1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season

March 2026 November 2013 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1998 300 American League East Tropicana Field St. Petersburg, Florida 63–99 (.389) 5th Vince Naimoli Chuck LaMar Larry Rothschild Sportschannel FloridaWWWB WTSP(Joe Magrane, Dewayne Staats) WFLA(Paul Olden, Charlie Slowes) The 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season was the first season in franchise history. This season, they finished last in the American League East and finished the season with a record of 63–99, 51 games behind the World Champion New York Yankees. They finished with the worst record in the American League and second worst in all of MLB, ahead of only their in-state rivals and defending World Series champion Florida Marlins. Their manager was Larry Rothschild. Miguel Cairo was the last active player remaining from the Opening Day roster, until retiring after the 2012 season. Offseason March 11, 1997: Luis Polonia was signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.Luis Polonia Statistics Baseball-Reference.com May 10, 1997: Pete Laforest was signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/laforpe01.shtml Pete LaForest Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com 2010-08-18 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100131155325/http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/laforpe01.shtml January 31, 2010 mdy June 3, 1997: Jason Standridge was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1st round (31st pick) of the 1997 amateur draft. Player signed June 6, 1997.Jason Standridge Statistics Baseball-Reference.com June 3, 1997: Kenny Kelly was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 2nd round of the 1997 amateur draft. Player signed June 12, 1997.Kenny Kelly Statistics Baseball-Reference.com November 11, 1997: Mike Kelly was traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for a player to be named later. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays sent Dmitri Young (November 18, 1997) to the Cincinnati Reds to complete the trade.https://www.baseball-reference.com/k/kellymi02.shtml Mike Kelly Stats December 9, 1997: Wade Boggs signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.Wade Boggs Statistics Baseball-Reference.com December 16, 1997: Scott McClain was signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mcclasc01.shtml Scott McClain Stats December 18, 1997: Josías Manzanillo was signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/manzajo01.shtml Josias Manzanillo Stats January 27, 1998: Dave Silvestri was signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/silveda01.shtml Dave Silvestri Stats January 27, 1998: Jerome Walton was signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.https://www.baseball-reference.com/w/waltoje01.shtml Jerome Walton Stats Expansion Draft Round 1 PickPlayerPositionFromTo1Tony SaundersLHPFLATB4Quinton McCrackenOFCOLTB6Bobby AbreuOFHOUTB8Miguel Cairo2BCHCTB10Rich ButlerOFTORTB12Bob Smith3BATLTB14Jason JohnsonRHPPITTB16Dmitri Young1BCINTB18Esteban YanRHPBALTB20Mike DiFeliceCSTLTB22Bubba TrammellOFDETTB24Andy SheetsIFSEATB26Dennis SpringerRHPANATB28Dan CarlsonRHPSFTB Round 2 PickPlayerPositionFromTo30Brian BoehringerRHPNYYTB32Mike DuvallLHPFLATB34John LeRoyRHPATLTB36Jim MecirRHPBOSTB38Bryan RekarRHPCOLTB40Rick GoreckiRHPLADTB42Ramón TatísLHPCHCTB44Kerry RobinsonOFSTLTB46Steve Cox1BOAKTB48Albie LopezRHPCLETB50José PaniaguaRHPMONTB52Carlos MendozaOFNYMTB54Ryan KarpLHPPHITB56Santos HernándezRHPSFTB Round 3 PickPlayerPositionFromTo58Randy WinnOFFLATB60Terrell WadeLHPATLTB62Aaron LedesmaIFBALTB64Brooks KieschnickOFCHCTB66Luke WilcoxOFNYYTB68Herbert PerryIFCLETB70Vaughn EshelmanLHPOAKTB 1996–97 MLB June drafts and minor league affiliates The two expansion teams set to debut in 1998, the Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks, had two full seasons to establish scouting and player development systems and were permitted to participate fully in the 1996 and 1997 Major League Baseball drafts. The Devil Rays drafted 29th in 1996 (when they selected 97 players overall) and 31st in 1997 (when they selected 92). The team began developing those players in a farm system with three minor-league affiliates in 1996 and five in 1997. Among the players selected and signed by Tampa Bay from those drafts were pitcher Dan Wheeler (34th round, 1996), catcher Toby Hall (ninth, 1997), infielder Jared Sandberg (16th, 1996) and outfielder Alex Sánchez (fifth, 1996). 1996 farm system A-Short Season Hudson Valley Renegades New York–Penn League Bump Wills Rookie Butte Copper Kings Pioneer League Tom Foley Rookie GCL Devil Rays Gulf Coast League Bill Evers Hudson Valley affiliation shared with Texas Rangers 1997 farm system A St. Petersburg Devil Rays Florida State League Bill Evers A Charleston RiverDogs South Atlantic League Scott Fletcher A-Short Season Hudson Valley Renegades New York–Penn League Julio García Rookie Princeton Devil Rays Appalachian League Charlie Montoyo Rookie GCL Devil Rays Gulf Coast League Bobby Ramos LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: St. Petersburg Regular season March 31, 1998 – The Devil Rays played their inaugural game, as well as their first home game, against the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers won 11–6 in front of an audience of 45,369 fans.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TBA/TBA199803310.shtml Detroit Tigers at Tampa Bay Devil Rays Box Score, March 31, 1998 Baseball-Reference.com en 2019-10-16 April 1, 1998 – The Devil Rays enjoyed the first win in their franchise's history, an 11-8 comeback against the Tigers. Rolando Arrojo was the winning pitcher.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TBA/TBA199804010.shtml Detroit Tigers at Tampa Bay Devil Rays Box Score, April 1, 1998 Baseball-Reference.com en 2019-10-16 June 22, 1998 – The first interleague game between the Florida Marlins and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays took place at Tropicana Field. The rivalry would be known as the Citrus Series. The Marlins won the game in twelve innings by a score of 3–2.http://baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199806220TBA Box Score of Game played on Monday, June 22, 1998 at Tropicana Field Opening Day starters 3 Quinton McCracken CF 13 Miguel Cairo 2B 12 Wade Boggs 3B 29 Fred McGriff 1B 24 Mike Kelly LF 44 Paul Sorrento DH 6 John Flaherty C 14 Dave Martinez RF 19 Kevin Stocker SS 40 Wilson Álvarez P Season standings Tampa Bay Devil Rays Record vs. opponents TB Notable transactions May 26, 1998: Jerome Walton was released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. June 2, 1998: Aubrey Huff was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 5th round of the 1998 amateur draft. Player signed June 17, 1998.Aubrey Huff Statistics Baseball-Reference.com July 1, 1998: Josías Manzanillo was released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Citrus Series The season series each year between the Devil Rays and the Florida Marlins has come to be known as the Citrus Series. In 1998, the Marlins won the series 3 games to 1.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TBD/1998-schedule-scores.shtml 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Schedule Baseball-Reference.com en 2019-10-16 June 22 - Devil Rays vs Marlins: 2 – 3 June 23 - Devil Rays vs Marlins: 6 – 4 June 24 - Devil Rays @ Marlins: 4 – 8 June 25 - Devil Rays @ Marlins: 1 – 5 Roster 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Roster Pitchers 37 Scott Aldred 40 Wilson Álvarez 30 Rolando Arrojo 46 Dan Carlson 13 Mike Duvall 48 Dave Eiland 28 Eddie Gaillard 55 Rick Gorecki 39 Roberto Hernández 41 Jason Johnson 32 Albie Lopez 45 Jim Mecir 57 Brad Pennington 28 Bryan Rekar 36,53 Matt Ruebel 80 Julio Santana 31 Tony Saunders 35 Dennis Springer 52 Ramón Tatís 36 Terrell Wade 27 Rick White 43 Esteban Yan Catchers  8 Mike DiFelice 23 John Flaherty 16 Tim Laker Infielders 12 Wade Boggs 13,20 Miguel Cairo  4 Aaron Ledesma 20 Scott McClain 29 Fred McGriff 17 Dave Silvestri  9 Bob Smith 19 Kevin Stocker Outfielders 10 Rich Butler 24 Mike Kelly 14 Dave Martinez  3 Quinton McCracken 15 Kerry Robinson 44 Paul Sorrento 21 Bubba Trammell 27 Jerome Walton  2 Randy Winn Manager 11 Larry Rothschild Coaches 25 Orlando Gómez (Bullpen) 22 Billy Hatcher (First Base)  5 Steve Henderson (Hitting) 33 Frank Howard (Bench)  7 Greg Riddoch (Third Base) 38 Rick Williams (Pitching) Player stats = Indicates team leader Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases Pos Player G AB H HR RBI Avg. SB C John Flaherty 91 304 63 3 24 .207 0 1B Fred McGriff 151 564 160 19 81 .284 7 2B Miguel Cairo 150 515 138 5 46 .268 19 3B Bob Smith Bob Smith (infielder) 117 370 102 11 55 .276 5 SS Kevin Stocker 112 336 70 6 25 .208 5 LF Quinton McCracken 155 614 179 7 59 .292 19 CF Randy Winn 109 338 94 1 17 .278 26 RF Dave Martinez 90 309 79 3 20 .256 8 DH Paul Sorrento 137 435 98 17 57 .225 2 https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TBD/1998.shtml 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Statistics Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases Player G AB H HR RBI Avg. SB Wade Boggs 123 435 122 7 52 .280 3 Aaron Ledesma 95 299 97 0 29 .324 9 Mike Kelly Mike Kelly (outfielder) 106 279 67 10 33 .240 13 Mike Difelice 84 248 57 3 23 .230 0 Rich Butler 72 217 49 7 20 .226 4 Bubba Trammell 59 199 57 12 35 .286 0 Jerome Walton 12 34 11 0 3 .324 0 Scott McClain 9 20 2 0 0 .100 0 Dave Silvestri 8 14 1 0 0 .071 0 Tim Laker 3 5 1 0 0 .200 0 Kerry Robinson 2 3 0 0 0 .000 0 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Rolando Arrojo 32 202.0 14 12 3.56 152 Tony Saunders 31 192.1 6 15 4.12 172 Wilson Álvarez 25 142.2 6 14 4.73 107 Julio Santana 32 140.1 5 6 4.23 60 Dennis Springer 29 115.2 3 11 5.45 46 Bryan Rekar 16 86.2 2 8 4.98 55 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; SV = Saves Player G IP W L ERA SO SV Roberto Hernández Roberto Hernández (relief pitcher) 67 71.1 2 6 4.04 55 26 Esteban Yan 64 88.2 5 4 3.86 77 1 Jim Mecir 68 84.0 7 2 3.11 77 0 Albie Lopez 54 79.2 7 4 2.60 62 1 Rick White Rick White (baseball) 38 68.2 2 6 3.80 39 0 Scott Aldred 48 31.1 0 0 3.73 21 0 Dan Carlson 10 17.2 0 0 7.64 16 0 Ramón Tatís 22 11.2 0 0 13.89 5 0 Matt Ruebel 7 8.2 0 2 6.23 6 0 Eddie Gaillard 6 7.2 0 0 5.87 5 0 Mike Duvall 3 4.0 0 0 6.75 1 0 Brad Pennington 1 0.0 0 0 inf 0 0 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; SV = Saves Player G IP W L ERA SO SV Jason Johnson Jason Johnson (baseball) 13 60.0 2 5 5.70 36 0 Rick Gorecki 3 16.2 1 2 4.86 8 0 Terrell Wade 2 10.2 1 1 5.06 8 0 Dave Eiland 1 2.2 0 1 20.25 1 0 Game log background:#9eceee; Game Log y background:#white; March (0-1) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 1 || March 31 || Tigers || 11 – 6 || Thompson (1–0) || Álvarez (0–1) || || 45,369 || 0–1 |- y background:#9eceee; April (12-13) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 2 || April 1 || Tigers || 11 – 8 || Arrojo (1–0) || Moehler (0–1) || || 30,109 || 1-1 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 3 || April 2 || Tigers || 7 – 1 || Yan (1–0) || Worrell (0–1) || || 28,261 || 2–1 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 4 || April 3 || White Sox || 10 – 4 || Baldwin (1–0) || Gorecki (0–1) || || 31,816 || 2-2 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 5 || April 4 || White Sox || 8 – 2 || Springer (1–0) || Eyre (0–1) || || 36,599 || 3–2 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 6 || April 5 || White Sox || 5 – 0 || Álvarez (1-1) || Bere (0–1) || || 33,733 || 4–2 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 7 || April 7 || @ Tigers || 3 – 1 || Florie (0–1) || Arrojo (1-1) || Jones (1) || 45,768 || 4–3 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 8 || April 10 || @ White Sox || 3 – 0 || Sirotka (1-1) || Saunders (0–1) || Karchner (1) || 13,563 || 4-4 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 9 || April 11 || @ White Sox || 5 – 1 || Gorecki (1-1) || Bere (0–2) || || 17,322 || 5–4 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 10 || April 12 || @ White Sox || 4 – 1 || Álvarez (2–1) || Navarro (0–2) || Hernández (1) || 14,004 || 6–4 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 11 || April 13 || Twins || 13 – 12 (14) || Yan (1–0) || Trombley (0–2) || || 31,969 || 7–4 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 12 || April 14 || Twins || 8 – 2 || Radke (2–1) || Springer (1-1) || || 34,337 || 7–5 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 13 || April 16 || @ Angels || 6 – 5 || Saunders (1-1) || Holtz (1-1) || Hernández (2) || 22,906 || 8–5 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 14 || April 17 || @ Angels || 5 – 0 || Finley (3–0) || Gorecki (1–2) || || 31,516 || 8–6 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 15 || April 18 || @ Angels || 8 – 1 || Álvarez (3–1) || Dickson (0–3) || || 37,878 || 9–6 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 16 || April 19 || @ Angels || 6 – 0 || Arrojo (2–1) || Watson (0–2) || || 34,580 || 10–6 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 17 || April 21 || @ Rangers || 4 – 0 || Sele (4–0) || Springer (1–2) || || 26,776 || 10–7 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 18 || April 22 || @ Rangers || 7 – 2 || Helling (4–0) || Saunders (1–2) || || 30,770 || 10–8 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 19 || April 23 || @ Rangers || 12 – 5 || Johnson (1–0) || Oliver (0–3) || || 33,319 || 11–8 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 20 || April 24 || Angels || 10 – 3 || Watson (1–2) || Álvarez (3–2) || || 27,767 || 11–9 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 21 || April 25 || Angels || 7 – 1 || Hill (4–1) || Arrojo (2-2) || || 33,395 || 11–10 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 22 || April 26 || Angels || 2 – 1 || Olivares (1–0) || Springer (1–3) || Percival (5) || 26,882 || 11-11 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 23 || April 27 || Athletics || 7 – 6 || Mathews (1–0) || Hernández (0–1) || Taylor (4) || 25,484 || 11–12 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 24 || April 28 || Athletics || 4 – 3 || Small (1–0) || Johnson (1-1) || Taylor (5) || 25,138 || 11–13 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 25 || April 29 || @ Twins || 2 – 0 || Tewksbury (1–0) || Álvarez (3-3) || Aguilera (5) || 8,964 || 11–14 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 26 || April 30 || @ Twins || 2 – 0 || Arrojo (3–2) || Hawkins (0–3) || || 8,860 || 12–14 |- y background:#white; May (12-16) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 27 || May 1 || @ Indians || 7 – 5 || Colón (2–1) || Springer (1–4) || Jackson (10) || 42,712 || 12–15 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 28 || May 2 || @ Indians || 5 – 1 || Ogea (1-1) || Saunders (1–3) || || 42,525 || 12–16 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 29 || May 3 || @ Indians || 10 – 8 || Mesa (3–0) || Hernández (0–2) || || 42,597 || 12–17 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 30 || May 5 || @ Royals || 4 – 2 || Pichardo (3–0) || Álvarez (3–4) || Montgomery (6) || 12,096 || 12–18 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 31 || May 6 || @ Royals || 5 – 0 || Arrojo (4–2) || Rusch (3–4) || || 11,401 || 13–18 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 32 || May 8 || Orioles || 8 – 2 || Rhodes (3–0) || Lopez (0–1) || || 35,355 || 13–19 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 33 || May 9 || Orioles || 7 – 0 || Mussina (4–2) || Springer (1–5) || || 42,486 || 13–20 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 34 || May 10 || Orioles || 4 – 3 || Yan (3–0) || Mills (0–1) || Hernández (3) || 34,123 || 14–20 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 35 || May 11 || Indians || 4 – 2 || Arrojo (5–2) || Burba (3–4) || Hernández (4) || 30,334 || 15–20 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 36 || May 12 || Indians || 6 – 5 (15) || Santana (1–0) || Jackson (0–1) || || 30,194 || 16–20 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 37 || May 13 || Royals || 4 – 0 || Rapp (3-3) || Saunders (1–4) || || 25,244 || 16–21 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 38 || May 14 || Royals || 10 – 2 || Belcher (2–5) || Springer (1–6) || || 24,296 || 16–22 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 39 || May 15 || @ Orioles || 4 – 1 || Álvarez (4-4) || Erickson (4–2) || Hernández (5) || 47,421 || 17–22 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 40 || May 16 || @ Orioles || 5 – 2 || Arrojo (6–2) || Belcher (2–5) || Hernández (6) || 47,538 || 18–22 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 41 || May 17 || @ Orioles || 7 – 3 || Mecir (1–0) || Mills (0–2) || || 47,628 || 19–22 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 42 || May 18 || @ Orioles || 6 – 3 || Lopez (1-1) || Drabek (3–5) || Hernández (7) || 45,033 || 20–22 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 43 || May 19 || @ Blue Jays || 3 – 1 || Williams (4–2) || Springer (1–7) || Myers (10) || 25,662 || 20–23 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 44 || May 20 || @ Blue Jays || 9 – 1 || Hentgen (6–3) || Álvarez (4–5) || || 26,107 || 20–24 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 45 || May 21 || @ Blue Jays || 6 – 1 || Guzmán (2–6) || Arrojo (6–3) || || 30,108 || 20–25 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 46 || May 22 || @ Mariners || 5 – 2 || Johnson (2–1) || Moyer (2–5) || Hernández (8) || 29,522 || 21–25 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 47 || May 23 || @ Mariners || 6 – 3 || Yan (4–0) || Ayala (0–4) || Hernández (9) || 35,819 || 22–25 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 48 || May 24 || @ Mariners || 3 – 1 || Johnson (4–3) || Springer (1–8) || || 46,867 || 22–26 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 49 || May 25 || @ Athletics || 8 – 2 || Oquist (1–3) || Ruebel (0–1) || || 13,199 || 22–27 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 50 || May 26 || @ Athletics || 7 – 2 || Arrojo (7–3) || Candiotti (4–5) || || 9,801 || 23–27 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 51 || May 28 || Mariners || 5 – 2 || Moyer (3–5) || Johnson (2-2) || || 27,017 || 23–28 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 52 || May 29 || Mariners || 6 – 2 || Johnson (5–3) || Saunders (1–5) || || 32,142 || 23–29 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 53 || May 30 || Mariners || 5 – 2 || Springer (2–8) || Cloude (3-3) || Hernández (10) || 40,212 || 24–29 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 54 || May 31 || Mariners || 11 – 6 || Swift (4–3) || White (0–1) || || 35,184 || 24–30 |- y background:#9eceee; June (10-17) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 55 || June 1 || Rangers || 11 – 6 || Arrojo (8–3) || Burkett (4–3) || Hernández (11) || 24,388 || 25–30 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 56 || June 2 || Rangers || 11 – 6 || Witt (5–3) || Johnson (2–3) || || 24,477 || 25–31 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 57 || June 3 || @ Yankees || 7 – 1 || Hernández (1–0) || Saunders (1–6) || || 27,291 || 25–32 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 58 || June 4 || @ Yankees || 6 – 1 || Irabu (5–1) || Springer (2–9) || || 22,759 || 25–33 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 59 || June 5 || Expos || 5 – 2 || Hermanson (4-4) || White (0–2) || || 24,025 || 25–34 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 60 || June 6 || Expos || 7 – 5 || Telford (3–2) || Ruebel (0–2) || Urbina (14) || 26,501 || 25–35 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 61 || June 7 || Expos || 4 – 3 (11) || Lopez (2–1) || Kline (1–3) || || 26,334 || 26–35 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 62 || June 8 || @ Mets || 3 – 0 || Reed (7–3) || Springer (2–10) || || 24,186 || 26–36 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 63 || June 9 || @ Mets || 5 – 4 (11) || Mecir (2–0) || Hudek (0–3) || Hernández (12) || 30,336 || 27–36 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 64 || June 10 || @ Mets || 3 – 2 || Leiter (7–3) || White (0–3) || Rojas (2) || 21,682 || 27–37 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 65 || June 12 || @ Red Sox || 5 – 1 || Wakefield (7–3) || Arrojo (8–4) || || 31,994 || 27–38 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 66 || June 14 || @ Red Sox || 3 – 2 || Gordon (4–1) || Lopez (2-2) || || 27,768 || 27–39 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 67 || June 15 || Blue Jays || 8 – 7 || White (1–3) || Quantrill (0–3) || Hernández (13) || 24,122 || 28–39 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 68 || June 16 || Blue Jays || 4 – 3 || Mecir (3–0) || Myers (2-2) || || 24,278 || 29–39 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 69 || June 17 || Blue Jays || 2 – 1 || Arrojo (9–4) || Guzmán (3–9) || Hernández (14) || 24,394 || 30–39 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 70 || June 18 || Red Sox || 7 – 5 (10) || Wasdin (4–3) || Yan (4–1) || Gordon (21) || 30,177 || 30–40 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 71 || June 19 || Red Sox || 4 – 1 || Avery (4–1) || Saunders (1–7) || Gordon (22) || 32,375 || 30–41 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 72 || June 20 || Red Sox || 8 – 5 || Santana (2–0) || Saberhagen (8–5) || Hernández (15) || 41,169 || 31–41 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 73 || June 21 || Red Sox || 3 – 1 || Martínez (9–2) || Johnson (2–4) || Gordon (23) || 40,348 || 31–42 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 74 || June 22 || Marlins || 3 – 2 (12) || Alfonseca (1–2) || Mecir (3–1) || || 25,623 || 31–43 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 75 || June 23 || Marlins || 6 – 4 || Lopez (3–2) || Dempster (1–2) || Hernández (16) || 27,523 || 32–43 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 76 || June 24 || @ Marlins || 8 – 4 || Meadows (6-6) || Saunders (1–8) || || 19,501 || 32–44 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 77 || June 25 || @ Marlins || 5 – 1 || Hernández (6–4) || Santana (2–1) || || 16,826 || 32–45 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 78 || June 26 || @ Phillies || 7 – 0 || Green (6–4) || Johnson (2–5) || || 17,559 || 32–46 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 79 || June 27 || @ Phillies || 5 – 1 || Arrojo (10–4) || Schilling (7–8) || || 44,262 || 33–46 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 80 || June 28 || @ Phillies || 5 – 4 || Lopez (4–2) || Gomes (6–3) || Hernández (17) || 25,157 || 34–46 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 81 || June 30 || Braves || 7 – 2 || Neagle (9–6) || Saunders (1–9) || || 41,047 || 34–47 |- y background:#white; July (9-16) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 82 || July 1 || Braves || 6 – 5 || Springer (5–3) || Hernández (0–3) || Ligtenberg (8) || 41,100 || 34–48 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 83 || July 2 || Braves || 6 – 0 || Maddux (12–2) || Arrojo (10–5) || || 40,749 || 34–49 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 84 || July 3 || @ Blue Jays || 3 – 2 (10) || Myers (3–2) || Yan (4–2) || || 25,625 || 34–50 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 85 || July 4 || @ Blue Jays || 8 – 0 || Carpenter (5–3) || Springer (2–11) || || 29,198 || 34–51 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 86 || July 5 || @ Blue Jays || 2 – 1 || Quantrill (1–3) || White (1–4) || Myers (23) || 31,240 || 34–52 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 87 || July 9 || Yankees || 2 – 0 || Pettitte (11–5) || Rekar (0–1) || Rivera (23) || 38,386 || 34–53 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 88 || July 10 || Yankees || 8 – 4 || Irabu (7–3) || Álvarez (4–6) || Mendoza (1) || 40,363 || 34–54 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 89 || July 11 || Yankees || 2 – 0 || Cone (13–2) || Arrojo (10–6) || Rivera (24) || 44,589 || 34–55 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 90 || July 12 || Yankees || 9 – 2 || Stanton (4–0) || Hernández (0–4) || || 43,373 || 34–56 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 91 || July 13 || Red Sox || 2 – 0 || Avery (6–2) || Santana (2-2) || Gordon (26) || || 34–57 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 92 || July 14 || Red Sox || 5 – 4 || Lopez (5–2) || Mahay (1-1) || || 27,310 || 35–57 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 93 || July 15 || @ Angels || 4 – 2 || Hasegawa (4–1) || Álvarez (4–7) || Percival (27) || 19,681 || 35–58 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 94 || July 16 || @ Angels || 8 – 1 || Arrojo (11–6) || Sparks (3–2) || || 24,085 || 36–58 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 95 || July 17 || @ Rangers || 7 – 4 || Oliver (5–7) || Mecir (3–2) || Wetteland (26) || 33,876 || 36–59 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 96 || July 18 || @ Rangers || 9 – 8 || Crabtree (4–0) || Yan (4–3) || || 44,356 || 36–60 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 97 || July 19 || @ Rangers || 7 – 4 || Burkett (6–10) || Rekar (0–2) || Wetteland (27) || 34,700 || 36–61 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 98 || July 21 || Mariners || 8 – 3 || Moyer (7-7) || Álvarez (4–8) || || 30,298 || 36–62 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 99 || July 22 || Mariners || 7 – 5 || Lopez (6–2) || Johnson (9-9) || Hernández (18) || 31,558 || 37–62 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 100 || July 24 || Athletics || 6 – 0 || Saunders (2–9) || Oquist (6–7) || || 25,476 || 38–62 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 101 || July 25 || Athletics || 7 – 5 || Hernández (1–4) || Rogers (10–4) || || 30,179 || 39–62 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 102 || July 26 || Athletics || 3 – 1 || Álvarez (5–8) || Candiotti (5–13) || Yan (1) || 37,194 || 40–62 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 103 || July 27 || Athletics || 11 – 5 || Rekar (1–2) || Stein (4–6) || || 24,359 || 41–62 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 104 || July 28 || @ White Sox || 4 – 1 || Baldwin (6–4) || Arrojo (11–7) || Simas (10) || 18,402 || 41–63 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 105 || July 29 || @ White Sox || 7 – 2 || Saunders (3–9) || Parque (2–4) || || 17,387 || 42–63 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 106 || July 31 || Tigers || 5 – 1 || Santana (3–2) || Greisinger (1–6) || Hernández (19) || 25,654 || 43–63 |- y background:#9eceee; August (10-20) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 107 || August 1 || Tigers || 8 – 0 || Moehler (12–7) || Álvarez (5–9) || || 28,130 || 43–64 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 108 || August 2 || Tigers || 3 – 2 || Powell (2-2) || Rekar (1–3) || Jones (19) || 26,120 || 43–65 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 109 || August 3 || White Sox || 6 – 1 || Baldwin (7–4) || Arrojo (11–8) || || 24,698 || 43–66 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 110 || August 4 || White Sox || 8 – 6 || Castillo (5–4) || Saunders (3–10) || Simas (11) || 24,866 || 43–67 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 111 || August 5 || White Sox || 7 – 3 || Hernández (2–4) || Howry (0–2) || || 24,814 || 44–67 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 112 || August 7 || Indians || 5 – 1 || Gooden (4–6) || Álvarez (5–10) || || 32,254 || 44–68 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 113 || August 8 || Indians || 6 – 2 || Nagy (10–7) || Rekar (1–4) || || 37,108 || 44–69 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 114 || August 9 || Indians || 2 – 1 || Mecir (4–2) || Assenmacher (2–5) || || 36,641 || 45–69 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 115 || August 10 || Orioles || 2 – 1 || Guzmán (8–12) || Saunders (3–11) || Benítez (16) || 26,352 || 45–70 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 116 || August 11 || Orioles || 2 – 1 || Mecir (5–2) || Benítez (4–3) || || 26,472 || 46–70 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 117 || August 12 || Orioles || 7 – 0 || Erickson (12–9) || Álvarez (5–11) || || 29,211 || 46–71 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 118 || August 13 || @ Royals || 6 – 4 || Montgomery (2–4) || Hernández (2–5) || || 18,289 || 46–72 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 119 || August 14 || @ Royals || 11 – 9 || Haney (5-5) || Arrojo (11–9) || Service (3) || 28,133 || 46–73 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 120 || August 15 || @ Royals || 8 – 6 || Mecir (6–2) || Bones (0–1) || Hernández (20) || 18,706 || 47–73 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 121 || August 16 || @ Royals || 8 – 3 || Santana (4–2) || Belcher (11–10) || || 16,762 || 48–73 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 122 || August 17 || @ Indians || 4 – 3 || Colón (13–6) || Álvarez (5–12) || Jackson (30) || 43,139 || 48–74 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 123 || August 18 || @ Indians || 4 – 2 || Gooden (5–6) || Rekar (1–5) || Jackson (31) || 42,967 || 48–75 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 124 || August 19 || Orioles || 6 – 4 || Mussina (12–6) || Arrojo (11–10) || Benítez (19) || 44,530 || 48–76 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 125 || August 20 || Orioles || 4 – 2 || Saunders (4–11) || Rhodes (3–4) || Hernández (21) || 44,566 || 49–76 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 126 || August 21 || Royals || 6 – 5 || Whisenant (2–1) || Yan (4-4) || Montgomery (27) || 25,638 || 49–77 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 127 || August 22 || Royals || 3 – 2 || Rosado (7–9) || Álvarez (5–13) || Montgomery (28) || 27,346 || 49–78 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 128 || August 23 || Royals || 11 – 5 || Rapp (10–11) || Rekar (1–6) || || 33,123 || 49–79 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 129 || August 25 || Twins || 4 – 1 || Rodriguez (4–2) || Arrojo (11-11) || Aguilera (32) || 23,126 || 49–80 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 130 || August 26 || Twins || 7 – 3 || Tewksbury (6–9) || Saunders (4–12) || Aguilera (33) || 23,059 || 49–81 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 131 || August 27 || Twins || 10 – 3 || Santana (5–2) || Milton (7–11) || || 23,314 || 50–81 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 132 || August 28 || @ Tigers || 4 – 3 || Mecir (7–2) || Moehler (12–11) || Hernández (22) || 19,534 || 51–81 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 133 || August 29 || @ Tigers || 10 – 6 || Springer (3–11) || Thompson (10–12) || || ? || 52–81 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 134 || August 29 || @ Tigers || 8 – 2 || Greisinger (4–7) || Rekar (1–7) || || 16,406 || 52–82 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 135 || August 30 || @ Tigers || 10 – 5 || Arrojo (12–11) || Powell (3–5) || Hernández (23) || 14,765 || 53–82 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 136 || August 31 || @ Twins || 2 – 1 || Tewksbury (7–9) || Saunders (4–13) || Aguilera (34) || 7,888 || 53–83 |- y background:#white; September (10-16) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 137 || September 1 || @ Twins || 6 – 5 || Serafini (7–4) || Hernandez (2–6) || || 7.947 || 53–84 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#bfb | 138 || September 2 || @ Twins || 4 – 1 || Yan (5–4) || Hawkins (7–13) || Lopez (1) || 7,165 || 54–84 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 139 || September 3 || @ Twins || 5 – 4 (12)|| Guardado (3–1) || White (1–5) || || 7,072 || 54–85 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#bfb | 140 || September 4 || @ Athletics || 5 – 2 || Arrojo (13–11) || Haynes (10–7) || Hernandez (24) || 8.198 || 55–85 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 141 || September 5 || @ Athletics ||3 – 0 |Rogers (13–7)||Saunders (4–14) | ||34,193 |55-86 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 142 || September 6 || @ Athletics || 9 – 2||Candiotti (11–15) |Santana (5–3) | ||35,162 |55-87 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#bfb | 143 || September 8 || @ Mariners || 10 – 0||Alvarez (6–13) |Suzuki (0–1) | || 20,679||56-87 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 144 || September 9 || @ Mariners || 5 – 2||Abbot (0–1) |Arrojo (13–12) |Timlin (14) |22,256 |56-88 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#bfb | 145 || September 11 || Rangers || 3 – 2||Saunders (5–14) |Stottlemyre (12–13) |Hernandez (25) |28,522 |57-88 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 146 || September 12 || Rangers ||8 – 2 |Helling (19–7) |Santana (5–4) | ||31,278 |57-89 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#bfb | 147 || September 13 || Rangers || 10 – 5||White (2–5) |Loaiza (9–9) | ||34,007 |58-89 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 148 || September 14 || Angels || 4 – 2||Hasegawa (8–3) |Lopez (6–3) |Percival (40) |24,279 |58-90 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#bfb | 149 || September 15 || Angels || 8 – 1||Arrojo (14–12) |Juden (8–14) | ||24,347 |59-90 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#bfb | 150 || September 16 || Yankees || 7 – 0||Saunders (6–14) |Pettitte (16–10) | ||38,862 |60-90 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 151 || September 17 || Yankees ||4 – 0 |Irabu (12–9) |Santana (5–5)|| ||38,820 |60-91 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#bfb | 152 || September 18 || Blue Jays || 6 – 1||Rekar (2–7) |Escobar (6–3) | ||32,053 |61-91 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#bfb | 153 || September 19 || Blue Jays ||7 – 5 |Lopez (7–3) |Van Ryn (0–2) |Hernandez (26) |35,689 |62-91 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 154 || September 20 || Blue Jays ||7 – 5 |Risley (2–4) |Lopez (7–4) | ||32,183 |62-92 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 155 || September 21 || @ Red Sox ||4 – 3 |Saberhagen (15–7) |Saunders (6–15) |Gordon (43) |? |62-93 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#bfb | 156 || September 21 || @ Red Sox ||8 – 4 |Wade (1–0) |Reyes (3–3) | ||23,379 |63-93 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 157 || September 22 || @ Red Sox || 11 – 2||Schourek (8–9) |Santana (5–6) | ||20,399 |63-94 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 158 || September 23 || @ Red Sox || 5 – 4||Avery (10–7) |Rekar (2–8) |Gordon (44) |23,240 |63-95 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 159 || September 24 || @ Yankees ||5 – 2 |Buddie (4–1) |Alvarez (6–14) |Nelson (3) |24,555 |63-96 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 160 || September 25 || @ Yankees ||6 – 1 |Hernandez (12–4)||Eiland (0–1) | ||32,447 |63-97 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 161 || September 26 || @ Yankees || 3 – 1||Cone (20–7) |Wade (1–1) || ||41,150 |63-98 |- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=#fbb | 162 || September 27 || @ Yankees ||8 – 3 |Bruske (4–0) |White (2–6) | ||49,608 |63-99 |- Awards and honors 1998 MLB All-Star Game selection: Rolando Arrojo, pitcher Team leaders Home runs – Fred McGriff (19) Runs batted in – Fred McGriff (81) Batting average – Aaron Ledesma (.324) Hits – Quinton McCracken (179) Stolen bases – Randy Winn (26) Walks – Fred McGriff (79) Wins – Rolando Arrojo (14) Strikeouts – Tony Saunders (172) Earned run average – Rolando Arrojo (starters) (3.56), Albie Lopez (relievers) (2.60) Saves – Roberto Hernández (26) Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Durham Bulls International League Bill Evers A St. Petersburg Devil Rays Florida State League Roy Silver A Charleston RiverDogs South Atlantic League Greg Mahlberg A-Short Season Hudson Valley Renegades New York–Penn League Charlie Montoyo Rookie Princeton Devil Rays Appalachian League Dave Howard Rookie GCL Devil Rays Gulf Coast League Bobby RamosJohnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/affiliate.cgi?id=TBD&year=1998 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Minor League Affiliates References 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Baseball Reference 1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Baseball Almanac Category:Tampa Bay Rays seasons Category:Major League Baseball inaugural teams seasons Tampa Bay Devil Rays Tampa Bay Devil Rays