The Tampa Bay Devil Rays kept Dukes on the bench tonight and lost to Miguel Batista and the Mariners 5-1. Given that Batista came into the game with a 6.15 ERA, the Devil Rays lost a golden opportunity to score some runs.

Manager Joe Maddon said he made the decision to sit Dukes Wednesday night, although the young center fielder was in uniform and available to play if needed.

"It was my decision to not play him," Maddon said after he and Devil Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman met with Dukes before the game.

The Mariners continue to play better than expected. The win puts them back at the .500 mark, 21-21.