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Fiore a winner after 9-year wait

By MARC TOPKIN and JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 1, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- Tony Fiore went nine years and 927 minor-league innings before making it to the big leagues Sunday.

It took him less than a week to get his first victory, pitching a perfect eighth inning in Thursday's 2-1 win over Kansas City.

With the victory came the spoils. First, a game ball that he'll probably send to his parents in Chicago. "They seem to like hanging my stuff all over the house," he said. Then the obligatory post-game beer shower from his teammates. Imported or domestic? "I don't know, but it was cold," he said.

Manager Larry Rothschild has been impressed with the 28-year-old right-hander. "He doesn't seem to get rattled, he has good stuff and he knows how to use it," he said. "We've looked for that (late-inning setup) guy since we lost (Jim) Mecir and (Rick) White."

CHECK-UP TIME: Noted orthopedic surgeon James Andrews is expected today to check out Greg Vaughn's sore right shoulder and check up on the progress of pitchers Wilson Alvarez and Juan Guzman.

Vaughn strained his shoulder July 27 and has been limited to designated hitter duties since Aug. 7. The Rays expected him to return to the outfield this season, but that may not happen. "The later you get the more you're getting closer to just shutting it down and making sure he's okay," Rothschild said. "We'll just see what Andrews says and what his recommendation is and then we'll go from there."

As a leftfielder, Vaughn hit .285 with 17 homers and 42 RBI in 274 at-bats. As a DH, he is hitting .216 with six homers and 18 RBI in 111 at-bats.

OLD SORE: The Rays were upset with Boston's Brian Daubach because of what he did during Tuesday's first-inning brawl. The fact that Daubach was a replacement player during the 1994-95 strike may have made it a little worse. At one point during the melee, an obviously upset Rays pitcher Roberto Hernandez called Daubach a scab. "Believe me, I wasn't the only one," Hernandez said. "In the heat of the battle, and to top it off he was one of them, he ain't going to be treated politely."

REINFORCEMENTS COMING: The Rays are expected to add outfielder Kenny Kelly and infielders Jace Brewer and Damian Rolls to the roster today, but don't expect to see much of them on the field. "Just because they're being called up doesn't mean they're going to play a lot," Rothschild said.

Brewer, a fifth-rounder in the June draft who hit .219 at Class A Charleston, and Kelly, who gave up playing quarterback at the University of Miami, are required to be called up by their contracts. The Rays need to have Rolls on the roster to satisfy Rule 5 draft commitments.

HOMEBOY: Tonight will be Kris Wilson night at the Trop. At least in a section or two. The Tarpon Springs High product has become a productive member of the Royals bullpen since his July 28 promotion from Double A, and some 60-70 friends and relatives are coming out to see him. "We figured we'd do it in one night instead of having chaos each night," Wilson said.

SCHOOL'S IN: Tonight is the grand opening of Chuck LaMar's Strike Zone, a baseball/softball instruction and practice facility at 7235 W Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa. There is a 22,000-square-foot indoor area that includes batting cages, pitching and hitting tunnels and a weight room, plus a FieldTurf-covered outdoor practice area and youth-sized field. "I've been involved in youth baseball all my life and truly believe that is the future of our sport, getting young men and women involved at an early age," LaMar said. "I'm proud to be able to lend my name to such an outstanding facility."

RAYS BITS: The Rays finished August 15-15, their fourth month at .500 or better. Their 3.98 ERA was their second best for a month, and their .240 average was their lowest. ... Vinny Castilla, out since July 30 with a sore back, continued workouts and is hoping to be activated in Cleveland next week.

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