Keppinger headed to DL, Rays acquire INF Drew Sutton

Posted May 21, 2012 by Tribune Sports

Updated May 21, 2012 at 05:19 PM

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG The Rays acquired INF Drew Sutton from the Pirates for a player to be named later.

The team is expected to place INF Jeff Keppinger on the disabled list with a toe injury.

Sutton was traded Sunday afternoon from the Braves Triple A team to the Pirates Triple A team. He was told Sunday night he was headed to the Rays and the major leagues.

Sutton can play all four infield positions and the outfield. He said second base is his best position.

Keppinger, who was struck on his toe by a foul ball during Saturday’s game, will be the 10th Ray to go on the disabled list.

Sutton, who turns 29 on June 30, was acquired yesterday by Pittsburgh from the Atlanta Braves, where he had spent the season playing for Gwinnett (AAA).  He hit .270 (37-for-137) with 10 doubles, two triples and a .374 on-base percentage in 38 games for Gwinnett, playing mostly third base.

Sutton has spent parts of three seasons in the major leagues with the Cincinnati Reds (2009-10), Cleveland Indians (2010) and Boston Red Sox (2011) while spending time at all four infield positions as well as left field and right field.  Over three stints with Boston in 2011, he hit .315 (17-for-51) with seven RBI, seven doubles, 11 runs scored and a .444 slugging percentage in 31 games, appearing most often at third base (eight games) and second base (seven).  He is a career .258 (41-for-159) hitter with three home runs, 24 RBI, 12 doubles and a .403 slugging percentage.

Sutton was selected out of Baylor University by the Houston Astros in the 15th round of the 2004 June Draft, the same year the Astros drafted Ben Zobrist.

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Braves@Rays: The Notables

Posted May 20, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated May 20, 2012 at 07:53 PM

ST. PETERSBURG – One pitch.

That’s the only thing Rays LHP David Price would change from Sunday’s 2-0 loss against the Atlanta Braves at Tropicana Field.

Price (6-3, 2.88 ERA) served up a second-inning solo home run to Braves catcher David Ross. Other than that, Price was tremendous.

For the sixth time in nine starts, Price allowed two runs or fewer. For the first time this season, he received zero runs of support. He has worked seven innings or more in each of his last four starts.

“What a great performance,’’ Rays 1B Carlos Pena said.

“He battled and he used all of his pitches effectively,’’ Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

Price, who was trying to become this season’s first seven-game winner, was philosophical in assessing the defeat.

“For the most part, we were (pitching) down, threw some stuff over the plate with some movement,’’ Price said. “We threw the ball well. We had a chance to win.’’

Tweet success for Hellickson

Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-0, 2.77 ERA), who starts at home tonight against the Toronto Blue Jays, said he’s very content with the season thus far.

“I really like where I’m at,’’ Hellickson said. “The fastball command is better than it has been, since I can remember anyway. The curveball is coming along pretty good. I’ve just got to get ahead of guys and throw strikes. I’ve been doing that lately.’’

Hellickson’s biggest change is he’s now on Twitter—@jhell58 – at Price’s urging. It would seem an excellent forum for a soft-spoken pitcher who generally expresses himself in 140-word (or less) characters.

“I’m still learning how to tweet – period,’’ Hellickson said. “It’s kind of fast and hard to keep up with. I still have no idea (what it’s all about).’’ 

S-Rod on the move

Rays 3B Sean Rodriguez made another outstanding defensive play – actually, they have become routinely outstanding for him – when he dove across the third-base line for a backhand stop, then a perfectly rifled one-hop throw to Pena. It robbed Ross of a fifth-inning hit.

Maddon might be more impressed with Rodriguez’s offense. Rodriguez is batting .306 (19-for-62) with seven extra-base hits since May 1, the day Evan Longoria was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Rodriguez has hit safely in his last 15 starts, the longest such streak of his career.

“He’s just good, very athletic,’’ Maddon said. “It looked like (Ross’ ball) was beyond him, but what Sean does never surprises me. The difference is he’s having much better at-bats. He’s playing at a very high level.’’

Noteworthy

Rays CF B.J. Upton, who threw out Atlanta’s Martin Prado at second base while trying to leg out a double, has 44 assists since 2007, more than any other CF. … The Rays, who were shut out 15 times in 2011, were held scoreless for the first time this season. … Atlanta has won four straight interleague series against the Rays and seven of eight series overall against Tampa Bay. … Retiring Braves INF Chipper Jones, who missed his second straight game after suffering a calf injury Friday night, was saluted in a video tribute following the first inning. Fans gave a standing ovation to Jones, who emerged from the dugout and tipped his cap. … Rays LF Desmond Jennings, due to return on May 27, and Longoria, who hopes to be back in June, took some batting practice in the cage and looked good. … Braves RHP Tim Hudson, who once played for the Oakland Athletics, is 8-1 career against the Rays. … The Rays are 119-134 all-time in interleague play, but 63-48 under Maddon.

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Braves blank Rays, 2-0

Posted May 20, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated May 20, 2012 at 04:16 PM

ST. PETERSBURG – The Tampa Bay Rays had precious few opportunities on Sunday afternoon, but squandered them all in a 2-0 loss against the Atlanta Braves before 24,579 fans at Tropicana Field.

Atlanta right-hander Tim Hudson (3-1) kept the Rays off-balance all afternoon, surrendering just four hits in 7 2/3 innings. Rays left-hander David Price (6-3), bidding to become the first seven-game winner in the major leagues this season, allowed six hits and had seven strikeouts in seven innings.

The Rays, who were shut out 15 times in 2011, were held scoreless for the first time this season.

Carlos Pena figured heavily in two key moments.

In the sixth inning, with the bases loaded and two outs, Pena slammed a drive that was flagged down by Atlanta’s Michael Bourn at the edge of the center-field warning track.

In the eighth, B.J. Upton collected a two-out infield single to chase Hudson. Left-handed reliever Jonny Venters promptly hit Matt Joyce and Pena, loading the bases. Designated hitter Luke Scott, with an 0-2 count, hit what looked to be an RBI single to the right side. But it hit Pena’s leg as he ran in the basepaths, making for an automatic out (Scott was credited with a single).

Braves right-hander Craig Kimbrel worked a scoreless ninth inning for the save.

Atlanta scored on David Ross’ solo home run in the second inning, then Jason Heyward collected an RBI single in the sixth.

The Rays begin a three-game home series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night. Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (4-0) is Tampa Bay’s scheduled starter.
 

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Braves@Rays: The Finale

Posted May 20, 2012 by Joey Johnston

Updated May 20, 2012 at 12:47 PM

ST. PETERSBURG—The Rays will wrap up a three-game series today against the Atlanta Braves at Tropicana Field. First pitch is 1:40 p.m. The Rays will go with LHP David Price (6-2, 3.10 ERA), who could become the first seven-game winner this season in MLB. The Braves counter with RHP Tim Hudson (2-1, 3.96).

The Rays (25-16) are in second place in the American League East, trailing the Baltimore Orioles by two games.

More bad news on the horizon? Rays INF Jeff Keppinger showed up today wearing a walking boot. He was injured Saturday when he took a foul ball off his right foot while standing near the dugout railing. His status is questionable and we might have more official word on Keppinger’s health later today.

It could be another blow to the Rays, who have nine players on the disabled list, including stalwarts such as 3B Evan Longoria and LF Desmond Jennings. On a positive note, Longoria and Jennings took some batting practice in the cage this morning. Jennings is expected back on May 27. Longoria looked good and keeps showing signs of fast-track improvement from his injury (partial tear of his left hamstring), but the best-case scenario is a return some time in June.

Today’s lineups:

Atlanta Braves

Michael Bourn CF

Martin Prado LF

Freddie Freeman 1B

Dan Uggla 2B

Jason Heyward RF

Matt Diaz DH

Juan Francisco 3B

David Ross C

Jack Wilson SS

Tim Hudson RHP

Tampa Bay Rays

Ben Zobrist RF

B.J. Upton CF

Matt Joyce LF

Carlos Pena 1B

Luke Scott DH

Sean Rodriguez 3B

Will Rhymes 2B

Elliot Johnson SS

Jose Molina C

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Rays v Braves: Rhymes returns

Posted May 19, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated May 19, 2012 at 12:59 PM

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG Will Rhymes returns to the lineup and Alex Cobb returns to the rotation this afternoon against the visiting Braves.

Rhymes, drilled on his right forearm by a 95 mph fastball Wednesday night, plays his first game since passing out on the field moments later.

Cobb, whose rookie season came to a sudden end last August when he had surgery to remove a blockage near his first right rib and the rib itself, rejoins the rotation in place of Jeff Niemann, who fractured his right fibula Monday in Toronto.

The Rays look to snap a two-game losing streak. The Braves, who lead the NL East, are looking for their third straight win.

Here is the Rays lineup:

Zobrist RF
Upton CF
Joyce LF
Peña 1B
Scott DH
Rodriguez 3B
Rhymes 2B
Johnson SS
Gimenez C
—
Cobb P

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Cobb to start Saturday vs. Braves

Posted May 18, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated May 18, 2012 at 01:38 PM

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG Alex Cobb will be recalled from Triple A Durham and start Saturday against the visiting Braves at Tropicana Field, taking the turn of Jeff Niemann, who suffered a fracture right fibula Monday in Toronto.

Cobb was expected to join the Rays rotation at some point this season in much the same fashion as he did last year when he became the sixth starter after the All-Star Break. The Rays, though, didn’t expect it to be this soon, but injuries have changed more than one set of plans of the Rays this season.

Cobb was 1-4 with a 4.14 ERA in eight starts for the Bulls, though that ERA is high because of a pair of rough outings. He allowed six runs in four innings in one start and six runs in 1 1/3 in another. In the other six outings, Cobb allowed two runs or less.

In nine starts with the Rays in 2011, Cobb was 3-2 with a 3.42 ERA. He was 3-0 in his first seven starts.

His season ended with surgery Aug. 18 to remove a blood clot and a blockage near his first right rib. He lost the rib during the surgery.

Cobb was with the Rays briefly during the first road trip when he was called up to add a fresh arm to an overwork bullpen. He did not pitch.

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Red Sox 5, Rays 3: Rays 10-game run through AL East ends at .500

Posted May 18, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated May 18, 2012 at 12:30 AM

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG The Rays ended a 10-game stretch through the AL East on Wednesday with a 5-3 loss to the visiting Red Sox.

Matt Moore turned in the best start of the season when he overcame a shaky first inning to go six innings and finish with a season-high eight strikeouts. He retired 12 of the final 13 batters he faced, including the last 10 in a row.

“This is a step in the right direction,” manager Joe Maddon said of Moore.

Despite the improved effort, Moore is now 1-4 in eight starts this season.

Yet, even he left the Trop feeling good about himself.

“I was somewhat satisfied with fourth, fifth and sixth innings,” he said.

The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Rays and dropped them out of a tie for first with Orioles.

The Rays begin interleague play tonight against the Atlanta Braves. The Rays are 6-15 all-time against the Braves. The Rays were 12-6 last season in interleague play.

James Shields, who was 3-1 in interleague play last season with three complete games, starts tonight. He’s also 4-1 this season following a Rays loss.

Here are some odds and ends from Thursday’s game …

—The Rays have lost three of their last four at home.

—Moore needed 33 pitches to get through the first inning. He struggled with his command in the first three innings, throwing 27 pitches after he got two strikes on a batter. Two of those two-strike pitches were hit for home runs. In the final three innings, he threw 12 pitches once he reached two strikes.

—At 33, Rich Thompson became, according to Elias, the oldest American League position player to get his first big league hit since Minnie Mendoza of the Twins did it age 36 on May 2, 1970 at Baltimore. Mendoza is the oldest position player since expansion in 1961 to get his first major league hit.

—Luke Scott, the Rays leader with 27 RBI, had a tough night at the bat, stranding seven runners across his final three at-bats. He has one hit in his last 10 at-bats with RISP.

—Elliot Johnson’s hitting streak ended at seven games. He was o-for-3 with three strikeouts.

—DH/OF Hideki Matsui was 0-for-3 Thursday for the Durham Bulls. He is 2-for-11 in three games with the Bulls.

—Since April 23, Boston’s bullpen leads the majors with 1.38 ERA.

—The players on the Rays roster are a combined 3-for-53 (.057) lifetime against Boston closer Alfredo Aceves.

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Zim returns to the Trop

Posted May 17, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated May 17, 2012 at 07:46 PM

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG Don Zimmer made it out to Tropicana Field on Thursday afternoon, sat in the seats behind home plate and watched the Rays take batting practice.

“It’s nice to be back where you’re supposed to be,” Zimmer said.

The 81-year-old Zimmer undergoes four hours of dialysis three days a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – for kidney failure.

“That’s a long four hours, I’ll tell you, boy,” he said.

Zimmer last attended a Rays game during the opening weekend of the season. The following week he fell into a diabetic coma while sleeping.

“I was gone,” he said. “I was in a diabetic coma. If my wife don’t wake me up I’m still sleeping. That’s how close I was. My blood sugar was 20.”

His wife, Soot, called their son, Tom, who told her to call 911.

“They tried to wake me,” Zimmer said. “But nothing.”

After spending time in the hospital, Zimmer said he feels his health is moving in the right direction.

“The say dialysis, the more you take it the stronger you get,” he said. “I get out of breath if I walk too far.”

Zimmer said he’s also lost his appetite but knows he has to eat. Another drawback, he said, is he’s on a restricted diet.

“Every time I eat something I say, “Am I all right?” Zimmer said.

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Rays v Red Sox: Of Rhymes, Thompson, Zim and Astro

Posted May 17, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated May 17, 2012 at 05:52 PM

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG Busy afternoon at the Trop.

Will Rhymes is not in the lineup but wouldn’t be because the Red Sox are throwing left-hander Felix Doubront. Joe Maddon said he won’t play Rhymes tonight, but Rhymes said he is available to pinch-run and expects to swing a bat Friday. Both Rhymes and Maddon said Rhymes will return to the lineup sooner rather than later.

With Doubront on the hill, Rich Thompson makes his first career start in left field in place of Matt Joyce.

Maddon said the teams has decided who will replace Jeff Niemann in the lineup, but are not ready to make the announcement because the pitcher has yet to be told.

Evan Longoria fielded ground balls before batting practice.

“I’m progressing well,” he said.

The Rays pitchers took batting practice in preparation for interleague play. David Price’s bats have Astro’s name on it.

“Believe it,” Price said.

The best news was the Don Zimmer returned to the Trop for the first time since the opening weekend of the season. Zimmer said he is undergoing four hours of dialysis Monday, Wednesday and Friday because of kidney failure.

“I was gone,” Zimmer said. “I was in a diabetic coma. If my wife don’t wake me up I’m still sleeping.”

The Rays look to extend their winning streak to five games against the Red Sox.

Matt Moore makes his eighth start of the season and looks for only his second win.

Here are the lineups:

RED SOX
Aviles SS
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Gonzalez 1B
Middlebrooks 3B
Ross RF
Nava LF
Byrd CF
Shoppach C
—
Doubront LHP (3-1, 4.46)

RAYS
Zobrist RF
Upton CF
Scott DH
Keppinger 2B
Peña 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Johnson SS
Gimenez C
Thompson LF
—
Moore LHP 1-3, 5.31

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Rays 2, Red Sox 1: One interesting night at the ballyard

Posted May 17, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated May 17, 2012 at 12:58 AM

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG Another player placed on the DL, another arrival by a new player delayed by weather, another injury to a player, another win. Just a normal day in the life of the 2012 Rays.

To recap Wednesday’s action at the Trop:

OF Brandon Guyer was sent to the DL with a left shoulder strain.

OF Rich Thompson was acquired from the Phillies organization in a swap of minor league outfielders, was added to the 25-man roster and pinch-ran in the eighth inning of the Rays 2-1 win against the Red Sox.

It was his first appearance in a major league game in eight years, 24 days.

Second baseman Will Rhymes threw a scare into the crowd when he collapsed near first base after being struck on the right arm by a 95-mph fastball. He was carted off the field. X-rays showed only a bruise, and Rhymes is listed as day-to-day.

The Rays scored their runs on a balk and a sacrifice fly.

The win was their fourth straight and kept them tied with the Orioles atop the division.

Here are some other tidbits from the win …

—Jeremy Hellickson became the first starting pitcher to go 4-0 the year after winning the Rookie of the Year Award. There have been 23 starting pitchers who’ve won the award.

—Hellickson has now won a career-high six straight decisions dating back to last season. His last loss was Aug. 30 at Texas.

—He is 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA in five starts this season at the Trop.

—Fernando Rodney is 12-for-12 in save opportunities.

—Luke Scott, who leads the team with 27 RBI after driving in the game-winner with a sacrifice fly, has five RBI in his last five games.

—Elliot Johnson extended his hitting streak to a career-best eight games with a bunt single.

—Jeff Keppinger finally swung and missed a third strike. It happened during the eighth inning.

—The Rays were 0-for-12 with RISP.

—The Red Sox committed three balks, the most in the AL since Al Leiter of the Blue Jays committed three on April 23, 1994.

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