Schwarzesbrett » Rodriguezs relationship with the Yankees

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Tampa Bay Rays couldnt capitalize on a lack of control by Garrett Richards, and find themselves in an even deeper hole in the AL East race. Richards worked around a career-high seven walks over five innings and Erick Aybar drove in four runs, helping the Los Angeles Angels beat the skidding Rays 11-2 on Monday night. Richards (5-6) gave up a run and two hits while striking out six in the opener of a four-game series. The seven walks matched Richards total from his previous five starts combined, but the Rays stranded eight runners while he was in the game and 12 altogether. "You can look at the final score and all that stuff, but we saw 103 pitches while he was in there and only had two hits. Thats where our biggest problem is right now," manager Joe Maddon said. "Were putting so much pressure on the pitching staff right now by not scoring runs, and we need to get better. Whenever you dont hit, you look flat. So I think its more a case of pressing than anything else." Ben Zobrist drove in both of Tampa Bays runs with homer in the first inning and an RBI single in the sixth. The Rays, coming off a three-game sweep by Oakland, have lost five straight and eight of nine to fall 6 1/2 games behind AL East-leading Boston -- their largest deficit since July 7. Just nine games ago, they were tied with the Red Sox. "Its frustrating. Were in a bad stretch and weve got to turn it around," Zobrist said. "These things happen during the season at times, so you just have to fight through it and stay positive." Tampa Bay loaded the bases twice against Richards -- without a hit either time -- and failed to score in each situation. In the second, Richards retired David DeJesus on a grounder to first after a pair of two-out walks and an error by rookie third baseman Luis Jimenez on Yunel Escobars grounder. Richards walked three more in the fifth before striking out rookie Wil Myers on a full count with his 27th pitch of the inning. Richards walk total was the highest by an Angels pitcher since May 25, 2012, when Ervin Santana issued seven free passes in a five-inning no-decision at Seattle. "Its easy to pitch when youve got good stuff, but its another thing to go out there and compete and battle when you dont have your good stuff," teammate Josh Hamilton said. "His control wasnt there, but he battled through it and got out of some jams. That says a lot about him and his growth. Its going to do him well in the future." Rookie Chris Archer (8-6) threw 90 pitches in 3 2-3 innings, giving up five runs and nine hits in a rematch of his 4-1 victory against Richards last Wednesday at St. Petersburg, Fla. The right-handers outing was the second-shortest of his 22 big league starts. The Angels, who have won nine of 10, took a 2-1 lead in the third on an RBI single by rookie Kole Calhoun. Archer kept the damage to a minimum, retiring Jimenez on a fielders choice grounder to shortstop with the bases loaded after an intentional walk to Hank Conger. But Los Angeles got three more in the fourth. Andrew Romine scored on J.B. Shucks groundout, and the switch-hitting Aybar pulled a 3-2 pitch down the right-field line for his fifth homer. "Leading up to that, I hadnt controlled the damage very well and they had a lot of two-strike hits," Archer said. "I felt really good. I just wasnt executing when I needed to. Basically I tried to do too much. Its a little disheartening because it was a game we really needed to win. When I take the mound, I definitely dont expect to go less than four innings. I should have done a lot better." The Angels extended the margin to 10-2 with a five-run sixth that included Aybars two-run triple against Brandon Gomes, bases-loaded RBI singles by Conger and Peter Bourjos, and Jimenezs sacrifice fly. Aybars four RBIs tied a career high for the shortstop, who also drove in four against the Rays in a 6-5 victory last Tuesday at Tropicana Field -- including a go-ahead two-run double in the ninth against closer Fernando Rodney. "We talked after the All-Star break about being kind of a thorn in peoples sides, and whether we win or lose make them feel like theyve earned it," Hamilton said. "Thats what weve done the last couple of weeks." Zobrist, the second batter Richards faced, hit his 11th home run before the Angels responded in the bottom half with Hamiltons RBI single after Mike Trout singled and stole his 30th base. Trout, who turned 22 on Aug. 7, became the youngest player in major league history with two seasons of at least 20 homers and 30 steals. Things got so bad for the Rays, outfielder Sam Fuld was used as a reliever for the first time in his career and retired Shuck on a fly to centre on five pitches with runners at second and third. He became the third position player in franchise history to pitch in a game, joining Wade Boggs (1999) and Josh Wilson (2007). "I was looking to boost morale somehow," Maddon said. "I told Sammy before the inning began: Go down there and well see whats going to happen. Once they set it up, and here comes Shuck with two outs, I thought it was the right time to do it." NOTES: Grant Green capped the scoring in the seventh with his first major league homer while batting for Aybar. It was the first home run by an Angels pinch hitter at the "Big A" since Aug. 15, 2011, by Russell Branyan against Texas Alexi Ogando. ... The Rays will activate LHP Matt Moore (14-3) from the disabled list Tuesday and start him against Jason Vargas. The first-time All-Star, who missed the entire month of August because of elbow soreness, won six consecutive outings before getting a no-decision his previous time out on July 28 at Yankee Stadium. ... Tampa Bay RHP Jeremy Hellickson, who was optioned to Class A Charlotte on Aug. 27, rejoined his teammates in the clubhouse before the game and will officially be added to the roster on Tuesday. Hell start on Wednesday night. "It wasnt very much fun, to say the least," said Hellickson, 10-8 with a 5.28 ERA. "Its just one start that Ive missed, and I guess Im motivated to get back out there." Tim McCarver Cardinals Jersey . Rinne had surgery on his left hip May 9 and recovered in time to start the season. He then had arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 24 because of a bacterial infection in his hip. Lane Thomas Jersey . Brassard and Coyotes defenceman Derek Morris were battling for position in the crease when a nudge from Morris sent Brassard on top of Smith late in the third period. https://www.cheapcardinalsonline.com/ . Patty Mills had 20 points, Tim Duncan had 11 points and 13 rebounds in limited action, and San Antonio rolled to a 110-82 victory over Milwaukee that kept the Bucks winless in the new year. Stan Musial Cardinals Jersey . -- Maxence Parrot of Bromont, Que. Ken Boyer Cardinals Jersey .Simon will work with head coach Gord Dineen and associate coach Derek King behind the bench of the Toronto Maple Leafs American Hockey League affiliate for the 2014-15 season.PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. -- Hal Steinbrenner says Alex Rodriguez is "a great player" and "obviously an asset," but the New York Yankees managing general partner wouldnt discuss the third basemans possible return to the team following a season-long suspension. Speaking to reporters at baseball owners meetings Wednesday, Steinbrenner said he isnt thinking about 2015. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Rodriguez for 211 games in August, and arbitrator Fredric Horowitz cut the penalty last weekend to the 2014 season and post-season. The arbitrator found "clear and convincing evidence" the three-time AL MVP used three banned substances and twice tried to obstruct Major League Baseballs investigation of the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic. Rodriguez responded by suing MLB and the players association in an effort to overturn the decision. Asked if he would welcome Rodriguez back, Steinbrenner said, "Hes a great player." "I have not though about 2015, nor am I going to right now," Steinbrenner said. "My focus has to be right now. But when hes on and when hes healthy, hes obviously an asset. Well see what happeens.dddddddddddd" Rodriguezs relationship with the Yankees became strained last summer, when he wanted to come off the disabled list following hip surgery before the team said he was ready. Rodriguez returned Aug. 5, the day Selig announced his suspension. In October, Rodriguez sued the Yankees team physician and a New York hospital, accusing them of mishandling his medical care during the 2012 AL playoffs. Rodriguezs salary this year was cut from $25 million to $2,868,852 because of the suspension; Horowitz decided baseball drug agreement requires he lose 162 days of pay over the 183-day season. New York was required to make a $3 million payment to Rodriguez on Wednesday, the last installment of the $10 million signing bonus that is part of the contract Rodriguez agreed to before the 2008 season. The Yankees owe A-Rod $21 million in 2015 and $20 million in each of the deals final two seasons. "Those of you that know me, Im pretty objective in my thinking," Steinbrenner said. "This is business. Im just focusing on the team, a player. Is the player an asset to the club or not? Thats about as far as I look. I dont get personal." ' ' '