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Davis Keeps Opening Eyes

By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 2, 2009

Updated: 03/02/2009 11:24 pm

Which MLB veteran has the best chance to make an impact with the Rays?

JUPITER - If nothing else, RHP Wade Davis is making a strong impression.

The Lake Wales native followed a stout outing against the Yankees last week by pitching one-hit shutout ball for 32/3 innings in Tampa Bay's 8-5 victory against St. Louis on Monday.

Again, he faced some quality hitters, including Albert Pujols and Rick Ankiel.

While pitching coach Jim Hickey said last week Davis was a contender for the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation, Manager Joe Maddon indicated Monday the 23-year-old prospect probably won't make the opening-day roster.

"I'll never say never, but it's an absolute long shot," Maddon said. "He just needs to go out there and continue to open some eyes."

Hickey allowed after Monday's game that while Davis would benefit from more time at Triple-A, he "wouldn't be surprised at all if he comes and helps us at some point in the season."

Davis recorded six ground outs and four fly outs while striking out one. Against the Yankees on Thursday, he pitched two hitless innings and struck out Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano.

"It was a little different this time," Davis said. "I kept the ball on the ground, we made some good plays and I threw strikes again. Keep doing that and it'll be all right."

LONGO AGAIN

Evan Longoria had another sharp day at the plate, following Sunday's two-double effort against Toronto by going 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI, a run and a walk. He's batting .556 this spring.

Adam Kennedy, Chris Richard and Ray Olmedo also had two hits each, and Gabe Gross and Justin Ruggiano also had doubles.

Former Rays reliever Trever Miller pitched one inning and struck out the side. Maddon talked him up at length to the St. Louis media before the game.

TEAM GOLDEN

Maddon has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging every position player and "one pitcher" to win a Gold Glove this season. That's a tall order. 1B Carlos Pena became the first Ray to win a Gold Glove last season.

"I love it," said Longoria, the 2008 AL Rookie of the Year and one of several exceptional defensive players in the Rays lineup. "It's something new and it gives me something to work toward. It's definitely not an easy award to win, and there are plenty of guys out there that are capable of it."

Longoria's .963 fielding percentage last year was topped by only one AL rookie third baseman in the past four decades: Tampa Bay's Akinori Iwamura (now at second base) in 2007.

"Maddon is right on par in saying everybody in our infield has the ability to do it," Longoria said.

MLB NETWORK TO STOP BY

As part of its 30 clubs in 30 days tour, the MLB Network will have a presence at Charlotte Sports Park for today's game against Houston. Fans will have the chance to see themselves interviewed by Harold Reynolds and the "MLB Tonight" team at a traveling virtual studio.

Jeff Niemann, one of the pitchers in the running for the fifth-starter spot, will start against Brandon Backe. Mitch Talbot will start for Tampa Bay in Wednesday's exhibition against the Puerto Rican national team.

PITCHING SCHEDULE

The Rays' frontline pitchers will start getting into games Saturday, and Maddon promised to have some type of schedule today. The weekend games are against Boston at Port Charlotte on Saturday and in Fort Myers on Sunday.

MONDAY DRIVE

Maddon seemed more amused than aggravated about the three-hour bus trip to the Cardinals' stadium, noting that his driver was about 10 years behind the times in having a mapquest.com printout on his lap rather than a navigational system.

He also noted the team could have flown to Minneapolis in the time it took to cross the state and circumvent Lake Okeechobee on mostly two-lane roads.

Tony Fabrizio

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