Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond

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Clemens moving up to AAA
Makes second rehab start
July 2, 2005

CHESAPEAKE, Virg. — Roger Clemens fared much better in his second rehab start, working 6 1/3 innings in a 6-3 loss for AA Chesapeake.

Clemens held Louisville to two runs on four hits and four walks, striking out six in his 6 1/3 innings of work. He threw 108 pitches in the game, 58 for strikes. He was held to a 110 pitch limit.

"I felt pretty good out there," said Clemens, who threw a number of breaking pitches for the first time. "I'm excited to go up to Akron and get closer to returning to the show."

Clemens is scheduled to make his next rehab start on Thursday in Akron against Reisterstown.

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The Big Hurt to hang 'em up
ChiSox slugger to retire at season's end
July 6, 2005

CHICAGO — With the White Sox mired in last place in the American League Central and age creeping up on him, Frank Thomas announced today that he plans to retire at the end of the season.

Thomas is signed through next year and is only 37-years-old, but indicated he feels now is the time to walk away from the game. The Big Hurt has spent his entire 16-year-career with the White Sox. He is a career .309 hitter with 509 home runs, 1,539 RBI, and 2,390 hits.

Thomas is hitting .309 with 12 home runs and 31 RBI this season, putting him on pace for 23 home runs and 61 RBI in 117 games.

Thomas offered little in the way of comment, instead stating that he would speak more as his final games near.

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Clemens suffers setback
Leaves rehab game with sore shoulder
July 7, 2005

AKRON, Ohio — Roger Clemens' third rehab start, and first at the AAA level, was cut short when the 42-year-old pulled himself from the game with what was described as a "tender shoulder."

Clemens threw just 38 pitches in just 2 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk.

"It was my call to come out of the game," said Clemens. "It just didn't feel good, even when I was warming up in the bullpen before the game."

The Rocket said he hoped his shoulder would loosen but it never did and he decided to cut the outing short rather than risk a more serious setback in his rehab schedule.

Clemens is likely going to have two more rehab starts in AAA before making his Tampa Bay Devil Rays debut. He is currently on pace to make his first big league start since last July during a 10-game homestand that includes a three-game set with the team Clemens is most commonly associated, the Boston Red Sox.

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All Star rosters announced
Four Devil Rays named to AL squad
July 10, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In addition to manager Christian O'Neal and his coaching staff, four Tampa Bay Devil Rays will be playing in this year's All Star Game.

Devil Rays closer Joe Nathan, secondbaseman Adam Kennedy, firstbaseman Ryan Howard, and catcher Victor Martinez were all named to the American League squad.

It is the third All Star selection for Martinez and the first for Howard, Kennedy, and Nathan.

Martinez has been named to every All Star Game since joining Tampa Bay for the 2003 season. He is hitting .337 with eight home runs, 42 RBI, and 50 runs scored in 77 games so far this year.

"It's a no-brainer that Victor was selected once again," said O'Neal. "There may be guys with more power or a better arm, but I don't think there's anyone out there right now who is a better all around catcher."

Howard was another given for the All Star team, having hit .307 with 22 home runs and 67 RBI in 87 games this season.

"When I told Ryan he was in, I didn't realize he hadn't been named to the team before when he was with Oakland," O'Neal said. "With the season he had last year, he has to have been one of the greatest snubs in All Star history but he's there this year and thats what matters."

Nathan, in his first year as closer, was named to his first All Star squad. He is 2-0 with 20 saves and a 2.67 ERA this year.

"Joe deserves some recognition for his work this season, and I was thrilled to be able to call him into my office and give him the word," said O'Neal. "He has the potential to pitch in a number of these games."

Kennedy was named to the team after hitting .337 with five home runs and 53 RBI in 79 games. It is the first All Star nod for the eight-year veteran.

"Adam's selection may be the most gratifying because he's a mature 29 year old veteran who has had some really good seasons and has been such a big part of some really good teams here," said O'Neal. "He's as deserving as anyone, and the way he's hitting the ball this season made him a pretty easy selection for everyone."

The American League All Star team is rounded out with Johan Santana, B.J. Ryan, and Jim Edmonds from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim; Ben Sheets, Michael Barrett, and Jim Thome of the Texas Rangers; Carlos Pena and Mark Kotsay of the Baltimore Orioles; Billy Wagner and Adam LaRoche of the Cleveland Indians; Jay Witasick and Shin-Soo Choo of the Boston Red Sox; Andy Pettitte and Barry Bonds of the New York Yankees; Roy Halladay and Miguel Tejada of the Oakland Athletics; Jon Lieber and Adrian Gonzalez of the Toronto Blue Jays; Alex Rodriguez and Jay Gibbons of the Seattle Mariners; Jose Guillen of the Chicago White Sox; Dontrelle Willis of the Kansas City Royals; Bobby Jenks of the Minnesota Twins; and Eric Gagne of the Detroit Tigers.

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Rocket impresses in AAA start
Clemens dominates in third rehab start
July 17, 2005

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Eight innings, three hits, one unearned run.

That was the pitching line for Roger Clemens in his third rehab start, possibly pushing up his return to the big leagues.

Clemens, 42, gave up one unearned run on three hits with no walks and five strikeouts in eight innings against the Staten Island Yankees. He threw 68 of 94 pitches for strikes.

"I felt pretty damn good out there," said Clemens. "I think I'm good to go."

Tampa Bay Devil Rays General Manager Shaun Moriarty had told the media prior to Clemens' outing that the future Hall of Famer would have one additional rehab start and was pencilled in to make his first big league start against either the Boston Red Sox or Kansas City Royals next week.

Moriarty was not available for comment after the rehab start. It is unsure who Clemens would replace in the starting rotation.

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Clemens makes final rehab start
The Rocket to relaunch in big leagues next week
July 22, 2005

AKRON, Ohio — The next time Roger Clemens steps onto a pitcher's mound, it will be at Tropicana Field for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Clemens, 42, made his final rehab start in the minor leagues tonight, and will soon join the Devil Rays. The Rocket threw 108 pitches, 74 for strikes, giving up three runs on seven hits and one walk, striking out five in seven innings in a AAA game tonight.

While it is certain that Clemens will make his next start with the biug club — his first MLB game since suffering a back injury July 15 of last year — it is uncertain which date he will make his Tampa Bay debut, and whose spot in the rotation he will take.

"We certainly have some decisions to make," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We're going to watch Roger over the next couple days, see how he bounces back from this latest rehab game and that'll determine whether he throws Wednesday against Boston or Thursday against Kansas City. If he needs the extra day of rest, we'll give it to him."

With the current rotation, rookie pitcher John Lackey is pencilled in against the Red Sox on Wednesday, while southpaw Barry Zito is slotted for Thursday's game against the Royals. Sources suggest Lackey, 5-0 with a 3.00 ERA, will remain in the rotation, as will Pedro Martinez and John Stephens. That would leave Zito (7-6, 4.44 ERA) and rookie Zack Greinke (5-1, 4.78 ERA) in a battle to see who remains in the starting rotation. Zito is the only lefty in the rotation, with Brian Fuentes the only left-hander in the bullpen.

While someone loses a spot in the rotation when Clemens joins the team, it also means someone loses a spot on the roster. Joe Fontenot (0-0, 1 save, 4.97 ERA in 50 2/3 innings) is one candidate to return to the minor leagues. Kerry Wood (6-7, 2 saves, 5.22 ERA in 19 games, 15 starts) has been vocally upset about being bumped from the rotation and, as a potential free agent, is being shopped around by the Devil Rays front office. Any potential transaction involving Wood may free a roster spot for Clemens.

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Rays, Mets make four-player swap
Wood, Rowand head to Big Apple for Inge, Shealy
July 27, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and New York Mets today announced a four-player trade.

Pitcher Kerry Wood and outfielder Aaron Rowand will head to the Mets in exchange for corner infielders Brandon Inge and Ryan Shealy.

Wood, 28, had become disgruntled with his role in Tampa Bay after being bumped to the bullpen from the starting rotation. He went 6-7 with two saves and a 5.17 ERA in 20 appearances, including 15 starts, with the Devil Rays this season. He struggled with Tampa Bay last season as well, going 4-8 with a 4.47 ERA in 22 games, 11 starts, after being acquired in a deal with the Detroit Tigers where he had been 7-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 11 starts. He will join the Mets' rotation and is expected to make his debut at some point this weekend in Houston.

Rowand started the season on the disabled list after rupturing a tricep tendon last September. Once activated, he spent much of the season in AAA Akron, where he hit .290 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI in 58 games. He was 1-for-4 with a strikeout in two games with the Devil Rays this season. He is a career .268 hitter with 11 home runs and 66 RBI in 477 big league at bats, all with Tampa Bay. He will join the Mets starting lineup and play centerfield.

Inge, a thirdbaseman who is a former catcher, joins the Devil Rays organization. Inge, 28, hit .265 with nine home runs and 50 RBI in 91 games with the Mets, having also played in six games in AAA. He is a career .261 hitter who hit .288 with 21 home runs and 96 RBI for the Chicago Cubs in 2003.

Shealy, 25, is a career minor league firstbaseman. Scouts around the leagues have varying thoughts on the Florida native, some believing he will become a solid big leaguer, while other believe he will toil away in AAA. In 346 AAA at bats this year, Shealy hit .338 with 13 home runs and 62 RBI. He will be assigned to AAA Akron.

With Inge joining the club and Rowand leaving, Shane Victorino has been called up to become the Devil Rays' fifth outfielder, a spot that becomes important with Aubrey Huff, Jorge Piedra, and Matt Holliday bouncing between spots in the outfield and the designated hitter's role. With Inge, Victorino, and Clemens each joining the team while Wood and Rowand depart, the club designated Scott Spiezio for assignment today. Spiezio hit .120 with one RBI in 25 at bats for Tampa Bay.

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Rays score 21 in Rocket's return
Clemens benefits from 11-run sixth inning in win
July 28, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Roger Clemens, sporting his familiar number 21, picked up the win in his return to the big leagues as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays beat the Kansas City Royals, 21-6.

Clemens gave up five runs, four earned, on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings. He threw 93 pitches and was lifted after an 11-run sixth inning off Kansas City pitching. Joe Fontenot pitched the final three innings, giving up one run on three hits and two walks, striking out three, to record a save.

Victor Martinez went 5-for-5 with a walk, two doubles, a two-run home run, three runs scored, and four RBI. Carl Crawford went 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, and four RBI. Jorge Piedra had three hits, a double, three runs, and three RBI.

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Devil Rays clinch AL East
Kennedy has five hits, four RBI in game
September 17, 2005

BALTIMORE — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are American League East champions once again, securing the title in an 11-2 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards.

Adam Kennedy led the offensive attack, going 5-for-5 with a double, a triple, two runs scored, and four RBI. Wes Helms and Jonny Gomes had three hits each, and every player in the Tampa Bay order had at least one hit other than leadoff hitter Carl Crawford.

Erik Bedard was strong on the mound, holding Baltimore to two runs on six hits and two walks in eight innings, striking out seven batters to improve to 8-1 on the season.

Most of the damage came against Baltimore starter Ryan Drese, who fell to 9-7 with the loss. Drese was charged with eight runs on nine hits and one walk in just 2 1/3 innings of work.

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Devil Rays regular season review
Tampa Bay wins MLB-best 99 games in 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays were baseball's top team this season, posting a 99-63 mark most closely rivaled by the San Diego Padres' 95-win campaign.

The team won the American League East with a 15-game lead over the second place New York Yankees (84-78), 17 games over the Baltimore Orioles, 22 over the Boston Red Sox, and 24 games ahead of the 75-87 Toronto Blue Jays.

The Devil Rays success came with a team batting average of .284, second only to Boston's .289 clip in the American League, and its baseball-leading 931 runs scored. The team's pitching staff posted a 4.41 ERA, good for 5th in the American League, while putting out the AL's fourth best defense this season.

As is always the case, there were obstacles to overcome this year. One big blow was the loss of thirdbaseman Eric Munson, out for the year with a foot injury. Munson appeared in just 27 games before suffering the injury in May. He hit 34 home runs and 119 RBI last season, 40 homers and 104 RBI the year before.

In late August, the team lost outfielder Jorge Piedra to a back injury. Piedra missed all of September and may miss all of the post-season as he works back towards playing ball. Piedra hit 31 homers and 98 RBI with Tampa Bay and Baltimore last season. In 123 games this year, he hit .270 with 20 home runs and 77 RBI.

CATCHER
Victor Martinez had his best season yet, setting career highs in hits, runs scored, batting average, RBI, total bases, and tying his career high mark in walks. Martinez hit .339 with 17 home runs, 90 RBI, and 89 runs scored in 143 games. He wrapped up the year on a positive note, hitting .366 with four homers and 22 RBI in his last 26 games, including a 14-game hit streak to finish the regular season.

In his return to the club after one season with the Detroit Tigers, veteran Charles Johnson performed well as the backup catcher. The career .220 hitter hit .262 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 59 games

FIRST BASE
Ryan Howard came as advertised to Tampa Bay, slugging 44 home runs and 128 RBI in his first season with the Devil Rays, while hitting .309 in 622 at bats. The home run and RBI totals are career highs for Howard, as were the 124 runs scored. Howard was especially strong down the stretch, hitting .347 with 21 homers and 57 RBI in the final 56 games of the year.

SECOND BASE
Adam Kennedy missed time to a couple of minor injuries, but still managed to have arguably his finest season in a Devil Rays uniform. The 29-year-old hit .334 with six home runs and 66 RBI in just 100 games

While Kennedy was out, rookie infielder Russ Adams got plenty of time to try and prove himself. After 35 games last season, Adams was able to play in 98 games this year, hitting .225 with seven home runs, 35 RBI, and 51 runs scored. Adams spent most of his playing time at second base, though he did play 77-plus innings at shortstop and 19 innings at third base.

THIRD BASE
Prior to Munson's injury, the Devil Rays had signed corner infielder Wes Helms as a free agent to provide a bat off the bench and someone who could fill in at first or third base as needed. Helms wound up playing in 120 games, including 98 appearances at third base. He hit .293 with 13 home runs and 69 RBI, scoring 50 runs.

Afetr Munson's injury, Tampa Bay acquired thirdbaseman Brandon Inge to take over the role of backup corner infielder. Inge was hitting .265 with nine home runs and 50 RBI in 91 games with the New York Mets when he was acquired, and appeared in 35 games with the Devil Rays over the last two-plus months. Inge hit just .213 with three home runs and 13 RBI in his 122 Tampa Bay at bats, putting his season at .251 with 12 homers and 63 RBI in 126 games.

SHORTSTOP
Jimmy Rollins set career highs in doubles, triples, home runs, RBI, and stolen bases this season, helping in a big way for the Tampa Bay offense. Rollins hit .277 with 45 doubles, 14 triples, 15 home runs, 74 RBI, 105 runs scored, and stole 57 bases. He made just five errors in 150 starts at shortstop, making him a Gold Glove candidate.

OUTFIELD
The outfield was a big source of offense for the Devil Rays in 2005 with Carl Crawford, Matt Holliday, Aubrey Huff, Piedra, and then rookie Jonny Gomes.

In his second season with the club, Crawford hit .292 with 15 home runs, 77 RBI, 111 runs scored, 15 triples, and stole 58 bases.

Holliday was acquired from the Angels in a trade for Rocco Baldelli, Jaret Wright, and cash in late June to help replace the offensive pop that went missing when Eric Munson was lost for the season. The 25-year-old hit .300 with 15 home runs and 61 RBI in 83 games for the Devil Rays, hitting .277 with 22 homers and 96 RBI for the season. In the final 54 games of the year, Holliday hit .317 with 10 home runs and 41 RBI.

Jayson Werth, signed as the club's fourth outfielder in the offseason, quietly produced when in the lineup. He hit .268 with nine home runs, 43 RBI and 51 runs scored in 96 games this season.

Huff, who appeared in just six games last year before suffering a year-ending injury, came back to the Devil Rays lineup, but struggled to post the same sort of batting average and run-producing numbers Tampa Bay fans have grown to expect from him. A career .311 hitter, Huff hit .261 with 60 RBI and 68 runs scored in 144 games. His home run numbers were on par with previous seasons, hitting 21 shots this year — just 3-4 homers short of what he averaged in his last three full seasons. Huff spent much of his playing time in right field, but did play each outfield position and the corner infield positions, as well as making 17 starts as the team's designated hitter.

Called up in late August when Piedra was injured, Gomes was a pleasant surprise for the Devil Rays. In 102 at bats, Gomes hit .275 with three triples, seven home runs, and 29 RBI.

STARTING PITCHING
Pedro Martinez was, at times, brilliant and, at other times, frustrating in 2005. Martinez rebounded from a poor 2004 campaign (11-12, 4.39 ERA), but continues to show the wear and tear of so many innings over several seasons with the Devil Rays. The five-time Cy Young winner went 15-9 with a 4.20 ERA in 31 games, 30 of which were starts. Though he was hit hard in his final start of the season on October 1, Martinez appeared to be his old self in September, going 5-0 with a 2.62 ERA, striking out 38 in 36 1/3 innings.

John Stephens, the reigning Cy Yound award winner, was unable to reproduce the magic of his 2004 season (21-3, 3.25 ERA). Stephens went 13-8 with a 3.88 ERA in 31 starts this year. He did finish the year on a good note, however, winning seven of his last eight decisions, and eight of his last 10.

Called up in June from AAA, John Lackey may have been the most consistent starting pitcher in the Devil Rays rotation in 2005. The 26-year-old rookie went 12-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 20 games, 19 of which were starts. He went 5-1 with a 3.31 ERA in August and will be part of the rotation for the playoffs.

For the second year in a row, left-hander Barry Zito bounced between the rotation and bullpen, making 33 appearances, 18 starts. Zito went 8-9 with two saves and a 4.58 ERA in 147 1/3 innings. He was inconsistent throughout the year, which was best characterized by his 1.32 ERA in 13 2/3 innings in August and his 7.31 ERA ERA in 16 innings in September.

Rookie southpaw Erik Bedard spent most of the year in the rotation, though he did miss two months with a knee injury. Bedard went 8-2 with a save and a 3.73 ERA in 22 games, 17 starts.

Zack Greinke, a rookie called up in June, split time between the rotation and bullpen with Tampa Bay, appearing in 18 games and making 10 starts. He went 5-2 with three saves and a 4.52 ERA in all.

On the opposite end of the spectrum as rookies Bedard, Greinke, and Lackey, was 43-year-old Roger Clemens. After missing the first half of the year recovering from an injury suffered late last year with Oakland, Clemens made a few rehab starts and came back to the big leagues on July 28 against Kansas City. Clemens went 3-3 with a 5.48 ERA in 10 starts, down from his 10-5 record and 3.30 ERA in 20 starts with the Athletics last season.

Joe Nathan was strong in his first year as a closer, saving 34 games with a 2.96 ERA in 46 appearances. Nathan went 4-0 with a .204 opponents average against and a WHIP of 1.05. He finished the season with 14 consecutive successful save opportunities.

Francisco Cordero, Tampa Bay's closer last season, worked as the setup man this year. Cordero went 5-4 with seven saves and a 4.66 ERA in 50 games. He struggled in the latter half of the season, posting a 7.67 ERA from July through August.

Rookie reliever Scott Linebrink was the most effective middle reliever, going 4-2 with a save and a 1.90 ERA in 52 innings of work out of the bullpen. Linebrink held opponents to a .183 average and posted a WHIP of 0.92. In June through July, Linebrink put up a 1.35 ERA in 19 games.

Working as a situational lefty out of the bullpen for a portion of the season was Brian Fuentes. After going 8-2 with three saves and a 1.83 ERA with the team last year, Fuentes struggled to 1-2 with one save and a 5.09 ERA this season.

[Moriarty9]

League Leaders

BATTING AVERAGE
Joe Mauer, Philadelphia Phillies — .342 (NL, MLB)
Shin-Soo Choo, Boston Red Sox — .340 (AL)
Victor Martinez, Tampa Bay Devil Rays — .339 (TB team leader)

HITS
Freddy Sanchez, Cleveland Indians — 211 (AL, MLB)
Vlad Guerrero, San Diego Padres — 209 (NL)
Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Devil Rays — 198 (TB team leader, 5th in MLB)

DOUBLES
Lyle Overbay, Seattle Mariners — 54 (AL, MLB)
Deivi Cruz, Washington Nationals — 48 (NL)
Matt Holliday and Jimmy Rollins, Tampa Bay Devil Rays — 45 (TB team leaders, tied for 7th in MLB)

TRIPLES
Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Devil Rays — 15 (AL, TB team leader, tied for MLB)
Chone Figgins, San Francisco Giants — 15 (NL, tied for MLB)

HOME RUNS
Barry Bonds, New York Yankees/Carlos Pena, Baltimore Orioles — 47 (tied for AL and MLB)
Andruw Jones, Houston Astros/Mark Teixeira, Philadelphia Phillies — 45 (tied for NL)
Ryan Howard, Tampa Bay Devil Rays — 44 (TB team leader, 5th in MLB)

RBI
Mark Teixeira, Philadelphia Phillies — 129 (NL, MLB)
Ryan Howard, Tampa Bay Devil Rays — 128 (AL, TB team leader)

RUNS
Ryan Howard, Tampa Bay Devil Rays — 124 (AL, MLB, TB team leader)
Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies — 121 (NL)

STOLEN BASES
Chone Figgins, San Francisco Giants — 70 (NL, MLB)
Juan Pierre, Minnesota Twins — 69 (AL)
Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Devil Rays — 58 (TB team leader, 4th in MLB)

ERA
Francisco Liriano, St. Louis Cardinals — 2.72 (NL, MLB)
Johan Santana, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — 2.76 (AL)
John Stephens, Tampa Bay Devil Rays — 3.88 (TB team leader, 7th in AL)

WINS
Jake Peavy, Houston Astros — 19 (NL, MLB)
Ben Sheets, Texas Rangers/Carlos Silva, Seattle Mariners — 18 (AL)
Pedro Martinez, Tampa Bay Devil Rays (TB team leader, tied for 7th in MLB)

SAVES
Jason Isringhausen, New York Mets — 43 (NL, tied for MLB)
Billy Wagner, Cleveland Indians — 43 (AL, tied for MLB)
Joe Nathan, Tampa Bay Devil Rays — 38 (TB team leader, 6th in AL)

STRIKEOUTS
Johan Santana, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — 275 (AL, MLB)
Jake Peavy, Houston Astros — 217 (NL)
Pedro Martinez, Tampa Bay Devil Rays — 175 (TB team leader, 6th in AL)

[Moriarty9]

ALDS Game 1: Rangers hold off Rays
Five-run sixth inning propels Texas to one-run victory
October 4, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Texas Rangers won Game 1 of the American League Division Series by just one run thanks to a five-run sixth inning off Tampa Bay Devil Rays rookie John Lackey.

Lackey, a Texas native making his first post-season start, had been pitching pretty well up until the sixth inning, which he began with a 3-2 lead.

Maicer Izturis opened the inning with an eight-pitch at bat that ended with a soft groundball through the left side of the infield for a leadoff single. Jim Thome doubled and Dan Uggla followed with a two-run double to give the Rangers a one-run lead. Lackey fought back, inducing a shallow flyball out to left field and a pop up to third base when Tim Raines Jr. hit a 2-0 triple to right-center field. Larry Bigbie followed with a RBI double as the bullpen began warming quickly. Aaron Hill hit a RBI single before Lackey was able to strike out Michael Barrett to end the inning.

"The wheels came off quick there for John," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "We called down to the bullpen to get some guys loose but then he came back with the two easy outs and we had them sit down for now with the idea they'd start warming again once we came to hit. Unfortunately, Texas came right back after us after those two outs."

Jimmy Rollins hit a solo home run off J.P. Howell to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning, and knocked in another run with a RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning. Rollins scored on a Matt Holliday sacrifice fly in the eighth, cutting the Texas lead down to just one run.

Rangers closer David Weathers took the mound in the bottom of the ninth, looking to close the door on Tampa Bay with just a one-run lead. J.J. Hardy led off the inning as a pinch hitter for Jayson Werth, but quickly grounded out to shortstop. Jonny Gomes followed with a six-pitch walk, and scampered to third base on an Adam Kennedy double to centerfield. The tying run was 90 feet away with the winning run in scoring position and just one out for the defending champions, but Weathers was able to get Wes Helms to pop up to first base and Carl Crawford to fly out to left field to end the game.

"It was a well-played game by both sides," said O'Neal. "They had that one inning where they had some real good swings and that was the difference."

Lackey was charged with the loss after giving up seven runs on 10 hits and one walk, striking out six in six innings. Erik Bedard and Scott Linebrink combined for three scoreless innings of relief with Linebrink striking out three in 1 2/3 no-hit innings of work.

Howell gets the win, charged with six runs on seven hits and one walk, striking out five in seven innings. Ryan Bukvich threw a scoreless inning of relief while Weathers picked up the save.

Rollins was the game's best hitter, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI. He was one of five Devil Rays to get a hit in the game. Hitters three through six for Tampa Bay went a combined 0-for-14 in the game.

Texas will send Noah Lowry (5-9, 6.61 ERA) to the mound tomorrow for Game 2 of the best-of-five series. The Devil Rays hope to even the series with a win from Cy Young winner John Stephens, 13-8 with a 3.88 ERA this season.

Lowry has no post-season experience while Stephens is 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA in 19 1/3 innings of playoff pitching. Lowry is 0-2 in three starts against Tampa Bay this season while the Rangers have not seen Stephens in 2005.

[Moriarty9]

ALDS Game 2: Texas belts Devil Rays
Stephens, Zito struggle against Rangers lineup
October 5, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are against the wall after losing Game 2 of the American League Division Series, putting the Texas Rangers one win away from eliminating the defending World Series champions from this year's playoffs.

Texas picked up a 9-4 win over the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field tonight, with John Stephens and Barry Zito watching the post-season ERA's bloat quickly. Stephens was hit for five runs on nine hits and one walk with three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings of work. Zito struggled as well, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings.

"They can hit, that's for sure," said Stephens after the game. "There's no excuse for it. They beat us up. They beat me up."

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ALDS Game 3: Devil Rays swept
Rangers Sheets shuts down Tampa Bay lineup
October 7, 2005

ARLINGTON, Tex. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays will not return to the World Series this year after being swept by the Texas Rangers in the American League Division Series.

Texas picked up a 5-4 win tonight at home, clinching a series sweep of the defending World Series champions behind the strong pitching of Ben Sheets.

Sheets held Tampa Bay to two runs on three hits and two walks, striking out six, over eight innings. Ryan Howard and Matt Holliday each hit solo home runs off Sheets while Jonny Gomes picked up a single off the Rangers hurler.

Devil Rays pitcher Pedro Martinez pitched a solid game, but it wasn't good enough. Martinez gave up four runs, three earned, in seven innings of work. Left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes gave up an unearned run in one inning of relief.

Jim Thome and D.T. Cromer each hit solo home runs off Martinez, the second homer of the ALDS for each Texas hitter. Dan Uggla finished the day 3-for-4 with a run scored, and hit .500 with one home run and six RBI in the best-of-five series.

Gomes was the best performer in the Tampa Bay lineup for the post-season, hitting .500 for in the three games. Wes Helms hit .375 while Ryan Howard hit .333 with a home run and three RBI.

Most Devil Rays hitters struggled. Leadoff hitter Carl Crawford hit just .154 while Matt Holliday hit .182, Victor Martinez hit .100, and Adam Kennedy hit .182.

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Indians win World Series
Cleveland pounds Brewers in 7-1 victory
October 27, 2005

MILWAUKEE — The Cleveland Indians defeated the Brewers in Game 5 of the World Series tonight, becoming baseball's champions.

Joel Pineiro threw a complete game for the Indians in the title-clinching game, holding the BrewCrew to one run on five hits and two walks while striking out four.

Laynce Nix provided more than enough support, hitting a pair of home runs, scoring three runs and driving in three. Adam LaRoche also went dee for Cleveland while Scott Rolen picked up two hits and Freddy Sanchez had a two-run double in the seventh inning.

[Moriarty9]

Clemens calls is quits
Rocket retires at age 43
October 29, 2005

HOUSTON — After 280 wins and 3,981 strikeouts, Roger Clemens has decided its time to retire.

Clemens, 43, announced his retirement in a press conference today. The decision comes after 22 big league seasons, the last of which consisted of just 64 innings due to an injury and subsequent rehab.

Clemens went just 3-3 with a 5.48 ERA in 11 games, 10 starts, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as the club won the American League East. It was the highest ERA ever posted by Clemens.

"It's getting a lot harder now," said Clemens. "I love the challenge and the competition, but its time to step aside."

The news came as a surprise to many considering how close the Rocket is to some big milestone numbers. Clemens has 280 wins, just 20 short of 300. He is also just 19 strikeouts short of 4,000 in his career, a number he surpassed in single starts twice by striking out 20 in a game two times with the Boston Red Sox.

Clemens retires with a career record of 280-173 and a 3.33 ERA in 619 big league games, all but two of which have been as a starting pitcher. He will enter the Hall of Fame wearing a Red Sox hat, where he spent 13 seasons. Clemens also pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays (1997-98), Texas Rangers (1999-2001), Arizona Diamondbacks (2002-03), Oakland Athletics (2004), and Devil Rays in 2005.

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Vaughn out as hitting coach
Longtime coach won't return to Trop in 2006
October 31, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After several seasons working with Tampa Bay Devil Rays players, hitting coach Cecil Vaughn will be looking for work this winter.

Vaughn and the Devil Rays did not come to terms on a new contract for the coach, ending several years with the organization.

The 48-year-old coach was close to manager Christian O'Neal, but both sides indicated it was time to move on.

Elsewhere in baseball, there were several managers and GM's joining Vaughn on the open market.

The Baltimore Orioles fired Pedro Sanchez after three seasons at the helm. The O's went 82-80, finishing third in the American League East this year. The team went 252-235 in his three years with the team.

Eugene Montgomery's Chicago White Sox went from 82-80 in 2004, his first year as manager, to a disappointing 68-94 this season, prompting the firing of Montgomery.

The Florida Marlins fired Mark DeJohn after five seasons with the team. The Marlins went 82-80 this season, finishing third in their division. The firing was a surprise to DeJohn, who led the team to three consecutive playoff appearances coming into this season. Florida posted a 455-357 mark with DeJohn at the helm.

Johnny Oates had two winning seasons with the New York Mets but the team fell to 79-83 this year, leading to the skipper's firing. Oates went 256-230 with the Mets over his three years in Queens.

After just one season, rookie manager Glenn Frederick was fired by the Chicago Cubs. Frederick's Cubs went 75-87, finishing fifth in the National League Central.

The San Francisco Giants front office made a change, firing manager Bartolo Mediavilla. The Giants went 77-85 in 2005, the second straight losing season after Mediavilla had led the team to 184 wins in his first two years with the club.

In the front offices, general manager Dave Dombrowski was fired by the Chicago White Sox, Frank Wren is out in Minnesota, the Marlins fired Omar Minaya, and Gerry Hunsicker was canned by the New York Mets.

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Clark hired as hitting coach
Four-time All Star joins Tampa Bay staff
November 3, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Former outfielder and firstbaseman Jack Clark will take over as hitting coach for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays next season.

Clark, 49, played 18 seasons in the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and Boston Red Sox. He hit .267 with 340 home runs in his career.

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Crawford, Lackey sign deals
Young players ink multi-year contracts
November 4, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays agreed to terms with two of its youngest stars today, signing outfielder Carl Crawford and starting pitcher John Lackey to multi-year deals.

The team avoided arbitration with Crawford by signing the 24-year-old to a three-year deal worth $21.5 million. He will be paid $6.5 million next season, $7 million in 2007, and $8 million in 2008. Crawford was paid just under $366,000 this past season, in which he hit .292 with 39 doubles, 15 triples, 15 home runs, 77 RBI, 111 runs scored, and 58 stolen bases.

With Lackey, the Devil Rays rewarded a fine rookie season with a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth season. Lackey will be paid $2 million in 2006, $2.5 million in 2007, and $2.35 million in 2008, with a team option for 2009 at $3.5 million. He could earn a $500,000 bonus if he wins the Cy Young Award in any season.

Lackey went 12-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 20 games with Tampa Bay, including 19 starts. He was called up to the Devil Rays after a 12-0 start to the 2005 season in AAA, where he posted a 2.14 ERA.

"Obviously the front office believes John will be a big pitcher for us going forward, and I agree," said Devil Rays manager Christian O'Neal. "The kid did his best and sometimes you get rewarded for that sooner than later."

The organization has no players from its big league roster facing free agency this off-season, but does have a number of arbitration-eligible players including catcher Victor Martinez, shortstop Jimmy Rollins, and pitcher John Stephens.

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BoSox, Fish make big trade
Ichiro to Marlins for lefty Lee, prospect
November 8, 2005

MIAMI — The Florida Marlins added one of the best hitters in baseball to their roster today, acquiring outfielder Ichiro Suzuki from the Boston Red Sox for left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee and minor league infielder Fernando Cortez.

Ichiro, 32, is signed through the 2007 season — a big part of the trade for the small market Marlins. The outfielder has spent six seasons in the big leagues, all with the Red Sox. He hit .309 with six triples, six home runs, 45 RBI, and 76 runs scored in 144 games last season. This past season was the worst of his career, as his previous career low batting average was .332, his RBI numbers were down slightly, and his runs scored were 25-30 below what Red Sox fans had grown to expect.

Lee is an up and coming pitcher that went 16-11 with a 3.66 ERA in 35 starts for Florida in his first full season in the Marlins' rotation. He went 6-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 16 starts in 2004, and owns a 24-14 record with a 3.40 ERA in 55 big league appearances over the last three years.

One source said the Red Sox believe that "there's a lot to like about Lee" and the lefty will prove to be a strong number two starter at some point.

Cortez, 24, has no big league experience as yet, but plays second base, third base, and shortstop in the minor leagues, and has a .315 average in his two seasons as a minor leaguer. Cortez played in AA this past season, hitting .298 with nine home runs, 64 RBI, and 45 runs scored in 105 games.

The trade does save some money for the Red Sox, who have five potential free agents on their roster: Brian Meadows, Carlos Febles, Reggie Jefferson, Orlando Palmeiro, and Corey Patterson.