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By MARC TOPKIN
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 26, 2001
BOSTON -- Brent Abernathy, even general manager Chuck LaMar acknowledged Monday, deserved to make the team out of spring training. But when the Rays decided to keep Bobby Smith and send Abernathy to Triple A, he balanced his disappointment with the belief that he'd eventually make it back.
That day came Monday, when the Rays, continuing their infusion of young prospects, recalled the 23-year-old from Durham and installed him as the starting second baseman. The night became even more special when his first major-league hit was a sixth-inning home run.
Abernathy takes the roster spot of Jose Guillen, who was returned to the disabled list, and the starting position of Damian Rolls, who is more suited to a utility role that might include outfield duty, manager Hal McRae said.
"Long range, I think Abernathy's probably the guy," McRae said. "At least we hope he is the guy. So if we think he's going to be the guy, he might as well start playing that position now."
Abernathy, acquired from Toronto in July, got off to a slow start at Durham and missed two weeks with a fractured rib. He has been playing extremely well, hitting .302 overall with four homers, 23 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 61 games.
"I wasn't too concerned about getting sent down," Abernathy said. "I figured if I went down and played like I know that I can, that everything would take care of itself and I'd be back here. It's taken a little bit longer than I hoped, but I'm here now and hopefully I can play well and stay for a long time."
LaMar, who traded pitchers Steve Trachsel and Mark Guthrie to get Abernathy, is expecting him to. "I wouldn't be surprised if Brent Abernathy is the everyday second baseman here for a long time," he said.
Abernathy was with the Bulls in Pawtucket, R.I., Monday morning when he got the word from manager Bill Evers, then made a traffic-slowed 13/4-hour drive to Boston. "It took forever," Abernathy said. "It was mentally draining."
PAINFUL TRIP: Guillen flew from Pawtucket to Tampa Bay on Sunday morning, then back to Boston with the team Sunday night. In between, he reaggravated the sprained left knee that sidelined him originally.
Guillen said he was taking swings in the Tropicana Field batting cage during the game when he felt something pop in his knee. Trainer Jamie Reed said Guillen has inflammation in the knee and is scheduled to have an MRI today. "It doesn't seem too good," Guillen said.
Guillen was the starting rightfielder when he was first hurt May 17. He has since been placed on the disabled list, sent to Triple A on rehab, suspended 10 games for using a corked bat, activated by the Rays on Sunday and placed back on the DL.
"I don't know what to say," Guillen said. "I'm not having good luck right now."
ROLLING WITH IT: Though Rolls lost his job, he is happy that he'll have the chance, at least for now, to stay in the majors.
He played outfield in high school, and he said he'll work just as hard learning that position as he did making the transition from third base to second.
"As long as I'm playing, I don't mind where I'm playing," Rolls said.
G-FORCE: Outfielder Gerald Williams, released Sunday, will be free to sign with another team at 1 p.m. Wednesday. There already are reports of interest from several teams, including San Francisco.
RAYS BITS: Wilson Alvarez went four innings in a rehab start for Durham, allowing six runs (four earned) and six hits while striking out five. He threw 87 pitches. ... McRae said he is warming to the possibility of using Steve Cox in the outfield to keep his bat in the lineup. ... Seventh-round draft pick Timothy King, a left-hander from Deer Park (Texas) High, signed. ... Greg Vaughn hit his 338th homer, tying Don Baylor for 67th all-time. ... Fred McGriff, out of the lineup for three days due to a sore left hamstring, was the DH and went 2-for-4. He is hitting .411 in June.
WHERE: Fenway Park.
TV/RADIO: Fox Sports Net; WFLA-AM 970, WLCC-AM 760 (Spanish).
RAYS vs. RED SOX, 2001:
April 6 4-11 L at Boston
April 7 2-6 L at Boston
April 8 0-3 L at Boston
April 170-10 L at Trop
April 181-9 L at Trop
April 193-8 L at Trop
June 19 4-5 L at Trop
June 20 2-8 L at Trop
June 21 4-7 L at Trop
June 22 8-12 L at Boston
TANYON STURTZE: A native of Worcester, Mass., Sturtze has pitched well in front of the hometown fans, 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in three previous Fenway starts. He went seven strong innings against Pedro Martinez on Thursday, allowing one run on five hits.
PEDRO MARTINEZ: Martinez wasn't at his best against the Rays last week, but he was plenty good, allowing one run on four hits while striking out six in five innings. In nine starts against Tampa Bay, he is 5-2 with a 1.97 ERA and has 100 strikeouts and 10 walks in 64 innings.
There wasn't much left for Chris Fernandez to do but cry foul. Early Monday afternoon, Fernandez, the team's 34-year-old video coordinator, and first-base coach Lee May had a long-discussed race, running from the left-field foul line toward centerfield. And when the 58-year-old May won -- easily -- Fernandez immediately claimed there was a false start, and an unspecified finish line, and assorted other technicalities. "I'm going to try to get a rematch," Fernandez said. "A fair rematch." Said May: "I'll consider it."