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Shortstops soap opera still getting attention

By MARK DIDTLER, BRANT JAMES, Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 15, 2001

TAMPA -- Texas shortstop Alex Rodriguez was booed during pregame introductions Wednesday. It was his first appearance against the Yankees since his controversial comments made in Esquire about shortstop Derek Jeter.

The friends met in private before the game, and said the matter is closed.

"We talked about it, and put it behind us," Rodriguez said.

The mood was jovial before the game. Rodriguez said the pair likely would go to dinner and joked that Jeter would pick up the tab.

Jeter told reporters Rodriguez was "waiting for you (and) he said he can't wait to talk with you."

Jeter also called his friend "the quote man."

In an interesting twist, when Rodriguez went on the field to stretch, Jeter was hitting in the batting cage. The song on the stadium speakers was the theme from the TV show Friends.

AROUND THE HORN: Orlando Hernandez (right forearm) is scheduled to start throwing Saturday and might start Monday's game against Detroit. . . . Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre rejoined the team after his six-month checkup. He missed nearly all of last year while battling bone marrow cancer. . . . Leftfielder Shane Spencer (knee) will not take batting practice for at least three more days. ... First baseman Nick Johnson (shoulder) has resumed throwing. -- MARK DIDTLER

Ex-Ray Michalak has best outing

DUNEDIN -- Former Rays farmhand Chris Michalak continued his bid to wriggle into the Blue Jays' rotation, allowing two runs on four hits in four innings in his second straight strong outing. The left-hander appeared in six games for Triple-A Durham last spring before being released in April. Then he was signed by the Dodgers and sent to Albuquerque, where he won 11 games.

Michalak, 27, the only left-handed starter candidate until Mike Sirotka heals, is auditioning with Esteban Loaiza, Joey Hamilton, Chris Carpenter, Steve Parris, Roy Halladay, Jaime Navarro and Jason Dickson for a spot in an enigmatic rotation.

"It would be great to be in the rotation," Michalak said. "Right now they appear to be stretching me out innings-wise, but anything is possible."

The outing was Michalak's longest this spring. He allowed a monstrous home run to Cleveland's Jim Thome on the first pitch of the second inning, then got into trouble by nibbling in the third. He had Kenny Lofton 0-and-2, fell to 2-and-2 and allowed a triple. He then got ahead of Omar Vizquel 0-and-2 before allowing a run-scoring double.

He retired the last five batters he faced but took the 2-1 loss. PINBALL WIZARD: Dunedin High graduate Mike "Pinball" Clemons made an appearance and was a hit with Canadian Football League fans in attendance. Pro football's all-time all-purpose yardage leader is an ex-player and coach with the Toronto Argonauts.

BETTER: Struggling cleanup hitter Brad Fullmer went 2-for-4, including a double. He entered batting .130 (3-for-23).

HURTS: Infielder Jeff Frye, 34, who was injured and carried off the field in his first spring at-bat on Monday, had knee surgery on Tuesday, revealing a tear in the medial meniscus of his right knee. He could lose a month. . . . Third baseman Tony Batista was scratched from the lineup, missing his third straight game because of flulike symptoms.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Joey Hamilton vs. the Yankees' Mike Mussina, 7:15 tonight at Legends Field. -- BRANT JAMES

Estrada leads 11-6 rout of Pirates

BRADENTON -- Johnny Estrada had a two-run homer in a five-run first inning against ailing Pittsburgh starter Francisco Cordova and the Phillies beat the Pirates 11-6.

Estrada, the Phillies' top catching prospect, was 4-for-4 with a double and four RBI as Philadelphia opened an 8-1 lead after three innings and an 11-2 lead after six.

Cordova, who had season-ending elbow surgery in August, said he "was a little sore" after pitching only one of his two scheduled innings. He had a cortisone shot and was scheduled for X-rays this morning, with the strong possibility he may need more surgery.

The right-handed Cordova likely would miss the season if he needs another elbow operation.

AROUND THE HORN: The Phillies made up Tuesday's rainout by playing a B game against Toronto, winning 8-5 in 12 innings. Phillies starter Randy Wolf allowed nine hits and two runs in five innings. Gary Bennett, competing to be starting catcher Mike Lieberthal's backup, had a two-run double in his first game this spring. He had been sidelined with a rib cage injury. . . . Jose Mesa and Ricky Bottalico, competing to be the closer, also had rough outings. Mesa allowed a double to Pirates rookie Jack Wilson while giving up two hits and a run in an inning. Bottalico allowed a two-run homer in the B game. . . . Pitcher Rheal Cormier, bothered by back spasms, will pitch a Triple-A game today against Toronto. -- TIMES WIRES

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