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Alvarez takes another good step

By KEVIN KELLY and JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 15, 2001

In his fifth extended spring training start since surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff last May, Wilson Alvarez was solid in a five-inning outing Monday in Dunedin.

"I pushed myself a little more," said Alvarez, who allowed six hits and one earned run while striking out two and walking one against Blue Jays minor leaguers. "That's the only way to get stronger, to get more strength in my arm. I was getting a little tired, but I've got to push it."

Of the 76 pitches he threw, 56 were strikes and 14 were first-pitch strikes.

Alvarez's fastball topped out at 87 mph in the second inning, and averaged 82-85 mph. He paid particular attention to his off-speed pitches, which ranged from 67-74 mph.

"Now I can say I'm getting close," the left-hander said. "I'm pain-free, but I need my velocity back. To go up to Triple A or the big leagues throwing 82 or 83 mph isn't any good."

Alvarez will make one more extended spring start -- likely Saturday -- before moving either to Double-A Orlando or Triple-A Durham, he said.

BP PITCHER: It's not a live game, but it is a start for Juan Guzman.

Guzman, who had surgery June 27 to repair a partially torn rotator cuff and labrum, is scheduled to throw batting practiced today at the Raymond Naimoli Complex. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list April 25, meaning he can't be actived until June 1.

WARMING UP: The rest of the AL does not appear worried. Opposing pitchers still are climbing out of sick beds just for the chance to face the Rays.

But in the past 10 days, the middle of the Rays lineup is beginning to show signs of coming to life. Ben Grieve is hitting .390 with seven RBI, Fred McGriff is hitting .395 with 15 RBI and Greg Vaughn is at .282 wit six RBI in that span.

"Freddie and Ben are starting to get hot," Vaughn said. "Maybe some of that will rub off on me."

The Rays remain at the bottom of the AL in most offensive categories, but manager Hal McRae said the success of the 3-4-5 hitters could cause a chain reaction through the rest of the lineup.

"When those guys start hitting, it makes everybody else's job a little easier," McRae said. "The guys hitting ahead of them start seeing better pitches because the pitchers don't want to take the chance of walking them. The guys behind them can relax a little because the big guys are doing their jobs and they don't have as much pressure to drive in runs themselves. They can go back to being support players, Complimenting the big guys.

"Pitchers also have to work harder to get through the middle of the lineup and they have a tendency then to lose their concentration during the game."

HOME SWEET HOME: McRae is not the only one making the homecoming tonight. Infielder Damian Rolls is playing in his hometown for the first time as a pro.

Rolls, who said he was a Willie Wilson fan as a child, is staying in his parents' home instead of at the team hotel. He normally gets one start a week, but Rolls says he has not asked McRae if he will be in the lineup during the next three days.

"It's going to be amazing to me just to step on the field," he said. "This is the same field I used to watch on TV and from the stands. To stand there and turn and watch the water go up in the outfield, that's going to be wonderful."

Although Rolls is behind Russ Johnson at second base and Aubrey Huff at third, McRae has been effusive in his praise for the rookie's demeanor.

"He's the type of player every club needs with his hustle and desire," McRae said. "Not all of the players are like that, so it's refreshing to see him play."

BEARING DOWN: The numbers are ugly. A league-leading eight hit-batsmen, a league-leading 41 runs allowed. Paul Wilson does not need to be reminded of his struggles through the first six weeks of the season.

"It's killing me," Wilson said. "I know how bad it's been and nobody feels worse than I do. I've got to fight the desire to go out there and try too hard, because that's the way I'm feeling. I want to turn this around. I want to stick it (to other teams). But I've got to go out there and get comfortable, because that's what it's going to take."

Wilson, who makes his ninth start tonight, had a meeting with McRae, pitching coach Bill Fischer and catcher John Flaherty a few days ago to look for solutions. He said part of the problem has been his mechanics are slightly off, which has caused some control problems.

Tonight: Rays at Royals, 8:05

WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City.

TV/RADIO: Ch. 32; WFLA-AM 970, WLCC-AM 760 (Spanish).

2001 RESULTS/SCHEDULE VS. ROYALS: April 24, 4-2 W

April 25, 5-3 W

April 26, 6-0 L

WEATHER FORECAST: Sunny during the day, high of 90, low of 68.

The pitchers

PAUL WILSON: Wilson (1-4, 7.26) has struggled of late, with an ERA of 8.15 in his past three starts. But his only victory of the season came in an April 25 start against the Royals. He went five innings, giving up four hits.

BRIAN MEADOWS: Meadows (1-4, 7.05) won for the first time this season Thursday against the Indians. He started strong against the Rays on April 24, retiring the first eight hitters, but the Rays rallied and won 4-2. Gerald Williams and Greg Vaughn homered off Meadows.

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