Another impressive outing for Sonnanstine

Posted Mar 16, 2010 by Roger Mooney

Updated Mar 16, 2010 at 10:00 PM

By ROGER MOONEY

PORT CHARLOTTE Andy Sonnanstine’s offseason workout program is paying dividends this spring as the right-hander continues to make a push for a spot in the rotation or bullpen.

Considered a long-shot to make the team at the beginning of camp, Sonnanstine has tossed eight straight scoreless innings after blanking the Red Sox during the final four innings Tuesday in the Rays 7-0 victory.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic the way my body feels right now,” Sonnanstine said after the game. “It’s completely different from all the other spring trainings I’ve been in. I never felt this strong.”

Sonnanstine worked out three times a week at the Trop since the start of December. He’s also incorrporated kick boxing and yoga into his routine.

“My arm feels great. My legs have never felt this good,” he said. “I’m ecstatic.”

The Rays seemed set on Wade Davis as their fifth starter, but Sonnanstine, who won 13 games in 2008 plus two more in the postseason, is going to keep the pressure on the Davis, who was impressive during his September call-up last season.

Davis had his first solid outing of the spring against the Red Sox on Tuesday, throwing four shutout innings and striking out five. Davis, who allowed five first inning runs in his previous outing, struck out the side in the first inning.

Sonnanstine came on in the sixth and allowed one hit and struck out three.

“Sonny looked like he’s supposed to,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “That’s really encouraging to see. We really challenged him to do a little better work against right-handed hitters and he really did that. He was very sharp.”

The Rays want Sonnanstine to return to his 2008 form when he dominated right-handers. They worked on his dilvery to allow him to pitch lower in the strike zone. After a rought first outing when Sonnanstine’s delivery was off a bit, the right-hander settled down and made the changes the Rays want him to make. He’s throwing inside to right-handers and is able to put a little more juice on his fastball when he needs to make a pitch.

“I would hope (the velocity is up) with all the work I’ve put in this offseason, but I’ve never been a radar guy. It’s not who I am,” Sonnanstine said. “I feel like if I can put a little less miles per hour where I want it than I’m going to take that pitch over humping up and missing a spot. Location is so huge for me.”