Houser to the rescue

BRADENTON – Bases loaded, no out: Guess who is coming in to pitch? James Houser.

“We only bring him in with the bases loaded and nobody out when it’s very critical,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

It happened Friday in the Rays’ spring training opener against the Reds and it happened again Sunday against the Pirates at McKechnie Field.

Both times Houser worked out of the jam.

Not bad for someone with just one relief appearance in 87 pro games.

“Now that was a good time there,” Houser said after recording the final three outs in the Rays’ 7-5 victory against the Pirates.

The left-hander from Sarasota came on to pitch in the ninth inning with the bases loaded, no out and the Rays up 7-3.

The Rays led 7-2 at the start of the inning, but Wade Davis, working on the second of two innings, ran out of gas.

The Pirates did score twice with Houser on the mound – the last run scoring on a sacrifice fly.

But Houser, who has never pitched above Double-A, got Ronny Paulino, the Pirates’ starting catcher, to pop out to Ben Zobrist to end the game.

“I love his composure,” Maddon said. “He’s throwing strikes up there. He’s using all of his pitches. He was jacked up when he came off the mound.”

Houser, who earned the save, earned the victory Friday when he escaped that jam by allowing just a two-run single that tied the score. The Rays went ahead on the top of the ninth, and

Houser was credited with the win.

“He found his spot and he was fine. He made good pitches in a very difficult circumstance that he’s not used to,” Maddon said. “He’s done a nice job twice for us under very adverse circumstances.”

Kaz reaches Phase II

Scott Kazmir has entered the second phase of his rehab, Maddon said.

The lefty, who started the past two Opening Days for the Rays, began exercising the joint, which he strained Wednesday while warming up before an intersquad game.

Using a sock and a baseball, Kazmir has begun simulating throwing a baseball.

“If he keeps going, with the way he is now, he can be throwing outside (long-tossing) in a couple of days,” Maddon said.

Ouch!

Joel Guzman bruised his left ring finger when he was struck by a pitch Sunday. He is listed as day-to-day.

The Longoria Watch

Evan Longoria was hitless in three plate appearances against the Pirates, but did draw a walk. The rookie third baseman impressed Maddon when he stole second and scored on a sacrifice fly.

That was part of the Rays' aggressive base running that Maddon praised after the victory.
“I really enjoyed the base running,” Maddon said. “That was as good of base running as you’ll see.”

Not only was Longoria aggressive, but B.J. Upton legged out a triple. Dioner Navarro went from first to third and was safe until he overslid the bag and was tagged out. Shawn Riggans scored on a suicide squeeze by Ben Zobrist.

“Good reads. Just an aggressive day on the bases,” Maddon said.

Break up the Rays

The Rays are 3-0 matching their best start in Grapefruit League action. The 2000 team was also 3-0.

“It’s just three games,” Maddon said.

Zoby goes to second

Ben Zobrist started at second base Sunday. It’s part of the Rays plan to make him more versatile.

Zobrist, who was the Rays’ Opening Day shortstop last season, has also played third base this spring.

“He’s actually looked pretty good at third,” Maddon said.

You will also see him in the outfield.

“Every day in batting practice he works on another position,” Maddon said. “He was running down fly balls in the outfield (Sunday).”

Maddon also likes Zobrist’s work at the plate. He tripled against Toronto on Saturday, and his one hit Sunday actually dropped his spring batting average to .444.

Anderson ahead of schedule

Lefty Brian Anderson, who is trying to come back from back-to-back Tommy John surgeries on his pitching elbow, could find himself pitching Wednesday against the Houston Astros at Al Lang Stadium.

Anderson, signed before camp to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, threw 45 pitches Sunday.

“Brian felt good,” Maddon said. “And the people who watched him pitch said it was good. He’s coming through all his tests. We’ll see. If he feels good, we’ll get him out there.”

This & That

Rocco Baldelli felt fine Sunday after his two at-bat day against Toronto on Saturday. Maddon said Baldelli will DH on Tuesday … David Price (shoulder stiffness) threw in the bullpen Sunday … Reid Brignac is close to returning after breaking the small toe on his right foot when he was struck by a pitch in last Wednesday’s intrasquad game … Eric Hinske started in left field against the Pirates. He will also get time at right field, third and first base … B.J. Upton’s two hits Sunday raised his average to .667 … Raul Chavez’s eighth inning home run off Wade Davis was the first homer allowed by Rays pitching this spring. The Rays have yet to hit a home run.

- Roger Mooney, Herald Staff Writer