Shoulder better, Wilson declares

ST. PETERSBURG -- The shoulder feels better, Paul Wilson will start today against the Orioles and that's all he has to say about the situation.

Wilson, who began the season at the Rays' No.2 starter, missed his last start because of slight stiffness in his shoulder. He has not pitched in 10 days because of the injury but said he is ready. "It's better. I'm going to start," Wilson said.

"It's something I have to work through more or less."

Wilson refused to say if his shoulder was 100 percent, saying it would take too long to explain. But he did say the treatment has been working well and starting should not be a problem.

"I'm encouraged with what it's done the past week," Wilson said. "That's all I know."

Wilson began the season by pitching eight innings, his longest outing since 1996.

He followed that with a seven-inning outing against Baltimore on April10 before reporting the stiffness.

"He's good to go," manager Hal McRae said. "He's going to go as long as he is able to go. No restrictions."

SHAKE IT UP, BABY: In an effort to jump-start his leadoff hitter's bat, McRae dropped Jason Tyner a spot to No.2 in the order. That left Brent Abernathy in the leadoff spot as the manager tried to help cure Tyner's 1-for-22 slump entering Friday's game.

"Tyner's batting second to maybe open up some holes and spread them out," McRae said.

Tyner went 2-for-7 with two singles and a run scored.

AND THE OPPOSITE OF HOT IS ... COLD: Greg Vaughn's massive offensive slide continued as the designated hitter went 1-for-5 with a walk, two fly outs and two groundouts.

Vaughn is 7-for-54 with 14 strikeouts (.129) since going 2-for-5 on opening day.

FOR STARTERS: Tanyon Sturtze set season highs in innings pitched (72/3) and strikeouts with five while giving up one earned run to lower his ERA more than two runs to 5.55.

That one earned run came on a Jeff Conine double in the eighth that tied the score. "I thought I had the (win) going into the eighth, but I just didn't do my job in the eighth," Sturtze said.

GROIN PAINS: The groin Steve Cox strained Thursday night in Detroit will keep him out of the lineup until Tuesday, but the first baseman could pinch hit. Cox, who hit off a tee during batting practice, leads the team with a .370 average and has hit safely in eight consecutive games, tying a career high.

Bobby Smith replaced Cox on Thursday and Friday, though McRae said Russ Johnson was told to have his first baseman's mitt ready. IT'S OVER: Ben Grieve's attempt to tie his career-high 10-game hit streak ended when he flew out in the 14th. Grieve finished 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, two walks, two fly outs and was hit by a pitch. Despite the hitless night, Grieve contributed by stealing his first base of the season and scoring what was then the tying run on a single in the sixth.

BULL SESSION: The Rays said they would evaluate pitcher Nick Bierbrodt during the seven-day homestand, and that can't come soon enough for the starting pitcher.

Bierbrodt, sidelined after a severe loss of control during spring training, has been rehabilitating by throwing in the bullpen. He expects to pitch to live hitters after being evaluated.

"I throw in the bullpen," Bierbrodt said. "I can't elaborate any more because all I do is throw in the bullpen."

WORTH A LOOK: Randy Winn had four hits in a game for the third time in his career and the first time since May31, 1999. He also hit the Rays' first triple of the season and drove in his team-leading 11th run. ... Smith homered for the first time since Sept. 28, 2000.