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As ranks start thinning, Colome sent down for more seasoning

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 23, 2001

WINTER HAVEN -- Bobby Seay wasn't the only promising prospect farmed out Thursday. The Rays also sent down Jesus Colome, the hard-throwing right-hander acquired from Oakland, and catcher Toby Hall.

The moves leave the Rays with 39 players on their spring roster. With Wilson Alvarez and Juan Guzman likely headed to the disabled list and Jace Brewer's reassignment just a matter of time, the Rays have to trim 11 more players to reach the April 1 limit of 25.

Colome, 21, simply needs more time to develop after spending one season at the Double-A level, manager Larry Rothschild said.

"He was what he was advertised to be arm strength-wise and everything, but he's very young," Rothschild said. "He could have a very bright future, but he needs to go out and pitch."

Colome, whom some consider a future closer, will work as a starter at Triple-A Durham. In 61/3 innings in five spring games, Colome allowed 12 hits and five walks.

Hall was impressive in limited spring duty, hitting .417, but the Rays -- at least right now -- don't have room for him on the roster. Starter John Flaherty and backup Mike DiFelice are both back, though there have been trade rumors about each, and the speculation could intensify with news from Atlanta that backup Eddie Perez is out for the season.

"It's time for Toby to get down there and start catching and playing regularly," Rothschild said. "The situation with Mike and John here is obvious. Depending on what happens, we'll see. But he needs to get down there and play, and I need to start playing those guys every day. Flash needs to start playing regularly and Mike will pick him up."

ALL TIED UP: The Rays rallied in the ninth to tie the Indians 3-3, and the game ended that way after 10 innings by mutual agreement. Cleveland had a 3-1 lead through six innings, thanks to two Tampa Bay errors and a mammoth home run by Russell Branyan, his league-leading seventh of the spring.

The Rays, who got one run on DiFelice's team-high fourth home run, cut the lead to 3-2 in the seventh when Bobby Smith walked, stole second and scored on Ozzie Guillen's opposite-field single. They tied it in the ninth when Russ Johnson drew a leadoff walk, went to second on Felix Martinez's bunt and scored on a single by Jason Tyner, who improved his average to .382 with a 3-for-5 day.

DEE-FENSE: After making two official errors (Guillen and Aubrey Huff), and botching two other routine plays, the Rays benefited from two excellent plays late in the game. With the potential winning run on second and two outs in the ninth, Smith dove to his left to spear a line drive. "I knew he hit it hard and I wasn't sure if I could stop it so I just dove, full extension," Smith said. In the 10th, Johnson made a diving stop at shortstop.

While pleased with the game-saving stops, Rothschild was not happy that the Rays misplayed two popups, even with a tough sun.

"Somebody has to take charge," Rothschild said. "One guy may be blocked out by the sun but the guy coming across or coming from the other way has a chance to see it. It's communication. It's tough, and you could see the outfielders battling it, but those plays can be made."

The Rays, who made four errors in one inning Wednesday, have made 27 errors in 19 games.

BRY GUY: Bryan Rekar rebounded from a rough outing in Mexico on Saturday to pitch six solid innings, allowing four hits and one earned run. "I struggled a little bit with my control, as I did the previous game, but I was able to keep the walks under control," Rekar said. ... Tanyon Sturtze faced one batter, getting a groundout to end the seventh, because the Rays wanted to make sure Ken Hill got in for at least one inning.

GOODBYE: Left-hander Mike Duvall, an expansion draft pick who pitched parts of three seasons with the Rays, was released out of minor-league camp. Infielder Ray Holbert also was released.

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