The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 27

C2 THE TENNESSEAN Saturday, Jurte 1999 SC SPORTS: BASEBALL CUE 1 I -I'M Padre 3, Mariners 2 1 1 Bf BB SO Ave. 1 2 0 0 0 569 BLHunlar Dodgers 5, Angels 4 Bl BB Erstad If 1 0 311 1 2U 1 325 1 363 0 358 1 378 2 348 0 Johnson takes out Rangers 0 1 Briittfay's smart move gives Sounds win in 12 AB 32 AB 1 1 2 2 0 350 378 SO Avg. 1 .237 2 319 1 i 0 .267 1 246 0 .252 0 .182 1 230 0 .333 0 0 0 0 1 2a I AB 3i' AB .000 2 7 0 389 12 SO Avg. 1 323 Bl BB e-EMarflnei ph Da Bed 2b Griffey Jr cf ARodriguez ss Huskev lb Mleske rf a-Mabry ph-rf Paniagua Mesa RDavIs 3b DWIIson Fassero Ibanez rf Totals San Diego DJackson ss Owens Nevln Levrltz lb 1-Newhan pr-2b GArlas 3b RRIvera cf Mathews, Ir. rf Glovanola 2b c-Vndr Wal ph Hoffman Hitchcock Boehrlnger b-Veras ph Wall d-Mgadan ph-lb Totals 0 0 0 Pacific Coast League American Conference Central Division Pet.

CB 371 318 Velarde 2b MVaughn lb Anderson cf TGreene rf Glaus 3b WalbecK 1-RWIWams pr Sheets ss OHvares Levlne Hasegawa Schoenewels Petkovsek c-Huton ph TeMt Lot Angeles Sanford 2b b-Cromer ph-2b Vizcaino ss Sheffield If Mondesi rf Karros lb DWhlte cf Beitre 3b Pena KBrown PBorbon Mills a-Hansen ph Shaw Totals 1 336 0 Bl BB SO Ave. umana (Royals) 34 20 .630 2 0 1 .250 Col.Sorlnos (Rockies) 27 27 .500 7 0 1 1 .455 9'i .444 10 1 0 .222 .191 .000 350 303 .000 iowb iujdsj IS 30 Albuquerque (Ddors) 24 30 Eastern Division Oklahnma fParuurcl 34 IB 0 25? 0 .277 0 308 0 0 .267 0 259 1 309 .654 Memphis (Cardinals) 31 19 i20 2 Nashvle (Pirates) 32 22 .593 3 New Orleans (Astros) 23 31 .426 12 Pacific Conference .211 1 .143 0 .000 0 358 0 .000 0 393 0 0 30 .034 .000 .000 .405 jouthem Division Pet. Fresno (Giants) 29 25 J37 Las Vegas (Padres) 29 26 SHI GB Vi 5'A 33 Mil Lake (Twins) 22 29 .431 .431 5V2 Tucson (Omndbacks) 22 29 Northern Division .481 Vancouver (Athletics) 26 28 Edmonton (Angels) 25 27 .481 .400 4 Calgary (Marlins) 20 30 Tacoma (Mariners) 20 32 J85 5 Anaheim 100 201 000-4 10 1 Los Anodes 000 500 OOx-5 II I -struck out for Milts In the 8th. b-flled out for Sanford In the 8th. c-struck out for Petkovsek in the 9th.

1-ran for Walbeck In the 9th. E-Glaus (6), Beitre (13). LOB-Anahelm 8, Los Angeles 8. 2B-Pena (2). HR-Vlzcalno (1) off Ollvares; Glaus (8) off KBrown.

RBIs-JSV (26), Glaus 2 (24), Sheets (23), Sanford 2 (2), Vizcaino 2 (10), Pena (1). CS-Mondesi (4). S-Sheets, KBrown. GIDP-Karros. Runners left In scoring poiltlon-Anahelm 3 DVVhlte 2) )f Ll 4 (Cr0mW' 2' Runners' moved up-GAnderson, Walbeck, Sheets.

DP-Anahelm 1 (Sheets, Velarde and MVaughn). Ananem IP ER BB SO NP ERA Olvars 4-4 5 8 5 5 2 2 92 3.47 Levlne 1 0 0 I 0 14 238 iy i 1-3 2 0 0 0 0 7 3.28 I I I na Hasegawa Schoenewels Petkovsek Las Amatol a ik 1-3 Thursday's Games Tucson 9, Calgary 3, 1st game Calgary 10, Tucson 9, 2nd game Salt Lake 7, Edmonton 1 Colorado Springs 6, Omaha 4 Oklahoma 17, Fresno 4 Vancouver 5, Las Vegas 3, 1st game Las Vegas 3, Vancouver 0, 2nd game Albuquerque 7, Iowa 2 Yesterday's Games Iowa at Albuquerque Vancouver at Las Vegas Memphis at Nashville Fresno at Oklahoma Colorado Springs at Omaha Edmonton at Sail Lake Calgary at Tucson New Orleans at Tacoma Today's Games Calgary at Tucson New Orleans at Tacoma Edmonton at Salt Lake Colorado Springs al Omaha Fresno at Oklahoma Memphis at Nashville Vancouver at Las Vegas Iowa at Albuquerque Tomorrow's Games Iowa at Albuquerque Vancouver at Las Vegas Memphis at Nashville Fresno at Oklahoma Colorado Springs at Omaha Edmonton al Salt Lake New Orleans al Tacoma Calgary al Tucson IP ER BB SO NP ERA KBrwn 6-36 PBorbon 4 3 0 4 97 2.73 0 0 0 0 1 8 1.69 flAAAllQCI Mills Vi Shaw 13 1 1 0 0 0 2 16 2.81 Inherited runners-seored-Hasegawa 2-0, Schoenewels 2-0, Petkovsek 2-0 PB-Pena. Umpires-Home, DeMuth; First, Retlford; Second, Kellogg; Third, Holbrook. 2:47. A 49,213 Detrort Tigers shortstop DeM Cruz avoids the slide from St Louis Cardinals' Darren Bragg after turning the ball for a double play In the ninth Inning.

Looking on is second baseman Damion Easley. Cebs raly past MdMaos Saved by Gaetti's two-run homer D'backs 11, Rangers 3 Tavat Associated Press PHOENIX Randy Johnson took his bid for the first interleague no-hitter into the seventh inning, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Texas Rangers 11-3 last night Johnson (7-2), whose only career no-hitter came against Detroit on June 2, 1990, didn't allow a runner until Roberto Kelly walked with two outs in the fifth and didn't give up a hit until Juan Gonzalez singled past a diving Jay Bell at second with two outs in the seventh. Arizona stopped the Rangers' nine-game winning streak, the longest in the major leagues this season. Arizona, which won for the ninth time in 10 games, also ended Ivan Rodriguez's 20-game hitting streak, the longest in the AL this year. Johnson allowed three hits and struck out 11 in eight innings moving past Sam McDowell into 24th place on the career list with 2,458 and walked one.

He reached double digits in strikeouts for the eighth time this season and the 110th in his career. Kelly got the Rangers' second hit, a leadoff single in the eighth, and Royce Clayton followed with a two-run homer that ended the shutout bid. Andy Fox put Arizona ahead with a three-run homer off Mark Clark (34) in the second inning, and Arizona made it 80 with a five-run third that included a two-run homer by Bell and Steve Finley followed by a solo shot by Travis Lee. Dodger 5, Angel 4 LOS ANGELES Jose Vizcaino hit a two-run homer and Chance Sanford singled home two runs during a five-run fourth inning as Los Angeles rallied to beat Anaheim. Dodgers starter Kevin Brown (6-3) gave up four runs and nine hits in 6 23 innings.

PaqYm 3) Mariners 2 SAN DIEGO Pinch-runner David Newhan, making his major league debut, scored the go-ahead run on John Vander Wal's bases-loaded, broken-bat grounder in the eighth as San Diego beat Seattle. The Mariners just missed turning an inning-ending double play on Vander Wal's grounder, allowing Newhan to score. The Padres, coming off a 3-7 road trip, won for just the second time in six games. Donne Wall (30) worked one inning for the win and Trevor Hoffman pitched the ninth for his 10th save. Bl BB SO Ave.

0 0 0 1 .141 2 .306 1 317 0 317 1 .259 0 0 0 0 1 1 349 0 2 320 Seattle 100 001 000-2 7 0 San Diego 010 100 Olx-3 1 a-slruck out for Mleske In the 6th. b-flled out for Boebringer In the 7th. c-grounded Into fielder's choice for Glovanola In the 8th. d-walked for Wall In the Bin. e-grounded Into double play for Hunter In the 9lh.

1-ran for Leyrltz In the 8th. E-Levrltz (2). LOB-Seattle 9, San Diego 0. 2B-DJackson (9). HR-ARodriguez (9) off Hitchcock; RRivera (6) off Fassero.

RBIs-A-Rodrlguez (17), RRIvera (20), Vander Wal 2 SB-BLHunter (B), Huskev (2). Newhan (1), Mathews, Ir. (1), Glovanola (2). GIDP-E-Martlnez. Runners left In scoring position-Seattle 3 (ARodriguez, Mleske, DWIIson); San Diego 7 (DJackson 2, Owens, Nevln, GArlas, RRIvera 2).

Runnerc moved up-DaBell, ARodriguez, Owens DP-San Diego 1 (DJackson, Newhan and Magadan). Seattle IP RERBBSONPERA Fassero 7 6 2 2 3 6 122 6.90 Pnigua 3-5 2-3 0 1 1 3 1 31 3.00 Mesa 1-3 0 0 0 0 0 4 7.66 San Diego IP RERBBSONPERA Hilchcock 5 5 2 2 5 8 105 5.22 Boehringer 2 0 0 0 1 2 27 3.16 Wall 3-0 1 1 0 0 0 2 19 3.13 Hoffman 10 1 1 0 0 0 0 10 4.64 Hitchcock pitched to 2 batters In the 6th. Inherited runners-scoredMesa 3-0, Boehrlnger 1-0. IBB off Boehrlnger (Griffey Jr) 1. HBP-by Paniagua (RRIvera).

WP-Hllchcock. Umpires-Home, Davis; First, Leyne; Second, Rleker; Third, Dreckman. 3:16. Baseball today SCOREBOARD Today Milwaukee at Colorado (7:05 p.m. CDT).

Hideo Nomo of the Brewers returns to Colorado, where on Sept. 17, 1996, he became the only player to ever pitch a no-hitter al Coors Field. STARS Thursday Sammy Sosa, Cubs, hit his 19th homer of the season and the Chicago Cubs beat San Diego, 7-2. Ray Durham, White Sox, went 3-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and three runs scored In Chkaoo's 10-3 victory over Toronto. SCHILLING STOPPED Philadelphia's Curt Schilling failed to become the flrsl pitcher In the '90s to pitch six straight complete games, getting knocked out after allowing four runs In the seventh Inning of the Phillies' 7-4 loss to San Francisco on Thursday.

Schilling has now lost two out of his last three starts. SAMMY'S SURGE Sammy Sosa homered for the second straight day to take over the NL lead with 19, and the Chicago Cubs beat San Diego 7-2 Thursday. Sosa has 15 home runs and 31 RBIs in his last 27 games. SWAT Mark McGwire hit his 17th homer of the season, a 475-foot shot, In the Cardinals' 4-2 loss to Florida on Thursday night. He has nine homers in the past 14 games and needs one more to tie Stan Musial and Willie Slargell, who are 17th on the career list with 475.

SORRY The Florida Marlins' protest of umpire Frank Pulli's decision to consult a television replay to determine If Cliff Floyd's shot to left-center In Florida's 5-2 loss to St. Louis on Monday was either a home run or double was denied by National League president Len Coleman. Coleman held thai Pulli's Incorrect decision to consult a television replay and change Floyd's homer to a double was a judgment call and judgment calls can't be overturned with protests. STRONG RETURN Florida rookie Mike Lowell, who missed the start of the season following surgery for testicular cancer, hit his first maior league homer Thursday night to help the Marlins rally past SI. Louis 4-Z Lowell, acouired from the New York Yankees In the offseason, underwent surgery Feb.

21, started the season on disabled list and loined the Marlins on May Sounds 6, Redblrds 4 MEMPHIS NASHVILLE 2 361 1 .000 0 0 335 0 0 0 326 0 ah hM an nn J019 A Brown cf 6000 Drewcf Hulsecf Altcea 2b McLemore If IRodrlguez JuGonzalez rf Zeile 3b RKelly cf Clayton ss Shave lb MClark Burkett a-TGoodwIn ph Kolb Venafro b-Zaun ph Patterson Totals Arizona Womack rf JBell 2b LGonzalez If MaWilllams 3b SFinley cf TLee lb DMiller AFox ss RaJohnson Telemaco Totals 1 11 Associated mess CLEVELAND Wrigley Field one day, Jacobs Field the next Location doesnt seem to matter to the Chicago Cubs, who are making late-inning SKtmsxlvnilrri 4-1a aim tanJniMniilr Bl BB SO Avg. BvANiTlQW COLEMAN Sports Writer Darryl Brinkley's non-play was the biggest play for the Nashville Sounds last night at Greer Stadium. Brinkley let a foul ball to deep left field fall without catching it when the Memphis Redbirds had the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning and the score tied at 44 The Sounds would eventually get out of the inning without giving up a run en route to a victory in 12 innings before a crowd of 4,183. "That was such a smart play," Sounds Manager Trent Jewett said. "He had a couple of hits and two RBI tonight, but by doing that he gave us a chance to stay in the game.

If he catches it, they tag up and score and we lose." "You just don't do that catch a foul ball in that situation," Brinkley said. "I could tell when my feet hit the gravel that I was too far out to make a play at the plate." Emil Brown hit a two-run homer in the 12th inning to end the game for the Sounds, who ducked a couple of more bullets in extra innings. The Redbirds loaded the bases with no outs in the 10th and had a runner on third in the 11th, but failed to score both times. Reliever Matt Ryan (4-1) got the win; Kevin Lovingier fell to 1-1. Nashville starter Bob Milacki, who entered the game with a 2-5 record, had a good outing.

He threw seven innings of six-hit ball and allowed only two earned runs. He left the game with five strikeouts and no walks. Draw update: Preseason NL rookie of the year favorite J.D. Drew played his sixth game with the Redbirds last night Drew has been with Memphis for a little more than a week since suffering a quadriceps pull on his right side with the St Louis Cardinals. Last night he had a two-run double in the fourth inning.

He is eligible to be activated by the Cardinals at any time. Fast company: Ven Rich Ankiel takes the hill tonight for Memphis, fans at Greer Stadium might have an opportunity to see the next Kerry Wood. Ankiel, who sports a 2-1 record and a 2.50 ERA for the Class AAA Redbirds, was 60 with a 0.91 ERA, 75 strikeouts and just 18 walks at Class AA Arkansas before he was called up two weeks ago. Ankiel, who won't be 20 until July 19, throws an overpowering fastball that has been timed around 95-96 mph. One of the things the parent St Louis Cardinals have talked about openly is their desire not to rush Ankiel into the major leagues, de spite the team's pitching problems and many fans wanting to see him in St Louis.

One possible reason: Many baseball experts have speculated that the Chicago Cubs rushed Wood, who dominated batters last season at age 19. But Wood is almost certain ly out for this season after major arm surgery. Promotions: Goofy Myron Noodleman will be at Greer tonight to entertain fans during the game. There will be a fireworks display after the game. 1 1 0 372 0 300 6112 4010 5231 5110 5122 4000 0000 1000 2101 2101 3000 6000 5110 5132 5000 5000 4110 0000 1000 1000 0000 5121 3 0 fc Brown rf Ramirez 3b Cruz lb Laker Brinklev If Sveum 2b Hansen Tremle ph Ryan Pocovlchss Milacklp Lnna a Clapplf Kennedy 2b Perez lb Haas 3b Lariviere rf Oroaz ss Evarsgard Jensen ph Busby Lovingier Stefanski Luebiwrt a this season.

0 1 398 0 1 .324 2 0 394 2 0 .245 0 2 300 1 0 320 0 0 .163 0 0 4 0000 uaiy vjciciu mi a iwu-iuii homer in the ninth inning off Explosion gema KANSAS CITY, Mo. An electrical explosion about 100 feet from where fans were seated caused no injuries but forced a postponement of last night's game between the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals. Fans were unaware of the explosion and ensuing fireball in a secured room on the third-base side of Kauffman Stadium, 1000 Mntgmeryph 1000 Dishingtonph 1000 Nussbeckp 0000 Warner ss 1000 Totals 44 4 I 4 11 12 uarciap 0000 Sauvuerp 0000 Howard 2b 1000 Totals 41 6 I 6 000 200 020-0004 Nashvle 010 200 100-002 6 v.w UU Warnar I ba nn Mike Jackson as the Cubs rallied yet again, this time for a 5-4 victory last night over the Cleveland Indians. Chicago's latest comeback gave the Cubs 11 wins in their final at-bat this season, including eight in the last 16 games. Of the Cubs' 30 victories this year, Pi 1.

i Memphis 10, Nashville 4. 2B-Drew, Stelan-skl, Brinklev. 3B-Brinklev. HR-Perez (7), Brown (4), Cruz (15). Warner (2).

CS-Pe-rez, Brinklev. SH-Luebbers, Howard. Iphrerbbso Texas 000 000 021- 3 4 3 Arizona 03S 002 lOx-11 12 0 a -grounded out for Burkett In the 6th. b-popped out for Venafro In the 8th. E-Alicea (3), Zeile (7), MClark (1).

LOB Texas 2, Arizona 8. HR-JuGonzalez (14) off Telemoco; Clayton (1) off RaJohnson; TLee (6) off MClark; SFinley (14) off MClark; JBell (16) off MClark; AFox (2) off MClark. RBIs-JuGonzalez (48), Clayton 2 (7), Womack (9), JBeU 3 (38), SFinley 3 (49), TLee (30), AFox 3 (14). GIDP-MaWilliams, DMiller. Runners left In scoring posllkm-Arizona 4 (JBell, TLee 2, DMiller).

Runners moved up-Womack, JBell, Ma-Williams. DP-Texas 2 (Zeile and Shave), (Alicea, Clayton and Shave). Texas IP RERBB SO NP ERA MClark L3-4 5 8 8 3 2 58 7.55 6 5 3 1 1 1 i Royals General Manager Herk Robinson said. The crowd of about 20,000 already had waited almost two hours from the scheduled start of the game when the explosion 2 0 0 2 1 1 Memphis Luebberse Nussbeck Eversgard Busby Lovingier Nashvie Milackl Long Garcia Sauvuer Hansen Ryan 4-1 T-3J6. 6 6 I 0 2 0 i occurred about 8:55 p.m.

CDT. The game was rescheduled Burkelt 2 35 9.60 0 23 13.50 0 21 2.38 0 17 5.85 Kolb Vi Venafro IVi Patterson 1 Arizona IP RaJhsn W.7-2 8 RERBBSONPERA 3 2 2 1 11 110 2.83 1 I I 0 0 11 7.50 io are oi me come-irum-uenina variety. "That's the mark of a good team," Gaetti, 40, said. "Good teams do that The teams that IVe played on that have gone to the playoffs and beyond have all won like that The Yankees did it a lot last year and I know the Indians do it" David Justice and Jim Thome each hit two-run homers for the Indians, who took a 4-3 lead into the ninth and handed the ball over to Jackson (0-2), who had converted 24 straight save chances Telemaco 1 aspartofadoubteheaderbegin- ning at 4:05 p.m. CDT Saturday, But Robinson admitted there was no guarantee the equipment could be repaired by then.

Crews planned to work through the night. -ASSOCIATED PRESS Inherited runners-scored-venafro 3-1. HBP-by Kolb (LGonzalez). Umpires-Home, Halllon; First, Hohn; Schrieber; Third, Montague. T-236.

A 41,029 Memphis, 6pm Sounds left-hander Jimmy Anderson (8-1, 3.08 ERA) will face Memphis lefty Rick Ankiel (2-1, 2.50). cm oa A i iff 1 Wo. 1 gets $3.65 million bonus Gaetti, in an O-for-8 slide and i i 1 4 -in i Sunday, 4 p.m. I vs. Memphis i Monday i No game scheduled i TUesday, 7 p.m.

at Iowa Wednesday, 7 p.m. i at Iowa uauiiig jus i .11 uiuve a i-e, pitch into the seats in right-center for his fifth homer in the ninth. Gaetti drove in a run with a fielder's choice grounder in the second, grounded out in the fourth and lined out in the sixth before facing Jackson. He went 2-for-13 in his last homestand and even after his homer was hittino 9 luhnnnintf 1ft1 Catalanotto hit a two-run homer and Brian Moehler pitched seven strong innings as Detroit beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 last night McGwire, who hit his first major league homer in Detroit in 1986 and is one of four batters to homer over the left-field roof in Tiger Stadium, was 0-for-4.

Astro 7, Twins 6 MINNEAPOLIS Derek Bell hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the eighth and Jeff Bagwell hit his 16th homer as Houston rallied from a four-run deficit to beat Minnesota. Dennis Hocking's first career grand slam had given Minnesota a 5-1 lead in the second. Mike Trombley (1-2) of the Twins has blown three of six save chances this season. Pirates 6, White Sox 3(11) CHICAGO -Jason Kendall snapped an llth-inning tie with a two-run single and Warren Morris followed with a three-run homer as Pittsburgh beat Chicago. I "What do you want me to say, For tickets call 242-4371.

Tickets are $8 for box seats ($7 tor children) and $5 for general admission ($4 for children). The Sounds also have a website at batting average is overrated? he joked. "It's embarrassing to lsvnlr nn nn1 coa irtit Kofinff rv ii niiu ace (uui uauiiit average like that IVe just been trying to do something every day to try and help the team win." Sammy Sosa went l-for-4 with an RBI for the Cubs. 1gan4)Cardmlsl DETROIT They jammed Tiger Stadium to see Mark McGwire. They wound up cheering Frank Catalanotto.

Crimson Tide rolls overLSU from my house. I might even buy a season ticket" 7he New Yak Times reported yesterday that both players had been placed on waivers by the Mets earlier this week. If any team claimed them, the Mets would have automatically lost them. Mets General Manager Steve Phillips declined to say whether Bonilla and McRae had been put on waivers. CnEZN LEAVES EARLY: Shawn Green, who returned to the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup after missing a week because of a small fracture in his left wrist, returned yesterday but left the game against Montreal in the fifth inning.

He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout and a ftyout and seemed to be ctenchirKj the hand during the game. 1 don't want to a wait a couple of weeks until if complete healed," said Green before the game. BASE3ALL BARSS Barbie is getting called up to the big leagues. A new line of collector Barbie dolls will wear the home uniforms of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. The doll was designed to encourage girts to get involved in sports, said Tim Brosnan, of major league baseball's licensing and sponsorship division.

N3SON BACK ON DL The New YorkYankees put relief pitcher Jeff Nelson back on the disabted list because of an elbow problem and made three other roster moves before starting a three-game series against the New York Mets. The Yankees optioned reliever Greg McCarthy to Triple-A Columbus, and recalled pitcher Todd Erdos and infietder Clay Bellinger from their top minor league affiliate. POftnJQAL NOT BOW1NQ OUT YET: Boston pitcher Mark Portugal, who strongly considered retirement so he could spend more time with his three children, decided to remain with the Red Sox. "This has been my life for the last 18 12 years. Ifs given me everything I have," he said.

"You don't know how long you'i play this game." ANAKCM CATCfSI SSOffED: Anaheim catcher Charlie O'Brien was placed on the 15-day disabled fet because of a torn ligament and outfielder Reggie Williams was recalled from Triple-A Edmonton. QsJANTRlI ACIIUAlUk The Toronto Blue Jays activated pitcher Paul QuantriS from the disabled fist six months after he broke his right leg in a snovvmobile accident QuantnH was assigned to Dunedin of the Singte-A Florida State League on a rehabilitation assignment MYC3 HAS SURGERY: San Die go Padres reliever Randy Myers underwent surgery today to repair a rotator cuff injury in his left shoulder. Myers, 37, may miss the remainder of the season, the team said. The 14-year veteran has 347 saves, a 44-63 record and a 3.19 earned run average during his career. TENNESSEAN NEWS SERVICES The Tampa Bay Devil Rays didn't want to spend all summer negotiating with Josh Hamilton.

They offered him a $3.65 million signing bonus and the No. 1 pick accepted yesterday, the signing bonus is the largest ever given to drafted amateur player who signed with the team that selected him. 'With those parameters, it went very Devil Rays General Manager Chuck LaMar said after the North Carolina high school outfielder agreed to a minor league contract with a bonus payable over the next 19 months. The signing came just two days after Tampa Bay selected Hamilton with the first overall pick, and two days before the 6-foot-4, 210-pound slugger graduates from Athens Drive High in Raleigh, N.C. Hamilton, who took batting practice with the team before last night's game against the Florida Marlins, batted .529 with 13 homers and 35 RBI in 25 games as a high school senior.

He will begin his pro career with Princeton of (he Appalachian League on June 14. MCUNE KKZS RACtST COCr.rNTS: Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane cut short his vacation yesterday to deny telling two TV executives his team doesn't market to Hispanics because baseball is too complex for them to understand. Marco Camacho, vice president and general manager of KTMD-TV, and KTMD sales manager Rod Rodriguez said McLane made derogatory remarks about Hispanics before a dinner hororing him with the Houston Advertising Federation's Traifblazer Award for cwtimuni-ty service. "We asked him why he doesnt market toward Hispanics," Camacho said. "He said it was hard to reach Hispanics because the game of baseball is strategy and ski and it's complicated and that's why more Hispanics don't go to Astros games.

He said If you gave them a basketball and told them to put the balthrrxxjh the hoop, they can do that" The Astros released a statement in which McLane described himself as "angry and outraged" about the accusations. I feel badly that this has been taken so much out of context," McLane said. "My statement was, in general terms, that of an major league sports, the most complicated is baseball. I say that to al types of groups. You can take a basketbai and get arryone to understand that game." Saying the New York Mets could "ship me to Alaska" if they wanted to get rid of him, Bobby Bonifla reacted angrily to a report the team had put him and fellow out-fielder Brian McRae on waivers.

Do I want to stay here? Ask me if I care," Bonilla said before the opener of a three-game interteague series against the New York Yankees. They can ship me to Alaska if they want They can send me home torrorrow if they ike," he said 11 watch the boys play Rockies top Brewers in 10 MIL Associated Press TUSCALOOSA, Ala. If there's one thing Alabama knows for sure, it's that no lead is big enough when it comes to playing LSU. The Crimson Tide had a 10-1 lead through two innings yesterday, then refused to let up in a 13-6 victory over the Tigers in a best-of-three NCAA Super Regional series. Alabama knew it couldnt relax against LSU, especially after monitoring the Tigers' comeback win over East Carolina in last weekend's regional.

LSU (41-23-1) trailed 9-2 in that game, but rallied to win 12-10 and stay alive in the tournament "No amount of runs is enough against this team," Alabama Coach Jim Wells said. "I mean, LSU was down by nine runs in an elimination game and they came back. We knew this game wasnt over." G.W. Keller went 4-for-5 and stole three bases and every Alabama player got at least one hit as the Tide (50-14) extended its winning streak to 14 straight games the longest in the nation. TALLAHASSEE, Fla.

Little-used freshman Ryan Barthelemy hit a pair of home runs and Matt Diaz added a three-run homer as Florida State defeated Auburn 1 in the first game of a best-of-three NCAA regional playoff. Barthelemy, who had only one home run in 70 at bats during the season, hit a solo home run in the fourth and a three-run blast in the seventh. Associated Press DENVER Dante Bichette's RBI single with two outs in the 10th inning was his fourth hit of the game and gave the Colorado Rockies a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers last night Darryl Hamilton, who had reached on a fielder's choice, was at second base with two outs when Larry Walker was intentionally walked by Bob Wickman (2-3). Bichette, who had broken a 2-for34 slump with an RBI double in the fifth, then hit the first pitch to left-center field for the game-winner. Bichette finished 4-for-6 with three RBI and two doubles.

Dave Veres (2-2), who had blown the save in the ninth, was the winner for Colorado. The Brewers, who have lost eight of 11, rallied in the ninth to tie the game Marquis Grissom's two-out single off Veres with the bases loaded scored Mark Loretta, but Ron Belliard was thrown out at the plate for the third out Starter Brian Bohanon went 6 1-3 innings for the Rockies, but failed for the fourth straight time to get his seventh.