D-Rays late; Yankees want forfeit
The New York Yankees asked the commissioner’s office to award them a forfeit over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after they failed to arrive in time Monday because of travel problems due to Hurricane Frances. It was a request that had no chance of being granted.
Originally scheduled as a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m., the start time was pushed back two hours on Sunday. Because of the delay, the commissioner’s office told the teams to play one game at 7 p.m. and said it would decide later on when to reschedule the second game.
The Devil Rays arrived at 6:05 p.m., and the Yankees won 7-4 in the one game that was played. Commissioner Bud Selig has no intention of ordering a forfeit.
“Given the stage of the season we are in, and the exciting pennant races, it is critical that we do everything to decide the championship on the field,” he said in a statement.
Before the game, Yankees president Randy Levine and general manager Brian Cashman held a news conference on the field, explaining why they wanted a forfeit. Baseball rules say a forfeit may be called if a team isn’t ready within five minutes of umpires calling “play” unless the delay is “unavoidable.”
Tampa Bay’s home games against Detroit Saturday and Sunday were postponed, and the Tigers returned home after Friday’s games. Bob DuPuy, chief operating officer of the commissioner’s office, said the Devil Rays were asked to investigate leaving Friday or Saturday.
Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar said the team never intended to leave for New York until Sunday night or Monday.
“We decided, and we made the right decision, we’ll stick by that decision, to stay with our families,” he said. “We wanted to stay in the Tampa Bay area, wait out the storm with our families.”
Marlins hope rest won’t stop momentum
The Marlins worked out for the first time in four days after Hurricane Frances wiped out their three-game series against the Cubs during the weekend.
Florida, which has won seven straight and is 2 1/2 games behind Chicago for the wild card, opens a three-game series against the Mets today.
The Marlins hope the extended layoff won’t ruin their momentum.
“That’s the biggest concern I might have,” first baseman Jeff Conine said. “We were playing so well as a team. All of a sudden, that gets cut off for four days. There’s nothing we can do about it. We’re going to have to work harder.”
The Marlins moved the start time of Thursday’s game against the Mets up two hours, clearing the way for a possible doubleheader Friday in Chicago.
The game between the Mets and Marlins on Thursday will be played at 1:05 p.m. EDT.
The games have not been rescheduled, but the Marlins and Cubs were considering playing one of them in Chicago this weekend. The Marlins would lose a home game, but probably get to bat last at Wrigley Field.
Around the league
Sammy Sosa was out of the Cubs’ lineup against the Expos because of bursitis in his right hip. Sosa, a seven-time All-Star, is listed as day to day. … Ben Grieve, playing in place of Sosa, was injured when he chased down a Brad Wilkerson fly ball and hit the left side of his face against the ivy-covered wall in right field, cutting himself over his left eye. … The Reds designated third baseman Brandon Larson for assignment. They also picked up manager Dave Miley‘s contract option for 2005. Miley will keep his coaching staff for another year. … Braves left-hander Mike Hampton missed his scheduled start Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies because of a stiff neck. … Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez stayed with his family in Florida because of Hurricane Frances, forcing him to miss Monday’s game against Kansas City. The Tigers returned from Florida Friday after their Saturday and Sunday games against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were postponed, but Rodriguez stayed in Miami. … Cardinals right fielder Larry Walker is expected to miss all of a three-game series at San Diego because of his sprained right knee.