Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond - Page 10

Moriarty9 · 03-07-2009, 11:40 AM

Sprague joins Devil Rays
Two trades made at winter meetings
December 10, 1999

ORLANDO — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have signed veteran thirdbaseman Ed Sprague to a one-year deal today.

Sprague, 32, will be paid $600,000 for the 2000 season despite hitting 26 home runs last year for the Montreal Expos. Sprague hit .256 with 26 homers, 78 RBI and 75 runs in 150 games last season. He is a .248 career hitter with 140 home runs in 1,100 big league games with the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, and Expos.

In other business at the General Managers' winter meetings today, the San Diego Padres traded pitcher Paul Menhart to the Chicago Cubs for catcher Scott Hatteberg while the St. Louis Cardinals dealt outfielder Mark Sweeney to the Padres for catcher Tom Lampkin.

Hatteberg, 29, is a left-handed hitting catcher that spent much of last season in AAA. In 73 big league games with the Cubs, however, Hatteberg hit .295 with four home runs and 21 RBI in 149 games. He is a career .264 hitter with 19 homers and 118 RBI in 321 games. Carlos Hernandez is slotted in as the team's starting catcher at the moment with Hatteberg in the backup role.

Lampkin, who hit .218 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI in 142 games last year, moves on to St. Louis, with whom he played in 1997. Lampkin will be the Cardinals' starting catcher.

Moriarty9 · 03-07-2009, 11:52 AM

Tampa Bay brings in Hampton
Jones dealt to Astros for lefty hurler
December 11, 1999

ORLANDO — With a handful of young outfielders already on the roster, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays today traded Andruw Jones to the Houston Astros for left-handed starter Mike Hampton.

Jones, 22, worked his way into 120 games last season, hitting .232 with nine home runs and 61 RBI for the Devil Rays. He hit .257 with 21 home runs and 75 RBI for the Devil Rays and Atlanta Braves in 1998, and is a career .242 hitter with 43 home runs in 419 big league games so far.

"Andruw Jones is a big talent," said Astros General Manager Dan Duquette. "He's a great defensive ballplayer, he's got great speed, he has loads of power potential, he's a really good ballplayer."

Jones will take over in centerfield for Houston and some analysts pencil him as the club's #5 hitter.

Hampton provides a left-handed arm in the Devil Rays pitching staff, something manager Christian O'Neal said was "sorely needed."

Hampton went 13-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 34 starts last season. He is just 53-54 with a 3.94 ERA in 211 big league games, 157 of which are starts.

"We really like Mike and think he can be a really nice addition," O'Neal said.

In other business from the winter meetings, shortstop Miguel Tejada has signed a three-year contract extension with the Oakland Athletics. The contract will take effect after the 2000 season, keeping Tejada in an A's uniform through 2003. He will earn an average of $4.45 million annually.

The San Diego Padres made their third trade in two days, sending infielder Aaron Ledesma to the Anaheim Angels for veteran lefty Mark Langston.

Moriarty9 · 03-07-2009, 12:11 PM

Graffanino enters infield mix
Devil Rays add another infielder
December 12, 1999

ORLANDO — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and infielder Tony Graffanino today agreed to a one-year deal worth $400,000.

Graffanino, 27, hit .289 with one home run and 21 RBI in 42 games for the Atlanta Braves last season. He is a .240 hitter with two homers and 34 RBI in 392 career big league at bats with the Braves.

"From what I understand, he's a real solid defensive ballplayer with decent speed and a half-way decent stick," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We're happy to have him and we'll see where exactly he ends up."

In other business at the winter meetings, the Philadelphia Phillies announced they have re-signed ace Curt Schilling to a contract extension that will keep him in the city of brotherly love through 2002, and possibly 2003. Schilling will earn almost $10 million annually as part of the extension — which takes effect after the upcoming 2000 season. Schilling holds a player option for the 2003 season and will earn a $400,000 bonus for winning the Cy Young award.

Schilling went 17-7 with a 4.53 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 37 starts last year. He owns a 101-79 career record with a 3.53 ERA in 340 games, 229 starts, with the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, and Phillies.

Moriarty9 · 03-07-2009, 12:23 PM

Sele signs with Braves
Could earn $23.82 million in deal
January 1, 2000

ATLANTA — The Braves added an arm to their rotation today by signing right-hander Aaron Sele.

Sele, 29, signed a two-year contract with a team option for the 2002 season. He will earn $7.95 million in 2000, $7.39 million in 2001, and, if the option is picked up, would earn $8.48 million in 2002.

Sele went 14-10 with a 4.54 ERA in 33 starts for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last season. He owns a 53-53 career record with a 4.26 ERA in 157 big league starts. Sele spent the first five years of his career with the Boston Red Sox, the last two seasons with Tampa Bay.

The Devil Rays will receive a second-round draft pick as compensation for Sele's loss.

Braves manager Bobby Cox said in a radio interview that Sele may start the year as the team's #2 starter behind Greg Maddux.

Moriarty9 · 03-07-2009, 12:52 PM

Durazo suspended 5 games
Rookie of Year disciplined for umpire spat
March 14, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Erubiel Durazo will miss the first five games of the 2000 season as the result of an argument with an umpire during a spring training exhibition game yesterday.

In a press release from the league offices in New York explained the reasoning for the suspension.

"During his confrontation with the home plate umpire in today's game, Durazo did not display the qualities of sportsmanship and good conduct expected of our players."

Press reports commented on Durazo's profanity-laced tirade that was audible to the many parents and children seated near home plate.

A contrite Durazo accepted responsibility for his behavior. Following a called third strike, Durazo started a heated confrontation with the home plate umpire.

"I tapped his chest protector — I wasn't trying to hit the guy or anything — I was just wrapped up in the moment," Durazo said. "I'm getting suspended and I deserve it — I know you can't touch the ump."

Moriarty9 · 03-07-2009, 12:56 PM

Hampton may miss season
Devil Rays lefty tears tricep muscle
March 20, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays suffered a big blow today as left-handed pitcher Mike Hampton tore his tricep muscle, putting his season in jeopardy.

"It's obviously disappointing but we're hoping he can make it back to pitch at some point this year," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We had big hopes for him this year and obviously those hopes won't be realized this season."

Moriarty9 · 03-08-2009, 11:05 PM

Hernandez dealt to Padres
Tampa Bay solves infield battle with trade
March 30, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays brought in a handful of infielders to compete for roster positions this spring, and Jose Hernandez found himself as one of the odd men out with a trade to the San Diego Padres.

The Devil Rays dealt Hernandez to San Diego for 23-year-old right-hander Kyle Farnsworth, finalizing the club's 25-man roster as Opening Day approaches.

Hernandez, 30, struggled this spring, batting .167 in 23 exhibition games. He hit .240 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI in 143 games for Tampa Bay last year, down from his .278/22/63 campaign in 1998, his first year with the Devil Rays.

"We really like Jose but somewhere, something had to give between Jose, Timmy Naehring, Dave Berg, Eddy Sprague, Graffanino, Wilton, and the rest of the group," said Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal. "The front office and the coaching staff talked, we discussed performance and potential, they talked about options and money and that sort of thing. Ultimately the decision was made and Jose wound up being shipped out to San Diego."

The move was the last transaction to bring the team's roster down to 25 players in preparation of Opening Day. The team will go forward with Tony Graffanino, Tim Naehring, Ed Sprague, Dave Berg, and Wilton Guerrero working at second base, third base and shortstop. Sprague and Guerrero have some outfield experience.

Farnsworth will open the season with Tampa Bay's AAA affiliate in Akron, Ohio. He made seven starts with the Padres last season, going 2-2 with a 3.92 ERA, striking out 33 in 41 1/3 innings. He went 8-14 in San Diego's minor league system last year, struggling to an 0-6 record and 6.69 ERA in six starts with the Padres' AAA affiliate last year. In 15 innings of work this spring, Farnsworth posted a 3.60 ERA in eight relief appearances.

Moriarty9 · 03-08-2009, 11:32 PM

Opening Day roster announced
11 pitchers, 14 position players on squad

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Opening Day for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays is still a couple days away, but the team announced its roster, pitching rotation, and planned lineup to kick off the season.

Pedro Martinez will take the mound on Monday in Minneapolis as the Devil Rays take on the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome. Martinez, the reigning American League Cy Young award winner, went 19-3 with a 3.04 ERA and 266 strikeouts in 34 starts last season.

Behind Pedro in the rotation will be Kevin Millwood (9-12, 4.22 ERA, 28 starts), Rick Helling (11-11, 5.88 ERA, 34 starts with the St. Louis Cardinals), left-hander Bruce Chen (7-5, 3.92 ERA, 17 games, 16 starts), and Scott Erickson (9-4, 4.16 ERA, 19 starts with the Oakland Athletics).

Kip Wells (4-5, 5.51 ERA, 15 games) will work as a long-reliever and spot-starter for the Devil Rays while Chad Ogea (8-15, 5.28 ERA, 31 starts) also works as a long-reliever for Tampa Bay.

Paul Quantrill returns as the team's closer after going 3-5 with 30 saves and a 1.86 ERA in 57 appearances last season. Helping bridge the gap between the starting staff and Quantrill will be Byung-Hyun Kim (5-2, 1 save, 5.54 ERA in 45 games), Rich Garces (5-2, 4 saves, 4.15 ERA in 57 games), and left-hander Gabe White (6-4, 2 saves, 3.35 ERA in 47 games).

The team will start the season with three pitchers on the disabled list: Mike Hampton, Livan Hernandez, and Danny Graves. Hampton, a left-handed starter acquired in a trade this off-season, suffered a torn tricep muscle in a spring training game and will likely miss the entire 2000 season. Right-handed reliever Graves will miss most of the season due to a torn labrum, a setback for the 26-year-old who went 1-2 with two saves and a 3.62 ERA in 38 games last year. Hernandez suffered a tricep injury in his second start of the 1999 season and has been undergoing treatment and rehabilitation since. He is still at least a month away from returning, club officials say. Hernandez went 14-15 with a 4.08 ERA in 33 starts for the 1998 Devil Rays.

Rookie of the Year winner Erubiel Durazo (.287, 30 HR, 100 RBI) will sit out the first five games of the season due to a suspension from a spring training exhibition game incident with an umpire. After those first five games, the left-handed power hitter is expected to be batting third as the club's regular designated hitter while also getting some time at first base.

Charles Johnson (.265, 20 HR, 67 RBI, 388 AB) looks to win another Gold Glove as the Devil Rays catcher with rookie backstop Jason LaRue, acquired from Detroit in September, working as the backup catcher.

Paul Konerko (.314, 38 HR, 135 RBI) will anchor the lineup and play first base again this season.

Free agent acquisition Tony Graffanino will start the season as Tampa Bay's starting secondbaseman. The 27-year-old hit .289 with a home run and 21 RBI in 149 at bats with the Atlanta Braves last season.

Ed Sprague, also a free agent signing this winter, takes over as the starting thirdbaseman. The veteran hit .256 with 26 home runs and 78 RBI in 150 games with the Montreal Expos last season. Tim Naehring (.268, 9 HR, 59 RBI), who signed on with Tampa Bay after 10 years with the Boston Red Sox, will back Sprague.

Dave Berg and Wilton Guerrero will share time at shortstop to start the season. Berg hit .276 with two homers and 29 RBI in 301 at bats last season while Guerrero quietly hit .306 with two homers and 44 RBI in 337 at bats.

In the outfield, veteran Rickey Henderson looks to show that at age 41, he can still be a productive starter. Henderson was a pleasant surprise for many Devil Rays fans, hitting .295 with five home runs and 34 RBI in 295 at bats, stealing 27 bases.

Carlos Beltran (.303, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 120 G) will anchor the outfield, starting in centerfield with Raul Mondesi (.264, 24 HR, 75 RBI, 141 G) alongside him in rightfield.

Benny Agbayani (.285, 16 HR, 54 RBI, 104 G) and Mike Cameron (.240, 13 HR, 41 RBI, 99 G) will find their way into the lineup as the club's extra outfielders.

Moriarty9 · 03-10-2009, 09:06 PM

Pedro fans 12 in opener
Devil Rays sting Twins in 7-2 win

MINNEAPOLIS — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have started the 2000 season on a high note as Pedro Martinez led the team to a 7-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day.

Martinez gave up two runs on four hits and two walks over eight innings, striking out 12 Minnesota batters.

"He really looked good, looked like the same guy who went out and won the Cy Young last year," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "With any luck he goes out and does this 30 more times this summer."

Offensively, veteran Rickey Henderson continually set the table in the leadoff spot, drawing four walks. Henderson went 0-for-1 with four walks and two runs scored.

"Rickey did what he's done for so many years," O'Neal said. "He gets on base, distracts the pitcher, changes the pitcher's gameplan, and gives his team a chance to win."

Carlos Beltran picked up two hits, including a RBI double, while Benny Agbayani went 3-for-4 with a solo home run.

In his Devil Rays debut, Tony Graffanino went 1-for-3 with a run and a RBI as the second baseman, batting seventh. Thirdbasemen Ed Sprague and Tim Naehring will wait another day to make their Tampa Bay debuts as neither made the starting lineup due to past performances against Twins starter Dave Burba.

Moriarty9 · 03-10-2009, 09:42 PM

Twins put hurt on Devil Rays
Two players injured in Minnesota walk-off

MINNEAPOLIS — A matter of just a few feet gave the Minnesota Twins a dramatic walk-off victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays tonight at the Metrodome.

With two out and two men on base in the bottom of the ninth, Torii Hunter came to the plate with left-hander Gabe White on the mound as closer Paul Quantrill warmed up in the Tampa Bay bullpen. Hunter took a 1-1 pitch deep to left field, no doubt deep enough for a home run, but right down the foul line. The ball soared over the outfield fence and narrowly missed the foul pole as Hunter stood by home plate, bending his body as he waited to see where the ball would land and what the umpires would rule. The call: a home run. Game over. 13-10 win for the Twins.

While a walk-off loss hurts enough, the Devil Rays suffered setbacks when catcher Charles Johnson and thirdbaseman Ed Sprague left the game with injuries. Sprague was hit in the wrist by a Mike Jackson pitch in the third inning.

Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal said Sprague's wrist was quite swollen and was taken to an area hospital for x-rays as a precaution. Team doctors believe there is no fracture or break in the wrist and hope it may just be a bruised wrist. He is expected to be out for at least the next several days.

"Hopefully everything comes back negative and we just have to let him rest and get ready," O'Neal said.

Johnson was hurt in a play at the plate as Todd Walker scored from third base on an Ivan Rodriguez sacrifice fly. The throw home from rightfielder Raul Mondesi was on line and in time, but Walker was able to knock the ball out of Johnson's mitt in a collision at home plate.

While the team did not divulge any information on Johnson's injury, other than to state that it is not serious, O'Neal said the catcher will be placed on the 15-day disabled list and that he is expected back before the end of the month.

With Johnson on the DL, Jason LaRue becomes the starting catcher. LaRue, who made his big league debut as a defensive replacement for Johnson tonight after the injury, hit a solo home run in his first big league at bat. He finished the night 1-for-2.

"What a great feeling for that kid," O'Neal said. "Obviously its not how you want to get in the game, but you have to be ready for anything and he was. He really ran into a pitch in that first at bat and I'm willing to bet he didn't breathe until he was back in the dugout after rounding the bases and getting all of the congratulations."

Rod Barajas will take Johnson's spot on the roster and serve as the team's backup catcher.

Moriarty9 · 03-11-2009, 11:23 AM

Twins batter Helling
Devil Rays blown out 11-3
April 5, 2000

MINNEAPOLIS — Rick Helling's debut in a Tampa Bay Devil Rays uniform is one game he would like to forget.

Helling was pelted by the Minnesota Twins lineup, charged with 11 runs on 11 hits and two walks over 2 1/3 innings. He gave up four home runs.

"I sucked," Helling said after the game. "Nothing I can really say about it. Everything I threw up there they hit hard."

Kip Wells pitched well in relief of Helling, working 5 2/3 innings without giving up any runs of his own, yielding four hits and a walk while striking out five Minnesota batters.

Michael Tucker, 0-for-4, was the lone Twins player in the lineup not to get a hit. Torii Hunter and Ivan Rodriguez had three hits each, with Hunter hitting a solo home run and Rodriguez hitting a pair of two-run homers. Dave Hansen hit a solo home run as well.

Tony Graffanino went 3-for-5 for the Devil Rays, while Tim Naehring went 0-for-2 but drew three walks. Mike Cameron, who entered the game as a substitution in the sixth inning, went 1-for-2 with a two-run double.

Moriarty9 · 03-11-2009, 11:41 AM

Pudge homer stings Devil Rays
Eighth inning round-tripped gives Twins final lead
April 6, 2000

MINNEAPOLIS — Ivan Rodriguez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to spur the Minnesota Twins to a 5-4 win over the visiting Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

The two clubs had been tied at 3-3 since the fourth inning, but Tampa Bay briefly took the lead after a bases loaded walk of Carlos Beltran forced in a run. Devil Rays starter Bruce Chen remained on the mound for the start of the eighth inning as two relievers warmed up in the bullpen. Chen quickly gave up a leadoff double to switch-hitting Dmitri Young. Chen fell behind Rodriguez 3-0 and attempted to groove a fastball for what he likely figured would be taken for a strike, however, the Twins All Star catcher drilled the pitch for a 430-foot linedrive home run to leftfield.

"They gave me the green light and I decided that if it was something I could handle, I'd give it a good, hard swing and see what happened," Rodriguez said.

Chen left the game after 7 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on nine hits and three walks, striking out five.

Twins lefty Darren Oliver did not factor in the decision after giving up three runs on seven hits and three walks, striking out three, in seven innings. Scott Aldred, who gave up a run on one hit and three walks in one inning, was credited with the win.

Carlos Beltran was the offensive star of the game for Tampa Bay, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.

Moriarty9 · 03-11-2009, 11:58 AM

Trounced in home opener
Devil Rays lose fourth straight game
April 8, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The team received an electric welcome during the pomp and circumstance of their home opener, but boos soon rained down from the crowd that had dwindled to just a few hundred when the final out was recorded.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays went to the American League Championship Series last year, something the fans recognized with a thunderous ovation as the team was introduced and again when they took the field. As the team walked back to the dugout after the top of the first inning, already down 5-0, those cheers turned to hearty boos.

"They have every right to boo," Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal said. "We play like this again tomorrow, I just might go into the stands and join them."

Tampa Bay fell 13-3 to the Cleveland Indians today as another pitcher had a rough outing in his Devil Rays debut. This time around it was Scott Erickson.

Erickson was charged with nine runs on five hits and five walks, with one strikeout, in three-plus innings of work. Five of those nine runs came in the top of the first inning.

"Its not just Scott Erickson's fault," O'Neal said. "As a team, we've pretty much played like [expletive deleted]. We won on Opening Day, that's great, but we haven't done [expletive deleted] since."

Chad Ogea worked four innings in relief of Erickson, giving up three runs on six hits and no walks, striking out four Cleveland batters. Gabe White and Rich Garces worked the final two innings.

The Devil Rays hope to end their four-game skid tomorrow night when Pedro Martinez takes the mound against Bartolo Colon and the Indians.

"Hopefully Pedro goes out and does what he's done more often than not the last year or so," O'Neal said. "If Pedro can't provide a spark then nobody can."

Moriarty9 · 03-11-2009, 12:17 PM

Pedro fans 14 in 3-2 win
Quantrill gets save in season debut
April 8, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pedro Martinez gave up a quick run in the top of the first inning, but was all but unhittable the rest of the way as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2 at Tropicana Field.

Martinez impressive once again, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks, striking out 14 Cleveland batters in eight innings to improve to 2-0 in two starts.

"That's the kind of start we needed, that's the kind of game this team needed to play right now," Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal said. "It's the shot in the arm that I hope will right the ship here."

Closer Paul Quantrill made his season debut for Tampa Bay and had a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pick up his first save of the year.

Rickey Henderson led the Devil Rays lineup, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Cleveland starter Bartolo Colon pitched well, holding Tampa Bay to three runs on five hits and three walks, striking out eight over 6 1/3 innings. Reliever Steve Kline worked the final 1 2/3 innings, giving up two hits in 19 pitches.

Moriarty9 · 03-26-2009, 12:29 PM

Devil Rays begin to get healthy
Pedro returns tonight, others this week
April 25, 2000

KANSAS CITY — Pedro Martinez will take the mound tonight for the first time after leaving the mound with back spasms on April 14. A handful of teammates will soon be rejoining the active roster in the next week or so as well.

Livan Hernandez hasn't pitched in more than a year due to a ruptured tricep tendon in his pitching arm. He has been throwing on the side and recently off a mound in his rehab from the injury. Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal said Hernandez will likely make a rehab start in AA this week, and will follow that up with a start in AAA. There is no formal timetable for his return to the big leagues but O'Neal said he hopes its sooner than later.

Tampa Bay catcher Charles Johnson will be eligible to come off the disabled list in just two days. His presence behind the plate has been missed as Jason LaRue and Rod Barajas have split time since Johnson left the second game of the season after a collision at home plate.

Pitchers Bruce Chen and Kip Wells will be eligible to come off the disabled list at this time next week, while reliever Danny Graves is expected to begin a rehab assignment in early May.

"Hopefully, as guys get healthy and we bring our roster back to what it was supposed to be, we'll start seeing some better ball played and better results most nights," said O'Neal.

The Devil Rays are 9-10 on the season, but have won four straight and have Martinez taking the mound against the 11-9 Kansas City Royals tonight.

Moriarty9 · 03-26-2009, 12:38 PM

Beltran fractures wrist
Devil Rays outfielder out five weeks
April 25, 2000

KANSAS CITY — In Pedro Martinez's first start back, just before catcher Charles Johnson rejoins the team, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays suffered another setback as star outfielder Carlos Beltran suffered a wrist fracture in a 4-2 extra-inning loss.

Beltran made a diving catch in the fourth inning of tonight's game against the Kansas City Royals, but fractured his left wrist in the process. He was taken to an area hospital for x-rays and team doctors said he would likley be out about five weeks.

"Obviously when you lose a player the caliber of Carlos, its going to hurt," Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal said. "We're kind of getting used to working around one injury or another as of late, so we'll move forward and hopefully he's back real soon."

Beltran is hitting .342 with six home runs, 16 RBI, 18 runs scored, and is five-for-five in stolen base attempts. He had been on pace to hit 49 home runs, drive in 130 runs, score 146 runs, and steal 41 bases.

Moriarty9 · 03-26-2009, 01:05 PM

Helling out, Wall in
Devil Rays, Astros make swap
May 2, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Houston Astros agreed to an early morning hours deal today, sending Rick Helling out west for reliever Donne Wall.

Helling, 29, returns to the National League, where he had pitched since 1996. He struggled with Tampa Bay, going 1-3 with a 7.39 ERA in five starts. Helling did have three solid starts in a row, in which he gave up nine runs in 23 innings against the White Sox, Tigers, and Angels. His ERA is misleading, largely due to giving up 11 runs in just 2 1/3 innings in his Devil Rays debut April 5.

Wall, 32, spent the first six seasons of his career with Houston, going 22-16 with two saves and a 4.67 ERA in 101 appearances in that time, including 49 starts. He is 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA and two saves in 11 games this year.

Moriarty9 · 03-26-2009, 01:33 PM

Moyer crafts no-hitter
Halos held hitless at Safeco Field
May 7, 2000

SEATTLE — Mariners left-hander Jamie Moyer entered the history books tonight by throwing a no-hitter against the Anaheim Angels in a 8-0 win.

Moyer, 37, said he was able to control his emotions and nerves quite well through the first eight innings, but felt the pressure in the ninth inning as he closed in on history.

"You really become conscious of every pitch then," he said. "The adrenaline level kicks up even higher, and everybody in the stadium knows what is on the line. One mistake and its over."

Moyer faced 28 batters, striking out just three Angels batters and walking one.

"The defense did a great job out there," Moyer said. "Without them, this doesn't happen. I don't blow guys away, so for me to be successful I need the guys behind me to be successful."

Moriarty9 · 03-26-2009, 02:39 PM

Mondesi signs three-year extension
Devil Rays, outfielder have mutual option for 2004
June 3, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays today locked up a big part of its lineup for the next few years, signing outfielder Raul Mondesi to a contract extension.

Mondesi, who was set to become a free agent this winter, is now signed through 2003 with a mutual option for the 2004 season. He will earn $4.5 million next season, $4.75 million in 2002, and $5 million in 2003. The 2004 option is for $5.5 million.

The deal could be a steal for the Devil Rays as Mondesi is on pace to hit 39 home runs and 156 RBI this season. In 54 games so far, he is hitting .326 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI and 39 runs.

Mondesi hit .264 with 24 homers and 75 RBI in 141 games for Tampa Bay last season. In his eight-year career, he has a .280 average and 163 home runs in 960 games.

Moriarty9 · 03-26-2009, 03:26 PM

Oswalt, Pujols headline draft
Devil Rays take OF Rowand in first round
June 15, 2000

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft was held today, and it was no surprise who the top two picks were.

While there was debate as to which would be selected first overall, there seemed to be a strong consensus that right-handed pitcher Roy Oswalt and corner infielder/outfielder Albert Pujols would be the first players taken.

Oswalt was taken first overall by the San Diego Padres while Pujols was taken second by the San Francisco Giants.

The Chicago Cubs took pitcher Brian Lawrence third, the Baltimore Orioles took southpaw hurler Casey Fossum fourth, the Boston Red Sox took outfielder Ichiro Suzuki fifth, and the Kansas City Royals selected right-hander Josh Beckett as the sixth overall pick.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected outfielder Aaron Rowand with their first round draft choice, the 24th overall pick. In the second round, the Devil Rays took right-hander Chris Reitsma with their pick and used a compensation pick to select right-hander Josh Fogg as well.

Tampa Bay also selected pitchers Joaquin Benoit, Tim Redding, Grant Balfour, and Justin Duchscherer.

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03-07-2009, 11:40 AM	#181 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Sprague joins Devil Rays Two trades made at winter meetings December 10, 1999 ORLANDO — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have signed veteran thirdbaseman Ed Sprague to a one-year deal today. Sprague, 32, will be paid $600,000 for the 2000 season despite hitting 26 home runs last year for the Montreal Expos. Sprague hit .256 with 26 homers, 78 RBI and 75 runs in 150 games last season. He is a .248 career hitter with 140 home runs in 1,100 big league games with the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, and Expos. In other business at the General Managers' winter meetings today, the San Diego Padres traded pitcher Paul Menhart to the Chicago Cubs for catcher Scott Hatteberg while the St. Louis Cardinals dealt outfielder Mark Sweeney to the Padres for catcher Tom Lampkin. Hatteberg, 29, is a left-handed hitting catcher that spent much of last season in AAA. In 73 big league games with the Cubs, however, Hatteberg hit .295 with four home runs and 21 RBI in 149 games. He is a career .264 hitter with 19 homers and 118 RBI in 321 games. Carlos Hernandez is slotted in as the team's starting catcher at the moment with Hatteberg in the backup role. Lampkin, who hit .218 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI in 142 games last year, moves on to St. Louis, with whom he played in 1997. Lampkin will be the Cardinals' starting catcher.

03-07-2009, 11:52 AM	#182 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Tampa Bay brings in Hampton Jones dealt to Astros for lefty hurler December 11, 1999 ORLANDO — With a handful of young outfielders already on the roster, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays today traded Andruw Jones to the Houston Astros for left-handed starter Mike Hampton. Jones, 22, worked his way into 120 games last season, hitting .232 with nine home runs and 61 RBI for the Devil Rays. He hit .257 with 21 home runs and 75 RBI for the Devil Rays and Atlanta Braves in 1998, and is a career .242 hitter with 43 home runs in 419 big league games so far. "Andruw Jones is a big talent," said Astros General Manager Dan Duquette. "He's a great defensive ballplayer, he's got great speed, he has loads of power potential, he's a really good ballplayer." Jones will take over in centerfield for Houston and some analysts pencil him as the club's #5 hitter. Hampton provides a left-handed arm in the Devil Rays pitching staff, something manager Christian O'Neal said was "sorely needed." Hampton went 13-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 34 starts last season. He is just 53-54 with a 3.94 ERA in 211 big league games, 157 of which are starts. "We really like Mike and think he can be a really nice addition," O'Neal said. In other business from the winter meetings, shortstop Miguel Tejada has signed a three-year contract extension with the Oakland Athletics. The contract will take effect after the 2000 season, keeping Tejada in an A's uniform through 2003. He will earn an average of $4.45 million annually. The San Diego Padres made their third trade in two days, sending infielder Aaron Ledesma to the Anaheim Angels for veteran lefty Mark Langston.

03-07-2009, 12:11 PM	#183 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Graffanino enters infield mix Devil Rays add another infielder December 12, 1999 ORLANDO — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and infielder Tony Graffanino today agreed to a one-year deal worth $400,000. Graffanino, 27, hit .289 with one home run and 21 RBI in 42 games for the Atlanta Braves last season. He is a .240 hitter with two homers and 34 RBI in 392 career big league at bats with the Braves. "From what I understand, he's a real solid defensive ballplayer with decent speed and a half-way decent stick," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We're happy to have him and we'll see where exactly he ends up." In other business at the winter meetings, the Philadelphia Phillies announced they have re-signed ace Curt Schilling to a contract extension that will keep him in the city of brotherly love through 2002, and possibly 2003. Schilling will earn almost $10 million annually as part of the extension — which takes effect after the upcoming 2000 season. Schilling holds a player option for the 2003 season and will earn a $400,000 bonus for winning the Cy Young award. Schilling went 17-7 with a 4.53 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 37 starts last year. He owns a 101-79 career record with a 3.53 ERA in 340 games, 229 starts, with the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, and Phillies.

03-07-2009, 12:23 PM	#184 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Sele signs with Braves Could earn $23.82 million in deal January 1, 2000 ATLANTA — The Braves added an arm to their rotation today by signing right-hander Aaron Sele. Sele, 29, signed a two-year contract with a team option for the 2002 season. He will earn $7.95 million in 2000, $7.39 million in 2001, and, if the option is picked up, would earn $8.48 million in 2002. Sele went 14-10 with a 4.54 ERA in 33 starts for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last season. He owns a 53-53 career record with a 4.26 ERA in 157 big league starts. Sele spent the first five years of his career with the Boston Red Sox, the last two seasons with Tampa Bay. The Devil Rays will receive a second-round draft pick as compensation for Sele's loss. Braves manager Bobby Cox said in a radio interview that Sele may start the year as the team's #2 starter behind Greg Maddux.

03-07-2009, 12:52 PM	#185 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Durazo suspended 5 games Rookie of Year disciplined for umpire spat March 14, 2000 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Erubiel Durazo will miss the first five games of the 2000 season as the result of an argument with an umpire during a spring training exhibition game yesterday. In a press release from the league offices in New York explained the reasoning for the suspension. "During his confrontation with the home plate umpire in today's game, Durazo did not display the qualities of sportsmanship and good conduct expected of our players." Press reports commented on Durazo's profanity-laced tirade that was audible to the many parents and children seated near home plate. A contrite Durazo accepted responsibility for his behavior. Following a called third strike, Durazo started a heated confrontation with the home plate umpire. "I tapped his chest protector — I wasn't trying to hit the guy or anything — I was just wrapped up in the moment," Durazo said. "I'm getting suspended and I deserve it — I know you can't touch the ump."

03-07-2009, 12:56 PM	#186 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Hampton may miss season Devil Rays lefty tears tricep muscle March 20, 2000 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays suffered a big blow today as left-handed pitcher Mike Hampton tore his tricep muscle, putting his season in jeopardy. "It's obviously disappointing but we're hoping he can make it back to pitch at some point this year," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We had big hopes for him this year and obviously those hopes won't be realized this season."

03-08-2009, 11:05 PM	#187 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Hernandez dealt to Padres Tampa Bay solves infield battle with trade March 30, 2000 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays brought in a handful of infielders to compete for roster positions this spring, and Jose Hernandez found himself as one of the odd men out with a trade to the San Diego Padres. The Devil Rays dealt Hernandez to San Diego for 23-year-old right-hander Kyle Farnsworth, finalizing the club's 25-man roster as Opening Day approaches. Hernandez, 30, struggled this spring, batting .167 in 23 exhibition games. He hit .240 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI in 143 games for Tampa Bay last year, down from his .278/22/63 campaign in 1998, his first year with the Devil Rays. "We really like Jose but somewhere, something had to give between Jose, Timmy Naehring, Dave Berg, Eddy Sprague, Graffanino, Wilton, and the rest of the group," said Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal. "The front office and the coaching staff talked, we discussed performance and potential, they talked about options and money and that sort of thing. Ultimately the decision was made and Jose wound up being shipped out to San Diego." The move was the last transaction to bring the team's roster down to 25 players in preparation of Opening Day. The team will go forward with Tony Graffanino, Tim Naehring, Ed Sprague, Dave Berg, and Wilton Guerrero working at second base, third base and shortstop. Sprague and Guerrero have some outfield experience. Farnsworth will open the season with Tampa Bay's AAA affiliate in Akron, Ohio. He made seven starts with the Padres last season, going 2-2 with a 3.92 ERA, striking out 33 in 41 1/3 innings. He went 8-14 in San Diego's minor league system last year, struggling to an 0-6 record and 6.69 ERA in six starts with the Padres' AAA affiliate last year. In 15 innings of work this spring, Farnsworth posted a 3.60 ERA in eight relief appearances.

03-08-2009, 11:32 PM	#188 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Opening Day roster announced 11 pitchers, 14 position players on squad ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Opening Day for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays is still a couple days away, but the team announced its roster, pitching rotation, and planned lineup to kick off the season. Pedro Martinez will take the mound on Monday in Minneapolis as the Devil Rays take on the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome. Martinez, the reigning American League Cy Young award winner, went 19-3 with a 3.04 ERA and 266 strikeouts in 34 starts last season. Behind Pedro in the rotation will be Kevin Millwood (9-12, 4.22 ERA, 28 starts), Rick Helling (11-11, 5.88 ERA, 34 starts with the St. Louis Cardinals), left-hander Bruce Chen (7-5, 3.92 ERA, 17 games, 16 starts), and Scott Erickson (9-4, 4.16 ERA, 19 starts with the Oakland Athletics). Kip Wells (4-5, 5.51 ERA, 15 games) will work as a long-reliever and spot-starter for the Devil Rays while Chad Ogea (8-15, 5.28 ERA, 31 starts) also works as a long-reliever for Tampa Bay. Paul Quantrill returns as the team's closer after going 3-5 with 30 saves and a 1.86 ERA in 57 appearances last season. Helping bridge the gap between the starting staff and Quantrill will be Byung-Hyun Kim (5-2, 1 save, 5.54 ERA in 45 games), Rich Garces (5-2, 4 saves, 4.15 ERA in 57 games), and left-hander Gabe White (6-4, 2 saves, 3.35 ERA in 47 games). The team will start the season with three pitchers on the disabled list: Mike Hampton, Livan Hernandez, and Danny Graves. Hampton, a left-handed starter acquired in a trade this off-season, suffered a torn tricep muscle in a spring training game and will likely miss the entire 2000 season. Right-handed reliever Graves will miss most of the season due to a torn labrum, a setback for the 26-year-old who went 1-2 with two saves and a 3.62 ERA in 38 games last year. Hernandez suffered a tricep injury in his second start of the 1999 season and has been undergoing treatment and rehabilitation since. He is still at least a month away from returning, club officials say. Hernandez went 14-15 with a 4.08 ERA in 33 starts for the 1998 Devil Rays. Rookie of the Year winner Erubiel Durazo (.287, 30 HR, 100 RBI) will sit out the first five games of the season due to a suspension from a spring training exhibition game incident with an umpire. After those first five games, the left-handed power hitter is expected to be batting third as the club's regular designated hitter while also getting some time at first base. Charles Johnson (.265, 20 HR, 67 RBI, 388 AB) looks to win another Gold Glove as the Devil Rays catcher with rookie backstop Jason LaRue, acquired from Detroit in September, working as the backup catcher. Paul Konerko (.314, 38 HR, 135 RBI) will anchor the lineup and play first base again this season. Free agent acquisition Tony Graffanino will start the season as Tampa Bay's starting secondbaseman. The 27-year-old hit .289 with a home run and 21 RBI in 149 at bats with the Atlanta Braves last season. Ed Sprague, also a free agent signing this winter, takes over as the starting thirdbaseman. The veteran hit .256 with 26 home runs and 78 RBI in 150 games with the Montreal Expos last season. Tim Naehring (.268, 9 HR, 59 RBI), who signed on with Tampa Bay after 10 years with the Boston Red Sox, will back Sprague. Dave Berg and Wilton Guerrero will share time at shortstop to start the season. Berg hit .276 with two homers and 29 RBI in 301 at bats last season while Guerrero quietly hit .306 with two homers and 44 RBI in 337 at bats. In the outfield, veteran Rickey Henderson looks to show that at age 41, he can still be a productive starter. Henderson was a pleasant surprise for many Devil Rays fans, hitting .295 with five home runs and 34 RBI in 295 at bats, stealing 27 bases. Carlos Beltran (.303, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 120 G) will anchor the outfield, starting in centerfield with Raul Mondesi (.264, 24 HR, 75 RBI, 141 G) alongside him in rightfield. Benny Agbayani (.285, 16 HR, 54 RBI, 104 G) and Mike Cameron (.240, 13 HR, 41 RBI, 99 G) will find their way into the lineup as the club's extra outfielders.

03-10-2009, 09:06 PM	#189 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Pedro fans 12 in opener Devil Rays sting Twins in 7-2 win MINNEAPOLIS — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have started the 2000 season on a high note as Pedro Martinez led the team to a 7-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day. Martinez gave up two runs on four hits and two walks over eight innings, striking out 12 Minnesota batters. "He really looked good, looked like the same guy who went out and won the Cy Young last year," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "With any luck he goes out and does this 30 more times this summer." Offensively, veteran Rickey Henderson continually set the table in the leadoff spot, drawing four walks. Henderson went 0-for-1 with four walks and two runs scored. "Rickey did what he's done for so many years," O'Neal said. "He gets on base, distracts the pitcher, changes the pitcher's gameplan, and gives his team a chance to win." Carlos Beltran picked up two hits, including a RBI double, while Benny Agbayani went 3-for-4 with a solo home run. In his Devil Rays debut, Tony Graffanino went 1-for-3 with a run and a RBI as the second baseman, batting seventh. Thirdbasemen Ed Sprague and Tim Naehring will wait another day to make their Tampa Bay debuts as neither made the starting lineup due to past performances against Twins starter Dave Burba.

03-10-2009, 09:42 PM	#190 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Twins put hurt on Devil Rays Two players injured in Minnesota walk-off MINNEAPOLIS — A matter of just a few feet gave the Minnesota Twins a dramatic walk-off victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays tonight at the Metrodome. With two out and two men on base in the bottom of the ninth, Torii Hunter came to the plate with left-hander Gabe White on the mound as closer Paul Quantrill warmed up in the Tampa Bay bullpen. Hunter took a 1-1 pitch deep to left field, no doubt deep enough for a home run, but right down the foul line. The ball soared over the outfield fence and narrowly missed the foul pole as Hunter stood by home plate, bending his body as he waited to see where the ball would land and what the umpires would rule. The call: a home run. Game over. 13-10 win for the Twins. While a walk-off loss hurts enough, the Devil Rays suffered setbacks when catcher Charles Johnson and thirdbaseman Ed Sprague left the game with injuries. Sprague was hit in the wrist by a Mike Jackson pitch in the third inning. Tampa Bay manager Christian O'Neal said Sprague's wrist was quite swollen and was taken to an area hospital for x-rays as a precaution. Team doctors believe there is no fracture or break in the wrist and hope it may just be a bruised wrist. He is expected to be out for at least the next several days. "Hopefully everything comes back negative and we just have to let him rest and get ready," O'Neal said. Johnson was hurt in a play at the plate as Todd Walker scored from third base on an Ivan Rodriguez sacrifice fly. The throw home from rightfielder Raul Mondesi was on line and in time, but Walker was able to knock the ball out of Johnson's mitt in a collision at home plate. While the team did not divulge any information on Johnson's injury, other than to state that it is not serious, O'Neal said the catcher will be placed on the 15-day disabled list and that he is expected back before the end of the month. With Johnson on the DL, Jason LaRue becomes the starting catcher. LaRue, who made his big league debut as a defensive replacement for Johnson tonight after the injury, hit a solo home run in his first big league at bat. He finished the night 1-for-2. "What a great feeling for that kid," O'Neal said. "Obviously its not how you want to get in the game, but you have to be ready for anything and he was. He really ran into a pitch in that first at bat and I'm willing to bet he didn't breathe until he was back in the dugout after rounding the bases and getting all of the congratulations." Rod Barajas will take Johnson's spot on the roster and serve as the team's backup catcher.

03-11-2009, 11:23 AM	#191 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Twins batter Helling Devil Rays blown out 11-3 April 5, 2000 MINNEAPOLIS — Rick Helling's debut in a Tampa Bay Devil Rays uniform is one game he would like to forget. Helling was pelted by the Minnesota Twins lineup, charged with 11 runs on 11 hits and two walks over 2 1/3 innings. He gave up four home runs. "I sucked," Helling said after the game. "Nothing I can really say about it. Everything I threw up there they hit hard." Kip Wells pitched well in relief of Helling, working 5 2/3 innings without giving up any runs of his own, yielding four hits and a walk while striking out five Minnesota batters. Michael Tucker, 0-for-4, was the lone Twins player in the lineup not to get a hit. Torii Hunter and Ivan Rodriguez had three hits each, with Hunter hitting a solo home run and Rodriguez hitting a pair of two-run homers. Dave Hansen hit a solo home run as well. Tony Graffanino went 3-for-5 for the Devil Rays, while Tim Naehring went 0-for-2 but drew three walks. Mike Cameron, who entered the game as a substitution in the sixth inning, went 1-for-2 with a two-run double.

03-11-2009, 11:41 AM	#192 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Pudge homer stings Devil Rays Eighth inning round-tripped gives Twins final lead April 6, 2000 MINNEAPOLIS — Ivan Rodriguez hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to spur the Minnesota Twins to a 5-4 win over the visiting Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The two clubs had been tied at 3-3 since the fourth inning, but Tampa Bay briefly took the lead after a bases loaded walk of Carlos Beltran forced in a run. Devil Rays starter Bruce Chen remained on the mound for the start of the eighth inning as two relievers warmed up in the bullpen. Chen quickly gave up a leadoff double to switch-hitting Dmitri Young. Chen fell behind Rodriguez 3-0 and attempted to groove a fastball for what he likely figured would be taken for a strike, however, the Twins All Star catcher drilled the pitch for a 430-foot linedrive home run to leftfield. "They gave me the green light and I decided that if it was something I could handle, I'd give it a good, hard swing and see what happened," Rodriguez said. Chen left the game after 7 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on nine hits and three walks, striking out five. Twins lefty Darren Oliver did not factor in the decision after giving up three runs on seven hits and three walks, striking out three, in seven innings. Scott Aldred, who gave up a run on one hit and three walks in one inning, was credited with the win. Carlos Beltran was the offensive star of the game for Tampa Bay, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.

03-11-2009, 11:58 AM	#193 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Trounced in home opener Devil Rays lose fourth straight game April 8, 2000 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The team received an electric welcome during the pomp and circumstance of their home opener, but boos soon rained down from the crowd that had dwindled to just a few hundred when the final out was recorded. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays went to the American League Championship Series last year, something the fans recognized with a thunderous ovation as the team was introduced and again when they took the field. As the team walked back to the dugout after the top of the first inning, already down 5-0, those cheers turned to hearty boos. "They have every right to boo," Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal said. "We play like this again tomorrow, I just might go into the stands and join them." Tampa Bay fell 13-3 to the Cleveland Indians today as another pitcher had a rough outing in his Devil Rays debut. This time around it was Scott Erickson. Erickson was charged with nine runs on five hits and five walks, with one strikeout, in three-plus innings of work. Five of those nine runs came in the top of the first inning. "Its not just Scott Erickson's fault," O'Neal said. "As a team, we've pretty much played like [expletive deleted]. We won on Opening Day, that's great, but we haven't done [expletive deleted] since." Chad Ogea worked four innings in relief of Erickson, giving up three runs on six hits and no walks, striking out four Cleveland batters. Gabe White and Rich Garces worked the final two innings. The Devil Rays hope to end their four-game skid tomorrow night when Pedro Martinez takes the mound against Bartolo Colon and the Indians. "Hopefully Pedro goes out and does what he's done more often than not the last year or so," O'Neal said. "If Pedro can't provide a spark then nobody can."

03-11-2009, 12:17 PM	#194 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Pedro fans 14 in 3-2 win Quantrill gets save in season debut April 8, 2000 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Pedro Martinez gave up a quick run in the top of the first inning, but was all but unhittable the rest of the way as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2 at Tropicana Field. Martinez impressive once again, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks, striking out 14 Cleveland batters in eight innings to improve to 2-0 in two starts. "That's the kind of start we needed, that's the kind of game this team needed to play right now," Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal said. "It's the shot in the arm that I hope will right the ship here." Closer Paul Quantrill made his season debut for Tampa Bay and had a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pick up his first save of the year. Rickey Henderson led the Devil Rays lineup, going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Cleveland starter Bartolo Colon pitched well, holding Tampa Bay to three runs on five hits and three walks, striking out eight over 6 1/3 innings. Reliever Steve Kline worked the final 1 2/3 innings, giving up two hits in 19 pitches.

03-26-2009, 12:29 PM	#195 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Devil Rays begin to get healthy Pedro returns tonight, others this week April 25, 2000 KANSAS CITY — Pedro Martinez will take the mound tonight for the first time after leaving the mound with back spasms on April 14. A handful of teammates will soon be rejoining the active roster in the next week or so as well. Livan Hernandez hasn't pitched in more than a year due to a ruptured tricep tendon in his pitching arm. He has been throwing on the side and recently off a mound in his rehab from the injury. Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal said Hernandez will likely make a rehab start in AA this week, and will follow that up with a start in AAA. There is no formal timetable for his return to the big leagues but O'Neal said he hopes its sooner than later. Tampa Bay catcher Charles Johnson will be eligible to come off the disabled list in just two days. His presence behind the plate has been missed as Jason LaRue and Rod Barajas have split time since Johnson left the second game of the season after a collision at home plate. Pitchers Bruce Chen and Kip Wells will be eligible to come off the disabled list at this time next week, while reliever Danny Graves is expected to begin a rehab assignment in early May. "Hopefully, as guys get healthy and we bring our roster back to what it was supposed to be, we'll start seeing some better ball played and better results most nights," said O'Neal. The Devil Rays are 9-10 on the season, but have won four straight and have Martinez taking the mound against the 11-9 Kansas City Royals tonight.

03-26-2009, 12:38 PM	#196 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Beltran fractures wrist Devil Rays outfielder out five weeks April 25, 2000 KANSAS CITY — In Pedro Martinez's first start back, just before catcher Charles Johnson rejoins the team, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays suffered another setback as star outfielder Carlos Beltran suffered a wrist fracture in a 4-2 extra-inning loss. Beltran made a diving catch in the fourth inning of tonight's game against the Kansas City Royals, but fractured his left wrist in the process. He was taken to an area hospital for x-rays and team doctors said he would likley be out about five weeks. "Obviously when you lose a player the caliber of Carlos, its going to hurt," Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal said. "We're kind of getting used to working around one injury or another as of late, so we'll move forward and hopefully he's back real soon." Beltran is hitting .342 with six home runs, 16 RBI, 18 runs scored, and is five-for-five in stolen base attempts. He had been on pace to hit 49 home runs, drive in 130 runs, score 146 runs, and steal 41 bases.

03-26-2009, 01:05 PM	#197 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Helling out, Wall in Devil Rays, Astros make swap May 2, 2000 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Houston Astros agreed to an early morning hours deal today, sending Rick Helling out west for reliever Donne Wall. Helling, 29, returns to the National League, where he had pitched since 1996. He struggled with Tampa Bay, going 1-3 with a 7.39 ERA in five starts. Helling did have three solid starts in a row, in which he gave up nine runs in 23 innings against the White Sox, Tigers, and Angels. His ERA is misleading, largely due to giving up 11 runs in just 2 1/3 innings in his Devil Rays debut April 5. Wall, 32, spent the first six seasons of his career with Houston, going 22-16 with two saves and a 4.67 ERA in 101 appearances in that time, including 49 starts. He is 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA and two saves in 11 games this year.

03-26-2009, 01:33 PM	#198 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Moyer crafts no-hitter Halos held hitless at Safeco Field May 7, 2000 SEATTLE — Mariners left-hander Jamie Moyer entered the history books tonight by throwing a no-hitter against the Anaheim Angels in a 8-0 win. Moyer, 37, said he was able to control his emotions and nerves quite well through the first eight innings, but felt the pressure in the ninth inning as he closed in on history. "You really become conscious of every pitch then," he said. "The adrenaline level kicks up even higher, and everybody in the stadium knows what is on the line. One mistake and its over." Moyer faced 28 batters, striking out just three Angels batters and walking one. "The defense did a great job out there," Moyer said. "Without them, this doesn't happen. I don't blow guys away, so for me to be successful I need the guys behind me to be successful."

03-26-2009, 02:39 PM	#199 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Mondesi signs three-year extension Devil Rays, outfielder have mutual option for 2004 June 3, 2000 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays today locked up a big part of its lineup for the next few years, signing outfielder Raul Mondesi to a contract extension. Mondesi, who was set to become a free agent this winter, is now signed through 2003 with a mutual option for the 2004 season. He will earn $4.5 million next season, $4.75 million in 2002, and $5 million in 2003. The 2004 option is for $5.5 million. The deal could be a steal for the Devil Rays as Mondesi is on pace to hit 39 home runs and 156 RBI this season. In 54 games so far, he is hitting .326 with 13 home runs, 52 RBI and 39 runs. Mondesi hit .264 with 24 homers and 75 RBI in 141 games for Tampa Bay last season. In his eight-year career, he has a .280 average and 163 home runs in 960 games.

03-26-2009, 03:26 PM	#200 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Oswalt, Pujols headline draft Devil Rays take OF Rowand in first round June 15, 2000 NEW YORK — Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft was held today, and it was no surprise who the top two picks were. While there was debate as to which would be selected first overall, there seemed to be a strong consensus that right-handed pitcher Roy Oswalt and corner infielder/outfielder Albert Pujols would be the first players taken. Oswalt was taken first overall by the San Diego Padres while Pujols was taken second by the San Francisco Giants. The Chicago Cubs took pitcher Brian Lawrence third, the Baltimore Orioles took southpaw hurler Casey Fossum fourth, the Boston Red Sox took outfielder Ichiro Suzuki fifth, and the Kansas City Royals selected right-hander Josh Beckett as the sixth overall pick. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected outfielder Aaron Rowand with their first round draft choice, the 24th overall pick. In the second round, the Devil Rays took right-hander Chris Reitsma with their pick and used a compensation pick to select right-hander Josh Fogg as well. Tampa Bay also selected pitchers Joaquin Benoit, Tim Redding, Grant Balfour, and Justin Duchscherer.