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Garza's Gem Is Complete

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By MARC LANCASTER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 16, 2008

Updated: 08/16/2008 12:22 am

ARLINGTON, Texas - In the course of yet another victory Friday night, the Rays managed to deliver a few more messages to both the rest of baseball and those in their clubhouse.

First off, when the Rays' starting pitchers are on, they can dominate anyone. Matt Garza did just that, limiting a Rangers team that averages more than a half-dozen runs each home game to two hits in a 7-0 Tampa Bay victory. On the downside, though, it was evident that a disconnect remains between Manager Joe Maddon and one of his few remaining uninjured star players.

For the second time in less than two weeks, Maddon felt compelled to discipline B.J. Upton for a lack of effort in running out a groundball. This time, it involved pulling Upton from the game in the sixth inning - an unsettling scene that overshadowed an otherwise impressive evening for the Rays.

Upton grounded into a double play to end the top half of the inning, but he barely got down the line. He already had taken the field for the bottom of the sixth when Justin Ruggiano popped out of the dugout and headed toward center field to take his place. Upon reaching the dugout, Upton appeared to immediately proceed up the tunnel toward the clubhouse. He later returned to the bench, sitting on the far end to watch the balance of the game.

After the game, Upton explained that he thought there were two outs. Maddon didn't care. He saw a runner getting to first base in 5.33 seconds when the average big-league right-handed hitter covers that distance in 4.3 seconds.

"You see how we're playing right now," Maddon said. "Everyone that watches us, you understand why we're in the position that we're in right now, and it's about continuous effort. I can't make it any more plain, simple, obvious, black-and-white, whatever. There are no gray areas. I can't have Aki Iwamura run like he is and Carlos Pena and Cliff Floyd, who's got two bad knees, etc., and then permit that. I can't permit it."

Maddon said Upton definitely would not start tonight, and he was still weighing the possibility of further punishment. He didn't discuss the matter after the game with Upton because he was too upset and didn't plan to talk about it until today.

Upton said he didn't think there was any need for a discussion because, "It's understood." He also said he understands it would be wise to run out every ball he hits from now on.

"I'm going to have to, or he's going to keep doing it and making me the example," Upton said. "I guess I can't let him make me the example anymore."

Asked if he felt like he was being singled out, Upton said he didn't. Upton previously was benched for the Rays' final home game before the current trip, Aug. 6 against Cleveland, for not giving what Maddon considered sufficient effort the previous evening. Afterward, Upton said he had learned his lesson and respected Maddon's decision, while Maddon declared the matter closed.

Friday night saw it reopened, and the latest rift didn't just mar an otherwise feel-good affair; it also might have cost Garza a no-hitter.

With Garza still unscathed two outs into the sixth, Ian Kinsler lifted a soft fly ball to shallow center. Ruggiano charged hard and left his feet for the ball, but it hit his glove and glanced away and was rather generously ruled a hit. Maddon called the press box to complain about the call - the first time, he said, he has done that in his three years as Rays manager.

The only other hit allowed by Garza was a solid single through the middle by Josh Hamilton leading off the seventh. He earlier had retired 15 batters in a row after issuing a two-out walk to Hamilton in the first inning and ended up striking out nine in his third complete game of the season.

"That was pretty dominant," Maddon said.

The Rays hit four homers off Kevin Millwood - solo shots by Willy Aybar, Carlos Pena and Gabe Gross and a two-run drive by Eric Hinske.

The last three of those came in the fifth inning, driving Millwood from the game and giving the Rays all the offense they needed.

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227 or mlancaster@tampatrib.com.

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