TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Longoria Starts On Bench
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Published: May 9, 2008
TORONTO - As Evan Longoria's slump deepened this week, even he could recognize that he was digging a deeper hole for himself.
"I'm obviously putting a little more pressure on myself than I should be," said the rookie third baseman. "But I have my own expectations for myself and when things aren't going the way that I expect, I'm going to do more, I'm going to try to work harder pre-game to get myself right and I think I'm just trying to do a little too much right now."
After going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts Wednesday night, Longoria was hitting .138 (4-for-29) with one RBI on the road trip that came to an end Thursday.
So, for the first time in his major-league career, he remained on the bench when the game began.
"I wanted to give him a day off," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "Just thought he was pressing a bit and I wanted to back him off a little bit."
Thursday afternoon, Maddon told Longoria he wouldn't be starting and suggested he take the next few hours to relax and get his mind off the game. Longoria had started all 23 games since being called up April 12, and the Rays as a team have had three off days since then, but Maddon said those aren't quite the same when it comes to getting a mental break.
"I think it kind of piques something within you that, really, you want to be out there," said Maddon. "You definitely want to be out there and you know you can do this. I think it has a tendency to help you relax more than just a day off away from the ballpark does."
His average down to .221, Longoria didn't fight Maddon on the decision. He ended up entering the game in the bottom of the seventh as a defensive replacement, presumably refreshed and ready to go.
"I don't want a day off, I wouldn't go in and ask him for a day off - obviously, I want to play every day," said Longoria. "But it's something that probably is needed right now."
Maddon made one other change in the interest of rest, having Carl Crawford DH after he started in left field for the Rays' first 33 games.
WITH A VENGEANCE: Maddon expects to see James Shields' best tonight, considering the way the pitcher has been stewing since turning in one of the worst performances of his career last weekend at Fenway Park. He allowed 13 Red Sox hitters to reach base and seven runs to score in 32/3 innings Saturday night, tying the second-shortest start of his career.
"You know Shieldsy - he holds himself to such a high standard and that just was not acceptable to him," said Maddon. "And you could see him walking around the last couple days - 'Don't mess with me.' And I can appreciate that. So I really expect him to be very focused tonight."
Shields flew back from Toronto on Thursday morning, giving him a chance to rest up rather than arriving in the wee hours of Friday morning with the rest of the team.
REHAB WATCH: DH Cliff Floyd went 3-for-4 Thursday in an extended spring training game and also got caught in a rundown, providing a test for his surgically repaired knee. He'll take batting practice today at Tropicana Field, with the Rays set to determine his next step after that. Maddon said he won't be activated from the DL today, but it could happen soon. ... Ben Zobrist played six innings at third base for Vero Beach at Lakeland, going 1-for-3 with a double. ... Al Reyes threw a bullpen session and will throw another Saturday, when he will be joined by Gary Glover doing the same.
FARM FACTS: Vero Beach RHP Jeremy Hellickson was named the Rays' minor-league pitcher of the month for April. Hellickson went 2-0 with a 0.93 ERA last month, walking only two batters and striking out a whopping 41 in 29 innings. ... Columbus OF Emeel Salem was the player of the month for April. Salem, the Rays' sixth-round pick in last year's draft, hit .288 and posted a .359 on-base percentage while leading the minor leagues with 21 steals.
Marc Lancaster
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Posted by ( polodogg1 ) on May 9, 2008 at 1:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I think the Rays are great!
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Posted by ( leebug ) on May 9, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
new owner is doing wonders and coaching staff really seems to care more about developing the talent it is nice to finally see them winning
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