Bullpen appears a Rays strength early on

By Brant James, Times Staff Writer
In print: Saturday, April 26, 2008

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ADVERTISEMENT Manny Ramirez, here hitting against the Yanks, went into Friday’s game with 40 homers against the Rays in his career.

ST. PETERSBURG — The ninth inning could have been over, at least a lot less dangerous. But Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura's aborted tag of Boston's Kevin Cash and late throw to first for Dustin Pedroia put runners on first and second with one out Friday at Tropicana Field.

Manager Joe Maddon walked to the mound to assure reliever Dan Wheeler he deserved better. Turns out Wheeler didn't need much of a motivational speech, not the way the Rays bullpen has been performing.

"It was funny. He kind of said something about the play," Wheeler said. "He was like, 'I thought he was (out).' I was like, 'Well, that play's over. Let's go. We've got to worry about (David) Ortiz. It's not going to change it.' I didn't want to hear that because now I have a bigger problem in front of me. I got to get David Ortiz out."

That he did, on a flyout to center. Then he struck out American League batting leader Manny Ramirez, who already had collected three hits to raise his average to .370.

"He goes out and gets two of the best hitters in the American League out," Maddon said.

Just another day in a string of good ones for a Rays bullpen that has allowed just one earned run in its past 221/3 innings. It had gone 161/3 without allowing a run until J.P Howell did so in the sixth.

Scott Dohmann made the bullpen's last foray through the Boston's formidable order in the 11th, and for the third consecutive inning, Boston put the go-ahead run in scoring position.

But Ortiz's miserable 0-for-6 day culminated with an inning-ending double play. The Rays scored in the 11th to give Doh­mann his first win of the season.

"Every guy down there is inspired by the guy right before him," Dohmann said of the bullpen. "We want to top the other guy. It creates a really good chemistry on the field."

Dohmann said the multiple unscathed runs through the Boston order was the perfect analogy of why the relief effort has been strong. Though conscious of who is batting, he said, the relievers do not alter how they pitch.

"Trust your stuff and try not to do too much," he said. "(Ortiz and Ramirez) are going to be who they're going to be, and we have to do the same."