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Pumped-Up Gomes Provides Spark For Rays

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By CARTER GADDIS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 13, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - Jonny Gomes pumped his fists as he scored a second-inning run Monday against the Yankees. He pounded the bag with his open palm when he stole third base in the fourth.

Given a chance to play Monday against left-handed starter Andy Pettitte, Gomes turned on the energy and provided the early offensive spark the Rays needed to overwhelm the Yankees, 7-1.

"Jon was really up for tonight's game," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "In the dugout, he couldn't sit still. He's a guy that really likes to play. And he brings a lot to the table for us. He went out and did a great job and stirred things up in a great way for us tonight."

The sometime Rays designated hitter hasn't felt as involved as he had hoped he'd be as Tampa Bay has gotten off to the best 38-game start in team history. Now that Cliff Floyd has recovered from his April knee surgery, Gomes' playing time is likely to be limited to facing left-handed starters like Pettitte.

He came into the game on a 1-for-21 slide since April 25. He went 2-for-4 Monday with two stolen bases and a career-high matching three runs scored.

"With me platooning against lefties, I don't see any lefties coming up, so right when I walk through the door, personally, I don't know when I'm going to start again," Gomes said. "And it's working for the team. I'm not begging for playing time here. First thing's first; we've got to win. I've just got to leave it all on the field when I get in there."

His first hit since a home run against Baltimore on May 1 was also the first hit of the game Monday, a two-out single in the second. Gomes stole second base, belly-flopping into the bag and calling timeout as the throw from catcher Jose Molina scooted into center field.

Dioner Navarro's base hit brought home Gomes, who clapped and pumped his fist before taking off his helmet as he crossed the plate for the game's first run.

With the Rays still leading, 1-0, in the fourth, Gomes singled home Evan Longoria, who had doubled to lead off the inning. Gomes then took second on a sacrifice bunt by Navarro and stole third as Eric Hinske took ball four.

Jason Bartlett's triple scored them both.

Gomes scored again after reaching on a fielder's choice grounder and alertly moving up when a pitch bounced away from Molina. Hinske's ground out to second brought him home.

Reporter Carter Gaddis can be reached at (813) 259-8291 or igaddis@tampatrib.com.

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