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Howell looking like the closer

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By TONY FABRIZIO

afabrizio@tampatrib.com

Published: July 20, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Rays still don't have a closer, but LHP J.P. Howell looked a lot like one in a weekend sweep of the Royals.

When he retired the side in the ninth inning Sunday to preserve a 4-3 victory, Howell became only the second Rays pitcher to save every game of a three-game sweep.

Troy Percival did it April 22-24, 2008, against Toronto at the Disney sports complex.

"That's what they were telling me," Howell said. "Troy did it also, so it feels good. I can call him up and give him some heck."

Howell (5-2) picked up his team-high ninth save and lowered his ERA to 1.97. In his past 15 appearances, he is 4-0 and 7-for-7 on save opportunities.

Manager Joe Maddon said he wouldn't rule out Howell working his way into a closer's role.

"He's got the makeup to do it," he said. "You look at his stuff, and just because he doesn't throw 90-plus mph doesn't mean he doesn't have any power pitches. He's got power in his change-up, power in his breaking ball, and power and movement on the fastball."

Chance coming

With the White Sox set to start three lefties in the four-game series that starts tonight at Chicago, hot-hitting platoon OF Gabe Kapler will get back into the mix.

Kapler hasn't hit in a game since July 12 because of the All-Star break and the Royals' dearth of lefty pitching. But he's hitting .321 vs. lefties, including .457 with four home runs, a triple, six doubles and 18 RBIs in his past 42 plate appearances.

He doesn't think the protracted interruption will hurt his rhythm because he has been preparing the same.

"Over the last four or five years I've played, it's kind of been, you play for a couple and don't play for a couple," he said. "Sometimes you get a stretch in there where you get a couple of weeks playing or not playing much. It's just part of the game."

Although they look better on paper against lefty pitching, the Rays are only 15-19 against lefty starters in 2009 after going 25-24 against them last year.

Work in progress

The Rays again will give LHP David Price a very limited scouting report for his start tonight against the White Sox in hopes of keeping him from overthinking the situation.

Price followed the worst start of his just-beginning major-league career July 4 at Texas (11/3 innings, 6 runs) with his best July 9 at Tropicana Field when he defeated Roy Halladay and Toronto 3-2. The Rays are 5-4 in his nine starts.

The 2007 No. 1 overall pick said he's grateful to Maddon for encouraging him to balance the club's need for results now with the big-picture need for him to keep developing his pitches.

"He cares about results now, but he wants me to develop," Price said. "He told me, 'Throw that 3-2 change-up.' He said he doesn't care if I throw it for a ball. He doesn't care if I walk the guy or give up a hit or a home run. He said he just wants me to work on it.

"That's huge for him to say that, especially coming from a manager."

Rehab report

LHP Brian Shouse (elbow strain) was supposed to make his second relief appearance for Single-A Charlotte on Sunday night, but the game was postponed because of wet grounds.

If all goes well this week, Shouse could be ready to rejoin the Rays as early as this weekend in Toronto. But the Rays face a difficult roster decision if they bring him back now. They would have to carry 13 pitchers or drop somebody from a bullpen that is performing well.

"I don't know how we would work it yet," Maddon said.

C Shawn Riggans (shoulder tendinitis) was supposed to catch for Charlotte after taking Saturday off. Pleased with the play of backup C Michel Hernandez, the Rays won't rush Riggans back.

Tony Fabrizio

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