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Monday, March 11, 2002

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Pirates were shut out for the second game in a row, losing to the Devil Rays, 10-0, and conjuring up some bad memories.

Tampa Bay is the same team that tied the Pirates for the worst record in the majors last year -- a point not lost on General Manager Dave Littlefield.

"These may be spring training games, but this is what we have to work with," Littlefield said. "We've got a lot of work to do. We're coming off 100 losses. It's not going to go smoothly from here on out. We will be improved -- by how much, we can't say. But the fact is, we have to get it done on the field."

The Pirates were held to six hits.

"We haven't hit the ball, that's for sure," Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "I don't think there's any reason to be concerned."

The Pirates have 59 players in camp and, following an organizational meeting tonight and a doubleheader tomorrow, will start reassigning players to minor-league campr.

"Once we do that, we'll start getting in a little extra work," McClendon said.

Unlucky Wells

The Devil Rays chased starter Kip Wells in the third inning with five runs on six hits. Only the first hit, a single by Jason Conti on a changeup, was struck hard.

Wells said he felt good but he had mixed feelings about the outing.

"I have to be critical of myself," he said. "The results weren't what I wanted. But at the same time, I have to be objective and say I executed the things I wanted to execute. I felt like I hit my spots for the most part. For the most part, most of the balls that were hit weren't hit square."

After a scoreless relief appearance by Mike Lincoln, Pat Rapp allowed three runs and five hits in three innings. For the spring, Rapp has given up seven runs and 10 hits in 7 1/3 innings.

Struggling with his control, Wayne Gomes allowed two runs and two hits in one inning.

Benson sparkles

In a simulated game in Bradenton yesterday, Kris Benson threw 54 pitches in four innings and rated an "outstanding" from pitching coach Spin Williams.

"He threw all his pitches for strikes, located his fastball real well," Williams said. "The good thing was his fourth inning was his best inning. He's really building endurance."

If Benson checks out medically, he will throw five innings Friday. Then he will pitch two innings in a minor-league game March 20.

Injury report

Chad Hermansen (sore hand) returned to the lineup for the first time since Tuesday. Craig Wilson (hyperextended elbow) took batting practice and is on the verge of returning to action. J.R. House (abdominal muscle) is running without pain and could be cleared to catch in a game against major leaguers this week.