Burrell shows frustration

BOSTON - DH Pat Burrell has internalized his frustration most of the year. In Sunday's 4-0 loss to the Red Sox in the second game of a doubleheader, he let it get the best of him.

Pinch-hitting for Fernando Perez in the eighth inning with a runner at third, the struggling slugger tried to check his swing on a 1-2 pitch in the dirt from Jon Lester. Home plate umpire Lance Barksdale ruled strikeout. Burrell argued, and Barksdale ejected him.

"From my perspective, I thought he did swing," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I don't know exactly what was said."

Burrell made a quick exit after the game and didn't comment. He went 0-for-4 in the Rays' 3-1 loss in the early game and didn't start the second game, as Maddon opted to use Carl Crawford at DH.

The starting left fielder for the World Series champion Phillies last year, Burrell is hitting 28 points below his career average at .227, with nowhere near the power numbers (13 homers, 58 RBIs) he put up the previous four seasons in Philadelphia.

After coming around a bit in August, he is 5-for-39 in September (.128), including 1-for-19 on the current road trip.

"All I ask is for intent and work and effort, and he gives that to you every day," Maddon said. "Sometimes it does not want to work out."



(tbo.com)