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D-Rays getting help from suprising sources
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Tampa Bay has gotten help from a couple of suprising characters early in the 2001 season. Leading the charge is rookie David Ortiz. Through the first month and a half of the season, the 24-year-old Ortiz is hitting a red-hot .
345 with 3 HRs.
Also playing solidly is 1B Ryan Jackson, who is hitting .308 with 3 HRs. 34-year-old vet Gerald Williams has started hot as well, hitting .320 so far.
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Leadoff batters start cold
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The Devil Rays have not gotten much help from their top 2 batters so far. Leadoff man Randy Winn is hitting only .224, the worst average of any starter. Meanwhile, second baseman Pokey Reese has hit only slightly better from the 2 spot, hitting just .240.
However, there is a bright spot. Winn leads the team in steals with 6, and Reese is tied for second with 5.
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Solid start for pitching corps
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Tampa Bay's pitching success has kept the team above .500. Ace Wilson Alvarez has been 5-2 with a 2.59 ERA, third-best in the AL. Meanwhile, John Burkett has managed a suprising 5-1 start despite an 5.11 ERA.
The bullpen has been terrific. Closer Troy Percival has 6 saves with a 2.93 ERA, while set-up man Roberto Hernandez has managed a microscopic 1.69 ERA in just over 15 innings of work.
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