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Another Garza Gem Wasted

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By MARC LANCASTER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 8, 2008

TORONTO - Starting RHP Matt Garza against the Blue Jays was about as close to a lock as the Rays could ask for this season, but he came up short Sunday.

Allowing the only run of the game in the second inning when Adam Lind doubled, went to third on a groundout and scored on a Rod Barajas sacrifice fly, Garza's string of 251/3 scoreless innings against Toronto came to an end. And when the Rays couldn't convert on what few opportunities they had against LHP David Purcey, Garza was saddled with another undeserved loss.

In 38 innings against the Blue Jays this season, Garza allowed 25 hits and just two earned runs - a 0.47 ERA. But he still managed to come out on the losing end each time he gave up a run.

"Garza was very good again," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "Very good."

The Rays put nine runners on base in the game but two of them were erased before they had a chance to get far.

Willy Aybar leaned toward second on a ball in the dirt in the second inning and was picked off first by Barajas - a play that looked a lot worse when Jason Bartlett followed with a double to the wall. Two innings later, B.J. Upton guessed wrong on Purcey's move and got hung up between first and second after a leadoff single.

The Rays also squandered a leadoff double by Aybar in the fifth and Rocco Baldelli flew out to left with the bases loaded to end the eighth.

NO HESITATION: Despite closer Troy Percival's struggles lately, Maddon said there are no plans to give anyone else a shot in save situations here and there.

"No," said Maddon. "The only way I would mix somebody else in is if he's not available on that particular night. If he's available, he'll go out there."

LONGORIA WATCH: 3B Evan Longoria continued to make progress Sunday, taking a total of 60 swings and hitting a ball for the first time since fracturing his right wrist a month earlier.

Longoria hit 30 balls off a tee and took an additional 15 swings each with a regular bat and a fungo bat. He will take soft toss today and perhaps regular batting practice for the first time Tuesday. Maddon said Longoria's goal of returning to the lineup Friday in New York is "reasonable," but the Rays will wait and see how he feels the next few days.

EARNING A SHOT: A couple of impressive performances off the bench in the first two games of the series earned Fernando Perez a start in right field Sunday against Purcey.

"Why not?" said Maddon. "I love having the sixth man come off the bench like he has, Mr. Perpetual Motion - it's nice. But his right-handed swing is very attractive. ... I like his energy right now and I know he can upset the other team very quickly."

It didn't happen Sunday as Perez went 0-for-4, striking out to end the seventh and ninth innings.

NOTEWORTHY: Garza was fine after taking a Marco Scutaro liner off his pitching arm in the fifth, though he was left with visible seam marks just under his elbow. ... Aybar has recorded multiple hits in 12 of his past 25 games.

Marc Lancaster

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