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Smith bolsters his bid with big game vs. Jays

By JOHN ROMANO and MIKE READLING

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 25, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- Bobby Smith has been through this before. He has seen how this job-in-the-balance stuff works. And he knows better than to worry.

Smith, battling for both a roster spot and the potential starting job at second base, said he was not going to get overly excited about his performance Saturday. Smith had three hits, including his first home run, and looked strong turning three double plays in a 3-2 victory against Toronto.

"It doesn't matter what I do, they're going to take the guy they want to take," Smith said. "I could hit .500 this spring and if they don't want this type of player, they'll take another. It's the same thing with (Brent) Abernathy or (Russ) Johnson or (Damian) Rolls."

Smith, 26, has been competing for a roster spot virtually his entire stay in Tampa Bay. He and Abernathy have been the leading contenders as the second baseman with Johnson and Rolls likely playing for utility jobs.

Smith is hitting .308, Abernathy .404 and Johnson .348.

"He made some nice plays today and swung the bat well. That's what you want to see," manager Larry Rothschild said.

RETURN OF PEDRO: Pedro Martinez is tentatively scheduled to be Boston's starting pitcher against the Rays on Wednesday at Florida Power Park. It would be Martinez's first appearance against Tampa Bay since hitting Gerald Williams with a pitch and touching off a wild brawl Aug. 29.

COMING BACK: Juan Guzman had control problems in his second minor-league start as he continues his rehab after last summer's shoulder surgery. Guzman pitched three shutout innings, but gave up five walks and two hits.

EASY DOES IT: Greg Vaughn, who had shoulder problems last season, is giving his arm a rest and moving from leftfield to designated hitter for a couple of days. "I'm fine," Vaughn said. "Nothing wrong with me, just getting a rest."

LOOKING GOOD: If rightfielder Jose Guillen is trade bait, as has been speculated this spring, he is giving teams plenty of reason to inquire about him.

Guillen hit a three-run home run in the third off Braves ace Tom Glavine in a split-squad game at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, boosting his team-leading RBI total to 13. Guillen is hitting .400 with a .675 slugging percentage.

With the acquisition of Ben Grieve, Guillen was reduced to a part-time role or a potential candidate for a trade.

Guillen, 24, who has been inconsistent at the plate since becoming a Ray in 1999, worked overtime on his problems during the winter. He went straight into winter ball after last season and has returned an improved hitter without a position. Guillen admits being frustrated not playing every day despite playing winter ball and working to correct inconsistency, but says his situation will work itself out:

"It's like when I made some mistakes last year and lost my job, it's so hard to find opportunities to play every day. What I'm looking for is to be here."

MAKING THEIR PITCHES: Albie Lopez and Paul Wilson, contenders to start on opening day, had strong efforts Saturday. Wilson ran his scoreless innings streak to 14 before giving up his first run of the spring against Toronto. He is 1-0 with a 0.60 ERA. Lopez gave up two earned runs in five innings in an 11-5 loss to the Braves. He has a 2.25 ERA in 16 innings.

Manager Larry Rothschild has not named a starter for opening day, and the issue is further clouded because Lopez and Wilson are on schedule to pitch April 3.

Doug Creek relieved Lopez in the sixth with a one-run lead but gave up a walk and two singles, then a grand slam.

OOPS, TWICE: Abernathy committed two fielding errors in the third inning, leading to three runs. They were the first errors in 98 innings this spring for Abernathy, who has had a cold for two days and came out of the game in the fifth inning. "I can't make excuses, those are balls that have to be caught and plays that have to be made," he said.

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