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By KEVIN KELLY
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 6, 2001
CHICAGO -- Going on what he called a "gut feeling," Rays manager Hal McRae will start Jeff Wallace in place of Ryan Rupe against the White Sox today.
"It's a one-time deal, no matter how well Wallace does," McRae said. "Even if he pitches a no-hitter. It has to be like that because that's what I told Rupe."
The switch is because of fatigue, not an injury to Rupe, winless in his past eight starts.
Wallace hasn't started since he was pitching for Class A Lansing in 1986, but he has emerged as the Rays' most dependable long reliever.
The 25-year-old's past two appearances have been the longest, and among the best, of his ca/reer: 62/3 against Anaheim on July 26 and 42/3 against the Angels on July 19. Wallace, who will become the 11th starter for the Rays this season, allowed two runs on seven hits during that span.
"I'm going to warm up just like I warm up when I'm getting ready to go in a game in relief," Wallace said. "I'm not going to throw too many pitches down there and I'm just going to go into the game like it's the first inning."
McRae also would like to give left-hander Joe Kennedy a break at some point, probably after an upcoming road series versus New York and Minnesota.
"I'll try to do that with Joe when we get an opportunity," McRae said.
GOOD TO BE BACK: Glenn Ezell was on the Toledo Mudhens' team bus Friday when he turned on his cell phone and retrieved a message from an old friend.
McRae had called to offer the 56-year-old a job as the Rays bullpen coach. Ezell, who was working as the Tigers' roving catching instructor, was part of McRae's staff in Kansas City from 1991-94 and accepted immediately.
He replaces Darren Daulton, who resigned Saturday for personal reasons.
"I felt more excited yesterday than I did even when I was going to have my first shot at the big leagues (in 1983)," said Ezell, who joined the team Sunday. "I didn't know if I'd get another shot back in the big leagues."
Ezell was the Tigers bullpen coach in 1996. He has coached John Flaherty, Chris Gomez, Steve Cox and Ben Grieve.
"He's a real upbeat guy, always positive," Flaherty said. "From my perspective, he's a catching guy, knows what he's talking about behind the plate. I'm looking forward to getting back together with him. He's an old-school guy but he's able to relate with today's players."
STREAK ENDS: The three unearned runs allowed by Rays reliever Victor Zambrano in the eighth ended a streak of 172/3 scoreless innings of relief, two shy of the club record.
Zambrano, who got the win, entered leading the American League with 142/3 scoreless innings since the All-Star break.
ODDS AND ENDS: Aubrey Huff's single in the second inning extended his hitting streak to six games, which equals a career high. His error in the sixth, however, was his fifth in six games. ... Toby Hall is wearing No. 44. He gave up No. 55 when Ezell joined the team. ... Chicago has turned nine double plays against the Rays in their past two games. ... The Rays are flying 10 children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast to Chicago for today's game.
WHERE: Comiskey Park, Chicago.
RADIO: WFLA-AM 970, WLCC-AM 760 (Spanish).
BY THE NUMBERS through Saturday
AL PLAYERS WITH 4-HIT GAMES
1: Koskie, Twins (5 times)
T2: Abernathy, Rays (3)
Alomar, Orioles
Fullmer, Blue Jays
Sanchez, Royals/Braves
Suzuki, Mariners
AL'S TOP-HITTING ROOKIES
(min. 100 plate appearances)
1. Suzuki, Mariners .332
2. Wooten, Angels .320
3. Abernathy, Rays .292
4. Roberts, Orioles .282
5. Eckstein, Angels .277
WEATHER FORECAST: Sunny with a high of 94 degrees, low of 73.
INFO: Call 1-888-FAN-RAYS.
JEFF WALLACE: This will be the first career start for the left-handed Wallace (0-2, 2.31). Normally the Rays long reliever, his past two appearances (42/3 and 62/3 innings against the Angels) have been the longest of his career. Lefties are hitting .180 against him.
DAN WRIGHT: Recalled from Double-A Birmingham on July 27, Wright (1-0, 5.63) has pitched twice since. He earned his first major-league victory Aug. 1 against Kansas City, allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings.
Rays catcher Toby Hall has been telling manager Hal McRae he wants to play for the past four games. Hall, who bruised his left knee against Baltimore on Wednesday, may get his wish today. "I'm ready to rock and roll," he said Saturday.