of 5.23 in 42 appearances, 15 of them as a starter. Beimel made another eight starts on the 2002 squad but was primarily used as a relief pitcher thereafter. After finishing both the 2002 and 2003 seasons in the Pirates bullpen as an average middle reliever, the Pirates released him before the start of the 2004 season. Minnesota Twins Beimel was subsequently signed as a free agent by the Minnesota Twins on April 11, 2004. He spent the bulk of the season with Minnesota's Class-AAA Minor League affiliate in Rochester, where he had a mediocre season (2-4, 6.97, in 49 appearances). Beimel made just three relief appearances for the Twins as a September call-up and then was released after the season. Tampa Bay Devil Rays Beimel was signed as a free agent by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on November 5, 2004, and spent most of the 2005 season with their AAA team the Durham Bulls, going 1–2 with a 3.93 ERA in 48 games. He made several trips to the big leagues to pitch for the Devil Rays during the season, making seven appearances with an era of 3.27. Los Angeles Dodgers In 2006, Beimel was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers and became a valuable member of their relief corps, with a 2.96 ERA in 62 appearances, primarily as a late inning left-handed specialist. However, he was also effective enough against right-handed batters to be used as both a set-up man and emergency closer, and proved remarkably effective when put into games to work the Dodgers out of jams. Beimel wore #97 for the Dodgers, which at the time was the highest number ever used by a Dodger. The number represents the year of his first child's birth. His successful season ended on a down note; right before 2006 divisional series between the Dodgers and New York Mets began, Beimel cut his hand on glass at a bar in New York. Due to his injury, Beimel was left off the series roster. At first he claimed that it happened in his hotel room before divulging the truth after the Dodgers lost to the Mets three games to none. Beimel was completely sober for 15 months following the incident and now drinks only occasionally. During the 2007 season, Beimel set a record for the Dodgers by making 83 appearances, the most by a left-handed pitcher in the Dodgers' history.