DEVIL RAYS- 6/24/02
June 24, 2002
Local Team Info:
Supposedly #1 starter Tanyon Sturtze still doesn’t have a win. His loss on June 20th to the Giants dropped him to 0-8, and it’s getting a little embarrassing for him. "I guess it's one of those years when anything bad that happens, happens on my days. I just hope it ends pretty soon. It's been a little bit embarrassing for me," said Sturtze. He’s leading the American League in runs and hits given up, but he has been eating up the innings, as he’s pitched nine innings in each of the last two games. "He's pitched a lot of innings, which means he's good," manager Hal McRae said. "He has to go out and pitch and not worry about the record."
Notes: The Devil Rays insist that they aren’t in money trouble, yet they’re asking for cash in trade offers. "We will take cash for these players as well as a baseball deal," GM Chuck LaMar told the St. Petersburg Times. "We told them, don't be shy. If you like a player it doesn't have to be strictly a player transaction. To lower payroll, we'll consider the dollar aspects highly, if not higher, than the player part."…The Devil Rays continue to lose in many different ways. The latest trend has been to get a lead, then give it up in the eighth inning.
Injuries:
SP Ryan Rupe- He says his sore shoulder may land him on the DL.
OF Greg Vaughn- Will have his shoulder examined today. He’s currently day-to-day.
On the Farm:
Remember way back when. I mean way back, when OF prospect Josh Hamilton was considered the best prospect in the league. Well, injuries have bothered him and slowed his progress for the last two years, and this year he has been troubled by a sore shoulder. He’s gotten in 38 games, mostly at DH, and has done pretty well, batting .33 with seven homers and 32 RBI’s. Don’t expect to see him up this year, but may be a good late round pick in next year’s draft.
Notes: Toby Hall’s back to his old self down in AAA, recording eight multi-hit games in the past 11, good for a .438 average…Andy Sheets has 54 RBI’s, the most in the organization…Down in AA, Nathan Ruhl made his eighth consecutive scoreless appearance on the 23rd.
Quick View:
Add:
OF Randy Winn- In the midst of a 13-game hit-streak, already broken D-Rays record for hits in June, and if you haven't already, get him in your lineup as soon as possible.
Drop:
SP Ryan Rupe- May land on the DL with sore shoulder.
Hold: Ben Grieve
Short & Sweet
