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Perez Is Showing More Than His Speed, Defense

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 19, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - He has a degree in American studies and creative writing from Columbia University and would try to write for a magazine if professional baseball doesn't work out.
Professional baseball may well work out for five-year minor-leaguer Fernando Perez, who has been filling in ably for injured CF B.J. Upton.

"I knew about the defensive side, I knew about the speed side," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I didn't know we were going to get all that offense."

Called up Aug. 31 from Triple-A Durham for his first major-league work, the switch-hitting Perez, 25, got his ninth start Thursday night.

His Upton-like defensive work has included a sliding grab during Wednesday night's 10-3 victory against Boston, and his surprising pop at the plate has included home runs off New York's Carl Pavano on Sunday and Boston's Tim Wakefield on Wednesday.

Entering Thursday's game, Perez was batting .265 with two home runs and 3 RBIs. He went 3-for-10 in the Rays' two-games-to-one series win against Boston this week.

"My mind-set is, the body of work that these guys have accomplished while I was in the minor leagues is unbelievable," Perez said. "It has infused me with a great sense of responsibility to protect what they've done and help out wherever possible."

UPTON CLOSE: Upton, who has been out since Sept. 8 with a strained left quad, could return to the lineup by this weekend.

"Saturday or Sunday - it's a possibility," Maddon said.

SPAN RETURNS: No one needs to explain the Rays' miserable history to Twins OF Denard Span. The Tampa Catholic product said he never was a Rays fan growing up, but he appreciates what his hometown team has accomplished.

"Just to see what they've been through, just to see the organization do what they're doing, I'm definitely happy for them that a baseball team from Tampa looks like it's going to be going to the playoffs," said Span. "It's pretty exciting."

Span is pretty excited himself. The 24-year-old rookie is playing in front of a hometown crowd for the first time since his Florida State League days, with about 25 people on his ticket list Thursday night. Span is hitting .295 and had a two-homer game last week in Baltimore.

"This is a dream come true, to come back here and play in front of family and friends," said Span.

CRAWFORD UPDATE: If the Rays are going to get LF Carl Crawford (finger tendon) back for full duty this season, they probably will have to advance beyond the first week of the postseason.

Maddon said Crawford's availability for the first week of the playoffs probably would be limited to pinch running and defense, if that.

Crawford said he doesn't think he will be able to pick up a bat for two more weeks, and when he does, he will start with "dry" swings and a light plastic bat.

WALKING TALL: Closer Troy Percival said his bad back feels so good after a series of epidural injections Tuesday that he wishes he had known about the option earlier this season.

"I can get in and out of my car," he said. "I can walk upright instead of walking hunched over. I actually ran in the clubhouse, and I hadn't run in six months.

"I hope I don't pitch one time and it comes back. But they said it shouldn't."

Percival, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning Thursday night, has a second series of injections scheduled for Monday.

SIXTH STARTER: Maddon figures to decide by Saturday who will start the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader at Baltimore - probably David Price or Mitch Talbot.

Price's availability will depend on if and when he is used out of the bullpen.

"I won't hesitate to use David out of the bullpen if we want to," Maddon said before Thursday's game. "As we go further along, he may be set up for that Tuesday start, or it may be somebody else."

RAYS BITS Fans can register for an opportunity to purchase American League Division Series tickets in a presale at raysbaseball.com. The link is "Postseason Ticket Opportunity," and the presale will close Sunday at 11:59 p.m. There is no cost to register. ... The Rays put C Shawn Riggans (right knee surgery) on the 15-day disabled list, giving them additional roster flexibility for the postseason. ... Durham pitching coach Xavier Hernandez has joined the Rays.

Tony Fabrizio, Marc Lancaster

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