Maddon benches Upton for lack of hustle; Bartlett back as DH

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Manager Joe Maddon benched CF B.J. Upton on Wednesday, saying he was upset with Upton's lack of hustle in running out his groundout to the pitcher in the eighth inning of Tuesday's game. Maddon said it'll be a one-day thing, and Upton could be used late in the game if need be.

But considering Maddon recently held a team meeting in Kansas City, when he, for the first time in his three-year reign, ripped the Rays for their lack of hustle  - he felt a point had to be made.

"When it comes down to individual effort, it takes absolultely zero talent – zero, zero talent to try hard or play hard every day," Maddon said. "I'm OK with physical mistakes. We talked about the mental mistakes, I want them to cut down and we have cut down on them a lot. I'm accepting of all that. The part I’m not accepting of is the part you can control, which is your effort."

Maddon had praised Upton Tuesday night for his spectacular running catch in the sixth inning, which came with the bases loaded and two outs.

"You just can't pick and choose when you're going to put your effort out there," Maddon said. "It has to be there all the time."

Upton said he agreed with Maddon; "I didn’t run it out - but It's over, done with, you move on. Learned a lesson.”

*In other pre-game news, SS Jason Bartlett is back in the lineup, albeit at designated hitter.

Bartlett, who suffered a bruised right index finger on a failed bunt attempt Sunday, played catch again pre-game and could be back at shortstop on the upcoming road trip. When asked if Bartlett would return to short Thursday, Maddon said, "I don't know."

*LF Carl Crawford said his sore left hamstring feels a lot better, and he'll be ready to go at "full speed' Thursday in Seattle.

*Maddon said OF Rocco Baldelli is pretty much ready to be activated, but the other injuries the Rays have had to deal with are impacting when he'll come back. Baldelli will travel with the Rays on their upcoming road trip.

Rays

Iwamura, 2b

Zobrist, cf

Pena, 1b

Longoria, 3b

Navarro, c

Aybar, ss

Bartlett, dh

Hinske, lf

Gross, rf

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

(Pictured - B.J. Upton, Jason Bartlett. Times photos - Dirk Shadd, James Borchuck. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Jeffrey]

Upton runs too much. if you run too much, the pitcher figures you're running. Hen should run less like crawford, that would help the team more.

[Bill]

Shows how stupid some of you are.....Bartlett has OWNED Sowers over his career....that's what he's at DH. You guys simply don't have a clue sometimes.

[dick]

If you have read any of comments for the past 2 or 3 months, you will note that I have been badmouthing Upton for lack of hustle on a regular basis. What pisses me off is when he called out Aki in public, Aki was the wrong one as Aki hustles all the time and Upton doesn't. This entire fiasco is nobodys fault but Maddon's. He should have addressed this at the beginning of the season and put a stop to it then and there with a team meeting so everyone got the word of ZERO tolerance. Fellow fans, if you look at this team right now, we have a couple areas of concern--(1) RF, right handed hitter--we all know that----(2) starting pitching, especially Kazmir. If he is your ace, your stopper, etc. and he is struggling (ON A CONSISTANT BASIS) to get through 5 innings, we have a problem. Today it wasn't as much the wildness as it was him getting knocked around pretty hard..Something is wrong with this kid, either his mechanics are off or his head is off but something is off. Same thing with our 2nd horse, Shields, whose ERA is climbing..Perhaps too many innings for these youngsters is getting to them? It concerns me and I'm sure Maddon and Friedman are concerned as well. What to do??

[john]

What's wrong with the Ray's.
After Perolta hits the cover off the ball all series, why didn't the Ray's in the 6 th inniong stick one in his ribs.
That's how you cool off a hot hitter

[Lance]

I think we should start Zobrist in CF more. He puts the ball in the field. Upton just walks when was the last time you saw a walk turned into a double?

[Lance]

I agree with Frankie. Strikeouts don't help you get outs.

[Mike]

I have to agree with the Kazmir detractors. He hasn't been all that great this year. It seems like having 1 brilliant game in 5 starts gets him an elevated status around here. He's not the worst but he's definitely not the best and he continues to prove that every time he pitches. He definitely is more hype than substance.

[Ray F]

Kaz is a proven starter. There's no doubting that, but he isn't challenged. He comes in, tosses his 5.2 innings and takes a warm spot on the bench. Then he complains when the offense doesn't score more than 3 runs. All you can do, Kaz, is pitch your game. You have complete-game shutout stuff- use it. I'll take a 6-strikeout 8 inning game over a 10- strikeout 5 inning performance any day.

[Frankie]

Kazmir needs to stop striking fellers out. I'd take 7 innings with 3 hits 8 walks and no strikeouts everytime out. IF YOU CAN'T GET HIM OUT JUST WALK HIM. IT WORKS FOR EDWIN.

[Jimmy J]

I have a funny feeling in my tummy....
I think I have to POO.

[Kincaid]

Kazmir is a very coddled half miler.
Why not? it works for him

Time to put the little ego on the shelf and start pitching to contact..forget the strike outs.
Stick around awhile.

He's killin the pen.

Can't see him in relief..he couldnt do back to back.

[Ricardo]

Carlos Peña with 3 great AB against the lefty, 3 walks and more than 7 pitches in each of his AB

[Frankie]

I just hope Price stays on the light side and doesn't become a malcontent.

[Frankie]

The problem with Kazmir is he hangs out with Crawford, Upton, and Jackson too much.

[Ray F]

I think Kaz needs to have more faith in his defense. He's trying to strike out every batter he sees. He isn't Nolan Ryan.

I can't wait for Price to come show him how to pitch.

I personally think he and Kaz will butt heads cause it will be obvious who the star is then.

[Ray F]

Kaz blows it again.

[Don't Believe the HYPE]

time to move Kaz to the bullpen ... seriously, the guy is NOT a starter!
he is an OVERRATED relief pitcher in the wrong spot

staff aces have more than a friggin fastball in their arsenal and they definitely gotta be able to go 6+ innings .... MORE THAN ONCE PER MONTH! he can't throw his slider right now and he doesn't trust his changeup, so he's basically showing up to a gun fight with a pocket knife

odds aint in your favor ...

[cg]

Bring up Price and give Kaz some extra time off? Result couldnt be any worse

[Greg]

Fellow souther catholic? What in the world does that have to do with baseball?

Crawford hustles just as much as anyone on that team, and he has been through the worst of it so if he feels a little sore, he deserves a day or two to get healthy. They need him.

Pena needs to get this power hitter mentality out of his head and let the homeruns come to him, don't chase after them. If you remember, he didn't bomb them last year, he lined them out of the park. Too many pop ups and K's this year.

I really like what I have seen from Jackson too. Much better effort than years past and it is paying off. The best he has ever pitched.

I just can't wait for Rocco to come back, he is my favorite player and it is really tough watching him go through all this, I have watched it all year. Good luck Rocco. Can't wait to see you take over right field.

[Ryan]

I've been saying this since the beginning of the season, does anyone else look at BJ Upton when he comes up to bat or makes a catch in the outfield and sense that he really doesnt care what happens? It seems like his mind is in another place every game. What's his deal?

[Frankie]

GOD DOESN'T HATE ANYONE. I WILL ASK YOU TO TAKE THAT BACK. TAKE THAT BACK. TAKE THAT BACK NOW.

LOOK AT THE ROCKIES, THEY ARE GOD'S TEAM, AND THEY WON 20 STRAIGHT UNTIL SOMEONE HATH SINNED. DO YOU THINK THAT'S MAGIC? NO. IT'S GOD. IT'S GOD.

[Ray F]

Who cares what religion he is???

I get that he's religious and all, but do you think it really matters???

How many hundreds of millions of kids prayed night and day to become pro ball players??? It's hard work and dedication that make great ball players... not prayer that's for sure.

I know for a fact that God hates the Red Sux but somehow they won the series last year.

[STP]

Thanks for naming all the black players on the team Frankie...

[Frankie]

Seems to be a common theme with some of these players (Edwin, Crawford, Upton, Aybar, Floyd) I just don't get them. I love watching Ben Zobrist play though, always good to see a fellow southern catholic succeed!

[Ray F]

I guess Kaz doesn't feel like getting his pitch counts down yet. I guess 3 1/2 innings out of the bullpen last night wasn't enough.

It seems only Shields, Garza, and Sonny like to finish their own games. Too bad our "ace" can't stop trying to be Nolan Ryan trying to paint the corners of the plate and just pitch the damn ball.

Looks like another bullpen day is coming. Just in time for a tough 10 game west coast trip.

[Joe]

Mental mistakes kill. Not running out a grounder is a mental mistake. If Mantle could be benched for not running out a grounder in the middle of his career (source: Mantle's autobiography), Upton can be benched toward the beginning of his. Better to get this corrected in August than September or October. And, making a higher profile example can mean more in the clubhouse. Little things win championships.

I smell it.

[BUCCARAY]

Lack of hustle or focus has always been an issue with BJ. Also, the only reason that play looked so spectacular is because he plays sooooo shallow. We all know he has the speed, why not play a bit deeper and have the play in front of him all the time. We know he has the legs tu run down most of the balls hit his way. I fault the rays coaches for that. It just seems balls are always hit over his head.

[Maddened by Maddon]

>>>Does Joe think this is Little League? You have GOT to be kidding me. And how is Bartlett better than Floyd at DH? Is he smoking something?!?!?<<<

unless you're brand new to following this team you'd KNOW that Maddon is VERY traditional in his whole "get a RH batter vs a LH pitcher" mentality .. almost to a fault

why else would he have Gomes in there when there are LH bats on our bench that would hit better blindfolded than Gomes did this year

[Ray F]

definately cost 1 run.

Whiskers goes deep!!!

[Ray F]

double steal comes up costing a run. Possibly 2.

[Ray F]

Joe is going by match-ups. Bartlett is righty. Floyd is lefty. Besides, Floyd needs to ice his knees after that homerun trot last night.

[Chris]

Does Joe think this is Little League? You have GOT to be kidding me. And how is Bartlett better than Floyd at DH? Is he smoking something?!?!?

[The new chant]

Did you know that BJ's real name is Melvin? Let's get the chant going when he gets up to bat. "Melvin, Melvin, Melvin, Melvin!" Maybe that will get him fired up.

[The new chant]

Did you know that BJ's real name is Melvin? Let's get the chant going when he gets up to bat. "Melvin, Melvin, Melvin, Melvin!" Maybe that will get him fired up.

[Ray F]

Benzo is seeing the ball sooooo much better this year.

He crushed a ball to right that went foul that still hasn't landed.

I'm glad for him. A class-act. Couldn't happen to a btter person in my opinion. I think when Rocco comes back Aybar is going down.

[Ray F]

sp *Threw*

[Gene]

BJ needs a mental health day anyway. He has been playing too shallow and had balls hit over his head almost as much as he has been taking called third strikes! Yes he caught that one in the 6th last night, which only goes to show the raw talent he has and how good he can be if he applied himself everyday. As for the lineup today, I imagine the rest of the season until a couple of weeks before the playoffs, will consist of different players getting rested and someone playing a different postion to see who can cover in an emergency. They are 3 up in the division, don't over analyze it, enjoy it instead!

[Ray F]

I was there last night and though it would've been close, I think he had a chance once the pitcher bobbled it.

He through his arms up afterward too like he knew he screwed up so that was good.

I'm glad Maddon is making his point heard. I think he should've waited until Thursday because I don't know if Benzo in center makes sense at all.

[STP]

Nate - Gross hit that ball TO LEFT FIELD.

[Nate]

Bill - Gross was out by the infield fly rule. Didn't matter if it was dropped or not he wasn't getting on base.

[rays fan]

My problem with Maddon is he is not putting his best lineup out there each night. I mean, you call up Zobrist to play short for Bartlett, and you put him in center? I also agree Bartlett is no DH. Aybar is not a SS, as he showed Monday night. So at a minimum, he has three people playing out of position tonight. I agree with disciplining Upton, but not at the expense of the team when your left fielder is already out and your SS is hurt. It has a bad domino affect. The only thing going for us is the lopsided pitching match-up. Let's hope Kaz lasts a few innings and shuts the tribe down.

[dave]

First off, Joe's not "picking and choosing." You hustle on a grounder to the pitcher to try and force a theoretically bad fielder to make a mistake. On a fly out to left field, even if the left fielder misses the ball, you can still walk to first base and be safe. Second, while today's lineup isn't what anybody would want to see on a regular basis, the regular lineup hasn't proved effective against lefties this season. Joe knows every game counts, and he's making the moves to prove this point to his players and get everyone on the same page. Really hard to imagine anyone with any intelligence bashing Joe Maddon's 2008 Rays.

[Scott]

BJ has been jogging to first base when he hits ground balls to the infield numerous times this year. It's about time Madden called him out and hopefully this will put an end to it.

Yes BJ did make an outstanding catch in yesterday's game, but that doesn't give him a free pass on not hustling to first base later in the game.

[AJ]

Have to agree that Maddon is picking and choosing Upton over others. Probably b/c Upton has been in the doghouse with the fans, and Maddon knows he can get away with it. The reality is that on any given play, ANY PLAYER may choose not to go full speed to first base. Players inately know when they hit the ball whether it will be deep in the whole to short (i.e., I have a chance for an infield hit so I better bust my butt) or a weak dribbler to the pitcher (i.e., half-a@@ it to first base). It is simply a fact.
I seem to recall Maddon gettin on Aki for not hustling, but I don't believe Aki was benched.
I don't particularly care for B.J. as a player, and I happen to like Aki's game, but the fact is that this was clearly selective punishment by Maddon.

[Tone]

B.J. haters are loving it right now, but todays game is going to be very scary. Upton is an amazing player and benching him is just going to make things worse. I hope things turn out well(win) but he has done more than his share on defense and Ben in center is risky to say the least. I saw some nice team work with both Upton and Gross last night which seemed awkward early in season. Upton is a stud!!!(CC, Evan, Aki too).

[mike]

Sitting BJ aside, What an awful lineup! 2 players playing out of position and Bartlet @ DH. Not exactly a stellar setup. Every game counts Joe. Hopefully we get a good start from Kazmir and it will be a mute point.

[Patrick]

B.J. gets paid to play baseball he should be grateful for that and hustle all of the time. Maybe he should remember his time in Durham and the sewage water he had to shower in and how privilege he is now. Just run full speed next time.

[BRN]

He should be benched for his lackluster batting average along with Carlos Pena.When is batting under .250 considered acceptable. The poor hitting is going to catch up with them.

[Ricky]

Joe has some splainin to do. Bartlett is the DH? Bartletts whole game is defense not offense. Give him the extra day off, don't DH him. I dont think Maddon couldve screwed todays OF defense more. Why doesn't Carl get benched for whining?