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Martinez gets Wheeler's spot

By KEVIN KELLY, MARC TOPKIN and FRANK PASTOR

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 15, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- With shortstop Felix Martinez expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list today, the Rays optioned relief pitcher Dan Wheeler to Triple-A Durham after Thursday's win against the Phillies.

"They just told me," Wheeler said after the game. "What do you want me to say?"

The right-hander had a 13.50 ERA in his past 102/3 innings. He was sent down to make room for Martinez. "We had to make a move. It had to be a pitcher," manager Hal McRae said. Martinez, placed on the DL on May 31 because of tendinitis in his left knee, will be used immediately. He is scheduled to start the first two games of a three-game series against the Marlins that starts today.

"We want to use him while he's still fresh," McRae said.

Andy Sheets, 4 for his past 20 at the plate, will start at shortstop Sunday and next week against the Red Sox and Yankees unless Martinez plays himself into the starting spot.

McRae also plans to start Randy Winn in centerfield for the first two games of the series. Jason Tyner will play Sunday. Steve Cox will get at least one start at first base.

DISADVANTAGE: The Rays think they'll be at a disadvantage under National League rules in the Marlins series.

"Our (pitchers) are not accustomed to hitting," McRae said. "And there are things that you're reluctant to do, like you're reluctant to squeeze."

The interleague series is the Rays' first on the road this season and McRae's first as a manager. "I'm looking forward to it," he said. "But there's some uncertainty because I haven't done it before."

HOME SWEET HOME: Tampa Bay tied a club record for the best homestand in team history with five wins in six games against the Mets and Phillies.

The Rays went 5-1 against Seattle and Oakland in 1998, and against the Yankees and Red Sox last season.

"Every win is so big for us," leftfielder Greg Vaughn said. "We're playing good baseball, and it all goes to our pitching. If you keep the other team from scoring, you have a great chance to win."

TOPS FOR THE MONTH: The Rays were the only team to land two minor-leaguers in the Player of the Month awards for May. Catcher Toby Hall batted .379 for Triple-A Durham, and infielder Nathan Kaup hit .364 with nine home runs for Class A Bakersfield.

RAYS BITS: Wilson Alvarez had a second successful rehabilitation start for Double A Orlando on Thursday. He allowed 6 hits and 3 runs over five innings and struck out 5. His velocity was reported to be 86-89 mph.

ODDS AND ENDS: Phillies leftfielder Pat Burrell joined former Rays Jose Canseco and Vinny Castilla as players to hit a ball to the upper deck in leftfield. Burrell's seventh-inning home run banged off the Lowe's sign on the facade of the Beach. ... Jimmy Rollins' two stolen bases gave him 21 for the season, best in the National League. ... Riverview High pitcher Eric Beattie, the Rays' 47th-round draft choice, plans to enroll at the University of Tampa, his father, Randy, said.

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