Regular rest is still the plan for hot Hall

© St. Petersburg Times
published August 20, 2002

BALTIMORE -- Catcher Toby Hall has been playing much better.

But that doesn't mean he's going to play much more.

Manager Hal McRae said Hall, who is on a 13-for-28 streak, looks like he has regained the late 2001 form that made him one of the Rays' most promising young players.

McRae said a big reason is the schedule that has Hall sharing time with John Flaherty in three-game shifts, allowing for time to work with coaches Glenn Ezell and Milt May.

"He's swung the bat more so like he did last year the last couple days, like a fifth-place hitter," McRae said. "He's stung the ball. He's swinging the bat with a little more confidence now. He's making progress defensively. He has time to work and he has time to think, so we might be on the correct pace. You can't work as much and you don't absorb as much when you're playing."

Though Hall is ticketed to be the No. 1 catcher next season and Flaherty is likely to leave as a free agent, McRae said he likely will stick to the platoon.

"(Hall) seems more relaxed so it might be the best thing to do," McRae said. "If Flaherty keeps playing well it might be best to continue this for the rest of the year with hope that (Hall) can get over the hump by next spring."

Hall, who struggled so much early in the season he was sent back to Triple A for a month, said being relaxed is a big reason for his turnaround.

"This is the first year I put too much pressure on myself," Hall said. "Now I'm just trying to do what I'm capable of. I'm reacting instead of trying."

Since coming back from Triple A on June 25, Hall has a .301 average, including three three-hit games since Aug. 10.

McRae said the team wants Hall to participate in an organized offseason workout program.

SORE SUBJECTS: Andy Sheets likely won't play until this weekend in Chicago at the earliest as a result of the left leg he bruised Sunday. Sheets was being treated with ice to reduce swelling in the ankle and leg.

Aubrey Huff played first again so Steve Cox could rest his sore left arch by being the designated hitter. Cox has felt discomfort for several weeks, but rest is the only thing that will help.

Rightfielder Ben Grieve has stiffness in his right ankle and will be questionable until game time for a few days.

HOT IN HERE: So, with a game-time temperature of 100 degrees, how hot was it? "Miserable," Hall said. "Ridiculous. The trainers did a good job of keeping me hydrated." It was so hot, Hall asked the Orioles clubhouse staff to look into renting a fan for tonight's game.

BAD NEWS: Tanyon Sturtze went home to Massachusetts because of the death of an aunt. He will rejoin the team Thursday and start as scheduled Friday in Chicago.

MINOR MATTERS: With a 10-2 record and 3.05 ERA, Lance Carter, a 27-year-old Bradenton native, may be in line for a promotion from Triple A. ... Durham on Friday drew a season-high 10,555; the Rays drew 10,311 at the Trop. ... Jonny Gomes hit his California League-leading 28th homer Sunday and older brother Joey hit his N.Y.-Penn League-leading 14th.

MISCELLANY: Russ Johnson, working his way back into shape after a five-week absence to be treated for depression, went 0-for-3 with a walk in his first game for Double-A Orlando Monday. ... The Rays have 17 road wins; no major-league team has finished with fewer than 20 in the 40 years since the advent of the 162-game schedule. ... Brent Abernathy is scheduled to play the next three days here, with Felix Escalona taking over at second this weekend in Chicago. ... The Rays had hit two homers in an inning 26 times, seven this season. ... McRae probably won't rest leftfielder Carl Crawford, who has played every day since being recalled July 20, unless the Rays run into a tough left-handed pitcher.