The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 23

3 www.tennessean.oom THE TENNESSEAN Tuesday, June 27, 2000 5C SPORTS: BASEBALL WNBA Sounds fall despite rorjss Mostly, rede grand slam it's a mental thing i rj I -J, r- AP were told 'focus on the target' and things like that had better accuracy than the ones that were told 'don't make etc. And even the control group, that was told nothing at all, had better accuracy. "Knoblauch right now is probably thinking about not throwing the ball in the dirt, not throwing it over the first baseman's head, not throwing it in the stands, instead of focusing on making a good throw, focusing on his target The system wants to know what it should do, not what it shouldn't do." The only "don't" that should be observed, according to Wrisberg, is performing a major overhaul of the mechanics. Getting back to the fundamentals is fine, but trying to make a lot of changes would be a no-no. "You try to stay aggressive, try to go after the ball a little harder," Wehner concurred.

"You try to keep your feet moving toward your target, keep your momentum going that way." With continued opportunities in game situations "You can take all the extra balls you want, but you don't have a fear of messing up in batting practice," Wehner said Knoblauch can snap out of his rut as quickly as he slid into it. "If you can make eight, nine, 10 plays in a row, it's all forgotten about," Wehner said. "You're comfortable again; your confidence is 'It's almost a mental fistfight, on every play," Sounds infielder John Wehner said. "You're wondering if your feet are right, thinking about everything. You get to the point your mechanics go.

"I've struggled before defensively, and you get to the point you do not want the ball hit to you, you're so frightened of making an error. If I caught it, I threw it away, or I didn't catch it." With the spotlight becoming brighter with each errant throw, the doubts build and the confidence ebbs. "My guess is Knoblauch gotten to the point he's trying not to make mistakes instead of just throwing," said Craig Wrisberg, a Knoxville-based sports psychologist who works with athletes at the University of Tennessee. "He's thinking about throwing it badly, rather than throwing it correctly." According to Wrisberg, the body often picks up on the negative reinforcement from the brain and acts on that. He cited a study on field hockey players and penalty shots in which one group was instructed in a positive manner and one in a negative tone, while a third control group was told nothing.

"Neurosurgeons would say the brain doesn't process the Wrisberg said. "The players that By MAURICE PATT0N Sporls Writer Brent Brede would have picked a more pivotal spot for his first home run of the seasoa But then, he would have liked an earlier date for it as welL "It's actually kind of embarrassing, for a corner outfielderfirst baseman to not have a home run until June 26," Brede said following his pinch-hit grand slam in the Nashville Sounds' 10-5 loss to visiting Memphis last night. "The game was out of hand, but all I can do is try to hit it hard." The left-handed Brede, who hit .292 with three home runs playing in Japan last year, came off the bench for Sounds reliever Dave Pavlas in the seventh inning. He drove a two-out pitch from Memphis starter Bud Smith (1-0) over the right-field fence to cut the Nashville deficit to 9-5. Ex-Sound Darrell Whitmore doubled and scored in the eighth for the final run.

"We got behind early and it was a little difficult to play catch-up," Nashville Manager Richie Hebner said after his team fell to 6-18 over its last 24 games. "Starter Travis Baptist didn't have a good outing, but he wanted to go another inning. He's a battler." The Eastern Division-leading Redbirds got a solo homer from Luis Garcia in the third inning, then sent 10 hitters to the plate against Baptist (4-6) in the fourth and scored six runs. Nashville countered with a run in the bottom of the fourth when Jason Wood scored on Tim Laker's groundout, but Memphis added another pair on Ernie Young's two-run homer in the fifth off Baptist. It was the fourth time Baptist has allowed five earned runs or more in 15 starts this season, and stretched his winless stretch to five starts.

The left-hander's last victory came on May 30 at Iowa. Nashville managed just four hits off Smith in seven innings; Redbird relievers David Wainhouse and Darren Holmes blanked the Sounds in the last two innings. On the mend: St. Louis third baseman Fernando Tatis is on a rehabilitation assignment with Memphis, recovering from a severe groin strain suffered on April 29. Tatis is expected to get three or four at-bats in each game of the series, then be re-activated by the Cardinals for Friday's game with Houstoa In his first at-bat last night, Tatis hit a towering drive that was ruled foul by third-base umpire Michael Alvarado and resulted in the ejection of third base coach Boots Day.

Tatis was 0-for-3 last night. Dirt in a skirt The "Women in Baseball" exhibit continues today at Greer Stadium on the main concourse. The eight-piece display, designed to celebrate women in America's National includes artifacts and photographs from the Ail-American Girls Professional Baseball League, the movie A league of their Own and the Coors Silver Bullets. Back in the box: Steve Selby, dismissed as the Sounds' radio play-by-play man last fall, is back at Greer Stadium this week. He's working alongside Tom Stocker on the Memphis broadcast.

Cincinnati Reds slugger Ken Griffey yells at first base umpire TimTschida after being called out on a close play in a recent game. eds on the verge of a meltdown Gwynn to have knee surgery: Tired of being reduced to a part-time player, Tony Gwynn will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee today. The San Diego Padres batting star hopes that doctors will only have to clean out the joint, which has little cartilage left in it due to five Today's game Vs. Memphis, 7 p.rru, 560-AM. LHP Paul Ah Tat (1-1, 3.33 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Sounds against Memphis RHP Clint Weibl (1-2, 4.38).

Pet. G8 55! ,533 .474 1W 6 .410 11 .615 .506 .500 9 previous surgeries. In a best-case scenario, the 40-year-old Gwynn figures he would miss at least 4-6 weeks. If doctors find more serious damage or decide to perform a proce .442 13'i Pet. GB .603 Redbirds 10, Sounds 5 Pacific Coast League American Conference Central Division I Albuquerque (Dodgers) 43 35 Col.Sprlngs (Rockies) 40 35 Omaha (Royab) 36 40 Iowa (Cubs) 32 46 Eastern Division Memphis (Cardinals) 48 30 New Orleans (Autos) 39 38 Oklahoma (Rangers) 38 38 Nashville (Pirates) 34 43 Pacific Conference Southern Division Sacramento (Athletics) 47 31 Las Vegas (Padres) 42 32 Tucson (Diamondbacks) 39 37 Fresno (Giants) 26 51 Northern Division Sari lake (Twins) 48 29 Edmonton (Angels) 36 38 Tocoma (Mariners) 37 40 Calgary (Marlins) 28 50 Yesterday's results Albuquerque at Las Vegas Colorado Springs at San lake Fresno at Calgary Iowa at Oklahoma Memphis 10, Nashville 5 Omaha 5, New Orleans 4 Sacramento at Edmonton Tacoma at Tucson Today's aames) .568 .513 GWYNN ab hbi eon said.

"This is a tough stretch, no questioa There are no patsies coming up." Last year, the Reds played well against good clubs. They've lost their touch this month, along with the clubhouse chemistry that was behind last season's improbable playoff chase. They've held two team meetings during the homestand to try to get everyone pulling together, an alarming sign. Larkin thought the Reds were going through the motions Sunday as they took another step back in the standings. "It just didn't look like us," Larkin said.

"It was just kind of a get-through-the-day type of deal until late in the ballgame." Asked what's wrong, Larkin gave a cryptic answer. "We've got a lot of things tugging at us," said Larkin, refusing to be specific. "Eventually you guys will know about them This has been a tough year. Hopefully we can hang together. It's been like that for a long time." The losing is wearing on them.

The television sets in the clubhouse are almost always tuned to a baseball game; over the weekend, they were left off at times. There's less music, less joking, less enthusiasm. "Last year even after we lost, we'd come back the next day ready to have some fun," closer Danny Graves said. NASHVIUf Redman If Bailey Wood 22 By JOE KAY Associated Press CINCINNATI Getting Junior was supposed to get the Cincinnati Reds into the playoffs, giving the surprise team of 1999 that final nudge. It's not working Instead of improving, Ken Griffey new team is imploding.

The Reds are losing games, losing ground and seem to be losing interest with two weeks left before the All-Star game. Little is going right for a team that won 96 games last year and was honored as having the NL's top rookie and top manager. After falling a season-high 8'2 games behind St. Louis with a loss on Sunday, the Reds beat the Cardinals 3-2 last night to gain a game and open a pivotal series on an upbeat note. They still have a losing record (36-38) and a lot of ground to make up in the NL Central "We've got to win the series," team captain Barry Larkin said.

"That's three out of four." Seven of the next 11 games are against St. Louis, providing a chance to make up ground fast. The Reds also play Arizona and Cleveland before the All-Star break. It's a make-or-break two weeks for a team that has lost 14 of its last 19. "We always play well against good clubs," Manager Jack McK- and Ken Griffey Jr.

third. Piazza, a seven-time All-Star who has started the past six All-Star games, had 1,239,531 votes in totals announced Monday. Pittsburgh's Jason Kendall was second among catchers with 338,048. Voting at ballparks ends today, while voting on the Internet continues through Saturday. Starters will be announced Jury 4 and reserves the next day.

Wagner Astros reliever Billy Wagner, who led the National League with 39 saves last season, will undergo surgery on his left elbow today. The Astros said a second opinion from Dr. Lewis Ybcum confirmed a partially torn flexor tendon, bcum, the Anaheim Angels medical director, will perform the surgery in Los Angeles to repair the damaged tendon and remove scar tissue. Sosa's votes: NL votes cast for Sammy Sosa won't be wasted if the Chicago Cubs trade the slugging outfielder to an American League team before the All-Star Game. Commissioner Bud Selig has decided that Sosa's votes will go with him if he switches leagues.

The All-Star Game is Jury 11 at Turner Field. Tigers signings: The Detroit Tigers have agreed to terms with 13 more of their selections from the 2000 draft. NEWS SERVICES .338 20 .623 .486 11 .481 11 .359 20 Vi ab i bi 4000 0000 4110 4010 4101 Hermamencf laker lb MEMPHIS Utile cf Clapp 2b Richard rf Young If Tori! 3b Haas lb lucca lb-3b McDonald Garcia is Smilhp Whitmore ph Wainhouiep Montgomery rt 4110 5023 41 10 5220 5223 3000 2020 5112 411 1 422 1 2000 1110 0000 0000 Wilson 3000 4000 Wehner 2b Patterson 3b Baptist Hernandez Pavlas Brede ph-K Totals 3100 1000 1000 0000 1 114 33 5 4 5 noimesp Total, 401014 10 Albuaueraue at las Veaas Colorado Springs at Sort Lake dure to get new cartilage to grow, there's a chance Gwynn could miss the rest of the season. Gwynn has been bothered by inflammation in the knee this season, and has had to have it drained seven times since spring training. Also, the Padres put right-handed starter Stan Spencer on the disabled list with a strained right elbow, which is expected to keep him out for 4-6 weeks.

He is the fourth starter to go on the DL, joining Wfoody Williams, Brian Boehringer and Carlton Loewer. NL All-Star voting: In a week with no changes among the leaders, New Vbrk Mets catcher Mike Piazza topped the voting for NL starters in next month's All-Star game, with Mark McGwire second Fresno at Calgary Iowa at Oklahoma Memphis 001 620 01010 Nashville 000 100 400 Haas 17), Garcia (17). LOB Memphis 5, Nashville 2. 2B Richard 19, Young (9), lucca (14), Whit, more (7), Hermonsen (2). HR Youna (221 Garcia (6), Brede (1).

SH-Smrlh. ip or bb so Memphis 1 1 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 Memphis at Nashvibe New Orleans at Omaha Sacramento at Edmonton Tacoma at Tucson Tomorrow's games Albuquerque at las Vegas Colorodo Springs at Salt Lake Fresno at Calgary Iowa at Oklahoma Memphis at Nashville New Orleans at Omaha Sacromento at Edmonton Tocoma at Tucson Smith 10 7 4 5 Wainhouse I 0 0 Holmes I 0 0 Nashville 5 9 9 Pavlos 2 2 0 9 0 1 1 Bailey 2 3 2:10. A 1,987. Mabika, Sparks beat Mystics by 2 ni i ii i i iinien is mamammimmmiammammmtimmM Comets 70, Miracle 58 ORLANDO, Fla. Tina Thompson scored 19 points and Houston used a 17-4 run in the second half to roll over Orlando.

Sheryl Swoopes had 14 points and nine rebounds and Cynthia Cooper added 13 points and six assists for Houston (12-2). Starzz 89, Monarchs 80 SALT LAKE CITY Natalie Williams had 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead Utah to a win over Sacramento. Utah pulled away from a 29-29 halftime tie to lead by as many as 13 points before Sacramento closed within four with just over two minutes remaining. Associated Press WASHINGTON Mawadi Mabika picked a good time to start making her shots. In front of 16,295, the largest WNBA crowd this season, Mabika scored the final two of her 12 points, on a game-winning runner in the lane with 24 seconds remaining to give the Los Angeles Sparks their sixth consecutive win, 74-72 over the Mystics last night.

'It was a long day for me," said Mabika, who shot 4-for-16 from the floor. "I was missing it all day. I was just trying to play 1-on-l and it went in. Washington (6-6) had a chance to tie, but Nikki McCray's jumper at the buzzer fell short "We had a good look to tie it." Mystics Coach Nancy Darsch said. "It wasn't as clean as it could have been, but we had a good look." The Mystics, who have lost all four of their games against Western Conference opponents this season, got 48 of its 72 points from former Tennessee stars McCray and Chamique Holdsclaw 23 and 25 respectively.

McCray and Holdsclaw combined to take 45 of Washington's 66 shots, including Holdsclavs team-record 27. The previous record was 23 attempts by McCray. The unexplained pain in your left arm may require a lot more than muscle balm. It could be a signal that you're about to have a heart attack, It's important for everyone to know the warning signs of an impending heart attack, and to act promptly if you recognize them: chest discomfort, pressure or tightness; left arm or jaw pain; heartburn; shortness of breath; sweating or nausea (associated with chest, arm or jaw pain). If you experience some of these symptoms, go at once to the nearest emergency room.

The Baptist Chest Pain Center is here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We're located right inside the Baptist Emergency Pavilion on 20th Avenue North. And just in case you feel embarrassed seeking help when you're not sure if things are really serious, remember this. By the time you're sure it's serious, it could be too late to avoid permanent damage to your heart. Early intervention is critical, and that's precisely why we're here.

If it turns out that everything's OK, we'll rejoice right along with you. If it's not OK, we'll help you immediately. And either way, we'll know you did the right thing by coming in. You will, too. Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack could save your life.

Chest discomfort, pressure or tightness Left arm or jaw pain Heartburn Shortness of breath Sweating or nausea (associated with chest, arm or jaw pain) Questions? Call: 28-HEART (615) 284-3278 Times CDT EASTERN CONFERENCE Stars 89, Monarchs 80 SACRAMENTO 180) 10-20 1-1 25, T.Smith 8-21 2-2 18, Griffith 714 5-9 19, Penicbeiro 5-9 0O 10, HoHond-Com 1-5 2-2 4, Byran 0-1 OO 0, Steding 2-7 0O 4, Blodgett 0-1 OO 0, Bonchero 0-1 00 0. Totals 33-79 10-14 80. UTAH (89) Goodson 6-11 7-8 19, N.WiHioms 612 21, Dydek 5-12 910 19, Ivanyi 2-3 2 2 7, Hlede 8-12 00 16, Frese 0-1 00 0, Mulitauaopele 0-i 0O 0, Starbird 1-2 00 2, Johnson 2-3 00 5. Totak Comets 70, Mirade 58 HOUSTON (70) Swoopes 610 2-2 14, Thomp-son 8-150 19, T.Johnson 4-9 2-4 10, Cooper 5-13 3-3 13, Arr.ain4.9a08, JocksonMOOO, Rinotfi 1-300 3, Chokirova 0-1 3-3 3. Totals 28-60 10-12 70.

ORLANDO (58) Soles 6-16 2-2 14, McWiHiams 6-13 2-3 14, dos Santos 5-12 0-1 10, A Johnson 3-10 OO 6, S.Johnson 5-9 0-2 10, Powell 0-30-00, Hicks OO 00 0, McOhee 1-3 2-2 4. Totals 2666 6-10 58. Houston 31 39 70 Orlando JJ 36 5J 3-Point Goob Houston 4-12 (Thompson 3-4, Rii-totli 1-2, Chokirova 0-1, Swoopes O-l, ArcohO-2, Cooper 0-2), Orlando 0-9 (S. Johnson 0-1, Powell 0-1, A.Johnson 0-3, Sales 0-4). Fouled out None.

Rebounds Houston 37 (Swoopes 9), Orlando 41 (S Johnson 11). Assists Houston 1 3 (Cooper 6), Orlando 1 5 (S Johnson 6). Total fouls Houston 1 4, Orlando 17. Technicals Sjohnson. A 7,427.

I Pet GB Cleveland 7 5 .583 Orlando 7 6 538 Vi Detroit 6 6 .500 1 Washington 6 6 .500 I NewYork 5 7 .416 2 Miami 4 8 .333 3 Indiana 3 8 .273 Vh Charlotte 2 11 .154 SVi WESTERN CONFERENCE I Pet GB Houston 12 2 .857 los Angeles 10 2 .833 1 Minnesota 8 4 .667 3 (Wra 8 4 .667 3 Sacramento 8 5 .615 Vh Utah 8 7 .533 4Vi Portland 2 8 .200 8 Seattle 2 9 .182 8K ju-on tb- JH ay. Sacramento 29 51 80 Utah 29 6089 3-Point Goals Sacramento 4-18 (Bohon-Holrfield 4-9, BlodaettO-1, Bonchero 0-1, HdloniCom 0-2, Pen-icheiro Oj, Steding 0-3), Utah 3-9 (Johnson 1-1, N.Wil koms 1-1, Ivanyi 1-2, Frese 0-1, Goodson 0-1, Starbird 0-1, Hlede 0-2). Fouled out Griffith, T.Smith. Re-bounds Sacramento 39 (Griffith 10), Utah 41 (N.Wil-liamt 14). Assists Sacramento 21 (Penicheiro 13), Utah 18 Ivanyi 6).

Total fouls Socromento 22, Utah 18. A Saturday's results Minnesota 60, Cleveland 57, OT Htoena 67, Miami 44 Orlando 69, Charlotte 68 Washington 76, Detroit 70 Houston 93, Indiana 67 Sunday's results Lot Angeles 72, New York 67 Cleveland 64, Phoenix 61 Detroit 84, Charlotte 81 Sacramento 92, Portland 76 Yesterday's results los Angeles 74, Washington 72 Houston 70, Orlando 58 Utah 89, Socrmento 80 Today's Games No games scheduled Tomorrow's Gomes Phoenix at New York, 6:30 p.m. Houston at Charlotte. 630 p.m. Miami at Orlondo, 630 p.m.

los Angeies ot Irvriiana p.m. Minnesota at Sacramento, 9 p.m. Cleveland at Portland, 9 p.m. Detroit at Seattle, 9 p.m. Soaila 74, Mystics 72 IOS ANGELES (74) Mobko 4-16 34 12, Mitton 46 2-2 10, Leslie 5-1 12-4 12, Figgs MOO 11, Dixon 6-10 00 13, McCrimmon 34 00 9, Feoster 2-5 00 5, Mochonguana 0O 00 0, Frett 0-3 2-2 2.

lotah 2843 9 12 74. WASHINGTON (72) Holdsclaw 1 1-27 3-4 25, Bulled 2-8 2-2 6, Page 04 0O 0, McCray 7-18 5-7 23, Nagy 4-7 0O 10, Aldridge 0O 0O 0, Mills 2-2 44 8. Totals 2646 14-19 72. los Angeles 33 4174 Washington 33 3972 3-Point Goats lot Angeles 9-20 (McCrimmon 3-3, Figgs 3-5, Dixon 1-1, Feoster 1-3, Mabika 1-7, Leslie 0-1), Washington 613 (McCray 4-9, Nagy 2-3, Holdsclaw 0-1). Fouled out None.

Rebounds las Angeles 35 (leske 14), Washington 48 (BuHett 10). Assists los Angeles 21 (Figgs. Mabika, McCrimmon 4), Washington 13 (Nagy 5). Total fouls los Angeles 19, Washington 16. Technkols Milton, los Angeles coach Cooper.

A 16,259. Baptist Chest Pain Center More Than Health Care. Health Caring!" www.baptisthospital.com Values. Saturdays in Local Wews. TSNNESSEAN Even day wwtnummttmoom.