"It wasn't exactly the kind of high-intensity situation Jason Isringhausen grew accustomed to during his time as one of the game's elite closers, but just being out there was enough.

The 36-year-old made his first appearance as a Ray - and first in the big leagues since last Aug. 12 - Monday night, working the ninth inning of a blowout win. Isringhausen's fastball sat at 90 mph Monday as he allowed one hit in closing out the A's, a single poked down the left-field line by former teammate Adam Kennedy.

As he officially completed his comeback from Sept. 12 elbow surgery, everything felt great - even though he could feel his stomach churning beginning in the second or third inning.

"I was a little nervous, and I'm still working on a few things," he said. "But just to get out there and get one out of the way was good. Hopefully they start using me in a little tighter situations, but I needed to get this one out of the way and give the rest of the guys a little break."

Manager Joe Maddon said Isringhausen will be employed in a variety of situations, and the Rays won't be afraid to use him late in games. Isringhausen ranks fifth among active pitchers with 293 career saves (Troy Percival is fourth at 358) and could be called upon to close when Percival isn't available."