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Everything Clicks For Rays, Shields Compared To '07

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 7, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - ST. PETERSBURG - A year ago Sunday, James Shields was not hiding his disappointment for a stellar season that suddenly went bad.

Any All-Star hopes that a 6-0 start to 2007 gave him were dashed when he lost four in a row during the final month before the Midsummer Classic. But when asked about that skid on Sunday, Shields didn't recall.
Memory loss has become as common as winning for the Rays this year, and the same can be said individually for Shields as he approaches this year's All-Star break. He allowed four hits in seven strong innings to beat the Royals on Sunday for his third consecutive victory. The chance for four in a row will come in his next scheduled start, Friday at Cleveland.

"With our team this year, it gives me a little more confidence to throw, and gives me the confidence to win," Shields said. "And my job is to keep the team in the game, and get as deep in the game as I can, and try not to use our bullpen."

That was a problem at times in 2007, when his ERA ballooned from 3.04 to 3.82 during his final five starts before the break. During his current streak, Shields' ERA has dropped from 3.92 to 3.64.

The most important factor in the streak has been less pressure, thanks to the players around him. Sunday's two-out, two-RBI single by Esteban German, which gave Kansas City a second-inning lead, may have been tough to overcome a year ago. But Tampa Bay scored seven runs in the second through fourth innings to give him a large lead to work with.

"I'm trusting my defense, trusting our offense right now," Shields said. "Everything is clicking."

CORNER TURNED? In four starts since being pulled from a game at Texas after a confrontation with C Dioner Navarro, RHP Matt Garza is 3-1 with a 1.55 ERA and has walked only four while striking out 24 in 29 innings.

There's a lot of season left, but Manager Joe Maddon seems convinced the right-hander has figured it out.

"The thing that I'm really impressed with is the consistent strike-throwing, and a part of that, I believe, is the more calm demeanor," Maddon said. "He's not out there all tensed-up, fired-up all the time, spitting fire. He's got control of his emotions, and with that you're seeing him really pounding the strike zone right now."

TRADE TALK: The Denver Post reported Sunday that the Rays are "preparing to make the most aggressive play" for Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, who is likely to be dealt by the end of the month.

Reports out of Denver this week have indicated the Rockies are looking for one player in return for the left-hander, and the Post mentioned Montgomery starters Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson as possibilities from Tampa Bay's system.

The Rays probably would be more willing to part with Hellickson, who has struggled in his first two Double-A starts after tearing it up for Vero Beach (7-1, 2.00 ERA, five walks, 83 strikeouts) to open the season.

REHAB WATCH: Al Reyes (shoulder tendinitis) said he will join Vero Beach and pitch an inning Tuesday night, beginning his latest rehab stint as he looks to come off the disabled list immediately after the All-Star break.

Rocco Baldelli will remain in St. Petersburg for the coming week, working out on his own rather than rejoining a minor-league team to resume his rehab.

FARM FACTS: Vero Beach OF Desmond Jennings, who opened the year on the disabled list after hurting his back and then his shoulder in spring training, will have surgery on the shoulder Wednesday. The procedure probably will keep him from playing again this season.

Jennings, ranked 59th on Baseball America's list of baseball's top 100 prospects entering this year, also saw last season truncated by injury, as he had surgery in August to repair a torn meniscus in his knee.

NOTEWORTHY: Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith threw out the ceremonial first pitch - a strike to former Cardinals teammate George Hendrick, the Rays' first base coach. ... Because of the 12:40 p.m. start time, today's game will not be simulcast on WDAE, 620 AM, as other Monday games have been. The broadcast can be heard on WHNZ, 1250 AM.

Bart O'Connell, Marc Lancaster

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