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Fortunately, it doesn't count

ST. PETERSBURG -- Realizing it was only his second appearance this spring, Joe Kennedy could poke fun at himself.

The Rays left-hander, who beat Roger Clemens and the Yankees as a rookie last season, lasted all of 12/3 innings against them Thursday. He was scheduled to pitch three.

"I could face a Little League team with that stuff and still do the same thing," Kennedy said. "It's plain and simple. I couldn't throw strikes."

Of his 50 pitches, 20 were strikes.

"His control wasn't where he wanted it to be," catcher John Flaherty said. "It's tough to work when you're behind all the hitters and you're trying to find something. He just had one of those days. But that's what spring training is for."

Kennedy, who pitched two scoreless innings in his debut Sunday in Lake Buena Vista, allowed three runs on three hits and walked three.

"Like Toby (Hall) was saying when I came in, I was just setting them up for the regular season," he said. "I can't even remember the last time I had a day like this.

"When you go out there and (perform poorly) that makes you want to get back out there and redeem yourself."

A PLACE TO SLEEP: Unaware Florida Power Park would be locked when he got back to the stadium at 11 p.m. Wednesday after a team function in Winter Haven, manager Hal McRae had three options.

With his car keys inside the clubhouse, he could wait 45 minutes for somebody to drive to the park and open the clubhouse, he could have a front office employee drive him home to Bradenton or he could stay at the Hilton across the street from the stadium.

McRae chose the third.

"I was in flux for about five minutes and then it was not a tough decision," he said. "I walked across the street, got a good night's sleep, got up and walked back across the street in the morning."

BREAKTHROUGH: Extra batting-cage work with first-base coach Lee May and minor-league batting coordinator Steve Henderson paid off for Troy O'Leary on Thursday.

Batting .111 in four games, O'Leary went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and three RBIs.

"I've been out there in the cage and tried to get some info from other players to see what I'm doing," he said. "I've just got to feel comfortable at the plate. I'm still kind of nervous around the fellas because I want to do well."

FLASH IS BACK: After missing the first five games with a sore groin, Flaherty started and played five innings.

"I felt more comfortable every inning I was out there," he said. "My groin felt good, so that was good."

Flaherty went 0-for-2 with a run scored.

GOOD SAVE: Tom Martin and Bobby Seay, who got the save, each pitched one inning of scoreless relief against the Yankees.

Seay has a 0.00 ERA with two strikeouts in three innings.

"I had good action on the ball and my arm felt strong," he said. "My curveball was real good. I probably could've thrown maybe one or two more (innings)."

ODDS AND ENDS: Outfielder Greg Vaughn (sore calf) is day to day. ... Ryan Rupe and Dewon Brazelton are expected to relieve starter Nick Bierbrodt today. Paul Wilson and Esteban Yan will pitch in relief Saturday. ... Jason Conti will get a start in centerfield by Saturday. ... Steve Cox and Travis Phelps will sign autographs from 5-6 p.m. today at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church as part of the Clearwater Greek Festival.

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