Lilly Debut

[Fullabull]

Ted Lilly starts tonight (monday) against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

http://athletics.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/lilly_ted.jpg vs http://athletics.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/150142.jpg
Lilly (3-6) 3.60 vs Rupe (5-9) 5.94

The A's obtained Lilly on July 5 after sending Carlos Pena and Franklin German and a player to be named to Detroit for Weaver, then sending Weaver to the Yankees for Lilly and two good Double-A players. Incidently, Jeremy Bonderman, a 2001 1st round draft pick of the A's is rumored to be the player to be named later.

One American League scout who's seen Lilly pitch three times this season said, unprompted, that he liked the trade, noting especially the lack of run support that Lilly got in New York (2.55 runs per game, lowest in the league among pitchers with 10 or more starts), as well as the fact that Lilly is limiting opponents to a .202 average.

It also will be his first start in 16 days; he gave up six runs in four innings against the Mets on June 29.

Lilly (3-6) will oppose Ryan Rupe (5-9) tonight, and Mark Mulder (10-5) faces either Joe Kennedy (5-8) or Jorge Sosa (0-1) on Tuesday. . . . The A's are 6-1 against the Devil Rays this season.

[Fullabull]

While leaving New York, apparently the JFK Airport lost Lilly's equipment bag and luggage.
"Hey Ted, have you checked e-bay?"
Waaahahaha!

He'll be wearing Terrence Long's spikes, and some of his other accessories will be on loan from teammates. Lilly last saw the Yankees' equipment bag he packed after he was traded when he checked it at JFK Airport.

"There was some stuff I wanted to hang onto, jerseys and things, but I have all the equipment I need," he said.

Still, not a fun way to start life with a new team, especially for a guy who was a little stunned about being traded away from the AL champs. "I was kind of numb with shock and disbelief," Lilly said. "With one phone call, your life changes."

"He's reserved, but I think everyone here is doing as much as they can to make him feel comfortable," Peterson said. "He feels very anxious to be a part of the team, and then he comes in and doesn't even have his equipment -- his glove is gone, his shoes are gone, his underwear, and he's three time zones away."

[Fullabull]

In all, Lilly allowed three hits with four strikeouts and two walks. The left-hander did not allow a hit for 4 2-3 innings in his Oakland debut as the A's beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 4-0 on Monday night. Chad Bradford, Mike Venafro and Billy Koch finished the four-hitter.

Tampa Bay starter Ryan Rupe (5-10) lasted just 2 1-3 innings -- allowing three runs, four hits and three walks -- in his first start since June 19. The right-hander aggravated a right knee injury that landed him on the 15-day disabled list last month. He will undergo an MRI on tuesday and may end up on the DL.


The announced crowd was a season-low 10,116 at Tropicana Field.

:pout:

[Fullabull]

Ted Lilly's second start today has him matched up with Texas Ranger Rob Bell.
Saturday at Oakland (8:05) - Rob Bell (3-3, 5.97) vs. Ted Lilly (4-6, 3.16)

http://athletics.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/150404.jpg vs http://athletics.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/150174.jpg