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Guillen putting on a strong audition

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 3, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- If this is Jose Guillen's last week in a Rays uniform, at least he can say he made the most of it.

The 25-year-old outfielder collected a season-high three hits Tuesday night, ripping a double and knocking in a run. Since returning from Triple-A Durham on Sept. 2, Guillen is batting .481 with three doubles, two home runs and four RBI in six starts.

"The good thing is right now I'm getting a chance to play and there's a lot of scouts here watching me play," Guillen said. "It could be my last week, who knows?"

Guillen is fighting for a regular job on a team fraught with outfielders. He also is in his second year of arbitration, and after making $975,000 this season he is likely to make more than $1-million in 2002. If the Rays don't offer him a contract by Dec. 10, he becomes a free agent.

"I understand this is a business thing," Guillen said. "If I come here, fine, I'll be happy as hell. But if I don't come, I understand how this game is. I'm just trying to have an opportunity to play anywhere I go. Everybody knows what I can do right now. I just need to find somewhere I can go and get 500 at-bats."

Guillen missed most of this season after spraining his left knee May 17, then going back on the disabled list June 25 after aggravating the injury. SUPPORTING THE SURVIVORS: Several Rays players will join athletes from around the bay area on Saturday in a charity campaign called "Sports Supports Survivors" at Countryside Community Park and Recreation Center (2640 Sabal Springs Drive, Clearwater).

The free event, scheduled from 10-2 p.m., was organized by former Rays catcher Mike DiFelice and the Winning Inning of Clearwater to benefit the New York Police and Fire Widows and Children's Fund.

Hitting coach Wade Boggs, pitchers Ryan Rupe and Doug Creek and infielder Russ Johnson will join Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Alstott, former Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Phil Esposito and former pitcher Dwight Gooden, among others, in a fundraiser that will feature a baseball clinic, autograph session and silent auction.

For more information or to make a donation call (727) 244-1194 or (727) 797-9090.

STILL STREAKING: The Rays wasted little time extending their club-record streak of games with at least one double to 40. Ben Grieve, batting second, hit one in the first.

Twenty of the 41 runs on this homestand have come courtesy of the Rays' 25 doubles.

AT HOME IN THE TROP: Six years ago, Calvin Pickering was a Baltimore Orioles 35th-round draft pick out of King High. He never dreamed he would be able to play a major-league game just across the bridge.

His chance came Tuesday night when Pickering earned the start at first base for Boston, his third team in less than two months, in front of a group of family and friends.

RAYS BITS: Former Rays and current Boston right-hander Rolando Arrojo is scheduled to have an MRI exam on his pitching shoulder today. ... Red Sox outfielder Darren Lewis collected his 1,000th career hit. ... The Rays scored five for the sixth straight game for the second time in club history. ... Tampa Bay has scored 10 in back-to-back games for the first time since Sept. 27-28, 2000.

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