Jackson solid through two starts

ST. PETERSBURG – Edwin Jackson was not spectacular, but solid during his three innings of work Tuesday against visiting Minnesota at Al Lang Field.

His line: three innings, three hits, one strikeout and, most importantly, no walks.

In two starts he’s worked five innings and has yet to walk a batter.

If you can draw any conclusions from just two spring starts it’s this: Jackson has better command, something he lacked all of last season.

“Last year I had good results (in the spring), but I had walks,” Jackson said. “So far this spring, the walks have been cut down a lot. I’ve been challenging hitters and making them put the ball in play.”

Jackson pitched well last spring. He pitched well the spring before, too. Yet a good March has yet to lead to a good season for the Tampa Bay Rays hard-throwing right-hander.

Rays manager Joe Maddon senses a difference this spring.

“The word composed really stands out right now,” Maddon said after Tuesday’s game was rained out in the fifth inning. “We talk a lot about when a guy feels he belongs, and I think he’s arriving at that point. The way he’s carrying himself in the clubhouse, to me, has gotten better. He’s arriving at that point, and I’d like to see him continue in that way, because this guy has a pretty good arm.”

Jackson was 5-15 with a 5.76 ERA in 31 starts last season. There were times when Jackson dominated, like his complete-game shutout at Texas. And there were nights when he struggled from the start.

He was 0-8 with five no-decisions in his first 13 starts.

On five occasions, the Rays failed to score a run when Jackson was still in the game.

“I think getting that many starts last year and the fact we stayed with him the whole year is starting to show up a little right now,” Maddon said. “We’ll see. It’s early in the spring, but I like what he’s doing, and I know he feels good about it also. You can see it in his face. He’s walking around feeling more confident.”

For Jackson, it’s a matter of throwing the ball over the plate. He found himself over-throwing at times last season. Then there were times when he tried to be too perfect. He also pitched to avoid contact.

This year?

“Reverse the role,” he said. “Instead of pitching away from contact, pitch to contact.”

Jackson made the team last year based on his work in the spring and the fact he was out of options, meaning he couldn’t be sent to Triple A without first being exposed to waivers. The same holds true this season, but Jackson is going about his spring like that doesn’t matter. He feels he has nothing to prove to the Rays.

How about himself?

“It’s still tough to say,” he said. “I have four or five more starts. I don’t like too happy too quick. It can turn around just as quick as it’s happening.”

Rays stay undefeated

The Rays erased a three-run deficit Tuesday, though unlike Monday against Detroit when the bats came alive, it was the weather that helped them out.

The heavy rain finally reached Al Lang Field in the fourth inning and the game was called in the top of the fifth with one out and the Twins ahead 3-0.

Since the game wasn’t official, the Rays remain undefeated at 4-0, their best-ever start in spring training and the best record in baseball.

“Thanks to Mother Nature,” Maddon said.

Rays rainout policy

Those holding tickets from Tuesday’s game can exchange them for an equal value ticket to another game at Al Lang this spring or apply the value to a regular season game at Tropicana Field.

Twins reach Reyes for three runs

Al Reyes followed Jackson to the mound in the fourth inning and allowed three runs on three hits. He wasn’t hit hard – all the hits were singles. One run scored on a fielder’s choice and another on a ball hit back to the mound that Reyes had trouble fielding.

“Al threw the ball fine,” Maddon said. “They just got some hits on him. They didn’t really scorch him. He threw strikes.”

Speed behind the plate?

Shawn Riggans beat out an infield single in the third inning, making it consecutive games in which the Rays catcher legged out an infield hit.

Dioner Navarro did it Monday in Lakeland when he out-raced a slow roller to second.
Maddon said that’s because the catcher are not as slow as people would think.

“We have it all over the place,” Maddon said.

Even from Navarro, who doesn’t look particularly fast.

"I’m telling you, this guy’s a good base runner,” Maddon said. “I said it last year. Because he’s not fast, he really works secondary leads well. He makes good turns. He’s aggressive – he’s not afraid to take a chance.

"Guys sometimes with great speed aren’t technically good – they’ll make a wider turn, it takes them longer to get somewhere. You watch his secondary leads at second base when he knows he’s got to score on a single, he gets way out there and he does it right. That’s why he’s a good base runner. He pays attention.”

Anderson pushed back

Brian Anderson’s expected return to the mound Wednesday has been pushed back to Saturday. Still, Maddon said Anderson’s rehab from consecutive reconstructive surgeries on his left elbow is ahead of schedule.

“He is further along than we thought he would be, so I’m just curious,” Maddon said. “His workouts have been that good. They’ve been better than OK. He is in great shape.”

The Rays originally expected Anderson’s rehab to continue into the season, yet it appears as if he will be ready to pitch when the season begins. Could that development move Anderson into the running for a spot in the rotation?

“I don’t know that yet,” Maddon said. “We’re just going to play that one by ear. Yeah, it’s an exciting prospect to have him in the mix possibly, but we’ll just be cautious about that until we know more.”

The latest on Salas

No word on when Juan Salas will settle his visa problems in the Dominican Republic and join the club.

“It’s impacting his chances right now,” Maddon said.

Cue the laughter.

“Well it is,” Maddon said.

This & That

Dan Wheeler, Gary Glover ad Scott Dohmann were supposed to pitch Tuesday, but were rained out. Maddon said they will pitch Wednesday against Houston … Evan Longoria struck out in both at-bats Tuesday, once looking and once swinging … Closer Troy Percival is on the schedule to pitch Thursday against the Phillies in Clearwater … David Price will pitch batting practice Wednesday and work an inning against the Yankees on Saturday in Tampa.

-- Roger Mooney, Herald Staff Writer