The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 32

THE TENNEtSEAN fyn4y. hm II im Basehrawl Merchant's hopes have fizzled 3 No sure things The top picks in the 1987 draft, with those who have reached the majors in bold: 1. Seattle, Ken Griffey Jr, of 2. Pittsburgh, Mark Merchant, of 1 Minnesota, Willie Banks, rhp 4. Cubs, Mike Harkey, rhp 5.

Whits Sox, Jack McDowell, rhp 6. Atlanta, Derek tilliquist, Ihp 7. Baltimore, Chris Myers, Ihp 8. Los Angeles, Dan Opperman, rhp 0 Ml AP Belle again steps into middle of controversy Associated Press MILWAUKEE Fernando Vina's nose survived Albert Belle's forearm, but the ill-feeling remained mi from Friday night's brawl in which Cleveland reliever Julian Tavarez body slammed umpire Joe Brinkman. "We've got just bruised egos, that's all," Milwaukee Brewers Manager Phil Garner said yesterday after X-rays showed Vina had a bruised but not broken nose.

The Indians had nothing to say about the 10-minute fray precipitated in part by Belle's forearm to the face on a tae Dlav at second Kta It's clear, however, that baseball had another black eye. leagues, you're not in control of your destiny, somebody else is. It's happened where nobody has given me a shot in the major leagues." Merchant believes that if he had not been traded by the Pirates, he would have had a taste of the big leagues by now. "When you get traded away by the team that drafts you, you're not going to get the chance," he said. The Mariners had no money invested in me." Merchant didnt have an exceptional season at the plate until arriving in the Reds organization.

"I didn't hit well when I first started playing pro ball The last couple of years, I've been very confident in my bat," he said. "I know I can hit at any level There was some more 'want to play in me' so I went up there Northern League and played." He hit .318 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI for Sioux City (Iowa) in the independent Northern League last season, and was signed tp a Class AAA contract by the Chicago White Sox. "This was the only team to give me a chance. I think my agent pretty much had to beg them to bring me to spring' training," Merchant said. "I'm just here to play and play for whoever wants me." Merchant's strong spring training won him a job with the Sounds.

"I think he was looking for a Class AA job and made the Class AAA team," said Sounds Manager Rick Renick. "He gives everything he can. He never complains. He's always there. I think a lot of him." Through Saturday's game, Merchant is hitting .238 (16 for 67) in his last 20 starts and has been' on base in 21 of his last 22 starts.

For the season, he is hitting .257 ire 33 games with four homers, 14 RBI. "All I can do is the best that I can," Merchant said. "I'm pretty much in this h- I don't think this is the kind of reputation our team He has been plagued by injuries that took away his speed and arm strength. "I hurt my shoulder in major league camp in 1988, That started it all. I tore my rotator cuff bad." He hurt his ankle trying to break up a double play.

Tve got eight screws in my ankle." Those injuries set him back after he was named the best prospect in the Gulf Coast League in 1987 by the league's managers. That season Merchant hit .265 and led the league when he stole 33 bases. "It was a good time. I did well. I was a center fielder with speed," he said.

"That was pretty much the only time I got to play every day." Merchant tries not to think about what might have been if he had not been injured. In 1988, Baseball America projected him as the Pirates starting center fielder for the 1992 season. "Once I hurt my shoulder, I think I became expendable," Merchant said. "They had a lot of good outfielders in the minor leagues at that time." Merchant was traded to the Mariners in 1989 with Mike Dunne and Mike Walker for Rey Quinones and Bill Wilkinson. Among the outfielders who moved ahead of him in the Pirates organization were Moises Alou, Orlando Merced and Wes Chamberlain.

When Merchant arrived in the Mariners organization, Griffey already had won a spot on the Seattle roster. "You see him, he's one of the best players in the game," Merchant said. "Here you were, you were just as good coming out of high school and still never got there. What can you do?" In 1993, Merchant was signed a free agent by, the Cincinnati Reds Of this eamp nfwls ripht nnw eaiii Rrourorc ratrher and sent to Class AAA Indianapolis. He played in only three games there before being sent to Class AA Chattanooga.

Chattanooga, however, brought new life to Merchant's offense. He hit .301 in 109 games with 17 home runs. He had a slugging percentage of .500. The following year, Merchant hit a career-high .310 with five homers and 56 RBI. Despite the success, a slow start in 1995 (.208, 25 games), again with Chattanooga, left him looking for a new team.

"There was a team where I hit .300, hit 17 home runs and had 300 at-bats and they never gave me a chance," Merchant said. "The next year, they sent me back to the same level and I hit .310. They never gave me a chance. "I signed back with them in 19951 They gave me 50 at-bats in 2y2 months before releasing him, This whole game can make you bitter." Merchant has been one of the unfortunate ones. The breaks he's gotten have been physical ones, not the ones that allowed him to advance to the major leagues.

"A lot of major league players don't realize that it's very lucky for them to be there," he said. "There are a lot of players down here who are as good as people up there, it's just a matter of getting a break. "When you're in the minor Embattled Cleveland star Albert Belle is in hot water again after hitting Milwaukee's second baseman Fernando Vina Friday night Belle said after the game in a rare conversation with reporters. Belle said Vina was asking for it by being in the basepath and because Brewers pitchers had plunked him twice. "If the pitchers hit me, I'm going to retaliate.

We have to protect each other," Belle said. After the inning, Belle talked to Tavarez before taking his position in left field. Then, Tavarez threw behind Matheny. Brinkman, the crew chief, said the umpiring crew saw the exchange but couldn't take preventive action. AL spokeswoman Phyllis Merhige said she would talk to Brinkman and report back to Budig, who also will review tapes and the umpires' report Tavarez said he feared he would be suspended for slamming Brinkman, who had bear-hugged the pitcher from behind.

Cleveland Manager Mike Hargrove called Brinkman after the game, telling him that Tavarez did not realize he was being held back by an umpire. Brinkman said he had a stiff lower back yesterday, but took his place behind home plate. Brinkman said Belle's forearm hit on Vina was legal. The Indians and Brewers nearly got into another melee In the first inning yesterday when Kenny Lofton gave Vina a shove after Angel Miranda tried to pick him off. Order was restored after several minutes.

Mike Matheny, who charged the mound Friday night in the ninth after Tavarez zipped a fastball behind his back, starting the 10-minute brawl "We need to have more of a family atmosphere to get the game back on its feet after the whole strike incident, and this kind of thing may hinder the bounce- of baseball," said Matheny. The ill-feelings carried over into yesterday's game when both benches and bullpens emptied in the first but no punches were thrown this time. Belle, ordered two weeks ago by AL president Gene Budig to undergo anger counseling, got into trouble earlier in week when he cursed a fan in Texas who had hoped to exchange a home-run ball hit by Belle for another souvenir. The latest trouble started in the third inning Friday night, when Vina tagged Belle out on a double-play grounder. But what really got the Indians slugger seeth- 1mm iimii 41 II 1 ,1 Tk .1 t.14 1- uig was a o-6 ittsiuau iiuin iviaisuaii jauze inai nil mm 1 on the shoulder in the eighth.

When Eddie Murray grounded to second one batter later, Vina was met with a savage forearm to the face -m when he tried to tag Belle. "I wasn't going to get mad. We're going to get even," 1 II lit lt MllWlll TajaUalaaaV WJ aftratg hpajaaafrafcal ms DAILY NASHVILLE SOUNDS UPDATE American Association All (I I ii A Eastern Division Pet GB r.iit,,.. iiic.i'i. a i6 Rl-Oi I'V 23 338 3 Nasi 449 10 I ouist'i Cms I 30 388 13 Western Division C.

a II 3l Oiu" Bn-Ai-rs' 28 500 1 llmaNi Riv.lS 24 It 480 CMa O'v' 24 30 444 4 Friday's Games i SVllrf" Omana 8 6 Oklahoma Ci'v 6 0 bulfaio 6 Ni'A OritMc i Saturday's Games luwa a' innsviiie Omar.a a' Inaianaiioi.v New Oneans af Nasi 'w-OKIanoma O'v ai Bi Sunday's Games lowa al LuuisvuK.1 Omar.a al inaiar.uiu New Orleans ai 'v OKIanoma Ciiv at left. Maas singles to left. Stinnett singles to left. Banks scores. Maas to second.

Fewer lines out to shortstop. Maas out at second on double play. Stinnett steals second. Stinnett caught stealing third. New Orleans I Nash vie a New Orleans eighth Lopez walks.

Koslofski singles to first base. Banks homers to left. Maas strikes out. Stinnett pops up to third. New Orleans Nash-vile 0.

Sounds schedule June -Ne Orleans 7 15 p.t June 3-Now Orleans 7 15 June 4J Ni a Ouimi's 15 pm June 5- 'v 705 June 6-a' Oklahoma 'v 70S niv June 7-a' Ukiatmma Ci'v 7 35 ni June New Orie.n i 7 0-, June 9-at Orieaiv 6:05 Dm June 10 a' New Oritu'is 7 pn-June ll-b 7 1: km June U-Bbiiuk 15 im June 14-1. wa 15 June 15-lowa 7:15 or: June ao 1 15 pm June 7 15 June 18-Omaiu. 1 15 nm June 19-ai Iowa 15 in" June 20-at Iowa 7.15 p.n.. June Omana. 705 pr-June 22-a' Omat a.

7 05 p.m. June 23-at Omana. 1.35 p.m June 7 15 p.m American League TEAM BATTING AB HR RBI Pet Texas 1829 308 529 63 297 .289 New York 1722 273 499 43 257 .289 Cleveland 1785 306 516 73 292 .289 Seattle 1800 326 511 92 318 .283 Boston 1875 297 532 71 287 .283 Milwaukee 1785 300 505 59 284 .282 Chicago 1798 313 502 69 305 .279 Minnesota 1767 272 490 40 249 .277 Baltimore 1751 295 484 78 284 .276 California 1786 243 477 72 235 .267 Toronto 1847 273 492 63 254 .266 Oakland 1811 265 463 71 254 .255 Kansas City 1824 236 463 33 213 .253 Detroit 1827 236 447 68 227 .244 INDIVIDUAL BATTING Based on 125 plate appearances. AB HHRRBI Avg Alomar Bal 199 42 79 7 40 .397 ARodriguez Sea 147 35 52 10 40 ,354 MVaughn Bos 205 41 72 20 56 ,351 Knoblauch Mm 171 32 60 3 20 .351 Naehring Bos 120 25 42 5 18 350 Belie Cle 195 48 68 21 54 .349 O'Neill NYY 176 32 61 4 31 .347 Martinez Sea 194 45 67 12 46 345 Seitzer Mil 185 30 63 4 29 341 Boggs NYY 171 28 58 1 15 339 Thomas ChW 197 44 66 15 54 .335 Greer Tex 160 29 53 4 30 331 McGwire Oak 104 23 34 11 27 .327 Baines ChW 160 30 52 11 45 325 Molitor Min 209 33 68 2 29 .325 Giambi Oak 192 35 62 8 32 323 Hamilton Tex 219 36 70 2 14 .320 Lockhart KC 142 70 45 3 21 .317 Lofton Cle 709 40 66 4 28 316 BvAnderson Bal 173 40 54 20 37 312 Cordova Mm 167 34 52 4 31 .311 Cirilk) Mil 152 26 47 5 21 .309 Thome Cle 149 41 46 10 26 309 Gnftev Jr Sea 194 48 60 18 44 309 Vina Mil 146 27 45 2 16 .308 Edmonds Cal 179 29 55 13 32 307 Mieske Mil 150 19 46 7 28 .307 Buhner Sea 187 38 57 18 52 .305 GMvers Min 151 21 46 3 23 305 Phillips ChW 197 44 60 5 31 .305 Franco Cle 207 34 63 7 39 .304 BeWillims NYY 142 31 43 7 31 303 Palmeiro Bal 188 36 57 11 41 .303 CDekjado Tor 192 31 58 8 34 .302 Cedeno Tor 153 23 46 1 1) 301 SAkmar Cle 151 24 45 5 20 .298 IRodriguez Tex 212 38 63 6 29 .797 MLewis Del 202 26 60 0 20 .797 Sorrento Sea 142 21 42 11 20 .296 RKelly Min 125 14 37 1 18 796 JnValentin Bos 210 33 62 4 23 .295 Carter Tor 214 35 63 tl 43 .294 GAnderson Cal 205 30 60 6 21 .293 Surhoff Bat 147 23 43 10 26 .293 Roberts KC 191 21 56 0 28 .293 WCiark Tex 190 34 55 5 32 .289 Cordero Bos 157 21 45 2 28 .787 Tettleton Tex 157 36 45 10 30 .287 Durham ChW 165 26 47 5 26 .285 Girardi NYY 151 18 43 0 15 .285 Olerud Tor 166 27 47 9 31 .283 GVaughn Mil 184 39 52 12 39 .283 Davis Cal 171 21 48 10 31 .281 MRemirez Cle 160 27 47 11 37 .280 Meares Min 164 23 46 4 26 .280 Ventura ChW 186 30 52 11 33 .780 Sorague Tor 198 37 55 13 36 778 Damon KC 184 25 51 3 19 .277 Vizouel Cle 173 31 48 3 17 .277 Stanley Bos 148 28 41 5 24 .277 DWilson Sea 160 22 44 32 .275 Offerman KC 149 21 41 1 11 .275 Canseco Bos 142 24 39 14 30 773 Guillen ChW 171 28 47 1 14 .275 O'Leary Bos 186 27 51 7 32 .274 JsValentin Mil 187 35 51 0 39 .273 Sierra NYY 184 25 50 6 28 .272 NATIONAL LEAGUE BATTMG Piazza, Los Angeles, Grace, Chicago, TGwynn, San Diego, BagweH, Houston, Grudzielanek, Montreal, McGrffl, Atlanta, .346. RUN-Grurzielanek, Montreal, 48; Bagwell, Houston, 45; Sheffield, Florida, 44; Burks, Colorado, 44; Bonds, San Francisco, 44; Bichette, Colorado, 41.

RBI Rodriguez, Montreal, 56; Bagwell, Houston, 55; Bonds, San Francisco, 51; Gilk-ey, New York, 47; Galarraga, Colorado, 47; McGriff, Atlanta, 47. HTTS Grudzielanek, treaJ, 81; Grace, Chicago, 72; McGriff, Atlanta 71; Piazza, Los Angeles, 70, Uohnson, New York, 70; Bagwell, Houston, 69. DOUBLES Lansing, Montreal, 18; Berry, Houston, 17; Grace, Chicago, 17; DBeil, Houston, 16; Joyner, San Diego, 16. TRPLES Uohnson, New York, Morandinl, Philadelphia, DeSMeids, Lot Angeles, Vizcaino, New York, LWalker, Colorado, 4. HOME RUNS-H Rodriguez, Montreal, 20; BagweH, Houston, 18; Sheffield, Florida, 17; Bonds, San Francisco, 17.

STOLEN BASES McRae, Chicago, 18; DeShields, Los Angeles, 16; EYoung, Colorado, 15; Morandinl, PriMarJelphia, 15; Bonds, San Francisco, 13. PTTCHNG (7 lciions-Smottz, Atlanta, 11-1, .917, 2.24; Gardner, San Francisco, 6-1, .857, 3.02; Grace, Philadelphia, 7-2, .778, 3.11; Neagle, PfflsDurgh, 7-2, .778, 3.39; Ash-by, San Diego, 7-2, .778, 3.08. STFdKEOUTS Smoltz, Atlanta, 97; Nomo, Los Angeles, 76; Reynolds, Houston, 76; PJMartinez, Montreal, 76; Kile, Houston, 74. SAVES-TdWorrell, Los Angeles, 15; Bottatico, Philadelphia, 14; Beck, San Francisco, 14; ToJones, Houston, 11; Hoffman, San Diego, 11; Nen, Florida, 11; JBrantley, Cincinnati, 11. AMERICAN LEAGUE BATTtlQ RAIomar, Baltimore, MVaughn, Boston, Knoblauch, Minnesota, Belle, Cleveland, O'Neill, New York, EMartl- nez, Seattle, .345.

RUNS-Belle, Cleveland, 48; Griffey Jr, Seattle, 48; EMarti-nez, Seattle, 45; FThomas, Chicago, 44; Phillips, Chicago, 44; RAIomar, Baltimore, 42. RBI MVaughn, Boston, 56; FThomas, Chicago, 54; Belle, Cleveland, 54; Buhner, Seattle, 52; EMartinez, Seattle, 46; Baines, Chicago, 45. NTS RAIomar, BaJtimore, 79; MVaughn, Boston, 72; Hamilton, Texas, 70; Belle, Cleveland, 68; Molitor, Minnesota, 68; EMartinez, Seattle, 67. DOUBLES EMartinez, Seattle, 29; ARodriguez, Seattle, 17; JnValentin, Boston, 16; IRodriguez, Texas, 16; GMyers, Minnesota, 16; Baerga, Cleveland, 15. TFdPLES Knoblauch, Minnesota, Carter, Toronto, Vina, Milwaukee, Guillen, Chicago, 7 are tied with 3.

HOME RUNS Belle, Cleveland, 21; MVaughn, Boston, 20; BvAnderson, Baltimore, 20; Griffey Jr, Seattle, 18; Buhner, Seattle, 18. STOLEN BASES Lofton, Cleveland, 32; TGoodwin, Kansas City, 24; Ustach, Milwaukee, 13; Vlzquel, Cleveland, 13; Nixon, Toronto, 13. PTTCHNG (7 Dtc4wont Nagy, Cleveland, 9-1, .900, 3.53; Paviik, Texas, 7-1, .875, 4.59; Boskie, California, 6-1, .857, 4.18; DeMartinez, Cleveland, 8-2, .800, 4.13; Mussina, Baltimore, 7-2, .778, 4.66; Fin-ley, California, 7-2, .778, 3.56. STFaKEOUTS Clemens, Boston, 91; Appier, Kansas City. 75; FWey, California, 75; AFemandez, Chicago, 72; Mussina, Baltimore, 71; Guzman, Toronto, 65; Alvarez, Chicago, 65; KHI, Texas, 65.

SAVES Mesa, Cleveland, 20; RHemandez, Chicago, 15; Henneman, Texas, 15; Perchal, California, 13; Montgomery, Kansas City, 13. Bonds SF 195 44 56 17 51 .287 JeReed Col 115 16 33 i 20 .287 Eisenreich Phi 123 14 35 0 15 .285 Hollndswrth LA 116 16 33 3 15 .284 Gonzalez ChC 159 23 45 4 26 .283 LWalker Col 173 34 49 17 40 .783 Larkin Cin 156 28 44 7 19 .282 Biggio Hou 203 40 57 5 23 .281 Colbrunn Fla 189 20 53 5 21 .280 Martin Pit 215 33 60 5 21 779 DBeN Hou 726 30 63 6 39 779 Berry Hon 180 28 50 4 26 778 Caslilla Col 191 27 53 5 26 777 Taubensee Cin 112 14 31 4 .17 777 Galarraga Col 188 31 52 14 47 777 Zeile Phi 196 32 54 10 35 776 Haves Pit 190 24 52 8 25 .274 Incaviglia Phi 117 19 32 11 25 .274 Javier SF 124 15 34 1-7 .274 Hill SF 170 24 46 10 31 .271 DvWhite Fla 166 18 45 16 .271 Servais ChC 150 20 40 I 28 .267 Finley SD 217 39 58 6 23 .267 Gaetti SIL 131 16 35 4 13 .267 BJordan SIL 143 22 38 4 21 .264 McRae ChC 215 32 57 3 19 765 Butler LA 117 II 31 0 7 .265 Kent NYM 179 23 47 5 27 .263 Conine Fla 184 22 48 33 .261 Merced Pit 138 27 36 1 20 .261 Dvkstra Phi 134 21 35 3 .13 761 Alou Mon 200 32 52 I 36 .260 Morris Cin 182 25 47 21 .258 Clayton StL 175 23 45 2 16 .257 Carreon SF 183 25 47 7 34 .257 DeShields LA 209 22 53 3 '15 .254 RbThompsn SF 114 22 29 3 9 .254 Brogna NYM 155 18 39 7 28 .252 RWilkins Hou 143 19 36 5 16 752 DFieicher Mon 143 II 36 5 27 .252 JoReed SD 202 23 51 0 "25 .252 Morandini Phi 207 28 52 1 11 751 Alicea StL 183 27 46 3 ,11 751 Gagne LA 124 12 31 4 13 750 King Pit 201 27 50 12 39 749 Hundley NYM 170 24 42 12 36 747 Blowers LA 171 12 42 II 746 Whiten Phi 147 27 34 5 JS .245 Mondesi LA 221 37 54 12 34 .244 Huskev NYM 141 13 36 3 -12 .243 Branson Cin 115 14 71 3 14 .243 JBell Pit 182 24 44 5 27 .242 Veras Fla 112 13 27 2 7 .241 Pendleton Fla 191 16 46 4 26 .241 Sosa ChC 212 36 50 16 38 736 Santiago Phi 171 26 39 11 34 .228 Andrews Mon 115 14 76 5 20 .226 CJohnson Fla 168 15 It I 20 .726 ACedeno SD 134 I 3 14 .224 Blauser All 123 25 27 7 16 .270 Karros LA 187 19 41 9 29 71 Sandberg ChC 167 76 34 10 24 714 Sanchez ChC 154 14 33 1 7 714 Henderson SD 152 36 32 3 13 711 Stocker Phi 134 13 26 3 16 .191 Ausmus SD 116 12 21 1 12 .111 TEAM PITCHING ERA ER BB SOShSA Atlanta 2 66 391 142 129 422 3 13 Los Ang. 301 454 164 178 419 3 17 San Diego 3 24 430 178 151 396 3 14 Florida 3.72 434 196 195 353 4 15 Montreal 3.92 464 214 169 403 3 10 Houslon 4 05 512 723 204 408 2 12 Philadelphia 475 480 218 160 346 4 14 New York 4.32 466 219 167 303 5 13 Chicago 441 468 234 197 344 3 4 SI Louis 4 71 470 249 194 373 i 14 Pittsburgh 4 72 521 248 147 391 3 9 San Fran. 4 75 479 243 168 340 2 14 Cincinnati 5 11 455 738 209 332 2 14 Colorado 5 91 494 291 209 291 0 13 INDIVIDUAL PITCHING Based an 4 decisions. IP HBB SOW LERA Osuna LA 33 20 13 32 3 0 1.35 Brown Fla 65 40 11 40 3 4 270 Smoltz Atl 88 54 21 97 11 1 274 ALeiler Fla 75 48 39 64 7 4 2 77 Glavine Atl 77 67 20 63 I 3 232 Trachsel ChC 58 49 19 34 3 4 2 33 Avery Alt 12 74 22 47 4 4 2 62 June 25 IndianaiKiiis.

7:15 pin, June 7 15 pm June 7 15 p.m June 78 at 6 05 m. June 79 at Louisville. 6 05 pm, June 30-at lomsvihc 12 30 pm Zephyrs 5, Sound NEW ORLEANS NASHVILLE brhbl tbrhU Lopei 4110 Ramsey 4020 Koslofskict 4110 Martin 2b 4010 Banks rt 4133 Abbott If 4000 Maatdh 4121 Saeni3t 2010 Stinnett 4011 valrie rt 3000 Fewer I 4010 MerdwH dh 2000 Landry 4020 Vines lb 3000 Cacares IS 4020 Tremiec 3000 Faries 3000 Wilson 3000 TeMs KI13S Tttt S04I New Orleans 0M NO (30 Nastott 000 000 DP New Orleans NasnvM I LOB New Orleans Nashvik 1 2B-Banks 2. HR-Banks (I), Maas (5). SB-Stinnett (3).

CS-Stimtttt, Felder, Ramsey. ER BI SO Zephyrs' Givens shuts out Sounds with a four-hitter By ANTHONY COLEMAN Sports Writer For the second straight night the Sounds ran into a very hot pitcher that kept them off balance at the plate. Last night the Sounds were handcuffed by New Orleans' Brian Givens, who tossed a four-hitter the Zephyrs' 5-0 win over Nashville. "You got to give the guy credit," said Sounds manager Rick Renick. "He pitched a heck of a game." On Friday night the Sounds were beaten 6-0 by Oklahoma City when Jose Alberro allowed only five hits.

Givens' (5-5) outing overshadowed a solid performance from Sounds starting pitcher Steve Schrenk (2-4), who scattered nine hits in iy3 innings. Schrenk said that other than the pitch to Kevin Maas, who hit a two-run homer in the second inning, "I thought that I pitched pretty good. They hit the ball. I didn't make many mistakes. They went out and made hits for themselves." The back-to-back shutout of the Sounds comes at a strange time.

Nashville has been one of the hottest teams in the league at the plate in the last two weeks. But it wasn't so much Nashville's inability to hit the ball last night as it was Givens' mastery on the mound. "He pitched like a major leaguer," said Zephyrs manager Tim Ireland. "He's won five games in a row. He's really pitching well." Givens allowed only two hits until he appeared to tire in the ninth, when the Sounds got back-to-back hits before a game-ending double-play.

"I didnt really have my curveball working tonight," said Givens. "But I had some other things going. It was nice to get the shutout" Brian Banks had two doubles and a home run for New Orleans. Fernando Ramsey had two of the Sounds' four hits. Going back: Sounds second baseman Norberto 'Paco' Martin, who has been rehabilitating with the Sounds for three weeks, is heading back to the Chicago White Sox.

Martin suffered multiple fractures in his face when he was hit by a ball early in the season while attempting a bunt He hit .203 for the Sounds. He played a steady second base for the Sounds an committed only one error. "I was glad to help the team," said Martin. "The first few weeks were like spring training to me. I hadn't faced live pitching in almost five weeks." Sounds promotions June 3-Famiiy n.gi.i June 10-Coiorado Silver illets June 14-BP O.I niyh' Half-l i ke uru.P ni.jn June tS B.i iwjhi June I2-Familv niyi" June l-amilv i June 26-kimj ard Hi; Court June 27-Hait-prni- jruup night Juty 4- Tne Famous Chicken Fireworks July ur apron unjht H.iit-pnce group nujht Juty 6-White Castie ur.ilorm shirt mynt July l-Famitv n.gM July 18-HaiHr j'ouP night Ml l'-Logo hat mgr' July 20-Pepsi rat ninht July 22-Familv nijp' July 24-Ttx- Snort July 7S Hal' prm- night July 26-Hunt's nut, na: night July 27-Revcu acket mghl August 2-bomi notebook night Givens W.S-S 0 4 0 0 1 1 Schrenk Li-t I I 1 I I Sauveur 1 1 1 0 1 Gaikowski 1 2 0 0 0 1 Strkouts-Lopej, Maas, Fetter, Landry, tries, Merchant, Vines, Wtson.

WaM-Lopez, Fanes, Saenz, Merchant. T-IU. A-W50. How they scored New Orleans second: Maas homers 10 right. Stinnett grounds out to shortstop.

Fetter strikes out. Landry singles to center. Caceres Wes out to left. New Orleans 1, Nashvwe 0. New Orleans fourth: Banks doubles to Hampton Hou 54 51 15 44 3 3 2 80 Astaco LA 65 51 27 45 3 3 289 Maddux All 89 84 9 72 5 3 293 PJMrtiru Mon 75 57 74 5 1 797 Through Friday's games Batter vg ab hr rtoi bb st sb Jett Abbott .335 44 164 24 55 2 10 13 Vt 4 Doug Bradv 716 40 134 14 29 2 V4 13 to Carmine Canpuccio l3 31 111 11 22 I 14 9 9 1 Glenn Divarona 776 24 62 5 14 0 7 1 14 1 Paco Martm 203 16 64 9 13 2 I 4 10 1 Mark Merchant 757 33 101 10 26 4 13 21 1 Fernando Ramsey 773 44 157 17 35 2 9 6 19 Mike Robertson 771 47 154 18 34 4 24 II 31 I Ctmedo Saeni 768 44 157 20 42 7 10 17 29 0 Chris Trerrne .263 25 80 5 21 0 12 4 20 1 Kerry Val'ie 775 47 167 70 46 4 76 13 31 1 Julio Vinos 744 36 122 15 30 4 15 10 71 1 Craig 191 36 110 13 21 1 0 12 0 Al others 400 5 22 0 0 001 Total J44 15 W9 390 37 US 124 2S0 22 Pitcher w4sv era bb Luis Andmar 0-4 0 1317 137 24 21 20 4 9 IVuke Bertotti 1-0 1 413 740 20 11 11 70 73 Jett Darwin 1-2 1 431 311 32 21 15 II 19 Robert Eks 2-5 0 544 43 45 26 24 23 20 Tom Fordham 2-3 0 4 40 712 25 17 14 II 23 Steve Gaikowski 0-0 1 340 337 35 to 13 0 Barry Johnson 1-0 0 2 60 171 to 5 14 to Alan Levine 3-2 6 1 65 271 19 4 5 7 25 Scott Ruffcom 5-1 0 406 62 53 32 78 29 53 Rich Sauveur 0-0 3 2 49 25 1 21 0 7 9 22 Steve Schrenk 2-3 0 417 36 2 29 19 17 H) 23 Mike Sirotka 4-4 0 386 51 1 62 30 22 19 34 Al others 1-2 0 263 771 to 0 0 I 30 ToM 22-77 12 100 42L2 397 220 191 175 310 ToJones Hou 29 12 21 5 1 300 Gardner SF 59 54 17 59 4 302 Ashbv SD 84 79 It 50 7 I 308 Grace Phi 75 47 13 47 7 i 311 IValdes LA 74 71 12 61 5 i 315 Valenzuete SD 56 60 II 31 3 3 311 SFernandz Phi 49 41 11 57 2 -4 376 MClark NYM 70 61 17 4 4 3.33 Neagle Pit 79 86 15 73 7 3.39 Darw.n Pit 61 67 10 49 2 4 342 Kile Hou 75 72 40 74 4 3 344 Candiotti LA 57 56 14 33 3 4 347 Watson SF 77 77 14 50 3 59 Nomo LA 72 44 21 74 4 373 Reynolds Hou 81 75 19 76 7 3 75 Hamilton SD 74 45 23 54 1 1 3 75 Isrmgftsn NYM 72 69 37 47 2 7 3 84 Raoo Fla 77 70 33 32 3 384 Navarro ChC 17 89 21 52 3 I 390 Wagner Pit 44 45 24 65 4 390 Stottlmvre SIL 73 68 33 70 4 3 3 95 Fassero Mon 68 72 13 63 3 5 410 Tewksbury SO 70 74 IS 4T -I 470 Osborne StL 51 59 13 36 4 3 434 Drabek Hou 13 74 21 60 2 4 4 43 Burkett Fw 72 47 20 57 3 4 4 41 Burba Cin 59 57 36 43 0 4 51 Jones NYM 47 45 15 34 I 460 Harnnch NYM 47 47 7 21 3 3 4 79 Bergman SD 56 51 to 46 2 5 47 Moore Co 22 20 20 23 3 1 484 DLewis ChW 129 27 35 3 20 771 TGoodwin KC 189 28 51 1 10 770 Nieves Det 160 27 43 0 27 .269 Ripken Bat 193 22 52 7 33 .269 Palmer Tex 183 36 49 14 42 .268 Fryman Det 206 31 55 11 34 .267 TMartinei NYY 192 26 51 7 34 .266 Nixon Tor 184 33 49 1 I 766 Vitieko KC 1)0 14 29 4 17 .264 Berroa Oak 186 27 49 13 34 763 McLemore Tex 167 21 44 1 17 763 Salmon Cat 195 25 51 7 77 .262 DJeler NYY 161 26 42 1 21 261 Velarde Cat 167 25 43 3 16 .257 Jaha Mil 160 31 41 4 32 .256 PMunoz Oak 121 17 31 6 18 .256 Baerga Cle 211 25 54 4 31 .256 Steinbach Oak 168 23 43 27 .256 Murray Cle 195 18 50 21 .256 Gates Oak 189 19 40 1 22 .254 Snow Cal 181 20 46 4 20 754 Elster Tex 173 24 44 11 40 .254 Fielder Det 199 70 49 15 35 746 Davis Sea 155 23 38 4 17 745 Hammonds Bal 159 25 39 10 745 Matheny Ml 14 10 36 1 30 743 Curtis Det 198 77 48 1 14 742 A Gonzalez Tor 172 10 41 5 20 .230 Hones Bat 139 22 33 7 19 737 Bonma Bal 173 29 41 3 27 737 Howard KC 165 19 39 1 It 736 DHoHins Mm 174 27 41 7 26 736 Listach Mil 115 15 27 1 II .235 Flaherty Del 125 13 29 15 .232 Bordick Oak 160 30 1 774 Tarlabul ChW 159 36 25 774 Young Oak 151 24 34 25 725 Cora Sea Ul 21 36 1 11 724 Green Tor 155 34 1 15 719 EWHkems Del 131 to 28 714 Devereaux Bal 127 15 77 1 14 713 Karkovice ChW 137 21 29 1 11 712 Becker Min 120 20 25 4 9 TOO Battle Oak 121 20 25 1 707 DiSercina Cat 144 It 34 15 707 Tucker KC WO 24 33 6 27 206 Hametin KC 107 15 21 4 20 .196 Planner Oak 130 to 25 It .192 TEAM PITCHING ERA ER BB SO Sh SA Chicago 317 463 201 207 370 1 It Texas 4.33 457 274 195 313 1 20 Cleveland 442 487 724 155 319 4 21 New York 449 435 222 204 353 15 Kan.

City 4 99 530 241 173 797 15 California 6 491 244 lt7 334 Toronto 5i0 45 265 274 331 1 11 Milwaukee S79 472 263 201 111 IN Oakland 5J4 501 234 214 1 11 Soarks Mil 60 67 32 14 3 5 7 27 Hurtado Sea 40 47 27 31 2 5 7.36 Keagle Det 38 46 33 27 3 3 7.51 National League TEAM BATTING AB HR RBI Pet Colorado 1709 784 478 62 270 .279 Atlanta 1836 780 509 75 273 .277 Montreal 1902 291 524 58 279 7 75 -louston 1896 269 518 51 251 .273 ban Diego 1874 274 507 34 252 770 SI. Louis 1810 240 484 43 227 767 New York 1771 732 464 48 217 761 San Fran. 1788 264 461 64 249 .257 Pittsburgh 1850 242 475 54 234 256 Los Angeles 1853 270 456 51 208 .244 Chicago 1777 235 432 58 270 .243 Florida 1744 203 420 55 194 .240 Cincinnati 1569 219 378 52 207 740 Philadelonia 1753 275 419 55 206 739 INDIVIDUAL BATTING Bated an 125 putt appearances. AB HHRRBI AV9 Piazza LA 188 29 70 14 40 ,372 Grace ChC 202 30 72 3 26 154 TGwynn SO 160 27 56 0 22 350 Bagwel Hou 198 45 49 It 55 348 Grudzietnk Mon 234 41 II 5 23 346 McGritt At 205 32 71 14 47 344 Mabry StL 174 22 50 4 23 330 Vizcaino NYM 174 23 51 1 12 330 Bichette Col 200 41 66 41 330 Segui Mon 167 21 55 5 21 329 Burks Cot 193 44 63 12 37 376 Lansing Mon 210 40 68 2 13 .324 Jovner SO 183 34 59 5 33 .322 Justice All 140 23 45 4 75 321 Weiss CO -174 35 54 1 318 Young Cot 174 21 40 1 15 317 Cammiti SO 143 21 45 5 24 315 GHkev NYM 194 35 41 13 47 314 Ordonei NYM 170 19 53 317 HRodrigui Mon 196 3t 41 20 56 311 LJohnson NYM 777 36 70 1 T9 300 Mer Hou 147 17 45 4 22 .306 Kendal Pit 145 11 44 1 20 303 CpJones AM 191 31 40 I 39 303 McGee StL 179 20 39 19 302 MaWitkams SF 194 39 59 45 301 BLHunter Hou 277 32 67 I 14 795 Lemke All 167 27 49 3 to 73 Davis Cm 123 21 34 12 39 .793 JLooei AH MS 41 7 24 291 Klesko AH 177 33 50 35 71 Let lord StL W0 55 11 36 719 G'som All 275 3 45 25 789 LGVwi ChC 132 15 31 I 24 774) SherheB Fie 171 44 SI 17 36 707 Minnesota 571 498 266 195 323 2 11 Baltimore 5 35 494 271 207 309 0 15 Boston 5 35 511 280 263 381 0 7 Seattle 5 48 487 282 779 349 1 9 Detroit 6 95 582 366 268 313 0 4 INDIVIDUAL PITCHING Based an 4 deovons. IP HBB SOW LERA James Cal 37 20 14 29 4 2 1.65 KHil Tex 88 74 30 65 7 3 2 64 Taoani ChW 75 61 20 54 4 3 2 88 Guzman Tor 71 63 22 65 4 3 2 88 Aooier KC 75 70 29 75 4 5 3.33 Nagy Cle 71 75 14 47 1 3.53 Finley Cat 71 67 30 75 7 2 3 56 AFrnndz ChW 80 86 30 72 5 3 3 68 JMcDowe Cle 71 77 32 56 5 3 371 Henlgen Tor 84 80 39 52 5 4 3 86 Belcher KC 71 12 25 34 5 2 3 93 Wichwski Oak 44 45 13 21 5 1 406 DeMartinz Cle 7 76 22 33 I 1 4.13 Bosk Cal 56 59 19 43 4 1 411 Clemens Bos 01 73 36 91 3 5 4 20 Alvarez ChW 68 59 39 65 3 444 Pettitte NYY 70 71 21 45 7 3 448 Grimslev Cat 44 45 21 24 1 4 4 50 DOver Tex 52 49 24 27 4 450 Rsdke Mm 74 73 23 55 4 450 McDonald Mil 69 75 26 43 4 4.52 Hanev KC 69 76 21 38 3 4 52 Gooden NYY 55 42 30 50 3 4 4 55 Paviik Tex 41 41 22 SO 7 1 4 59 Karl Mil 66 60 24 36 5 4.59 Mussina Bal 13 93 21 71 7 2 4 66 Robertson Mm 70 74 34 49 1 476 Gubicza KC 71 17 22 29 4 7 485 Miranda Mi 46 42 25 31 3 3 4 89 Johns Oak 41 47 31 29 4 ill Wakefield Bos 42 74 32 50 3 5 517 Erickson Bat 55 47 23 22 2 4 170 Dwells Bal 67 76 14 40 5 571 Hitchcock Sea 73 15 30 50 4 I 5 30 Seie Bos 55 47 34 43 I 4 5 69 Bones Mil 77 03 32 20 3 I 5 70 Hanson Tor 70 14 39 51 4 574 Gordon Bos 62 75 29 43 5 71 KeGross Tex 49 43 25 34 5 3 588 Gohr Del 63 79 22 40 3 6 Wokrott Sea 57 47 21 79 3 4 09 Hershiser Cle 5t 12 14 38 4 4 4.17 FRodriguz Mm 45 74 30 79 3 4 4 17 BWW Tex 61 74 36 44 4 4 4JI Reves Oak 51 72 25 30 3 I 431 Quentri Tor 4t 65 19 29 I 5 433 Lira Det 44 74 20 37 4 440 Kev NYY 46 54 to 37 441 Mercker Bal 41 44 25 17 3 3 470 JAbbolt Cat 44 71 31 27 1 I 482 Hevnes Bat 45 54 21 39 I 4 4.95 Revnoso Cot 44 75 17 32 3 I 4 87 i a MLeiter SF 64 74 77 56 2 22 56 2 4 90 30 5 495 17 55 2 ill Freeman Col 44 59 30 30 AnBenes StL 41 41 "YES THEY WOOD: The Nashville Muxend Phi 45 13 11 70 4 124 all year," Oklahoma City manager Greg Biaginl said.

"That's been the biggest thing for us GOODBYE CHAMP: The Sounds' mascot, "Champ," wiP be leaving the team July 28. Dean SchoenewaW, who wears the costume of the neon-green dinosaur, is quitting to work with a new television program, Mascot Mania. -ANTHONY COLEMAN nents 79-48. Jeff Abbott has now taken over the league lead In batting with a .329 average. RISING STAR: Oklahoma City first baseman Luis Ortiz, with a .31 1 average, six home runs and 25 RBI through Thursday, Is one of the top hitters in the American Association, onjone of the worst teams.

The 89ers are last the AA West Division. "He's been very consistent for us MaThmpsn Col 54 51 24 21 3 I 533 Smiley Cm 60 64 73 47 4 5 534 Rom Mon 21 27 15 35 3 534 DVeres Mon 35 42 12 41 4 2 544 Fernandez SF 57 75 It 46 3 1 514 Schourek Cm 51 49 21 44 4 4 590 AlBenes StL 62 63 29 56 4 4.10 Leskanic Col 77 35 37 4 i 111 PWnson NYM 41 41 32 41 2 I 4.20 Ritz Cot 40 39 33 4 6.23 ButNnger ChC 54 53 77 39 3 4 60 FCasi ChC 59 73 15 49 1 7 467 VnLnddm SF 42 44 30 34 74693 tammond Fli 34 44 15 20 2 7 75 Chhstiansn Pit 36 34 17 23 3 144 1 Sounds' ability to score lately has made the team one of the hottest in the American Association. "We've got some guys who can flat out hit and they are starting to hit first baseman Mike Robertson "said. The team has hit eight homers In past 11 games. In the past 17, the Sounds have outscored their oppo.