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Perez makes MLB debut in Rays’ historical run

Former Princeton Junction resident delivers hit in first at bat

By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
   Fernando Perez’s first benching was actually a good sign.
   The Princeton Junction native was playing for the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, when he sat one game for a mild concussion. Nothing unusual, until the next game.
   ”I got scratched out of the lineup the next day too and I was fine,” Perez said. “That was the first time I sat two days in a row ever. I knew something was up.”
   After the game, Bulls manager Charlie Montoyo called Perez into his office to tell him he was being promoted to the major leagues. Perez was congratulated in person by Brad Matthews, the scout who signed him out of Columbia University, as well as Bulls hitting instructor, Gary Gaetti.
   ”He told me he was really proud of me and what I had done,” Perez said. “That was nice.”
   Perez stayed cool about the promotion. He packed and went back to the hotel before phoning his parents to inform them of the move. On Sept. 1, Perez was in a Rays uniform to join a team leading the American League East and playing against the New York Yankees.
   ”It’s been really everything you could imagine,” Perez said Thursday. “Most people that don’t know much about baseball know it’s synonymous with the Yankees. That’s what I was walking into. Being from New York and having my whole family be all Yankees fans, it’s a big deal for them. You know you’re there with that.
   ”The most important thing is joining this team that’s doing so well. It’s a real inviting clubhouse. The guys are great. From when I was in spring training, I had a great time there with the guys. Now, they’ve had all this success and nothing has changed. They have welcomed me. It’s really as smooth a transition as possible. The only anxiety is getting on the field and getting your feet wet. That will soon come.”
   The Peddie School graduate made his debut Friday with a bunt single in his first major-league at bat. He also scored twice in the 6-4 loss to Toronto. He stole two bases and scored the potential winning run in the 13th inning before the Blue Jays answered with a walk-off grand slam Saturday. Perez did not have a hit in his first start Sunday.
   Perez can bring speed to a lineup that is already one of the most talented in baseball. At Durham, Perez batted .288 with 86 runs scored, 43 stolen bases and 11 triples. At the time of his promotion, he ranked second in the International League in runs, third in steals and second in triples.
   ”It wasn’t my best year,” Perez said. “The talent was a little bit better than I had ever faced. It was very similar to what I’m doing now. In the beginning, I was getting my feet wet. I experienced a little adversity. Towards the end, I was playing my best ball. I got the call because I completed that development process. I felt I could have had a stronger year, but I got better as the year went on. That’s what’s important.”
   Now Perez is getting a taste of life at the major league level. And he’s able to do so for a team in the thick of chasing its first playoff berth in franchise history. In his first professional series against the Yankees, who he will face again closer to home Sept. 12-14 at Yankee Stadium, he did not leave the bench.
   ”Everything is new,” Perez said. “It’s the same exact game, but it’s a big difference when you aren’t playing every day. I have so much energy. I’m probably going to be used pretty sparingly while I’m here. That’s hard to get over that. While you’re watching, you have all this energy. It’s a new role. You have to be professional about it and wait your chance. When you get your chance, you want to do a good job.
   ”These guys have done an incredible job to have this ground-breaking year. They’ve made a call to get you, and you have to make sure you’re putting all that stuff aside and make sure you’re contributing your best.”
   Perez has taken seriously the task of helping the Rays any way he can. He is hoping to contribute to what would be a first-ever divisional crown under manager Joe Maddon.
   ”Joe is going to get me in there whenever he feels that it’s a good time,” Perez said. “I think I’ll get a start at some point to give B.J. Upton a break. I’m not expecting much. I’m taking it all in. It’s exciting to be here as a fan.”
   Perez has been following the Rays’ rise this season. Now he is a part of it, and is astounded by the demeanor of the team that is leading the AL East with barely three weeks left in the regular season.
   ”You wouldn’t even guess that this was a pennant race by how cool and collected the whole team is,” Perez said. “This is a young team, which I attribute a lot of that to. It really comes from the top. It’s a calm attitude that Joe has that has trickled down to everyone. It’s a lot of fun up here.
   ”If you’re sitting in the clubhouse, you wouldn’t envision we’re playing a division rival in an hour or two and they’re the most important games of the year. It’s really, really loose. It helps things. That’s how you get this sort of thing done. I think everyone thinks it would be the opposite. They know they have a really, really good team. They just have to continue to do what they’ve been doing.”
   Fernando Perez figures to have a chance here and there to help the Rays reach the postseason. Being called up to a top team has made his first major-league experience all the more exciting. It’s the biggest thrill of a huge moment for him.
   ”I’m up here at a really important time and historic time for this organization,” he said. “We’ve always been the underdog. Up until this point, we’ve accomplished a really incredible feat. We’re trying to establish ourselves as the best in the toughest division in baseball. These are amazingly important games for the fans. And to be in the dugout and have the chance to contribute is really special.”