Howell, Aybar headed to WBC

By ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com
CLEARWATER — J.P. Howell and Willy Aybar played their last games for the Rays on Saturday before heading to the World Baseball Classic.

Howell will pitch for the United States. Aybar will play first base for the Dominican Republic. Rays second baseman Aki Iwamura has stayed behind in Japan this spring to workout with his national team.

“Honestly, I don’t feel I’m deserving,” Howell said.

At this time last year, Howell was trying to make the Rays as a starter. He was moved to the bullpen and had a breakout season in 2008, leading the Rays to the American League pennant and the World Series.

Howell played on the USA under-18 national team when he was in high school. His teammates were current teammates Scott Kazmir and B.J. Upton.

“It’s definitely different,” Howell said of representing the United States. “It’s a big honor. I’m happy to be playing for Team USA, but it’s tough to leave (the Rays). The trash talking is at its peak. It’s getting to the point where it’s getting fun.”

Howell said he hasn’t heard any trash talk from Aybar.

“But Willy’s been looking at me funny this whole spring,” Howell said.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said he isn’t concerned Howell will be over-worked in the WBC. Relief pitchers are limited to 30 pitches per appearance and they have to have two days off between outings.

“My concern is he won’t get enough work,” Maddon said.

An ill wind
Ryan Howard, John Mayberry and Miguel Cairo took advantage of a strong wind blowing to left field Saturday at Bright House Network Field in Clearwater and drove first inning home runs in that direction off Rays starter Mitch Talbot, who allowed five runs in the Phillies 12-5 victory.

“It was definitely playing a little small-ball (Saturday),” Maddon said. “Mitch played better than that number looked.”

What Maddon didn’t like was the way Talbot and catcher Shawn Riggans failed to make adjustments during that first inning. When Talbot got into trouble he tried to throw harder, a common mistake by young pitchers. Talbot did make the adjustment after talking with pitching coach Jim Hickey.

“In the second and third (innings) he looked like a different cat,” Maddon said.

Who wants second?
The Rays are without their regular second baseman with Iwamura not in camp until Japan either wins or is eliminated from the WBC.

Those who will benefit from additional playing time are Elliot Johnson, Ben Zobrist, Adam Kennedy and Reid Brignac.

The Rays like Brignac at shortstop, but Maddon wants him to get used to playing second so he can play both middle infield positions.

Zobrist will see more innings at second as the Rays continue to develop the one-time shortstop into the super utility player that Maddon wants on his roster. Johnson is being groomed for that role, too.

Same with Kennedy, who will find himself playing the outfield this spring.

NOTEWORTHY
Elliot Johnson and left fielder Ray Sadler hit their first home runs of the spring Saturday. Sadler crushed his to the back of the bullpen in left field ... Maddon was pleased with the two innings from Lance Cormier, despite the fact Cormier gave up a run in his first inning of work ... Willy Aybar, Pat Burrell, Jon Weber and Michel Hernandez had doubles for the Rays ... Game-time temperature was 76 degrees, some 47 degrees warmer than when these two teams meet in Philadelphia for Game 5 of the World Series.

Rays blast Red Sox

By ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com
PORT CHARLOTTE — The first sell-out at Charlotte Sports Park saw the Rays pound the visiting Red Sox 12-4 on Friday.

A crowd of 6,626 watched the Rays build a 10-0 lead after three innings.

Evan Longoria hit a long home run, a two-run shot onto the boardwalk in left field, for the Rays first home run of the spring.

Elliot Johnson drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single and Fernando Perez doubled home two runs during the Rays five-run third inning.

Chris Richard put the finishing touches on the day with a long, two-run homer to the boardwalk in right field in the seventh inning.


Niemann looks good
Jeff Niemann, vying for the spot as the Rays fifth starter, allowed one hit in his two innings and struck out two.

The right-hander, who made two starts for the Rays last April, is competing with rookies David Price and Mitch Talbot, and veteran Jason Hammel for the last start in the rotation.

Niemann could also end up in the bullpen if he doesn’t make the rotation.

Cromer looks good, two
Left-hander Jason Cromer worked two innings for the Rays, striking out five of the seven batters he faced.

That pleased Rays manager Joe Maddon, who wants to see the younger pitchers throw strikes.

Cromer spent last season with the Rays Double A team in Montgomery.

Injury updates
Maddon does not known when closer Troy Percival will make his first appearance in a spring training game. Both Maddon and Percival feel Percival is coming along fine after having back surgery last November.

“If everything goes well, we’ll get him out there by the middle of March,” Maddon said. “He doesn’t need that many times on the mound to be ready for the season. If we could get him out there five or six times prior to the season, that would be normal for him. Anything after that would be kind of like gravy. So he’s coming along well. He feels great.”

First baseman Carlos Pena, who had surgery in early January to repair two small tears in his lower abdomen, will not play until after the Rays first off-day, which is March 5.

CC back to No. 2 in the order

By ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

TAMPA — All thoughts of having Carl Crawford bat sixth in the Rays order were shelved when the team signed Pat Burrell in the offseason.

Crawford, the Rays left fielder, batted second in both of the Rays spring training games, and that’s where he will stay during the season.

“We’re looking to bring Carl back to the two-hole,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said before Thursday’s 5-1 loss to the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field. “Having him there presents an entirely different perspective on how we’re going to juggle this thing along.”

Crawford was dropped to sixth in the order during the postseason last October. Maddon did that because Crawford missed the final six weeks of the season after having surgery on his finger. Maddon also liked having Crawford hitting sixth, because Crawford is good at driving in runs and his speed gave the Rays essentially a leadoff hitter in the middle of the lineup.

Besides, B.J. Upton hit so well in the two-hole during the postseason that Maddon didn’t want to move Upton out of that slot.

But Burrell will likely hit sixth this season, and Maddon is toying with the idea of having Upton bat leadoff. So Crawford is back to his familiar spot in the order.

“I’ll hit wherever he wants me to hit,” Crawford said. “I like to hit second. Wherever I’ll be most effective, I’ll do my thing there. I’m more comfortable hitting at the top of the order because of the things I can do.”

Crawford said his hamstrings are finally healthy after an offseason workout program aimed toward that end. Healthy legs means Crawford has his speed back, and Maddon wants that speed at the top of the lineup. Plus, Crawford can do a lot with his bat.

“I’ve always believed this about Carl: Carl’s a good RBI man,” Maddon said. “With two outs, Carl doesn’t hit a lot of fly balls. Carl’s more of a line-drive guy. My theory is, with two outs and runners in scoring position, stay out of the air. Fly balls are normally outs. Line drives and ground balls are where your batting average comes from. So with two outs, to maximize your chances of driving in a run, I prefer seeing a line drive or a ground ball. That’s the kind of hitter he is.”

Davis ‘outstanding’
Wade Davis, who will start the year at Triple A Durham, had an impressive debut Thursday, throwing two perfect innings against the Yankees in Tampa.

The right-hander, who split time last season between Double A Montgomery and Durham, struck out three, fanning Mark Teixeira to end the first inning and starting off the second by getting Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano to strikeout.

“I thought Wade was outstanding,” Maddon said. “A wonderful first performance.”

Maddon wants to see strikes from his pitchers this spring, and Davis delivered, throwing his fastball aggressively inside and getting his curve ball over the plate.
Maddon was impressed with the command Davis had with his fastball.

“That’s what he showed (against the Yankees) and I like the fact he showed it inside,” Maddon said.

Orvella’s back
Chad Orvella returned to the mound for the first time since last spring. The right-hander missed the entire 2008 season after having shoulder surgery in May.

Orvella entered the game in the third inning and watched as his first pitch, a fastball, was clubbed over the right field fence by Yankees DH Jorge Posada.

“He jumps me on the first pitch. Welcome back,” Orvella said.

Orvella said his shoulder felt great and was pleased with his one inning of work. After Posada’s homer, Orvella retired the next three Yankees, including Johnny Damon looking to end the inning.

“I feel healthy,” Orvella said. “I feel better than I have in a long time, to tell you the truth. I’m trying to maintain the feeling I’ve had all spring.”

Orvella was waived during the offseason. He resigned with the team, signing a minor league contract with an invite to major league camp. His name hasn’t come up during any discussions with Maddon about the bullpen, meaning Orvella’s path back to the major leagues is going to involve a stay in Durham.

Parking is a pleasure
In an effort to ease the parking delays getting into Charlotte Sports Park, the Rays announced the following ...

Parking lots will open at 10:00 a.m. and stadium gates will open at 11:00 a.m. for all 1:05 p.m. games, 30 minutes earlier than originally planned.

There will be an increase in the number of parking attendants stationed inside both the main Sports Park and Fairgrounds parking lots to increase efficiency in collecting parking fees and directing cars to parking locations.

Clearer signs will be posted to help patrons with special needs and those with passes for reserved lots identify designated parking area.

Fans are also encouraged to arrive early, carpool, and come with exact change when possible.

NOTEWORTHY
The Rays went 15 innings during their first two games without scoring a run. The drought ended with an RBI single by Jon Weber in the seventh inning ... Calvin Medlock allowed a three-run homer to Shelley Duncan in the seventh inning ... Former Ray Rocco Baldelli is scheduled to start Friday when the Red Sox play the Rays in Port Charlotte ... Pat Burrell will make the trip to Clearwater on Saturday and play against his former teammates.