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Rafael Soriano was named the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award for August.

This Major League Baseball award recognizes the most outstanding relief pitcher during each month of the regular season as voted on by a panel from Major League Baseball.

Soriano recorded a 0.84 ERA and led the Majors with 10 saves during the month of August, successfully converting each of his save opportunities. In 10.2 innings pitched, Rafael allowed just four hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts while holding opposing batters to a .108 batting average.

A first-time All-Star in 2010, Soriano made five consecutive appearances without allowing a base-runner from August 9th – 21st, collecting five saves with five strikeouts over 4.2 innings pitched.

The 30-year-old right-hander closed out games in three consecutive days on August 21st – 22nd at Oakland, and on August 23rd at Angel Stadium, striking out the side on nine pitches in the ninth inning. Soriano became the first pitcher to strike out the side on nine pitches this season and the first to do so while converting a save since LaTroy Hawkins accomplished the feat for the Chicago Cubs in 2004.

The San Jose, Dominican Republic native leads the Majors with 40 saves (two ahead of San Francisco’s Brian Wilson) and his 95.2% (40-for-42) save percentage also ranks best among Major Leaguers.

Soriano, who is in his first season with the Rays, ranks third on the club’s single-season saves list behind Danys Baez (41 in 2005) and Roberto Hernandez (43 in 1999). Rafael, who also won the award in May and July, joins Trevor Hoffman (4 times) and Joe Nathan (3 times) as the only relievers with three career Delivery Man of the Month Awards.

Prior to 2010, no pitcher had ever been honored multiple times in the same season dating back to the award’s inception in 2005.

Other relievers receiving votes included Joakim Soria (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 8 SV, 13.0 IP, 2 BB, 13 SO) of the Kansas City Royals; Brandon Lyon (0-1, 2.45 ERA, 9 SV, 18.1 IP, 8 BB, 13 SO) of the Houston Astros; San Francisco’s Brian Wilson (1-1, 0.69 ERA, 7 SV, 13.0 IP, 5 BB, 13 SO); and Philadelphia’s Brad Lidge (0-0, 0.73 ERA, 8 SV, 12.1 IP, 1 BB, 12 SO).

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ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG—Things can only get better for Brad Hawpe in a Tampa Bay Rays jersey.

Right?

According to the blog “Stats & Info,” Hawpe is just the fourth player since 1900 to go 0-for-4 with four strikes in his debut after changing teams.

Stats & Info credited the Elias Sports Bureau for the research.

Hawpe, who left the bases loaded in the eighth and stranded six runners during the Rays 2-1 win against the Blue Jays, joins Willy Taveras of the 2007 Rockies, Ernie Whitt of the 1991 Orioles and Harmon Killebrew of the 1975 Royals.

The blog also dug up this nugget about David Price, who earned his 16th win of the season Wednesday:

“David Price continued to dominate the Blue Jays this season improving to 4-0 with a 0.58 ERA against Toronto. Wednesday Price mixed things up. After Blue Jays hitters swung-and-missed only three times on his fastball last time out on June 9, Price went to his off-speed stuff more often this time. He threw only 63 fastballs on Wednesday, his fewest total in any start this year. Mixing in more off-speed stuff helped make Price’s fastball more effective. He recorded 11 swings-and-misses on his fastball, his highest against Toronto this season.”

For more, go to http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/5743/hawpes-debut-historically-bad.

 

 

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Catcher Dioner Navarro returned to the Rays this afternoon and starts tonight against the Blue Jays

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG— Joe Maddon didn’t waste much time getting some of the new faces in the lineup.

Dioner Navarro, Desmond Jennings, Jeremy Hellickson and Rocco Baldelli were added to the roster earlier today as the rosters expanded to 40.

Navarro and Jennings are in the lineup as is Brad Hawpe, who was added to the roster after Tuesday’s game.

Jennings will make his major league debut.

The switch-hitting Navarro will bat right-handed against Toronto righty Shaun Marcum.

Grant Balfour was also activated from the disabled list but might not be available tonight since he threw 20 pitches this afternoon in a simulated game.

In other news, Maddon said Jeff Niemann felt fine after Tuesday’s rough start, Hellickson will be used in the bullpen this month and Don Zimmer will serve as another bench coach during home games.

The Rays are looking for David Price to help them win the rubber game of this three-game series tonight on David Price Figurine Night.

Here are the lineups:

BLUE JAYS
Fred Lewis LF
John McDonald 3B
Jose Bautista RF
Vernon Wells CF
Adam Lind 1B
John Buck C
Aaron Hill 2B
J.J. Arencibia DH
Mike McCoy SS
—
Shaun Marcum (11-7, 3.61)

RAYS
Upton CF
Jennings RF
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Pena 1B
Rodriguez 2B
Hawpe DH
Navarro C
Bartlett SS
—
David Price (15-6, 3.01)

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By TONY FABRIZIO

ST. PETERSBURG The Rays and Yankees have been tied for first place in the American League East for the last eight days. According to Elias Sports Bureau, that’s the longest stretch two teams have been tied for first this late in the season in major league history.

The teams will meet head-on Sept. 13-15 here at Tropicana Field, but tonight, the Rays will host the Blue Jays in the middle game of a three-game series, and the Yankees will play the Athletics at home.

Here are tonight’s Blue Jays-Rays lineups:

BLUE JAYS

Fred Lewis, DH
DeWayne Wise, RF
Jose Bautista, eB
Vernon Wells, CF
Adam Lind, 1B
John Buck, C
Aaron Hill, 2B
Travis Snider, LF
John McDonald, SS
—
Ricky Romero, LHP (10-8, 3.54)

RAYS

B.J. Upton, CF
Jason Bartlet, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Carlos Pena, 1B
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
Kelly Shoppach, C
Ben Zobrist, RF
Dan Johnson, DH
—
Jeff Niemann, RHP (10-4, 3.67)

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By TONY FABRIZIO

ST. PETERSBURG There won’t be an official announcement today, but the Rays are expected to call up pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, outfielder Desmond Jennings and catchers Dioner Navarro and Jose Lobaton on Wednedsay when active rosters are expanded to 40 players.

Additionally, newly acquired designated hitter/utility man Brad Hawpe is expected to join the team, and veteran outfielder Rocco Baldelli will be selected from Triple-A Durham, which will require a roster move.

Lobaton may be headed to the disabled list, which could allow the Rays to add a player to the postseason roster later.

 

 

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By TONY FABRIZIO

Rays designated hitter/infielder Dan Johnson today was named Most Valuable Player of the Triple-A International League today, and his Triple-A Durham Bulls teammate Jeremy Hellickson and manager, Charlie Montoyo, were named Most Valuable Pitcher and Manager of the Year, respectively.

The winners were selected by the league’s managers, coaches, media and club representatives.

Johnson won on the strength of his league-leading 30 home runs and 95 RBI. Hellickson’s 2.45 ERA leads the circuit.

Montoyo’s Bulls have the League’s best record (84-52) and have already clinched their fourth straight IL South Division championship. Durham is the
first franchise to win at least three of the League’s four Special Awards since Norfolk swept the honors
in 1995.

Here is more from the International League’s news release:

Most Valuable Player – Dan Johnson, Durham

Dan Johnson has been named the International League Most Valuable Player for 2010. Though he has
been with the Tampa Bay Rays since the beginning of August, Johnson still leads the IL in home runs
(30), RBI (95), slugging percentage (.624), on-base percentage (.430), and walks (75). The heart of the
League’s highest scoring offense in 2010, Johnson came out of the gate strong this season and never
looked back. In 19 April games, he hit .333 with 8 homers and 23 RBI, igniting a stellar season for
Johnson and the eventual IL South Division champion Bulls. Johnson was elected to his first Triple-A
All-Star Game this July, where he won the Home Run Derby. The versatile 31-year-old has split time
this season as Durham’s first baseman, third baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter. It was third
base, where he has played the most games, that he was elected to the postseason All-Star Team.
Johnson is the fourth Durham Bull since the club joined the League in 1998 to be named Most Valuable
Player, following Steve Cox (1999), Toby Hall (2001), and Kevin Witt (2006).

Most Valuable Pitcher – Jeremy Hellickson, Durham

After a brief stint with the Bulls last season in which he was named MVP of the Triple-A National
Championship Game, Jeremy Hellickson continued his dominance this year, his first full season at the
Triple-A level. Hellickson was on pace to win the League’s Pitching Triple Crown when he was
promoted to Tampa Bay at the beginning of August. His 2.45 ERA still leads the IL, while he remains
near the top in wins (12) and strikeouts (123). Hellickson surrendered just 103 hits and 32 earned runs
in 117.2 innings of work for the Bulls, with opponents hitting .238 against him. The right-hander was
particularly tough on left-handed batters, who hit just .208 off of Hellickson. He made his Major
League debut on August 2 versus Minnesota, and picked up the first of three consecutive wins for the
23-year-old. Hellickson is the first ever member of the Durham Bulls to be named IL Most Valuable
Pitcher.

Manager-of-the-Year – Charlie Montoyo, Durham

Durham skipper Charlie Montoyo is the 2010 IL Manager of the Year. The defending National
Champions have clinched a fourth straight IL South Division title under Montoyo, on the strength of
the League’s best record (84-52) and largest lead (15.0 games over 2nd place Gwinnett). Durham has
the highest scoring offense (720 runs) , the stingiest pitching staff (3.51 ERA), and the top defense
(.984) in the IL this season, as the Bulls prepare to meet the champion of the IL West Division in the
postseason playoffs. In July, Montoyo led the IL All-Stars to a 2-1 victory at the Triple-A All-Star
Game. He is now the first skipper since Durham joined the International League in 1998 to receive
Manager of the Year honors.

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By TONY FABRIZIO

ST. PETERSBURG Still tied for first place with the Yankees, the Rays will move from a heated three-game series with the contending Red Sox to a three-game series with a Blue Jays team that swept them earlier this month in Toronto.

Wade Davis (10-9, 4.41) will take the mound for the Rays in tonight’s opener against lefty Brett Cecil (11-6, 3.80), who beat the Red Sox and Yankees in his last two starts.

Manager Joe Maddon’s lineup has only two lefty hitters - Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena - along with switch-hitters Ben Zobrist and Willy Aybar, who are batting down in the seventh and eighth spots. Sean Rodriguez, who is hitting.330 against lefties, gets the start at second and bats sixth.

Newly acquired utility man/designated hitter Brad Hawpe took early batting practice at Tropicana Field and will play at Bradenton tonight for Class A Charlotte. Relief Grant Balfour, who is battling to return from an intercostal strain, will pitch at Bradenton.

Here are tonight’s lineups:

BLUE JAYS

Fred Lewis, DH
Mike McCoy, SS
Jose Bautista, RF
John Buck, C
Adam Lind, 1B
Aaron Hill, 2B
DeWayne Wise, CF
John McDonald, 3B
Travis Snider, LF
—
Brett Cecil, LHP (11-6, 3.80)

RAYS

B.J. Upton, CF
Jason Bartlett, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Carlos Pena, 1B
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
Ben Zobrist, RF
Willy Aybar, DH
Kelly Shoppach, C
—
Wade Davis, RHP (10-9, 4.41 ERA)

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ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG—Carl Crawford drilled a two-run homer to right-center field during the sixth inning of Sunday’s Rays-Red Sox game that tied the score at 3-3.

It was the 100th home run of his career.

He is now the eighth player since 1900 to have at least 100 home runs, 100 triples and 400 stolen bases.

He joins Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Lou Brock, Frankie Frisch, Kenny Lofton, Paul Molitor and Tim Raines.

Crawford has 100 career triples and 403 stolen bases.

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James Shields is better against the Red Sox at the Trop than he is at Fenway Park

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG— The Rays and Red Sox play the rubber game of this series tonight in the first ESPN Sunday Night Baseball game at the Trop since April 9, 2000.

The Indians crushed the Rays 17-4 that night, which is probably one reason it took ESPN 10 years to come back.

Of course, Rays fans remember the last Sunday night game at the Trop—Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS. A much better night in Rays history than April 9, 2000.

It’s James Shields against John Lackey.

A Rays win and they remain tied for first place with the Yankees in the AL East while dropping the Red Sox to 6 1/2 back in the Wild Card race. A Red Sox win and their playoff pulse beats a little harder.

Here are the lineups:

RED SOX
Marco Scutaro SS
J.D. Drew RF
Victor Martinez C
David Ortiz DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Mike Lowell 1B
Daniel Nava LF
Darnell McDonald CF
Yamaico Navarro 2B
—
John Lackey (12-7, 4.51)

RAYS
Jaso C
Zobrist 2B
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Pena 1B
Joyce RF
Johnson DH
Upton CF
Bartlett SS
—
Shields (12-11, 4.76)

 

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ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG—Carl Crawford is back in the lineup, the stomach virus that forced him to miss Friday’s game apparently has run its course.

The Rays will try to even this three-game series against Boston’s Cy Young Award candidate Clay Buchholz. Matt Garza, who is very good against the Red Sox, gets the start for the Rays.

Garza is 7-3 with a 3.64 ERA and one save for his career against the Red Sox. Plus, he beat them twice in the 2008 ALCS.

His last start didn’t go so well, though. Garza lasted three innings on July 5 and allowed four runs on seven hits. The Rays came back to win 6-5, and Garza’s short outing allowed him to come back two nights later and pick up the save as the Rays completed a three-game sweep.

Here are the lineups:

RED SOX
Marco Scutaro SS
J.D. Drew RF
Victor Martinez C
David Ortiz DH
Adrian Beltre 3B
Mike Lowell 1B
Daniel Nava LF
Ryan Kalish CF
Bill Hall 2B
—
Clay Buchholz (15-5, 2.26)

RAYS
Jaso C
Zobrist 2B
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Pena 1B
Joyce RF
Johnson DH
Upton CF
Bartlett SS
—
Garza (13-7, 3.62)

 

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ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG— The Rays just scratched Carl Crawford from lineup because of a stomach virus.

Here’s the Rays new lineup:
Upton CF
Bartlett SS
Pena 1B
Longo 3B
Aybar DH
Zoby RF
S-Rod 2B
Shoppach C
Joyce LF
—
Price P

—
Grant Balfour was in the clubhouse and said he could pitch tonight, but will have to wait until he makes two rehab starts with Class A Charlotte before rejoining the Rays.

Balfour said he expects to pitch Saturday and Monday and be back Sept. 1, but was waiting on his official schedule.

A pair of pretty good lefties tonight as the Rays and Red Sox open a big three-game series at the Trop.

The Rays are tied with the Yankees for first place in the AL East and for the best record in baseball—78-49.

By virtue of the tie for first, the Red Sox trail both teams in the Wild Card standings by 5.5 games.

Red Sox need to make up some ground. Rays need to keep pace with the Yankees, who are in Chicago, and put some distance between them and the Red Sox.

Here are the lineups:

RED SOX
Marco Scutaro SS
Darnell McDonald CF
Victor Martinez C
Adrian Beltre 3B
David Ortiz DH
Mike Lowell 1B
J.D. Drew RF
Jed Lowrie 2B
Bill Hall LF
—
Jon Lester 13-8, 3.26

RAYS
Upton CF
Bartlett SS
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Pena 1B
Zobrist RF
Aybar DH
Rodriguez 2B
Shoppach C
—
Price 15-5, 2.97

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ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG – The Rays signed former Colorado Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe to a minor league deal today. He will report to Class A Charlotte tomorrow and could join the Rays before the Aug. 31 deadline to be eligible for the postseason.

Otherwise, he will come up Sept. 1 when the rosters expand. He could still make the postseason roster if he replaces an injured player.

The 31-year-old Hawpe was released by the Rockies last week after clearing waivers. The left-handed hitter, who can also play first base, batted .255 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs this season during the final year of his contract.

Hawpe is best remembered in Tampa Bay for being robbed of a home run by Carl Crawford in the 2009 all-Star Game, a play that earned Crawford the game’s MVP award.

He is a career .280 hitter with 118 home runs, 464 RBI, a .374 OBP and .492 slugging percentage in seven seasons with the Rockies.  The left-handed hitter owns a career .290 batting average with 94 home runs against right-handed pitching. 

In 2007 he hit .291 and set career highs with 29 home runs, 116 RBI and 152 games, and started all four games of the World Series.

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Oh to land on the soft green grass that can only be found in another city.

ROGER MOONEY
It happened in Oakland. It happened in Anaheim.

It will probably happen in Boston and New York and anywhere the Rays play when they reach the postseason.

Carl Crawford will be asked if he would be interested in playing in – Pick a city: Oakland, Anaheim, Arlington, New York, Boston … – on a fulltime basis once he hits free agency after this season, and Crawford will say yes.

“I got to keep my options open,” he said the other day in Anaheim.

In other words, he’s not stupid.

He told a reporter with the San Francisco Chronicle last week that he would consider any offer that might come from the A’s.

He said the same thing earlier this week to a reporter from The Orange County Register.

The twist in Anaheim is Crawford is good friends with Torii Hunter of the Angels. In fact, their lockers were next to each other during the All-Star Game played last month at Angel Stadium.

Why wouldn’t Hunter sell Crawford on the benefits of playing for the Angels on that beautiful green grass inside their beautiful stadium?

You can imagine one of the Rays trying to sell one of their friends from another team on the benefits of playing in Tampa Bay if that Ray player knew his friend was going to be a free agent and the Rays were going to add payroll in the offseason.

Crawford, who maintains he wants to remain a Ray, is going to be highly courted this offseason. He will command perhaps the biggest bucks of anyone in this free agent class.

It’s unlikely the Rays will re-sign Crawford, not with owner Stuart Sternberg saying the payroll will be slashed.

And given Crawford’s history of leg problems due largely to playing half his games on the Trop’s FieldTurf, you can see why he will likely take this opportunity to leave for the money, sure, and the comfort of playing on grass.

He’s also not going to turn off any potential employer by telling a reporter he doesn’t want to play there, though I can’t see any GM or owner being turned away by comments Crawford might make about their stadium or city.

So the questions will come, and Crawford will be agreeable to every city.

Wait until he gets to Yankee Stadium next month. Yankee pitcher CC Sabathia is another of his good friends.

 

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ROGER MOONEY
ANAHEIM— Jeff Niemann’s first start after being activated from the disabled list was a rough one.

He lasted 3 1/3 innings this afternoon against the Angels.

Niemann, who missed three starts with a strained right shoulder, allowed a career-high 10 runs on eight hits, including a grand slam by Mike Napoli in the third inning. He also allowed three doubles and walked three, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch.

He threw 76 pitches, 44 for strikes.

The Angels scored four times off Niemann in the first inning, four times off him in the third and added two more in the fourth, though those two runs were let in by Andy Sonnanstine, who replaced Niemann with one out and runners on first and second and walked the first two batters he faced before giving up a two-out, two-run double.

The Rays trailed 11-1 after four.

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ROGER MOONEY
ANAHEIM - The Rays are looking to sweep their 10th series of the season during this afternoon’s finale against the Angels at Angel Stadium.

Their nine series sweeps leads the majors.

The Rays have never swept the Angels here, but are riding a four-game winning streak in this ballpark that dates back to their first trip to SoCal in May.

Jeff Niemann has been activated from the disabled list and will make his first start since straining his right shoulder Aug. 3. He will also become the seventh different pitcher to start for the Rays on this road trip.

Carlos Pena will be the DH today in an effort to keep his bat in the lineup and give him two days off his feet since Thursday is an off day.

Jason Bartlett is getting a day off.

A win and the Rays finish the trip 5-2 and will, at worst, remain tied with the Yankees for first place in the AL East should the Yankees beat the Jays tonight in Toronto.

The Red Sox come to the Trop on Friday for the start of a three-game weekend series.

Here are today’s lineup

RAYS
Jaso C
Zobrist 2B
Crawford LF
Longoria 3B
Pena DH
Joyce RF
Johnson 1B
Upton CF
Brignac SS
—
Niemann (10-3, 3.12)

ANGELS
Bobby Abreu LF
Howard Kendrick 2B
Alberto Collaspo 3B
Torii Hunter RF
Hideki Matsui DH
Mike Napoli 1B
Reggie Willits CF
Jeff Mathis C
Brandon Wood SS
—
Dan Haren (1-4, 4.39)

 

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