SUNY/ALBANY COURTESY PHOTO | SUNY/Albany pitcher Dave Kubiak, who played for Southold/Greenport in high school, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Dave Kubiak has a New York Yankees logo tattooed on the inside of his left arm, but the Tampa Bay Rays are undoubtedly close to his heart.

That must have been the case in June when the Rays told Kubiak that they wanted him. Tampa Bay picked the SUNY/Albany pitcher in the 36th round of the Major League Baseball draft. He was the 1,109th player selected.

Kubiak greeted the news of his selection with “a lot of excitement, but I guess a lot of relief.” Discussing his baseball future, he said: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a fun ride.”

Kubiak, a Jamesport resident, played for the Southold/Greenport Clippers when he attended Southold High School. The 6-foot-7, 245-pound right-hander, was Albany’s ace pitcher, starting 14 games on the mound this past season. He recorded a 4.72 earned run average as a senior and led the Great Danes’ pitching staff with 73 strikeouts. He threw five complete games, including one shutout, and allowed 43 earned runs in 82 innings of work. Kubiak finished his four-year career as the Albany program leader with 227 strikeouts and 278 innings pitched. His 82 innings this past season were good for second on the school’s single-season record board.

A ground-ball pitcher, Kubiak’s pitching arsenal includes a two-seam fastball, four-seam cutter, curveball, changeup and splitter.

“I’m not going to throw 89, 91 [miles per hour] and overpower anybody any more,” he said. “I’ll strike some people out, but that’s not what I’m looking for. I’m pitching to contact. … Make them get thrown out. It’s a hard game as it is, don’t make it harder.”

This past summer Kubiak was promoted from the Gulf Coast Rays in the Gulf Coast League to the Princeton Rays in the Appalachian League. He posted a 2-1 record at Princeton with a 3.26 earned run average, three saves, three walks and 27 strikeouts.

“Everyone is just very, very good,” he said. “Every player makes the routine plays look routine. They look so athletic and everybody is so fast here.”

And what about that Yankees tattoo on his arm?

Kubiak said it’s a tribute to his late grandfather, Arthur Phillips. Phillips, who died last year, was a big Yankees fan. If he was alive today, there is little doubt, however, that he would be cheering for the Rays as well.

bliepa@timesreview.com

Over the past four seasons the Tampa Bay Rays have gone from being the doormat of the AL East to one of the most successful franchises in baseball. Since 2008, the Rays have three playoff appearances, two AL East titles and represented the American League in the 2008 World Series.

One of the key components of the Rays success has been their ability to develop talent from within the organization. Whether the players are drafted or acquired through a trade, the Rays have excelled at grooming young talent in their system. During the past four seasons the Rays have had significant contributions by home grown talent at every position on the field, except one.

The Rays minor league system has been unable to develop a quality, Major League ready first baseman. However, over the past five years, they have enjoyed reliable (and sometimes exceptional) offensive and defensive production from the position.

Carlos Pena was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training before the 2007 season. Pena made the most of his opportunity with the Rays and became a fixture at first base from 2007-2010. During his tenure with the Rays he hit 144 home runs and accumulated 407 RBIs. Pena left the Rays via free agency after the 2010 season and signed with the Chicago Cubs.

After Pena’s departure the Rays were left with a hole at first base. Early in the season they turned to Dan Johnson(notes), but he struggled to produce during the first month of the 2011 season.

Johnson’s struggles cleared the way for Casey Kotchman(notes) to have a shot at the everyday first base job. Kotchman (once a top prospect for the Los Angeles Angels) played for four different teams from 2008-2010 and his production declined with each stop. After a miserable 2010 season with the Seattle Mariners, the Rays were able to sign Kotchman to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training before the 2011 season.

Just like Carlos Pena did before him, Kotchman made the most of his opportunity with the Rays. He experienced a career revival in 2011 by hitting .306 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs. Unfortunately, for the Rays, Kotchman was only signed to a one-year contract and he became a free agent after the 2011 season.

So once again, the Rays are left with a hole to fill at first base and they don’t have many viable options within their organization to fill the void. Let’s take a look at five potential options, outside of the Tampa Bay organization, that could man first base for the Rays in 2012.

Casey Kotchman

If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it. The Rays won 91 games with Kotchman at first in 2011.

On the plus side, he’s an excellent defensive first baseman and that fits well with the Rays philosophy of winning with pitching and defense. He also led the team in hitting with a .306 average.

On the negative side, he lacks the power you would ideally like to see from a corner infielder. His .306 average was the highest of his career and he’ll most likely revert to his career average of .270-.280 in 2012. Also, after the success he had in 2011, he’ll be looking for a multi-year contract and his price may be too high for the Rays, especially since he has limited upside potential.

Carlos Pena

Pena is once again a free agent after completing his one-year, $10 million contract with the Cubs in 2011.

Pena was always a fan favorite with the Rays and re-signing him would excite a fan base that struggles to support the Rays at Tropicana Field. He’s a known commodity. He plays excellent defense and has the power you look for in a corner infielder.

On the down side, Pena strikes out a lot and he’ll never hit for a great average. His numbers were solid with the Cubs in 2011. He hit .225 with 28 home runs and 80 RBIs. He would bring some much needed explosiveness to the Rays pedestrian offense and could provide Evan Longoria(notes) with some protection in the line-up.

There’s no doubt the Rays would love to have Pena back, but the price tag will be an issue. The Rays won’t pay $10 million for a free agent first baseman. The Rays would need to sell Pena on the idea of playing for less money to have a shot at contending for a World Series ring, while playing close to home (he lives in Orlando).

Yonder Alonso(notes)

Alonso was once the top prospect in the Cincinnati Reds organization, but his status has slipped some over the past couple seasons. He’s currently ranked as the third best prospect in the Red’s system.

The Red’s tried to convert Alonso to left field (since they already have a superstar first baseman in Joey Votto(notes)), but his natural position is first base. However, even at his best, he is considered an average fielder.

Alonso has shown some ability at the plate. In 117 career Major League at-bats he’s hit .299 with 5 home runs and 18 RBIs. During his three years in the minors he posted a .293 average with 36 home runs and 179 RBIs in 1179 at-bats.

Recently, there have been rumors that the Red’s would be willing to deal Alonso if the right offer came along. He would fit in with the Rays strategy of pursuing young players, with some upside potential, who have a low price tag. He wouldn’t be eligible to arbitration until 2015 and wouldn’t be a free agent until 2018.

The Rays currently have eight Major League ready starting pitchers in their organization, so they could be in the market for an Alonso trade, but the asking price would determine the level of interest from the Rays. The Rays won’t deal any of their top four starters (Shields, Hellickson, Price or Moore) straight up for Alonso, but if a deal is built around Wade Davis(notes), Jeff Neimann, Alex Cobb(notes) or Alex Torres(notes), the Rays might listen.

Logan Morrison(notes)

Logan Morrison played left field for the Marlins in 2011, but he’s more suited for first base. At best, he’s an average defender. However, he does have some pop. In 2011 he appeared in 123 games and hit .247 with 23 home runs and 72 RBIs.

Morrison had attitude issues while playing for the Marlins. He was briefly demoted to the minors during the 2011 season after clashing with management.

On the downside, his limited defense and potential attitude concerns don’t fit into the Rays standard philosophy.

On the plus side, he’s young, cheap and has some offensive potential. He isn’t arbitration eligible until 2014 and would remain under team control until 2017. Those factors do fit into the budget conscious Rays philosophy.

One of the first trade rumors this offseason involved the Rays trading James Shields(notes) to the Marlins for Logan Morrison. That trade is extremely unlikely. Shields current value vastly outweighs Morrison’s. Once again, the Rays won’t part with their top four starting pitchers to obtain Morrison, but if a deal is built around one of the other four, the Rays might be interested.

Justin Smoak(notes)

Rumor has it that the Seattle Mariners may be pursuing free agent first baseman Prince Fielder(notes). If the Mariners do sign Fielder then they may deal incumbent first baseman Justin Smoak.

Smoak was once a top prospect of the Texas Rangers, but he was dealt to the Mariners as part of the Cliff Lee(notes) deal in 2010. Smoak was the everyday first baseman for the Mariners in 2011. He hit .234 with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs.

On the plus side, Smoak is a switch hitting first baseman that still hasn’t reached his offensive potential. He’s not arbitration eligible until 2014 and will remain under team control until 2017.

On the down side, he’s a below average defender. In 223 games during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, he’s posted a dWAR (defensive wins above replacement) of -0.1.

If Smoak becomes available and the Mariners are willing to trade for one of the Rays lower end pitching prospects (think Alex Torres), then the Rays may be interested in trading for the switch hitting first baseman.

The Rays front office is always creative when addressing holes in their roster. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them pursue an option nobody saw coming. Only time will tell who the Rays run out there as their starting first baseman in 2012.

Sean McDonnell has been a resident of the Tampa Bay area for the past 21 years. He is an avid fan of the Tampa Bay Rays; Tampa Bay Bucs and USF Bulls.

*statistics provided by Yahoo sports

Sources:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smoakju01.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morrilo01.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alonsyo01.shtml

Additional articles from this author:

Rays Trade John Jaso to Mariners for Josh Lueke: A Fan’s Take

Is Jose Molina a Good Fit for the Rays?: A Fan’s Take

Should the Rays Trade for Joey Votto: A Fan’s Take

Should the Rays Trade James Shields for Logan Morrison?: A Fan’s Review

How the Rays Can Increase Attendance: A Fan’s Take

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Friday, November 18, 2011

Two more wild-card teams will be added to the major-league playoffs, and the Rays could be one of the biggest benefactors.

The Rays have always found themselves in the difficult position of trying to make the postseason while competing in the American League East against the Yankees and Red Sox — and their mammoth payrolls. It took a September comeback and a historic Boston collapse for the Rays to clinch a wild-card berth on the final day of this past season

But commissioner Bud Selig announced Thursday at the meetings in Milwaukee that owners approved adding a second wild-card team to each league, with hopes that a new playoff format can begin next season. It’s possible the expanded field might not start until 2013, when the Astros are scheduled to move from the NL Central to the AL West, a realignment that will form two 15-team leagues and lead to interleague play throughout the season. The Astros’ move was approved by owners along with the $615 million purchase of the franchise by Jim Crane.

“We believe after a lot of study and a lot of thought that the addition of two wild cards will really help us in the long run,” Selig said.

The altered playoff structure is subject to an agreement on a new labor contract with the players’ association, which is expected before the current deal expires Dec. 11.

The idea of adding another playoff team to each league had been discussed the past two years. Selig said details and scheduling haven’t been sorted out for the new format, but it’s likely that the two wild-card teams in each league would play each other in a one-game playoff, with the winner moving on to the division series.

That means the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays could all make the playoffs in the same season.

“With the fact of how competitive our division is, I like the fact that we add another element to it,” Rays hitting coach Derek Shelton said. “It should make October even more interesting.”

The Rays have made the playoffs three of the past four seasons, including winning two AL East titles. But with their payroll at least one-quarter the size of Boston and New York, whom the Rays play 18 times each per season, it continues to be a challenging task.

“We are in favor of any change that might help improve competitive balance,” Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. “And this at least does something to further that.”

In other Rays news, the team appears close to signing veteran free agent catcher Jose Molina. FoxSports.com reported that the sides are nearing a one-year deal with an option for 2013. The Rays declined comment. Molina, 36, has been primarily a backup during his 12-year big-league career, but he would provide strong defense and experience. He hit .281 in only 55 games for the Blue Jays last season and has thrown out 40 percent of attempted base-stealers in his career.

Astros sale spurs league realignment

HOUSTON — Owners unanimously approved the long-delayed sale of the Astros from Drayton McLane to Crane, a transaction that requires the team to move from the NL Central to the AL West in 2013.

As part of the Astros’ agreement to switch leagues, the sale price was cut from $680 million to $615 million, the Associated Press reported. The deal is expected to be completed Tuesday.

“We’re focused on bringing a winner back to Houston,” said Crane, who added that staff changes will be made after Thanksgiving.

It’s baseball’s first realignment since the Milwaukee Brewers went to the NL after the 1997 season.

With an odd number of teams in each league, there will be interleague play from April through September. Since interleague games began in 1997, they had been concentrated around May and late June.

Sveum to pilot Cubs

The Cubs hired Dale Sveum as their new manager, hoping the Brewers hitting coach can help turn around the long-suffering franchise.

Sveum will be introduced at a news conference today at Wrigley Field, the team announced.

Sveum replaces Mike Quade, who was fired by Theo Epstein, the new president of baseball operations. The Cubs finished 71-91 after a disappointing season that extended their title drought to 103 seasons.

Sveum, who turns 48 Wednesday, has little experience as a manager, other than an interim stint with the Brewers late in 2008 after Ned Yost was fired. Sveum was chosen for the job over Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux, Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin, Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. and Red Sox bench coach DeMarlo Hale. Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona pulled himself out of contention.

Phillies: Catcher Brian Schneider, the 34-year-old backup to Carlos Ruiz, re-signed with the club, getting a one-year, $800,000 deal in which he can earn an additional $200,000 in performance bonuses.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com. Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Wednesday, November 9, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays announced their ticket prices for the 2012 season, with 90 percent of them remaining the same or decreasing.

Despite Tampa Bay making its third playoff appearance in the past four years, its total home attendance dropped in 2011 (1,529,188) to its lowest since 2007 (1,389,031), when the then-Devil Rays were the worst team in baseball.

The Rays’ average attendance (18,878) was 29th in the majors, topping only the Athletics. Tampa Bay, which was ranked second in affordability by ESPN among teams in all four major sports, will continue to allow fans to bring in food and select beverages and feature a free-parking policy for carpoolers of four or more in team-controlled lots.

“Our onfield accomplishments over the past four seasons have provided some memorable moments for our fans. Just as important to us is that our ticket prices have remained among the most affordable in all of professional sports,” Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. “Our ticket options for 2012 will again be aimed at making the ballpark experience affordable for families.”

There will still be the four categories for ticket prices — Diamond ($19-$175), Platinum ($17-$155), Gold ($12-$125) and Silver ($9-$115). Diamond consists of weekend games against the Red Sox, Yankees and Braves. Platinum includes Monday-Thursday games with the Red Sox and Yankees. Gold games include the remaining Friday, Saturday and Sunday games, as well as an interleague series vs. the Mets (June 12-14). Silver games include the remaining weekday games in which both upper box and upper reserved seats will be $9.

The Rays say there will be postgame concerts after selected Saturday games and “Family Fun Days” again Sundays.

Among the changes will be game times for weekday games, which will be — for the most part — 7:10 p.m. for Monday-Friday (with 12 exceptions). Saturday game times have yet to be announced; Sundays remain at 1:40 p.m. The Rays said lower box and outfield seats will increase $1 and $2 for some games.

Around the majors

DUQUETTE READY: Dan Duquette, Baltimore’s new executive vice president of baseball operations, is confident he can make a team that has finished in last place for four straight years relevant again in the AL East.

“That’s the challenge of the job, right? The way that we’re going to be competitive is we’re going to bring in some good players and build our team from the ground up,” Duquette said at his introductory news conference.

In other Orioles news, reliever Alfredo Simon was acquitted of an involuntary manslaughter charge in his native Dominican Republic.

Manager openings: Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona interviewed with the Cardinals. Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux is slated to interview with the Cubs today, and Boston plans to interview Sandy Alomar Jr., Torey Lovullo and Gene Lamont this week.

EXEC RECOVERING: Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall had surgery to remove his prostate, and doctors found that his cancer had not spread to other areas.

BREWERS: The team is bringing back manager Ron Roenicke’s entire coaching staff.

PHILLIES: Right-handed reliever Ryan Madson is in talks for a four-year, $44 million deal.

Information from Times wires was used in this report. Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

Posted: Oct 10, 2011 12:56 PM

Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg clarified in a letter e-mailed to season-ticket holders that his recent comments about the “precarious” future of the franchise were not a complaint nor meant to sound ungrateful about the support they do have, but the reality of their situation. Also, he provided assurance that the organization remains committed to finding a solution to the region-wide issue.

“It would be easy to assure you and all Rays fans that everything will be fine, but that would be disingenuous,” Sternberg wrote. “It has been a thrilling past six years for the Rays. We have experienced success on the field that most everyone believed to be impossible. This success has exposed questions from which neither the Rays nor the Tampa Bay region can hide. I assure you that our organization is committed to doing all that we can to find solutions.”

Here is the full text of the letter:

Thank you for being such a big part of a wonderfully improbable season!

I know you share my pride in our ballclub’s successes over the past six seasons. We are one of three teams to reach the Postseason three out of the past four years. To do it from the AL East, while winning the East twice, makes it all the sweeter.

Rays fans support the team in many ways. Perhaps they attend a few games each year, coordinate a group outing, or watch or listen from a distance. I am grateful for each and every Rays fan.

But it is our season ticket holders who have been and continue to be our foundation. Without your loyal support, we could not begin to do what we do. I can’t emphasize enough how much I appreciate the time and hard-earned money you invest in the Rays. You are the ones who support the team through thick and thin. You spread word throughout our community about the great experiences you have at Tropicana Field, as well as your memories and friendships that are connected to Rays baseball.

We all care deeply about the organization. We want it to succeed. We want it to be a fixture in Tampa Bay. We want the seats filled, the atmosphere charged, and the play on the field to be of high quality. Each Spring, we want to look forward to the bright prospects of a new season.

As in the past, I will continue to communicate with you honestly and with candor.

I became the principal owner of the Rays in 2005 because I believed that Major League Baseball could thrive in Tampa Bay. The transformation of the franchise has been breathtaking: a rebranding of the team to become the Rays, significant investments in Tropicana Field, top notch fan experience and customer service, and, of course, development of an acclaimed baseball operations department.

Just as when this organization was “under construction” back in 2005, we continue to face major challenges. At that time, I said that there were no quick, easy fixes. I asked for patience as we built the Rays from a team that had never experienced success into what it is today.

Recently, I have acknowledged that the future of the Rays and Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay is precarious. I have expressed concern about the long-term health and vitality of our franchise. When asked by the press, I did not shy away from answering questions about attendance and our future. For the sake of our franchise, we cannot ignore these questions. Doing so would be a disservice to the organization, its employees and all of its loyal supporters.

Please do not take my remarks as a complaint — they were not intended to be. I was not pointing fingers. I was not blaming anyone. I do not mean to sound ungrateful to our fans for their support, and I certainly will not tell anyone how to spend his or her money. I was simply being forthright about a reality that must be faced. It would be easy to assure you and all Rays fans that everything will be fine, but that would be disingenuous.

It has been a thrilling past six years for the Rays. We have experienced success on the field that most everyone believed to be impossible. This success has exposed questions from which neither the Rays nor the Tampa Bay region can hide. I assure you that our organization is committed to doing all that we can to find solutions.

I am proud to be the principal owner of the Rays, and I am truly grateful for your support, dedication and passion. Thank you for being a season ticket holder. Your support does not go unnoticed by any of us within the organization.

I look forward to seeing you on Opening Day 2012 for the next edition of our Rays.

Sincerely,

Stuart Sternberg

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Monday, September 19, 2011

Rookie reliever Jake McGee comes through in the clutch, retiring eight in a row and leaving after a two-out single.
	[Getty Images]

BOSTON — The dozen-plus Rays crammed into the Fenway Park bullpen didn’t know what it meant when they saw starter David Price staggered by a line drive to the chest that would eventually force him to leave Sunday’s game after just four innings.

But they knew this much.

“Well,” reliever Joel Peralta said, “nothing good.”

Their four-run lead had just been halved, and with Price on his way to a nearby hospital (he was okay), the already short-handed bullpen was suddenly faced with the unseemly task of getting 15 outs in what, for the second consecutive day of great drama, was the Rays’ most important game of their season.

Somehow, some way, with rookie Jake McGee the unlikely leader, they came through again, the Rays hanging on for an 8-5 victory over the Red Sox and taking three of four here after sweeping the Sox last weekend at home.

“We answered the call,” centerfielder B.J. Upton said.

“It’s a beautiful thing,” rightfielder Matt Joyce said. “It’s really an unbelievable job that we’ve done. It’s hard to describe.”

The best part, they’re hoping, is yet to come. And they are getting increasingly confident about it.

The possibility of making the playoffs that appeared so unlikely when the Rays were nine games out 16 days earlier, and seemed to make for no more than a cute little story over the past couple of weeks, is now a legitimate possibility as they moved to within two games of the AL wild-card spot.

“I feel pretty good about it, I really do,” manager Joe Maddon said. “To be able to do this, against this team here, now, God, if that can’t bolster your confidence, nothing really can.”

The challenge for the Rays (85-67) is still significant, as seven of their 10 remaining games are against the AL-best Yankees (including four in three days at Yankee Stadium starting Tuesday), while the Red Sox have seven against the last-place Orioles (starting with a day-night doubleheader today).

As hot as the Rays have been — 26-13 since Aug. 7, 11-4 since being nine out Sept. 2 — the Sox have helped by playing poorly, losing nine of their past 11.

“We got a two-game lead with 10 to go. We’re ready to go. That’s basically it, man,” Dustin Pedroia said. “We’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves for playing like crap. Nobody’s going to give us anything.”

The Rays led 4-2 when Price left and quickly made it 6-2 with help from the sloppy Sox. That’s where McGee stepped in and stepped up, the 25-year-old lefty getting eight straight outs before allowing a single to his last batter.

“Jake McGee, oh my god,” Maddon said. “He was not afraid of the moment. … He was outstanding. He definitely was our star of the game.”

Said McGee: “It’s pretty exciting.”

The lead was 8-2, thanks to Joyce’s third hit of the day, when McGee left with a man on in the seventh, but Cesar Ramos gave up a three-run homer to Mike Aviles that made it 8-5. Then Brandon Gomes, another rookie, and from nearby Fall River, Mass., got a huge strikeout of Pedroia and a to-the-wall flyout from David Ortiz. After J.P. Howell allowed a double to former Ray Carl Crawford, Maddon summoned Peralta, for the second straight day, to finish it, this time needing four outs.

“The guy’s got all the guts in the world,” Maddon said.

Peralta got the last out of the eighth and the first two of the ninth, then allowed a double to Jacoby Ellsbury. The urgency to get out Aviles was magnified with Adrian Gonzalez and Ortiz looming on deck, and Peralta got it, on a fly to right. “Every out is hard to get,” Peralta said. “I told Joe I’m not pitching (today), so he cannot use me, no way.”

The Rays will enjoy the day off in New York, then regroup Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, either one, two or three games out.

“We’re definitely increasing our chances,” Joyce said, “with each game we play.”

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.

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Rays Report

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Sunday, September 4, 2011

Rays vs. Orioles

When/where: 1:40 today; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Promotion: Evan Longoria cereal bowl to the first 10,000 kids

Starting pitchers:

Rays:

RH Jeremy Hellickson (11-10, 3.01)

Orioles:

RH Jeremy Guthrie (6-16, 4.42)

Watch for …

Jeremy the kid: Hellickson has lost his past two starts but has been pitching well, allowing two earned runs or fewer in his past three. He is 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Orioles.

Good Guthrie: Guthrie is coming off back-to-back strong starts, giving up four earned runs over 13 innings. He is 6-9 with a 4.18 ERA in 19 career appearances (17 starts) against Tampa Bay.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Guthrie

Evan Longoria 10-for-32, HR

Matt Joyce 8-for-23, HR

Ben Zobrist 10-for-29

Orioles vs. Hellickson

Vlad Guerrero 1-for-5

Nick Markakis 3-for-14, HR

Matt Wieters 2-for-7

On deck

Monday: vs. Rangers, 1:10, Sun Sports. Rays — James Shields (13-10, 2.84); Rangers — Scott Feldman (1-0, 2.86)

Tuesday: vs Rangers, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeff Niemann (9-6, 3.69); Rangers — C.J. Wilson (14-6, 3.28)

Joe Smith, Times staff writer

Guest of the day

Ben Zobrist said he was honored that 12-year-old Tampa native Parker Lentini picked meeting him as his wish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. And after eating lunch and playing catch with Lentini on Saturday afternoon at the Trop, Zobrist was impressed by how the seventh-grader with systemic juvenile arthritis carried himself — and threw. “He said I can be a pitcher ’cause I can throw, but I can’t catch,” Lentini quipped. Lentini was also invited by manager Joe Maddon to take the first few questions of his pregame media session (for the record, Lentini is against the six-man rotation, wants a more stable lineup and believes the Rays can still make the playoffs). Smiled Lentini: “Best day ever.”

A gentle giant

With Bucs legend Lee Roy Selmon still in the hospital following a stroke, manager Joe Maddon fondly remembered the time he invited the Hall of Famer to visit his team during the 2008 season. Maddon said the former NFL great gave a “soft-spoken” speech in the clubhouse that “had a lot of clout.” “Outstanding, what a great guy,” Maddon said. “We all pretty much pale in comparison. … He’s a gentleman, he’s soft-spoken, gentle, kind, you can’t even imagine him being this violent football player.”

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Monday, August 15, 2011

NEW YORK — RHP James Shields was disappointed Sunday’s game was rained out because he had been pitching well overall, especially his past two starts against the Yankees, and felt the Rays had a good chance to win the series.

“I was ready to go,” Shields said. “I feel really good right now, and I wanted to face these guys.”

His consolation prize is to start Tuesday’s opener in the day-night doubleheader in Boston (where he is 1-7, 7.71 in eight starts) as the Rays remixed their rotation after the postponement.

Shields will replace RHP Wade Davis, who was bumped back to Friday’s home game against Seattle. RHP Jeff Niemann, who is 5-0, 1.65 in his past seven starts, will work Tuesday’s nightcap, and LHP David Price will face the Red Sox on Wednesday. With an off day today and another Thursday, the Rays won’t need any more than five starters.

“We don’t want to skip either (Shields or Price), and Niemann’s been kind of a hot hand lately, so it just makes sense to go that way,” manager Joe Maddon said.

No makeup date for the rainout was announced, but the Rays are expecting to play a day-night doubleheader either Sept. 20 or 21. They have a previous rainout (July to be made up Sept. 22, so with those four games in New York and the last three of the season at home, they play seven of their final 10 against the Yankees.

IDLE TIME: While having Sunday and Monday off allows the Rays to have their bullpen at full strength for the doubleheader, Maddon said the extra time off wasn’t much of a benefit. “One day’s plenty,” he said. “You don’t need all this extra time right now, but Mother Nature said you get two days off.”

DRAFT BREEZE: The Rays expect negotiations with No. 1 draft choice RHP Taylor Guerrieri, the 24th overall pick who has an offer from South Carolina, to go right up until tonight’s midnight deadline. And it could be the same with three other unsigned top picks: No. 31 OF Mikie Mahtook (return to LSU), No. 41 3B Tyler Goeddel (go to UCLA) and No. 59 LHP Grayson Garvin (return to Vanderbilt).

Executive VP Andrew Friedman said it’s more a question of whether the players want to play pro ball than what the club is offering. For whichever players they don’t sign, the Rays get a compensation pick in next year’s draft at the same spot.

“What we’re prepared to do now (financially) is not any different than what we were prepared to do a month ago, but for whatever reason things tend to gravitate toward the deadline,” Friedman said.

“I’m very confident that the guys that really want to go out and play professionally that we’ll sign and get them out there playing. And the guys that don’t, we’ll respectfully part ways, and we’ll use that same slot compensation next year to go get someone that wants to go out and play professionally.”

MISCELLANY: SS Reid Brignac was also disappointed with the rainout since he was scheduled for his first start since being called back up from the minors last week. … Fox dropped the Rays from two 4:10 p.m. national broadcasts, so Saturday’s game with Seattle has been moved to 7:10 (with Sun Sports covering) and the Sept. 3 game against Baltimore to 6:10 (with no TV coverage).

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Saturday, August 6, 2011

Ben Zobrist drives in Desmond Jennings, left, and Johnny Damon with a sixth-inning single that puts the Rays up 6-2.
	[CHRIS ZUPPA | Times]

ST. PETERSBURG — Network hype aside, the reality of this weekend’s Yankees-Red Sox series at Fenway Park is that they really aren’t playing for much since both seem likely to make the playoffs.

It’s up to the Rays — and/or the Angels — to make that not the case. And with 19 games left against the division- and wild-card leaders, the Rays can at least maintain the pretense of possibility by continuing what they’ve been doing.

Friday, for the third straight day, the Rays played the type of solid overall game necessary to make a run. And with an 8-4 victory over the A’s, they put together their first three-game winning streak in more than a month.

“I think our players are really starting to believe again strongly,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “They’re starting to see we’re playing good baseball. We’re winning close games. All of a sudden, we’re scoring runs at the Trop. That’s pretty big. We’re winning games at home. That’s pretty big.”

Jeff Niemann was certainly a large part of Friday’s testimony, coming just an out short of a complete game while throwing a career-high 119 pitches, extending his July hot streak into August while improving to 5-0, 2.26 in eight starts since coming off the disabled list in late June following a lower back strain.

“It’s been a combination of things,” Niemann said.

And so was the suddenly rejuvenated offense, B.J. Upton reaching base five times — and seven straight going back to Thursday — and support from top to almost bottom, making it 24 runs over their past three games. That’s the first time they’ve scored seven or more in three straight games in more than a year and the first time at Tropicana Field since April 2010.

“Contributions coming from every direction,” Maddon said.

Enough so that DH and clubhouse DJ Johnny Damon had a tough time deciding who would pull the cord to light the Captain Morgan sign by his locker that signals victory. (Upton allowed Niemann the unofficial player of the game honors.)

After a stretch in which they lost nine of 12, the Rays (59-52) have won six of their past eight and with another victory tonight or Sunday will claim their third consecutive series.

Granted, they’ve done so against the Mariners, Blue Jays and A’s (who have lost 30 of their last 37 on the road). But it’s a start. And for what it’s worth, August has been the Rays’ hottest month since their 2008 renaissance as they are a majors-best 56-32 over that span.

“Hopefully, we can keep doing what we’re doing and try to chip our way back into this thing,” Upton said.

The Rays wake up sitting nine games behind the Red Sox and 10 behind the Yankees in the AL East but determined to keep the big-picture goal in mind while aiming small for now, trying to gain one game a week. Maddon has been preaching that mantra, and Damon said he reinforced it in an up-till-now secret team meeting in Seattle last weekend.

“Whenever you look at the big picture, things seem more doable,” Damon said.

“I think for a little while, we were trying to make up all those games in those amount of days. And obviously, that’s not possible. We also have to worry about ourselves. We can’t worry about what happens with Boston and New York when we’re not playing them.”

And when they do, starting next weekend in New York?

“Rock and roll,” Maddon said. “We play them often enough, too, that we can make some noise with them, too.”

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Joe Smith, Times staff writer

In Print: Saturday, August 6, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Make no mistake, RHP Alex Cobb is the one guy who won’t be complaining about the Rays’ six-man rotation.

It has given the rookie an opportunity for an extended stint in the big leagues, and he has grown more comfortable and confident with every start. Cobb, who suffered his first loss his last time out, has been pleased with how he has been able to remain consistent, going 3-1 with a 1.91 ERA over his past six outings.

“I’m just happy that I’ve consistently put my best stuff out there,” Cobb, 23, said Friday, a day before his next start; “not having a game where I can’t figure something out.”

Rays manager Joe Maddon said “it’s getting close to the finish line” of the six-man rotation and they will re-evaluate it after the Aug. 16 doubleheader in Boston. They’ve shuffled their rotation again, moving RHP Jeremy Hellickson back a day to Monday against the Royals and RHP James Shields to Tuesday.

WELCOME BACK: A’s RH reliever Grant Balfour, a Ray from 2008-10, admitted it was definitely “weird” to be back at Tropicana Field on Friday — at least heading to the visitors clubhouse for the first time since 2004.

Balfour, who allowed a run over two-thirds of an inning on Friday, was happy to spend the past couple days at his Clearwater home with his wife, Angie, and 2-month-old daughter, Raegan Madison, showing her the new nursery. Balfour plans to live there in the offseason.

“It’s nice to bring her back to the house and see where it’s going to end up,” Balfour said.

ONE AT A TIME: Rookie LF Desmond Jennings, who had bunt singles Wednesday and Thursday, said he has been working on it a lot with bench coach Dave Martinez, knowing that’s going to be a part of his game.

“If this guy learns how to bunt for a hit, he should be a perennial over-.300 hitter just based on that,” Maddon said; “by the fact he’s going to get bunt hits and also by the fact he brings corner infielders in because he hits the ball to both sides. That could be a huge part of his game.”

HIGH PRAISE: Having seen Jays 3B Jose Bautista impact a game during the most recent series, including hitting two home runs, Maddon said he has a case for being American League MVP.

“Among all the offensive players … I don’t know anybody is in his class right now,” Maddon said of Bautista, who has a majors-high 33 homers. “He kind of has (Albert) Pujols status during a good year; even say almost like (Barry) Bonds status during a good year. He’s just that dangerous.”

YOUNG GUNS: Maddon continued to rave about the makeup of Jennings and fellow rookies C Robinson Chirinos and RHP Brandon Gomes, all of whom showed poise in tense moments of Thursday’s 7-6, 12-inning win.

“These guys have really shown the ability to make some really important adjustments here in a very short period of time,” Maddon said.

Chirinos, who knocked in the tying and winning runs Thursday, got another start behind the plate Friday. Maddon said while he still wants to see him against lefties, they’re likely going to stick with C Kelly Shoppach in that role.

MEDICAL MATTERS: Maddon said C John Jaso (oblique strain) and C Jose Lobaton (left knee strain) came out of their recent baseball activities well.

Jaso took batting practice Thursday while Lobaton said he has run and hit but not caught a bullpen session yet. They are still waiting for re-evaluation, but Jaso will need a rehab assignment. Maddon believes Jaso will be back by September, though it could be earlier.

Time off: Rays pregame and postgame radio host Rich Herrera has been off the air this week for “personal reasons.” But he said in a text message all “is okay” and he will be back next week.

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

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SEATTLE (AP) — Jeff Niemann finished the best month by a pitcher in the history of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Niemann allowed three hits and struck out a career-high 11 in 6 2-3 innings in a 8-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

He set the club record for any month for any Rays pitcher with a 1.06 ERA and a 3-0 record.

“Every since I came back off the DL, I’ve wanted to get back and contribute to this team,” Niemann said. “I didn’t get off to a great start.”

He began the month with a 2-4 record and a 5.00 earned run average. Before he went on the DL, Niemann was 1-4 with a 5.74 ERA.

Since returning, he is 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA, lowering his overall ERA to 3.51. Over his last three starts he has a 0.87 ERA.

“He’s been outstanding the whole month,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “It’s great to see him get back in this manner.”

The Rays hitters made it easier for him with an eight-run second inning.

Ben Zobrist hit his 14th home run, a two-run shot. Over the past nine games, Zobrist has 15 hits in 37 at-bats (.405).

“We got up early so it was nice to have like a no-stress game there,” Zobrist said. “I feel more like me as a hitter. I felt like early this season and a lot last season I did not get to the point where I felt as comfortable like I have been the past couple months.”

Maddon said Zobrist “quietly is having a really, really good year.”

He’s hitting .279 with a team-leading 56 RBI.

Casey Kotchman had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run. In the second inning alone, he had a single and a double, scored twice and drove in a run.

Kotchman, who hit .217 for the Mariners last season, is now hitting .329, third-best in the American League.

Mariners starter Erik Bedard (4-7), just off the disabled list (knee) and the subject of trade rumors, showed the effects of his 32-day layoff. He threw 57 pitches in just 1 1-3 innings and was tagged for five runs and three hits, walking four and striking out two.

The Rays sent a season-high 12 batters to the plate in the second. The eight runs are the most since June 25, 2008 when the Rays scored 10 in the fifth inning against Florida.

The Rays also scored seven run in the seventh inning Thursday against Oakland. It’s the first time the Rays have scored seven or more runs in an inning in consecutive games.

Bedard and Aaron Laffey combined to walk four in the inning and all four scored.

Bedard issued a bases-loaded walk and gave up a two-run single to Johnny Damon. Laffey yielded Zobrist’s two-run shot on a 2-1 pitch.

“We did a really good job of making him (Bedard) come into our zone, especially those pitches high in the zone and curves down in the zone,” Zobrist said. “We did a good job of zoning into our pitch and not chasing. Whenever you do that it makes it harder on the pitcher. He’s really got to bring strikes early in the count and he just wasn’t doing that.”

The Mariners have lost 22 of their past 27 games, with a franchise-record 17 straight losses during that span. They are 5-19 in July with two games remaining. Their worst July in the franchise’s 34 seasons was last year at 6-22.

It’s the ninth shutout for the Rays this season and the ninth time the Mariners have been shut out.

Niemann gave up a two-out single to rookie Dustin Ackley in the first, and singles to Adam Kennedy and Chone Figgins in the seventh.

“He did a good job with his fastball and a couple different types of breaking balls,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. “He threw some good changeups to left handers. He threw the ball well tonight.”

Five Mariners pitchers issued seven walks, matching the season high set July 20 against Toronto.

Notes: Before the game, the Mariners designated DH Jack Cust for assignment to make room for Bedard. “He’s a class act. He was good in the clubhouse, good teammate, hard worker,” Wedge said. “He just really wasn’t able to get it going for us this year.” Cust, 32, who signed a $2.5 million, one-year deal, hit just .213 with three home runs and 23 RBIs in 67 games. … Wedge is considering going with a six-man rotation to help preserve the young arms on the staff. … Maddon said he talks to GM Andrew Friedman every day on possible trades. He said, “our names are bandied about every year and nothing ever happens. So I’m prepared for nothing happening.”

SEATTLE (AP) — Jeff Niemann finished the best month by a pitcher in the history of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Niemann allowed three hits and struck out a career-high 11 in 6 2-3 innings in a 8-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

He set the club record for any month for any Rays pitcher with a 1.06 ERA and a 3-0 record.

“Every since I came back off the DL, I’ve wanted to get back and contribute to this team,” Niemann said. “I didn’t get off to a great start.”

He began the month with a 2-4 record and a 5.00 earned run average. Before he went on the DL, Niemann was 1-4 with a 5.74 ERA.

Since returning, he is 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA, lowering his overall ERA to 3.51. Over his last three starts he has a 0.87 ERA.

“He’s been outstanding the whole month,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “It’s great to see him get back in this manner.”

The Rays hitters made it easier for him with an eight-run second inning.

Ben Zobrist hit his 14th home run, a two-run shot. Over the past nine games, Zobrist has 15 hits in 37 at-bats (.405).

“We got up early so it was nice to have like a no-stress game there,” Zobrist said. “I feel more like me as a hitter. I felt like early this season and a lot last season I did not get to the point where I felt as comfortable like I have been the past couple months.”

Maddon said Zobrist “quietly is having a really, really good year.”

He’s hitting .279 with a team-leading 56 RBI.

Casey Kotchman had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run. In the second inning alone, he had a single and a double, scored twice and drove in a run.

Kotchman, who hit .217 for the Mariners last season, is now hitting .329, third-best in the American League.

Mariners starter Erik Bedard (4-7), just off the disabled list (knee) and the subject of trade rumors, showed the effects of his 32-day layoff. He threw 57 pitches in just 1 1-3 innings and was tagged for five runs and three hits, walking four and striking out two.

The Rays sent a season-high 12 batters to the plate in the second. The eight runs are the most since June 25, 2008 when the Rays scored 10 in the fifth inning against Florida.

The Rays also scored seven run in the seventh inning Thursday against Oakland. It’s the first time the Rays have scored seven or more runs in an inning in consecutive games.

Bedard and Aaron Laffey combined to walk four in the inning and all four scored.

Bedard issued a bases-loaded walk and gave up a two-run single to Johnny Damon. Laffey yielded Zobrist’s two-run shot on a 2-1 pitch.

“We did a really good job of making him (Bedard) come into our zone, especially those pitches high in the zone and curves down in the zone,” Zobrist said. “We did a good job of zoning into our pitch and not chasing. Whenever you do that it makes it harder on the pitcher. He’s really got to bring strikes early in the count and he just wasn’t doing that.”

The Mariners have lost 22 of their past 27 games, with a franchise-record 17 straight losses during that span. They are 5-19 in July with two games remaining. Their worst July in the franchise’s 34 seasons was last year at 6-22.

It’s the ninth shutout for the Rays this season and the ninth time the Mariners have been shut out.

Niemann gave up a two-out single to rookie Dustin Ackley in the first, and singles to Adam Kennedy and Chone Figgins in the seventh.

“He did a good job with his fastball and a couple different types of breaking balls,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. “He threw some good changeups to left handers. He threw the ball well tonight.”

Five Mariners pitchers issued seven walks, matching the season high set July 20 against Toronto.

Notes: Before the game, the Mariners designated DH Jack Cust for assignment to make room for Bedard. “He’s a class act. He was good in the clubhouse, good teammate, hard worker,” Wedge said. “He just really wasn’t able to get it going for us this year.” Cust, 32, who signed a $2.5 million, one-year deal, hit just .213 with three home runs and 23 RBIs in 67 games. … Wedge is considering going with a six-man rotation to help preserve the young arms on the staff. … Maddon said he talks to GM Andrew Friedman every day on possible trades. He said, “our names are bandied about every year and nothing ever happens. So I’m prepared for nothing happening.”

CBSSports.com wire reports
July 30, 2011

SEATTLE — Jeff Niemann finished the best month by a pitcher in the history of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Niemann allowed three hits and struck out a career-high 11 in 6 2/3 innings in a 8-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

He set the club record for any month for any Rays pitcher with a 1.06 ERA and a 3-0 record.

“Every since I came back off the DL, I’ve wanted to get back and contribute to this team,” Niemann said. “I didn’t get off to a great start.”

He began the month with a 2-4 record and a 5.00 earned run average. Before he went on the DL, Niemann was 1-4 with a 5.74 ERA.

Since returning, he is 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA, lowering his overall ERA to 3.51. Over his last three starts he has a 0.87 ERA.

“He’s been outstanding the whole month,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “It’s great to see him get back in this manner.”

The Rays hitters made it easier for him with an eight-run second inning.

Ben Zobrist hit his 14th home run, a two-run shot. Over the past nine games, Zobrist has 15 hits in 37 at-bats (.405).

“We got up early so it was nice to have like a no-stress game there,” Zobrist said. “I feel more like me as a hitter. I felt like early this season and a lot last season I did not get to the point where I felt as comfortable like I have been the past couple months.”

Maddon said Zobrist “quietly is having a really, really good year.”

He’s hitting .279 with a team-leading 56 RBI.

Casey Kotchman had three hits, scored twice and drove in a run. In the second inning alone, he had a single and a double, scored twice and drove in a run.

Kotchman, who hit .217 for the Mariners last season, is now hitting .329, third-best in the American League.

Mariners starter Erik Bedard (4-7), just off the disabled list (knee) and the subject of trade rumors, showed the effects of his 32-day layoff. He threw 57 pitches in just 1 1/3 innings and was tagged for five runs and three hits, walking four and striking out two.

The Rays sent a season-high 12 batters to the plate in the second. The eight runs are the most since June 25, 2008 when the Rays scored 10 in the fifth inning against Florida.

The Rays also scored seven run in the seventh inning Thursday against Oakland. It’s the first time the Rays have scored seven or more runs in an inning in consecutive games.

Bedard and Aaron Laffey combined to walk four in the inning and all four scored.

Bedard issued a bases-loaded walk and gave up a two-run single to Johnny Damon. Laffey yielded Zobrist’s two-run shot on a 2-1 pitch.

“We did a really good job of making him [Bedard] come into our zone, especially those pitches high in the zone and curves down in the zone,” Zobrist said. “We did a good job of zoning into our pitch and not chasing. Whenever you do that it makes it harder on the pitcher. He’s really got to bring strikes early in the count and he just wasn’t doing that.”

The Mariners have lost 22 of their past 27 games, with a franchise-record 17 straight losses during that span. They are 5-19 in July with two games remaining. Their worst July in the franchise’s 34 seasons was last year at 6-22.

It’s the ninth shutout for the Rays this season and the ninth time the Mariners have been shut out.

Niemann gave up a two-out single to rookie Dustin Ackley in the first, and singles to Adam Kennedy and Chone Figgins in the seventh.

“He did a good job with his fastball and a couple different types of breaking balls,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. “He threw some good changeups to left handers. He threw the ball well tonight.”

Five Mariners pitchers issued seven walks, matching the season high set July 20 against Toronto.

Notes

• Before the game, the Mariners designated DH Jack Cust for assignment to make room for Bedard. “He’s a class act. He was good in the clubhouse, good teammate, hard worker,” Wedge said. “He just really wasn’t able to get it going for us this year.” Cust, 32, who signed a $2.5 million, one-year deal, hit just .213 with three home runs and 23 RBI in 67 games.
• Wedge is considering going with a six-man rotation to help preserve the young arms on the staff.
• Maddon said he talks to GM Andrew Friedman every day on possible trades. He said, “our names are bandied about every year and nothing ever happens. So I’m prepared for nothing happening.”

Rays Report

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Rays vs. A’s

When/where: 10:07 tonight; O.co Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers

RAYS: RH James Shields (9-8, 2.53)

A’S: RH Trevor Cahill (8-9, 3.77)

Watch for …

Shields up: Shields, coming off a solid start against the Yankees, has worked at least seven innings in 17 starts, most in the AL, and in 13 of them has allowed 2 or fewer runs. He is 4-2, 3.54 in 10 starts vs. the A’s.

Downhill Cahill: After a 6-0, 1.72 start, Cahill is struggling mightily, going 2-9, 5.06 over his past 14 starts, including 0-4, 6.35 in his past five. He is 1-1, 8.44 in two starts vs. Rays.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Cahill

Johnny Damon 0-for-3

Matt Joyce 0-for-3

Evan Longoria 3-for-6, HR

A’s vs. Shields

Coco Crisp 5-for-18

H. Matsui 9-for-22, 3 HRs

Ryan Sweeney 6-for-17

On deck

Thursday: at A’s, 3:37, Sun Sports. Rays — Wade Davis (7-7, 4.46); A’s — Rich Harden (2-1, 4.63)

Friday: at Mariners, 10:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeff Niemann (4-4, 3.86); Mariners — Erik Bedard (4-6, 3.00)

Saturday: at Mariners, 4:10, Ch. 13. Rays — Alex Cobb (3-0. 2.57); Mariners — Michael Pineda (8-7, 3.64)

Sunday: at Mariners, 4:10, Sun Sports. Rays — Jeremy Hellickson (9-7, 3.27); Mariners — Jason Vargas (6-9, 4.09)

Monday: Off

Good decision of the day

B.J. Upton is trying to not concern himself with the possibility of being traded. But, in the middle of a 10-day road trip, he is making one practical concession, not sending out any clothes to be cleaned. “Nope,” he said. “I’m keeping everything with me.”

Flashback of the day

James Shields‘ start tonight is his first in Oakland since May 9, 2010, when he was on the wrong end of history, as A’s LHP Dallas Braden threw a perfect game at the Rays. Does he remember that? “Vaguely,” Shields joked. “You never want to be on the other side of a perfect game. It’s not very fun. But as a pitcher, you have to respect what he did, too.

Number of the day

5 Pitchers called up by the Rays since the All-Star break: LHP Jake McGee, RHP Alex Cobb, LHP Alex Torres, RHP Dane De La Rosa, RHP Jay Buente.

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