Piniella Rips Team Owners

Tampa Bay Devil Ray Manager Lou Piniella, wearying after a recent run of blowout losses and embarrassing performances, ripped the last-place team’s ownership Sunday for not caring about winning now.

Piniella said the New York-based owners who bought a controlling share of the perennially poor-performing franchise a year ago don’t seem to care about Tampa Bay’s current on-field product.

“They’re not interested in the present, they’re interested in the future. And that’s their right,” he said. “But when other teams are getting better presently, you’re going to get your butts beat and that’s exactly what’s happening.”

Piniella suggested that he was tiring of constantly giving excuses for the Devil Rays’ poor play. They are 21-42 after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 7-5, on Sunday.

“I’m not going to take responsibility for this,” Piniella said in pregame remarks to reporters. “If I had been given a $40-million or $45-million payroll, I’d stand up like a man and say it’s my fault. Well, I’m not going to do it. So if you want answers about what’s going on here, you call the new ownership group and let them give them to you.”

The Devil Rays began the season with a $29.9-million payroll that was about $7 million lower than any other team.

Former majority owner Vince Naimoli, who still owns about 15% of the team and attended the series in Pittsburgh, wouldn’t comment on Piniella’s remarks. Asked about the state of the team, he said Piniella should answer any such questions.

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The San Francisco Giants released right-handed pitcher Jim Brower after their 5-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians, and Manager Felipe Alou and General Manager Brian Sabean promised further changes in the days ahead.

Right-hander Jesse Foppert was recalled from San Jose of the California League to take Brower’s roster spot.

Foppert is scheduled to start Tuesday at Minnesota.