Huff is nearly a hero in debut

By BRUCE LOWITT and JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 3, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- Third baseman Aubrey Huff's major-league career got off to what could have been a winning start Wednesday night -- a sacrifice fly for the go-ahead run in the seventh inning -- if the Devil Rays bullpen hadn't failed to hold the lead in the eighth.

He hit weak grounders to Indians first baseman Jim Thome in the third and fifth innings. "To tell you the truth," Huff said, "I was feeling a little uncomfortable in those two at-bats."

Huff then came up against Steve Karsay after designated hitter Jose Canseco doubled home two runs to tie it at 2. Canseco took third on the throw home, and after Steve Cox was walked intentionally, Huff hit a fly ball to left and Canseco scored easily.

"I knew they were going to try to get a double-play ball out of me," he said. "The first pitch was a fastball and I figured he was going to come back and try it again. He did, and I got under it."

Huff returned to the dugout and received high-fives from his teammates. "It felt great 'cause I was kind of tense up there. I wanted to do the job, wanted to get it done."

Huff batted .314 with 20 home runs and 76 RBI at Triple-A Durham before being summoned. He was expected to start Tuesday night, but a storm delayed his flight.

"It was a 3:15 (p.m.) flight and at about the time that rolled around, boom! A flash of lightning," Huff said. "We waited on the plane about an hour and a half. At least it was first class, so it wasn't too bad."

HAMILTON'S KNEE: Josh Hamilton is expected to come to St. Petersburg on Friday to have orthopedic surgeon Koco Eaton examine his right knee. Hamilton, with the Class A Charleston RiverDogs, injured the knee Monday. Considering Tampa Bay's investment in the No. 1 pick in the 1999 draft, it would not be a surprise if the Rays shut him down for the rest of the minor-league season, which ends at the end of August.

GOOD CALL: Manager Larry Rothschild got a post-game look at Greg Vaughn's Tuesday night foul ball that initially was called a home run by third-base umpire Ed Montague, triggering spirited arguments by both managers.

Vaughn, back in the dugout when Montague's call was reversed, eventually drew a walk. "I've seen (players sent back to the plate) when they were going around the bases," Rothschild said. "I don't know that I've ever seen one called back out. ...

"It would be strange if it happened twice in one year, wouldn't it?" he added, grinning. It was a pointed reference to Tampa Bay's 4-3 victory over Baltimore on May 31, when B.J. Surhoff was called out at first to end the game only to have the call reversed with the Devil Rays already headed toward their clubhouse.

They reluctantly returned, and Charles Johnson singled before Roberto Hernandez struck out Brady Anderson to officially end the game.

LIKE BROTHER, LIKE ... BROTHER: Newark Bears designated hitter Ozzie Canseco, Jose's twin brother, hit his 33rd and 34th home runs, breaking the record for the independent Atlantic League. "Great, awesome," Jose said of his brother's feat. "Hopefully he'll be considered for the Olympic team."

And is there a chance Ozzie could get another shot at the majors? "If someone's interested in a power hitter and gives him a look, maybe," Jose said. "He's got tremendous power, tremendous ability."

THE FAST LANE: Third baseman Bobby Smith, on the 15-day disabled list since July 6 with a sprained right knee, is ahead of schedule in his recovery, Rothschild said after Smith took more batting practice Wednesday.

"His side-to-side moves are still going to be the biggest key," Rothschild said. "He's not going to be back on the field until it's safe." ONE DAY LATER: Dave Eiland's final rehabilitation start for Durham has been moved back one day to Saturday. He is recovering from a hip injury.

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