Cairo: Error one of those things

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2000

PHILADELPHIA -- It was an error, Miguel Cairo said, simple as that.

The incredibly errant throw on a seemingly routine ninth-inning play Tuesday was nothing more than a physical mistake, Cairo said. It had nothing to do with a lapse of concentration or lack of confidence, subjects that have been issues in his career.

"In my opinion, I've been playing good defense," Cairo said. "It's part of the game. You make errors. No one's perfect."

Cairo, 26, who ranked third in the league in fielding percentage last season, went through a rough spring training, making 10 errors in 22 games. Then he made a ninth-inning error that led to a 6-5 loss in the second game of the season.

But since then he has played relatively well, making five errors in 50 games. That made the miscue even more of a surprise.

Manager Larry Rothschild agreed with Cairo that the play was an isolated incident.

"I just think the ball was creeping down in his hand, and when you know (Doug) Glanville is running and you don't get a good grip on the ball, things happen," Rothschild said. "I think what Miguel said is what happened. He just screwed it up."

Still, Rothschild gave Cairo some time to reflect, replacing him in the lineup Wednesday with Russ Johnson.

"It's just to give Cairo a day, and we're off (today), and Russ has done a good job," Rothschild said. Cairo was not particularly pleased with the decision.

"It's kind of disappointing, but I don't make the lineup," he said. "After you win you want to be back in there."

PITCHING IN: With the bullpen coming through the first two games of the Phillies series relatively intact, Rothschild plans to keep the rotation in order. That means Steve Trachsel will start against Florida on Friday, with Esteban Yan scheduled for Saturday and Cory Lidle on Sunday. If the Rays stay on schedule after Monday's off day, Bryan Rekar would be scheduled to pitch Tuesday and Albie Lopez on Wednesday.

BLAME GAME: There are many reasons for the Devil Rays' disappointing start, but, apparently, it truly is general manager Chuck LaMar's fault. At least that's what LaMar is quoted as saying in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated. "If there's anyone to blame, it's me," LaMar said. "I can't do anything about the injuries, but maybe we erroneously brought in some players whose careers were going downhill. Maybe they're not capable. I thought we could win at least 80 games with the money we spent. We should be playing better."

MEDICAL REPORT: It now appears that Jose Canseco won't come off the disabled list until next week. Canseco, out with a heel injury, ran lightly Wednesday at the minor-league training complex but will have to show he can run hard and not have lingering aftereffects before being activated. ... Ryan Rupe, who felt shoulder tightness shortly after being sent down to Triple A, is throwing batting practice at Durham and working his way back to game form. "It's going to be a little bit down the road because he's going to have to get built back up and all that," Rothschild said.

AND THE WINNER IS: Total bids for the Turn Back the Clock game jerseys exceeded $36,500. Cal Ripken's jersey drew the highest price, $4,055.

MINOR MATTERS: Starting pitcher Mickey Callaway came off the Triple-A disabled list, but Marty Barnett went on. ... Dan Wheeler has allowed 11 home runs in 661/3 innings for Durham. ... Charleston's Josh Hamilton is fourth in the South Atlantic League in hitting at .330.

RAYS BITS: Tampa Bay pitchers hit .250 (3-for-12) through the first six interleague games; the position players hit .239 (49-for-205). ... Jose Guillen is the third Ray to hit two triples in a game, joining Dave Martinez and Randy Winn. ... Guillen also tied a club record with three extra-base hits. ... Sixteen of the Rays' first 58 games were decided in the final inning, most in the majors, and 26 after the seventh inning.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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