Baseball Guru
06-05-2004, 06:29 AM
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?sl...p&type=lgns
June 5, 2004
Blowing a five-run lead was nothing to fret about for the suddenly surging Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Not with the way they've been playing lately.
Julio Lugo led off the 11th inning with his fourth hit and scored the tiebreaking run on a pinch-hit single by Fred McGriff, giving Tampa Bay an 8-7 victory over Baltimore on Friday night.
The Devil Rays have won three straight to improve to 11-4 since May 19 -- their best stretch over a 15-game span.
``We made some mistakes and we gave the lead away, but we're starting to show some confidence as a team,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ``It's starting to show. We're winning some close ballgames.''
Tino Martinez hit a three-run homer for the Devil Rays, who relinquished a 5-0 lead before rallying to force extra innings. Tampa Bay also tied a franchise record by issuing 12 walks, and received a miserable performance from starter Victor Zambrano.
Still, the Devil Rays found a way to win.
Melvin Mora hit his first career grand slam for the Orioles, who have lost four straight. Baltimore stranded 12 and twice blew one-run leads.
``You've got to hold them down when you get the lead,'' manager Lee Mazzilli said. ``We came back, took the lead and took the lead again. But we gave it up.''
Lugo opened the 11th with a grounder to short off Mike DeJean (0-5) that was ruled a single when Miguel Tejada fell on the muddy infield. Lugo stole second on a pitchout and took third on a wild pitch before McGriff singled past the drawn-up infield.
Lance Carter (2-2) pitched three hitless innings, and Danys Baez worked the 11th for his 11th save.
Zambrano allowed six runs, four hits and six walks in 3 2-3 innings.
``You can have a bad game, but what you're looking for is for the team towin the game,'' he said. ``The team won. That's the most important thing.''
June 5, 2004
Blowing a five-run lead was nothing to fret about for the suddenly surging Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Not with the way they've been playing lately.
Julio Lugo led off the 11th inning with his fourth hit and scored the tiebreaking run on a pinch-hit single by Fred McGriff, giving Tampa Bay an 8-7 victory over Baltimore on Friday night.
The Devil Rays have won three straight to improve to 11-4 since May 19 -- their best stretch over a 15-game span.
``We made some mistakes and we gave the lead away, but we're starting to show some confidence as a team,'' manager Lou Piniella said. ``It's starting to show. We're winning some close ballgames.''
Tino Martinez hit a three-run homer for the Devil Rays, who relinquished a 5-0 lead before rallying to force extra innings. Tampa Bay also tied a franchise record by issuing 12 walks, and received a miserable performance from starter Victor Zambrano.
Still, the Devil Rays found a way to win.
Melvin Mora hit his first career grand slam for the Orioles, who have lost four straight. Baltimore stranded 12 and twice blew one-run leads.
``You've got to hold them down when you get the lead,'' manager Lee Mazzilli said. ``We came back, took the lead and took the lead again. But we gave it up.''
Lugo opened the 11th with a grounder to short off Mike DeJean (0-5) that was ruled a single when Miguel Tejada fell on the muddy infield. Lugo stole second on a pitchout and took third on a wild pitch before McGriff singled past the drawn-up infield.
Lance Carter (2-2) pitched three hitless innings, and Danys Baez worked the 11th for his 11th save.
Zambrano allowed six runs, four hits and six walks in 3 2-3 innings.
``You can have a bad game, but what you're looking for is for the team towin the game,'' he said. ``The team won. That's the most important thing.''