Sonnanstine trying to work his way back

RHP Andy Sonnanstine appears to be taking being optioned to Triple-A Durham in stride.
Sonnanstine, who lost his spot in the rotation last Friday when Scott Kazmir returned from the disabled list, made his first start for the Bulls Thursday, picking up a win in giving up just two runs in six innings.
Sonnanstine had acknowledged in spring training that despite his strong 2008 season, he’d have to fight to stay in the big leagues. And he is willing to work on his stuff in order to get back up.
“My initial reaction was that I was disappointed,” Sonnanstine said in a phone interview Friday. “But, as I said earlier, I’m more than willing to do whatever to get this organization winning. If that means me coming down here, that’s what needs to happen.”
Sonnanstine said he plans to use his time in the minors to sharpen his slider and work on throwing inside more effectively to right-handed hitters, who are hitting .370 against him this year.
“I can only control what I do,” he said. “I’m just going to keep working in between starts and work on the things I need to work on.”

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Rangers 3, Rays 1

Hank Blalock hit a two-run homer and four Rangers pitchers allowed a combined three hits as the Rays fell 3-1 on Friday.

Tampa Bay Rays minor-league affiliate's Ladies Night promotion causing a stir

The Tampa Bay Rays Hudson Valley (N.Y.) minor-league team has a promotion planned for Tuesday that has turned into a bit of a battle of the sexes.

The (aptly named) Renegades planned Tuesday’s promotion to honor women by keeping men outside the gates for the first five innings, dressing their male employees in ladies clothing and offering spa treatments.

The idea, hatched by Tyler Tumminia, a female executive with the ownership group, was to spotlight women in baseball (Yankees assistant general manager Jean Afterman will throw out the first pitch) and salute the purchasing power of female fans.

But then the naysayers started squawking, with Duchess County officials requesting the promotion be canceled due to human rights issues and a sponsor, the New York Lottery, asking out (though several others bought in just for the night).

“It’s gotten a bit overblown,” said team president Jeff Goldklang, who has no plans to cancel. “We’re a bit surprised. We were trying to have a little fun, create a unique kind of Ladies Night and poke a little fun at the political correctness that’s taken over.”

Goldklang said the short-season Class A team won’t violate any laws or bar anyone. And if a male fan really wants in, he can have in, though it will be “strongly suggested” he wait.

The complaints, Goldklang said, “are coming from the vocal minority. The responses have been overwhelmingly positive.”

There also will be promotions during the night to encourage the team’s pitchers to throw more strikes and prizes given when there are no balls thrown.

Rays rotation shuffle; Garza to start Sunday, skipping Niemann

RHP Jeff Niemann will be moved to the bullpen temporarily, as the Rays have shuffled their rotation a bit to take advantage of the Monday off-day.

RHP Matt Garza will start Sunday instead of Niemann, and RHP James Shields will start Tuesday at the Trop against the Jays, followed by LHP Scott Kazmir, LHP David Price and Garza Friday.

Niemann will likely get a start before the All-Star break, next Saturday.

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

For starters, Rays vs Rangers

The Rays, fresh off their off day, will take on the Rangers tonight in the first of a three-game series.

It's all about 95 degrees and sunny here at the Rangers Ballpark - and I'm sure it'll get hotter - but tonight's starter LHP Scott Kazmir - a Houston, Tex native - is sure used to that.

Kazmir will be making his second start since coming off the disabled list - where he rehabbed a right quad strain and reworked his mechanics. He was encouraged with how his first outing went, when he gave up just two earned runs over five innings.

Kazmir is 4-0 in seven career starts against the Rangers with a 2.09 ERA, his second lowest ERA against an opponent (Seattle, 1.53).

RAYS
Upton, cf

Crawford, lf

Longoria, 3b

Pena, 1b

Zobrist, 2b

Burrell, dh

Gross, rf

Bartlett, ss

Navarro, c

RANGERS

Kinsler, 2b

Young, 3b

Byrd, cf

Jones, lf

Blalock, dh

Cruz, rf

Saltalamacchia, c

Davis, 1b

Andrus, ss

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Tampa Bay Rays CF B.J. Upton named AL Player of the Month

Tampa Bay Rays CF B.J. Upton was chosen as the American League's Player of the Month for June, MLB announced today.

This is Upton's first montly honor.

Upton batted .324 (34-105) in 26 games, with five homers, 20 runs, 22 RBI and an AL-best 10 doubles. The Rays leadoff hitter also posted a .562 slugging percentage and a .395 on -base percentage, with a majors best 14 stolen bases.

For winning the award, Upton will receive a 52-inch Sharp HD TV.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Tampa Bay Rays acquire pitcher from Indians for Winston Abreu

The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired right-handed relief pitcher John Meloan from
the Cleveland Indians in exchange for right-handed relief pitcher Winston Abreu.

Abreu, designated for assignment last Friday to make room for RHP Chad Bradford, was out of options, so the Rays had 10 days to release, trade or pass him through waivers.

Meloan (ma-LONE) has been added to the Rays 40-man roster, bringing the roster to its full capacity. He will report to Durham (AAA). Meloan, who turns 25 on July 11, has spent the entire 2009 season with Columbus (AAA).

He went 0-0 for the Clippers with a 5.52 ERA (44.0-IP, 52-H, 27-ER, 17-BB, 37-SO) in 25 appearances (two starts). He haspitched a total of seven games in the major leagues, appearing in two games for the Indians in 2008 and five games in 2007 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over parts of five minor league seasons, he is 15-16 with 22 saves, a 3.75 ERA (321.1-IP, 134-ER) and 384 strikeouts, an average of 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

Abreu, 32, was designated for assignment on June 27 after making two appearances for the Rays. The Rays
selected him from Durham on June 14 after he compiled a 3-0 record, 10 saves and a 1.41 ERA (32.0-IP,
14-H, 5-R/ER, 10-BB, 49-SO) for the Bulls. Abreu was a non-roster invite this spring for the Rays.

Midday sports report

Two Cents' Tom Jones brings you the news of the day, and let's you know the stories we're currently working on.

Toronto Blue Jays 5, Tampa Bay Rays 0

Adam Lind, Scott Rolen and Rod Barajas homer off James Shields, and Ricky Romero limits the Tampa Bay Rays to four hits over eight innings as the Toronto Blue Jays end the Rays' seven-game winning streak.

Trailing by two, the Rays load the bases with one out in the seventh inning. But Pat Burrell grounds into a double play to end Tampa Bay's biggest threat. Toronto hits three home runs over the next two innings to pull away.

Wednesday, July 8: Chat live with Marc Topkin

Want to talk about the Rays' recent surge? The All-Star Game selections? Crucial series against the Rangers and Blue Jays? Join Rays beat reporter Marc Topkin for a live chat Wednesday, July 8 from noon to 1 p.m. In the meantime, feel free to leave a question in the "Comments'' area below.