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Rays Pitcher May Face More Charges After Fight At Bar

Associated Press photo by ROB CARR

Al Reyes, seen here after giving up two runs to the Baltimore Orioles during the eighth inning of a baseball game on April 2 in Baltimore, was arrested early Friday morning after a fight at a popular South Tampa bar.

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By VALERIE KALFRIN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 11, 2008

Updated: 04/11/2008 11:57 am

TAMPA - Police and prosecutors are discussing whether to file additional charges against a Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher who police say spat blood on people outside a South Tampa bar.

Tampa police zapped Rafael "Al" Reyes twice with a Taser about 2:30 Friday morning after a fight outside Hyde Park Café. Police charged him with a misdemeanor related to causing a fight and released him on his own recognizance.

However, police are reviewing the situation with the state attorney's office, and additional charges could be filed, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.

Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said this morning that the team just learned of the situation and is looking into it.

Witnesses told police Reyes, who turned 38 on Thursday, fell against a ceramic pot while leaving the bar. He exchanged words with another individual, Eduardo Mora, who he thought had pushed him into the pot, police said.

Mora then punched Reyes in the face, and bouncers grabbed Mora, police said.

Witnesses told police that Reyes, who appeared to be intoxicated, began to spit blood on people and swing his arms. Bouncers tried to control the right-handed pitcher but could not, police said.

Officer S. Barber, who was working an extra-duty security job at the bar, yelled, "Stop! Police!" and tried to calm Reyes, police said. When Reyes continued to thrash about and spit, the officer used his Taser, police said.

The impact knocked Reyes to the ground, but Reyes ignored the officer's command to stay down and was Tased a second time, police said.

Reyes then calmed and was treated on the scene for a cut on his nose, police said.

Mora was charged with misdemeanor battery and also was released on his own recognizance, police said.

The Hyde Park Café, at 1806 W. Platt St., is the same bar where police arrested "American Idol" contestant Jessica Sierra last April on a felony battery charge, saying she struck a patron in the head with a glass. That case is pending.

Since April 11, 2007, there have been 29 disturbances, nine assaults or batteries and eight fights reported at this address, police records show.

McElroy said officers work extra-duty security jobs there Thursday through Saturday and provide extra patrols around the bar because of the crowds. "When you have a large crowd and a large amount of alcohol, there are going to be issues," she said.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800 or vkalfrin@tampatrib.com.

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