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Hill sent packing on McRae's second day

By MIKE READLING and BRUCE LOWITT

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 20, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Hal McRae era claimed another victim Thursday as the new Rays manager got rid of his second pitcher in as many days.

Ken Hill, attempting to make a comeback as a relief pitcher, was released, making room for Travis Phelps to be called up from Triple-A Durham.

Hill, 35, a starter for all of his 13-year career, made five appearances, pitching 7 1/3 innings. He compiled an 0-1 record with a 12.27 ERA and gave up four home runs.

Hill said he had mechanical problems, but pitching out of the bullpen didn't allow him the opportunity to work them out.

"Being a reliever you pretty much have to be ready every day," said Hill, who said he will try to catch on with another team. "I have no time to work on it. I can't throw before the game; all of a sudden I might be in it. If I was starting I'd have three days to work on my mechanics."

Another part of the problem was the difference in mind-set between starting games and coming in to pitch the late innings, he said.

"Coming out of the bullpen, you know, it's fire, fire, fire, fire, get ready, get in the game," Hill said. "It's been a tough adjustment for me and I really haven't adjusted to it that well. But they gave me every opportunity. I have no doubt in my mind."

LEADING SITTER: Steve Cox may be the team's leading hitter, carrying a .295 average, but all of a sudden he finds himself the odd man out.

McRae installed Jose Guillen in rightfield, moved Ben Grieve to left and named Greg Vaughn designated hitter. With Fred McGriff an everyday first baseman, that leaves Cox nowhere to go aside from an occasional appearance to rest one of those players.

"(McRae) told me Guillen's gonna play rightfield and that moves Vaughn to DH," Cox said. "Hopefully I'll still get to play some but probably not too much. It's kind of tough, it's one of those things that you don't have to like but his intentions are for the good of the team. I have to go out there and stay ready."

McRae said he hopes to get Cox "at least four at-bats a week."

"I don't think they've lost confidence in me," Cox said. "It's just one of those things where there's not enough spots in the lineup for me. I guess."

MAY'S DAY: Lee May woke up Wednesday, looked out his window to make sure the snow had melted and planned to do a little yard work. Then the phone rang a little before noon.

At the other end was McRae offering him a job. All May had to do was get from Cincinnati to St. Petersburg by game time. "There was no hesitation at all," May said. "It came out of the blue. I had no idea at all. This is great."

May has been out of baseball since 1994 when he lost his coaching job when McRae was fired as manager in Kansas City. He spent the past six years traveling, hunting, fishing and playing with his grandchildren.

FOND FAREWELL: During the series, Boston pitchers walked one batter and struck out 27. ... Tampa Bay has lost its past five home games, the past four by a total of 38-4.

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