Hernandez making push for fifth spot in rotation

By ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com
BRADENTON — Rays manager Joe Maddon said Friday morning that left-hander Carlos Hernandez is very much in the running for the fifth spot in the rotation or a spot in the bullpen. Hernandez then went out and made a case for himself with 3 2/3 scoreless innings in the Rays 8-5 victory against the Pirates at McKechnie Field.

“The first two innings I thought he fought himself a bit, and after that he did really well,” Maddon said.

Hernandez allowed five hits and a walk but struck out two.

In eight innings this spring, the former Astros prospect has yet to allow an earned run.

“The only thing I don’t like is I’m throwing too many pitches, and that’s something I have to work on,” said Hernandez, who didn’t complete the fourth inning because he was at 74 pitches. “They are fouling a lot of balls off me. It’s spring training (but) it matters to me, everything matters.”

As for the fifth starters spot, Hernandez said he’s only worried about doling his job.

“I’ve been in that position before with the Astros, and when you think a lot you put yourself in a bad spot,” he said. “What I’m doing right now is pitching and whoever is going to make the decision for that fifth spot will make the decision. It won’t be me.”

Thunder and lightning
The Rays offense had everything on display during their four-run second inning against the Pirates.

Elliot Johnson hit his team-leading second home run of the spring to lead off. Fernando Perez reached on a bunt single and stole second.

Carlos Pena had a two-run single.

Gabe Gross drove in a run with a single and then stole second.

Little Papi?
Shawn Riggans served as the designated hitter Friday because Rays DH Pat Burrell is attending his sister’s wedding in San Francisco this weekend. Maddon also added that it is tough to get at-bats for a catcher in spring training.

Riggans, who referred to himself as “Big Papi” when asked about being the DH, was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Those four at-bats gave him 13 for the spring.

A rough outing
James Houser struggled in his one inning, allowing three hits and walking a batter in the eighth inning. A bases-loaded double Andy Phillips drove in three runs as the Pirates cut the Rays lead to 8-5.

Houser’s ERA ballooned from 3.86 to 10.80.

Welcome back
James Shields and Grant Balfour will make their first appearances of the spring Saturday against the Red Sox. Shields will start and pitch two innings, three if his pitch count is down. Balfour is scheduled to pitch in relief.

NOTEWORTHY
Friday was one of three trips to McKechnie Field for the Rays ... Friday’s crowd of 5,588 was the largest at McKechnie this spring ... Jason Cromer allowed a hit and pitched around an error in the ninth to record his first save of the spring ....Elliot Johnson has five RBIs ... Evan Longoria had two singles and a long fly ball to center field in his three at-bats and raised his average to .583.