Sizemore's first time at first base an eventful one

ST. PETERSBURG -- Veteran infielder Scott Sizemore had been told to "be ready for anything," and so that was the mantra he followed while preparing to play his first career game at first base on Thursday.

He certainly wasn't counting on completing a triple play in his second inning of action.

Sizemore dug out a throw from second baseman Brian Roberts to finish a 5-4-3 triple play in New York's 10-2 win over the Rays at Tropicana Field, scooping the ball just before Sean Rodriguez reached first base.

"I saw it developing, and I just said, 'I've got to catch this one at all costs,' so I managed to dig it out of the dirt and finish it off," Sizemore said.

Roberts was confident that Sizemore would be able to field the ball.

"I watched him during BP, and I said, 'He looks like he's been over there plenty of times,'" Roberts said. "I was watching him take ground balls. As an infielder, that's probably not the first short hop he's ever had in his life. And it's a bigger glove, so why not? He made it look easy."

Sizemore had been working with the pitching staff at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on fielding and bunt plays, and also picked up pointers from RailRiders teammate Russ Canzler.

"Not too bad. I think my footwork around the base was a little awkward at times, but I think I did all right," said Sizemore, who'd borrowed a glove from Kelly Johnson for the game. "It's just something I've got to keep working on."