Rays notes: Delaney up, Buente down as bullpen shuffle continues

RHP Jay Buente pitched himself back to Durham on Tuesday night, though it had nothing to do with the two runs he allowed in the eighth inning of the Tampa Bay Rays' 6-1 loss to Oakland and everything to do with the 35 pitches he threw during the two innings.

Without a long man in the bullpen, the Rays are in need of a fresh arm, and for Wednesday, that arm belonged to RHP Rob Delaney, whose contract was purchased from Durham.

Like Buente did Tuesday, Delaney made the cross-country flight to join the Rays at the O.co Coliseum before game time.

Delaney relieved James Shields in the fifth inning and gave up three earned runs over three innings (66 pitches), striking out one and walking three. Oakland won 13-4 after Shields was shelled for nine runs in the fourth inning.

Manager Joe Maddon said flying in bullpen help from Durham could be a daily experience as long as the Rays are committed to a six-man rotation and 13 position players.

"Yep. (Executive vice president of baseball operations) Andrew (Friedman) and I discussed this when we decided to go with the bullpen the way it is right now and maintain the integrity of the lineup the way it is on the field," Maddon said. "We felt pretty comfortable being able to do this. The only problem with this part of it is we're on the west coast. That makes it a little more uncomfortable for those who are shuttling."

Buente arrived Tuesday during the fifth inning, warmed up in the sixth and entered the game in the seventh.

Maddon introduced himself to Buente when the pitcher returned to the dugout after the seventh inning. After the game, Maddon looked Buente up in the lounge of the team hotel to tell him he was headed back to Durham.

When asked if that was the first time he sent a guy down while in a bar, Maddon said: "I think so. I have had conversations with players in a bar before. I've instructed players in a bar before. But I never sent a guy down in a bar before."

More trade talk

RHP Wade Davis, RHP Jeff Niemann and LHP J.P. Howell were rumored to be involved in trade talks between the Cardinals and the Rays.

Howell, struggling with his command since returning from the disabled list in May, said he wasn't surprised to see his name mentioned.

"I guess I should be shocked, huh? But I'm not for some reason," he said.

Howell, who came to the Rays in a trade with the Royals, said this is a part of baseball, especially when the non-waiver trade deadline is 4 p.m. Sunday.

"No, it could happen every single year, really. That's how you think as a player," he said. "Everyone's trying to make the pennant race, and if there's a way they feel they can better the team, sometimes it doesn't include you. It's more of a shock when it actually happens."

Matty Ice

LHP Matt Moore struck out 13 batters in eight innings Wednesday for the Durham Bulls in a 4-0 victory against Gwinnett.

He allowed three hits, walked two and didn't allow a runner past second base. That was Moore's first victory for the Bulls since being promoted after the All-Star break.

Record staff

The Rays hold the record for consecutive starts by a pitcher 29 or younger after Shields started against the A's on Wednesday, passing the mark of 704 set by the Washington Senators between 1913 and 1917.

Price disappointed

A little help from the offense might have changed things Tuesday night for LHP David Price, who took the loss despite allowing four runs in six innings. He hurt himself by walking four batters, including two who eventually scored.

"I don't know. It's just not there right now," said Price, who dropped to 9-9. "It's getting old."

Noteworthy

UTL Ben Zobrist entered Wednesday's game leading the majors in doubles (33) and extra-base hits (51). … DH Johnny Damon tied Babe Ruth for 47th on the all-time doubles list Tuesday with his 506th {+.} … The Rays were 0-for-7 Tuesday with runners in scoring position. Since July 17, the Rays are batting a major league-worst .154 with RISP, including .150 (9-for-60) during the first five games of this trip.