Devil Rays 9, Astros 2

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) --Astros manager Phil Garner isn't worried about Woody Williams' rough outing Wednesday night, when he allowed 12 hits and nine runs in four innings of the Astros' 9-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

"No it's not a concern," manager Phil Garner said. "It just wasn't a good night for him. I guess the good news is he got 83 or 84 pitches or something like that."

Williams' worst inning came in the fifth when he gave up six runs on six hits, including a double and a triple. He was replaced by Matt Albers with no outs in the fifth.

"Out there in the fifth inning, I'll tell you what, it looked like a merry go round," he said.

Carl Crawford and Elijah Dukes got three hits apiece for the Devil Rays and Crawford had two RBIs.

The 40-year-old Williams, who is in his first year with the Astros, threw 82 pitches, 51 for strikes. He struck out one and walked one in his third spring appearance.

Williams, who signed a two-year, $12.5 million contract in November, is Houston's No. 3 starter behind Roy Oswalt and Jason Jennings.

"The ball was up and they hit pitches they should hit," Williams said. "I just wasn't consistent in the bottom of the strike zone. That's my whole game, changing speeds and making pitches."

Williams had tendinitis in his pitching elbow earlier this spring, but said he feels good now and is working to get his arm in shape.

"I think my fastball is a little bit short right now," he said. "I'm not worried about it tonight. Two weeks from now, hopefully it will be right where it needs to be. I'm just going to continue to build, continue to do my work and we'll see what happens."

He is scheduled for two more starts before his first regular-season game as an Astro.

Houston closer Brad Lidge allowed one hit and struck out one in one inning. It was his first outing since pitching a live batting session on Sunday to work on his slider.

"I threw a little of everything and everything felt real good tonight," he said. "The biggest difference is I've been feeling good, but I haven't had control of my slider and tonight I had control of my slider. I think that session I threw on the side helped a lot."

Tampa Bay starter James Shields gave up two runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings. He threw 94 pitches, 56 for strikes, struck out six and walked four.

Houston right fielder Jason Lane replaced Lance Berkman at first base in the sixth inning. But Garner said the Astros aren't looking to use Lane at that position in the regular season.

"I know he can play the outfield, I'm not concerned about that, I just want to get him his at bats," Garner said.

Lane went 0-for-2.

Notes:@ Tampa Bay optioned LHP Jeff Ridgway to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday. ... The Astros reassigned right fielder Hunter Pence to minor league camp.