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Monday, March 25, 2002

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Manager Lloyd McClendon refused to divulge his reasons, but shortstop Jack Wilson was pulled in the bottom of the second inning of an 11-2 loss to the Texas Rangers yesterday.

Pirates starter Kip Wells allowed seven earned runs in four innings in an 11-2 loss to the Rangers yesterday. (Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press)

After a solo home run by pitcher Dave Burba, the Rangers scored two unearned runs in the top of the second after an error by Wilson, who slipped on the infield dirt trying to get to a ball in the hole. At first, it was thought he might have twisted an ankle, but it was because of his footwear.

"Wrong cleats," said Wilson, who did extra work in the weight room after his abbreviated start. "I wear plastic but I'm switching to metal."

Wilson, who has had some trouble with his focus on routine plays this spring, made a similar slip in a recent game while wearing plastic cleats.

"No reason. We just took him out," McClendon said. "Jack's all right physically. Jack's fine, and Jack will be back in there [today]."

As for his silence on the matter, McClendon said there is a clubhouse covenant in which certain things that are said between the manager and the players are left undisclosed.

Rough outing

No. 2 starter Kip Wells struggled in a four-inning stint, allowing seven earned runs on 11 hits with one walk, a wild pitch and one strikeout. In addition to the home run by Burba, he surrendered a home run to Juan Gonzalez.

"He was a little erratic," McClendon said. "He got the ball up. I'm not overly concerned. I'm sure he'll bounce back next time."

The Pirates looked lethargic in having their five-game winning streak snapped at McKechnie Field. While they had batted .336 in their previous three games and had nine hits yesterday, they were held to two unearned runs yesterday.

Brian Giles, who had one hit in his previous 24 at-bats, had two hits. Jason Kendall and Pokey Reese also had two hits apiece. But in the first inning, Reese was only able to advance to second base when Giles singled to right on a hit-and-run play.

Special call

Ron Villone hasn't started a season opener since he was pitching for the University of Massachusetts in 1992. He figures the opening-day start in Shea Stadium will be louder and more pressure-packed, especially after what happened in New York Sept. 11.

"I figure with everything that happened in the past, opening day will be just as special for them as it is for me. The city's gone through a lot. To take people's minds off things, make them amused for a couple of days, start thinking about baseball coming back, it'll help the atmosphere," Villone said.

Villone said he is honored to get the assignment, especially because he grew up in New Jersey about 35 minutes from New York.

"I was a baseball fan. I went to more Yankees games because it was closer. But I went to Shea Stadium. I used to watch Ed Kranepool, Jerry Koosman, Rusty Staub. I'm very fortunate I had some people in my family to take me to games. It's always fun to go back home and play. It's like my second home," Villone said.

"Words can't say how I feel. When that day comes, I think it'll be a lot more exciting. Up until then, I have work to do here. I'm just going to go about my business," Villone said. "You always think about going out there and doing your best."

Villone, a non-roster invitee who signed with the Pirates Feb. 12, will wear No. 28. It's the reverse of the No. 82 he has been wearing in spring training.

"Those things don't mean much to me," Villone laughed. "I was thinking about going with my old football number -- 86."

In addition to pitching, Villone also was a tight end in college.

Waiting game

The Pirates thought long and hard before trading Todd Ritchie, their best pitcher a year ago, and catcher Lee Evans to the White Sox. But they got three major-league pitchers in return -- starters Wells and Josh Fogg, along with swing man Sean Lowe.

"You can't evaluate a trade for a couple of years. Keep in mind, we haven't played a game yet," General Manager Dave Littlefield said.

But in addition to getting three major-league pitchers, the Pirates also saved some money on Ritchie's salary, which they were able to use to help re-sign closer Mike Williams.