrating, disappointing,” Hellickson said. “One of those you try and forget about.” … Mariners LHP Charlie Furbush (3-4) will make his first career start against Tampa Bay Saturday.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.  — Evan Longoria and Ben Zobrist each had run-scoring singles with two outs during the eighth inning as the Tampa Bay Rays beat Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners 3-2 on Friday night.

Hernandez (11-11) took a one-hitter in the eighth before the Rays’ put together the late rally. An out after pinch-hitter Sam Fuld lined an one-out, opposite-field single to left, Johnny Damon had an infield single before Longoria and Zobrist had consecutive RBI hits to put Tampa Bay ahead 3-2.

Juan Cruz (5-0) got two outs in the eighth for the win. Kyle Farnsworth pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.

Hernandez allowed three runs and six hits in eight innings. The 2010 AL Cy Young winner had nine strikeouts and two walks in his fourth complete games this season.

Kyle Seager put the Mariners up 2-1 with his first major league homer, a solo shot off Wade Davis leading off the seventh.

Trayvon Robinson doubled in the third and later scored from third to make it 1-0 when Rays’ shortstop Sean Rodriguez was charged with an error for an errant throw to the plate on Franklin Gutierrez’s grounder.

Davis gave up two runs and seven hits over seven innings. He struck out eight and walked two.

Hernandez appeared to land wrong on an 0-2 pitch to Casey Kotchman in the fifth, but the right-hander wound up recording a strikeout. B.J. Upton then hit a one-out grounder that got past the glove-hand side of third baseman Adam Kennedy for the Rays’ first hit.

After Upton stole second and third and Matt Joyce drew a walk, John Jaso tied at 1 on a sacrifice bunt. Upton had been 1 for 22 against Hernandez before the hit.

Mariners first baseman Mike Carp extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a second-inning infield single.

Seattle outfielder Casper Wells, hit by a pitch in the nose Wednesday, went 1 for 4 with three strikeouts as the designated hitter. Mariners catcher Miguel Olivo, who missed one game after being hit in the chin by a foul ball Tuesday, had a single in four at-bats.

Notes: Seattle placed INF Jack Wilson (bruised left heel) on the 15-day disabled list and activated SS Brendan Ryan (left shoulder) from the DL. … Tampa Bay activated Jaso (right oblique) from the 15-day DL. C Robinson Chirinos was optioned to Triple-A Durham. … Mariners 3B Chone Figgins (right hip flexor) took grounders before the game. “He’s still going to need some time,” manager Eric Wedge said. … Seattle 1B Justin Smoak (broken nose) is taking batting practice and will be reevaluated in about a week. … Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson (10-8), Saturday’s scheduled starter, allowed four runs and eight hits in 4 1-3 innings of last Saturday’s 9-2 loss to the New York Yankees. “The last start was pretty frustrating, disappointing,” Hellickson said. “One of those you try and forget about.” … Mariners LHP Charlie Furbush (3-4) will make his first career start against Tampa Bay Saturday.

–The Associated Press