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Fiore throws a fit after bullpen swap

By MIKE READLING

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 20, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- The revolving door that is the Rays bullpen took another turn after Saturday's loss to the Tigers.

While his teammates were showering after the game, pitcher Tony Fiore was packing and storming out of the clubhouse after being designated for assignment to Triple-A Durham. Fiore, who was called up from Durham on May 12, reacted to the news by throwing objects around the clubhouse, several members of the organization said.

The Rays have 10 days to trade or release Fiore or put him through waivers.

Mickey Callaway was selected from Durham, making him the sixth Bulls pitcher to make the trip to Tampa Bay and the eighth transaction involving the Triple-A pitching staff this season. Callaway was 4-1 with a 3.56 ERA.

In his seven days on the roster, Fiore pitched in three games. After two scoreless, one-inning outings, Fiore came on in the eighth Friday night and allowed five of the first six batters he faced to reach, contributing to a six-run Detroit inning.

Callaway, the Rays' seventh-round choice in 1996, is the organization's all-time winningest pitcher at 51-29. In five games in 1999 with the Rays he was 1-2 with a 7.45 ERA.

CAT ATTACK: Greg Vaughn became the all-time Tropicana Field catwalk assaulter when he launched a 398-foot home run off the C-ring in the first inning. It was the fourth time he hit the structure, which hangs approximately 110 feet above the field. Thirty-two balls have struck catwalks, five this season.

The home run also broke Vaughn's 0-for-10 streak against Detroit this season and highlighted a difference in offensive output when he is the leftfielder rather than designated hitter.

As an outfielder, Vaughn is batting .400 (16-for-40) with 5 home runs, 12 RBI, 4 doubles and 10 runs scored. As a DH, his average is .189 (21-for-111) with 4 home runs, 10 RBI, 1 double and 13 runs.

He is expected to play leftfield again today, assuming his tender right shoulder is okay.

GETTING CLOSER: Wilson Alvarez had what was perhaps his best extended spring training start Saturday, working five innings while allowing no runs on four hits. Alvarez walked none and struck out 10 while throwing 56 pitches.

The most impressive numbers came from the speed gun. Alvarez, who is recovering from rotator cuff surgery May 25, consistently registered in the mid to high 80s.

"That is what I wanted," Alvarez said. "My location was good -- I'm happy I struck out 10 guys -- but I'm very happy with the velocity."

Alvarez is scheduled to start one more extended spring game Thursday before probably moving into Double-A action.

HATCH AT THIRD: Bench coach Billy Hatcher assumed third-base coaching duties in the fifth when Terry Collins left to attend a family function. Collins will return for Tuesday's game.

DOUBLE VISION: The Rays tied the team record by hitting seven doubles, and Fred McGriff tied the individual mark by hitting three. Combined with Vaughn's home run, the eight extra-base hits were two shy of the club record. The teams combined for 15 extra-base hits, a Rays record.

TRADEWINDS: ESPN's Peter Gammons reported the Phillies are "somewhat" interested in catcher John Flaherty and pitcher Bryan Rekar.

Today: Tigers at Rays, 1:15

WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg.

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

TODAY'S PROMOTION: St. Petersburg Times Family Funday -- Fans presenting a coupon from the St. Petersburg Times receive a lower deck outfield ticket, hot dog and Pepsi for $12 or an upper general admission ticket for $3. Pregame activities include face painters and jugglers, and there will be child-oriented giveaways throughout the game. Children can run the bases after the game. The first 7,500 children under 14 receive a sample trading card pack, and the first 15,000 fans receive a Rays floppy hat.

INFO: Call 1-888-FAN-RAYS

The pitchers

PAUL WILSON: Wilson (1-5, 7.09) makes his team-high 10th start, though he still is searching for his first quality start (six or more innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs). Wilson leads the league with eight hit batters and is tied for the lead with 45 runs allowed.

DAVE MLICKI: Mlicki (3-3, 5.94) has the chance to do something he didn't do until July 17 last year: win his fourth game. Mlicki lost his three-game winning streak last time out when Baltimore scored seven runs in four innings. Against Tampa Bay, he is 4-0 with a 0.93 ERA.

Hitters vs. pitchers

Tigers vs. Wilson

No Tigers have faced Wilson.

Rays vs. Mlicki

(Batter, AB, H, HR,Avg.)

DiFelice, 2,0, 0,.000

Flaherty, 21, 7, 2,.333

Grieve,5, 2, 1,.400

Johnson,4,3, 0,.750

Martinez, 5,1, 0,.200

McGriff,28, 7, 1,.250

Vaughn,19, 4, 1,.211

Williams, 7, 1, 0,.143

Winn4, 1, 0,.250

Outta leftfield

Rays bench coach Billy Hatcher never pitched in the major leagues, but that doesn't stop him from pretending to be a pitcher now. Hatcher likes to work on some special pitches as he warms up for batting practice, deriving much pleasure from faking out whoever happens to be playing catch with him. Hatcher throws changeups, curves, even the occasional knuckleball, laughing while his partner works overtime to keep the ball in front of him. Saturday he displayed a new pitch, the "Slow-O Bend-O," Hatcher's version of a big curve.

Attendance report

SATURDAY'S CROWD: 13,304

TROPICANA FIELD CAPACITY: 44,445

SEASON TOTAL: 318,932

PER-GAME AVERAGE: 15,947

2001 LARGEST CROWD: 41,546

2001 SMALLEST CROWD: 11,056

2000 PER-GAME AVERAGE: 19,368

1999 PER-GAME AVERAGE: 19,296

1998 PER-GAME AVERAGE: 30,939

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