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Rays low-key about facing Pedro

By JOHN ROMANO and MIKE READLING

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 28, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- The last time their paths crossed, Pedro Martinez and the Rays played an unforgettable game. Nonetheless, the Rays say it will be forgotten when Martinez takes the mound for the Red Sox today at Florida Power Park.

On Aug. 29, Martinez began a game by hitting centerfielder Gerald Williams with a pitch. Williams charged the mound, beginning a gamelong series of retaliation pitches and near-brawls that led to eight Rays players and coaches being ejected.

Oh, yeah: Martinez took a no-hitter into the ninth.

The Red Sox and Rays met again at Tropicana Field later in the season, but this is Martinez's first appearance against them since the incident.

"I'm not expecting anything. I'm looking at it like another game," manager Larry Rothschild said. "We'll deal with things as they come. That's over. It's history."

Rothschild said he will proceed with his normal lineup, including Williams in centerfield. Williams, who was suspended three games for his actions, said the issue is over as far as he is concerned.

"I'm a professional," Williams said. "I play hard all the time. It doesn't matter who we're facing."

SPEAKING OF RETURNING PITCHERS ... : Former Rays reliever Roberto Hernandez returned to Florida Power Park and showed Tampa Bay why it is hustling to find a closer. Hernandez struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth, including the first two on called third strikes.

"It doesn't count," Hernandez said. "I struck out the side against Cleveland two starts ago and it feels the same way."

TIME TO TURN IT ON: The left-handed reliever woes continued as Trevor Enders gave up three runs on five hits in two innings. Doug Creek allowed a home run Monday in his second consecutive appearance, and Jeff Wallace is carrying a deceptively low 3.38 ERA: six of the nine runs he has allowed have been unearned, and he has walked six in eight innings.

"They haven't exactly had the type of week you want with five games remaining in the preseason," Rothschild said. "You get this late in spring, you have to have some concern. It's time to turn things around. Hopefully we get one of them hot and starting to throw the way they should."

FROM 89th TO STARTER: Many people didn't expect Travis Phelps to be drafted, much less still be in camp during the last week of spring training. Not only is he still here, Phelps is scheduled to start Thursday against the Blue Jays.

The former 89th-round draft pick out of Crowder Community College in Missouri earned the start in part because the Rays don't want opening day starter Albie Lopez to pitch against Toronto twice in six days, and in part because of the impression Phelps has made this spring.

"I like the way he's gone about things," Rothschild said. "He's a young pitcher who kind of came out of nowhere, and he wasn't intimidated in the least here."

Phelps, who expects to start the season at Triple-A Durham, said even he was surprised he still was in the major-league camp.

"I feel pretty good about the impression I made this spring," Phelps said. "I'm from the country, so I've never really been intimidated by anybody. There's not a whole lot that amazes me."

TUESDAY'S ACTION: Travis Harper, who was named the No. 5 starter Monday, gave up four runs on five hits in four innings, striking out four and walking four in a 9-3 loss to Kansas City. Harper also hit a batter. Second baseman Bobby Smith and shortstop Felix Martinez were the only Rays to record two hits, and Jose Guillen set a team record with his 18th spring RBI. Esteban Yan, battling for the closer's role, pitched a perfect ninth, striking out one.

ALVAREZ TO THROW: Wilson Alvarez is scheduled to throw live batting practice and a simulated game today. Alvarez, recovering from rotator cuff surgery last year, will start the season on the disabled list.

GALA TICKETS: The Rays Grand Slam Gala, which benefits the Rays of Hope Foundation, the Children's Home Society, St. Petersburg YMCA, the Hillsborough County Education Foundation and the Pinellas County Education Foundation, is scheduled for Saturday night at Tropicana Field. All Rays players and coaches should attend, and the program includes a silent auction. Tickets cost $175 per person. For information, call (727) 825-3470.

VAUGHN HOSTING: Outfielder Greg Vaughn will kick off the Juvenile Diabetes Walkathon at Clearwater's Sand Key Park at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

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