McRae more antsy on first anniversary

DETROIT -- He is more uptight this season than last.

"When you expect more," manager Hal McRae said, "you're going to get a little uptight."

It was one year ago today the Rays fired Larry Rothschild after a 4-10 start and promoted McRae from bench coach to manager. He will manage in his 162nd game for the Rays today against the Tigers.

"You try to joke around, but the nights are different than they were last year," McRae said. "That's the way it should be because as a manager I should expect more or want more."

The Rays are 63-98 under McRae, a .391 winning percentage, and began this season with a three-game sweep of the Tigers before losing eight of 10.

"Last year, the club was struggling but got better," said McRae, whose club won 24 of its last 47 last season. "So naturally my emotions changed. You're looking for more."

When hired, McRae hadn't managed since he was fired by the Royals in 1994. In four seasons as Kansas City's manager, he was 286-277, and only one of his four Royals teams finished below .500.

"I'm glad to see him back," said Tigers bench coach Felipe Alou, who managed the Expos from 1992 to May 2000. "I knew him when we were both players. He's a great baseball guy."

AT HOME: In an attempt to spark his offense, Greg Vaughn started his first game in leftfield since a mild hamstring strain against the A's on Sept. 1.

"I get to be free," the 36-year-old said before the game. "I'm free tonight. I feel like I'm free."

Vaughn is hitting .140 with four RBIs and 17 strikeouts, second on the Rays to Bobby Smith, in 12 games. By flying out to leftfield in the sixth, he extended his homer drought to a career-high 129 at-bats.

"Thinking about hitting for three hours, being a former DH, that's not healthy," McRae said. "You get preoccupied. I think it's more relaxing if you play. ... It would spice up the lineup if he were to get hot."

ALL-STAR BALLOTING: Eight Rays will be represented on the All-Star ballot: first baseman Steve Cox, second baseman Brent Abernathy, shortstop Chris Gomez, third baseman Russ Johnson, catcher Toby Hall and outfielders Ben Grieve, Randy Winn and Vaughn.

Stadium balloting begins May 3 at Tropicana Field and ends June 12. Online balloting starts May 1 at mlb.com. Fans can submit their ballots at Subway stores starting May 15.

LOADED WITH LEFTIES: With the Tigers pitching Jeff Weaver today, McRae was thinking of changing the middle of the order for the first time this season.

Last season, left-handed hitters batted .278 with 13 homers against Weaver to .253 and six homers for right-handers. McRae might lead off with Jason Tyner (left) and Winn (right) as usual but follow with Cox (left), Grieve (left), Hall (right) and Vaughn (right).

"I won't probably do anything against most pitchers," McRae said, "but maybe (today)."

THEY'RE AT THE JOE: Without the drama of a team searching for its first win and with the Red Wings opening the playoffs at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit attendance suffered in the second game of a three-game series against the Rays.

A stadium record-low 10,736 attended. The low since Comerica Park opened in April 2000 was 11,833 on April 9.

ODDS AND ENDS: Paul Wilson, who is scheduled to start Saturday against the Orioles, threw for about 20 minutes in the bullpen before Wednesday's game. Trainer Jamie Reed called it a "great" session and said Wilson is ready to go. ... Top prospect Josh Hamilton felt tightness in his quad Tuesday and left Class A Bakersfield's game against Stockton after one at-bat as a precaution. Hamilton missed most of last season with a sore back. ... Because of the night/day turnaround, Felix Escalona will get his first start at third base this season. Though primarily used as a second baseman last season at Class A Lexington, Escalona worked at third base in spring training with the Giants.