The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • Page 38

Page6D Tuesday, March 26, 1996 The Sun Baseball Orioles notebook 3 Exhibition standings mwm uaoue NATWNU UAOUE Out of rhythm, Wells gets early hook 0's consider Webster after? Phils catcher is released one-hit relief and four other relievers worked a scoreless Inning apiece. Team I Ht Team Pet California 18 8 .692 LA. 15 9 .625 Texas 17 8 .680 Atlanta 13 8 .619 Detroit 16 9 .640 Colorado 17 12 .686 Chicago 17 10 .650 N. York 14 10 .683 Cleveland 17 11 .607 Chicago 14 11 .560 New York 14 12 .538 San Diego 15 13 .536 trietot 11 10 .524 St. Louis 13 12 .520 K.C.

13 12 .620 Pittsburgh 12 12 .500 Oakland 14 13 .519 Cincinnati 11 14 .440 Minnesota 14 14 .600 San Fran. 11 17 .393 Boston 11 13 .458 Houston 9 14 .391 Seattle 10 14 .417 Montreal 8 14 .364 Toronto 9 17 .346 Phila. 8 17 .320 Milwaukee 7 18 .280 Florida 8 20 .286 Ntr Split-squad games count in standings; games ASSOCIATED PRESS Third out: Cal Ripken flips his bat away after striking out against Orel Hershiser, who held Orioles to three hits in 4 innings. Orioles box score Indians Orioles 3 Mt-hander fields 4 runs in 3 inning vs. Indians By Peter Schmuck SUN STAFF FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.

Manager Davey Johnson didn't like what he was seeing and the Cleveland Indians liked it just fine, which was enough to convince Johnson to pull left-hander David Wells hallway through his scheduled start yesterday at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. Wells gave up four runs on six hits over three innings on the way to his third loss In five spring decisions. The Orioles rallied for three runs in the ninth inning, but came up short in a 4-3 loss to the defending American League champions. "He just had a lot of trouble with his rhythm," Johnson said. "He was all messed up, so I didn't want to push him.

We Just decided to pull him and give somebody else a chance." Johnson said that Wells has been bothered by some soreness outside his pitching elbow, but indicated that wasn't the cause of his inconsistent performance yesterday. Wells had pitched well in his previous start, going six Innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Left-hander Rick Krivda took over and pitched two innings of Upsanddoivns Highlights and lowllghts from the Orioles' 4-3 loss to the Geveland Indians yesterday: Ups Left-hander Rick Krivda pitched two innings of one-hit relief after taking over for struggling starter David Wells. He has given up Just two earned runs In 13 innings (1.38 ERA). Left-hander Jesse Orosco continues to rebound from a rocky start this spring.

He pitched one scoreless inning and struck out two. Jeffrey Hammonds continues to swing a hot bat. He delivered a pinch single in the ninth inning, raising his spring average to .417. Utility man Bill Ripken doubled Ken Rosenthal Omimt I I (rWt I II Loftoo cf 3 12 0 Anderson ct 3 0 0 0 Bumitz If 0 0 0 0 MSrrath If 10 0 0 Vizquei ss 2 0 0 1 RAIomar 7b 2 0 0 0 Espmoza ss 2 0 2 0 Alexndr ss 2 0 0 0 Baerga 2b 4 0 0 1 Palmeiro lb 2 0 0 0 Candaete 2b 0 0 0 0 Berate; 0 0 0 0 Murray dh 0 0 0 0 Hmmnds ph 1110 Franco lb 4 110 Bonilla dh 4 110 Perry 1b 1 0 0 0 CHipken ss 2 0 0 0 Rannrejrf 3 111 BRipken 3b 2 112 Giles rt 1 0 0 0 Surhoft 3b 2 0 10 Thome Jb 3 0 11 Huson 2b 2 0 11 Kirby K-cf 0 0 0 0 Deverx rf 4 0 10 SAiomar 10 10 Trasco If of 4 0 10 Levis 3 110 Zaun 3 0 0 0 Lbius If 5b 4 0 10 Tirtali IS 4 10 4 Tit alt 14 I I Ctovtfand 121 000 000 4 OrkOl OOP 000 001 I against college teams do not. Yesterday's results Cleveland 4, trittat 3 Boston 8, Philadelphia 7 Chicago White Sox 6, Toronto 5 Detroit 9, Florida 7, 10 innings Los Angeles 10, N.Y.

Mets (ss) 6 St. Louis 3, N.Y. Yankees 0 Colorado 8, California 7 Milwaukee 16, Seattle 4 San Diego 7, Chicago Cubs 6 Oakland 13, San Francisco 6 Texas 8, Minnesota 5 Pittsburgh 6, Kansas City 5 Atlanta 4, N.Y. Mets (ss) 2 Houston 10, Cincinnati 9 Today's games LA vs. (rWw at Ft.

I'dale, 1.05 p.m. Boston vs. Chicago-A at Sarasota, 1:05 p.m. Cleveland vs. Florida at Viera, 1:05 p.m.

Hou. vs. St. at St. Petersburg, 1:05 p.m.

Mon. vs. Ad. at West Palm Beach, 1:05 p.m. N.Y.

vs. K.C. at Haines City, 1:05 p.m. Toronto vs. Cincinnati at Plant City, 1:05 p.m.

Chicago-N vs. Calif, at Tempe, 3:05 p.m. Oakland vs. Seattle at Peoria, 3:05 p.m. San Diego vs.

Colorado at Tucson, 3:05 p.m. S.F. vs. Milwaukee at Chandler, 3:05 p.m. N.Y.

Yankees vs. Detroit at Lakeland, 7:05 p.m. Texas vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, 7:05 p.m. Pitt.

vs. Ptvla, at Clearwater, 7:35 p.m. Chnpstfck Spa 686-9600 8128 Pulaski Highway I6v5I15AI lJ.I.W.r95l61 I 12 i wmwm Istiif OP Orioles 1. LOB Cleveland 10, Orioles 5. 2B Lofton, franco, Espinoza.

BRipken, Thome. HR Ramirez (5). SB Palmero. SF Vizquei. Cttvttand i ei ii Hershiser W.1-0 Embree Shuey Assenmacher Mesa 4S 1X 1 1 1 I El II Wens L.

2 3 Krivda R. Myers Orosco Shepherd 1 1 0 0 Bemtez by Wells (Lofton). Knvda. 2:41. 1 6,410.

Indians envision October in O's Mure and theirs "If I knew he was coming, I wouldn't have come," Weaver said. After a friendly exchange with Palmer, Weaver was asked if he had read "Together We Were 11-foot-9," the new book that Palmer recently authored about their stormy relationship. "I haven't read it yet," Weaver said, "but I'm sure it's full of lies." Florence, Munoz reassigned Pitcher Oscar Munoz accepted an outright assignment to the Red Wings' roster yesterday and non-roster left-hander Don Florence was reassigned to the Orioles' minor-league camp in Sarasota. Munoz, who was claimed on waivers from the Minnesota Twins In November, was out of options and could have chosen free agency, but he decided to remain In the organization and wait for a mid-season call-up. He was 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in six exhibition appearances.

Florence made six exhibition appearances for the major-league club and pitched six innings of relief, giving up seven hits and two earned runs. Devereaux encouraged Outfielder Mike Devereaux, who has been struggling to overcome a hamstring strain, is encouraged by the progress he has made during the past week. He played in his third straight game yesterday and again reported no problems. "I felt good the first day, but the important thing to me was how I felt coming back the second day, and it felt better," Devereaux said. The important thing Is for Devereaux to be up to speed on Opening Day, which now seems likely.

Before he played those three straight days, he had barely half the at-bats of the healthy Orioles regulars. S. Alomar cramps up Indians catcher Sandy Alomar had to be removed from yesterday's game with a cramp In his right hamstring. Club officials said they will know better today the extent of the injury. i i KARL IIBKTON PERRON SUN STAFF Keith Shepherd has been all over the country in his quest to stick in the majors.

"That killed me," Shepherd said. "My breaking ball wouldn't move. My fastball wouldn't move. When I was on the road, everything was good. But when I was at home No need to complet the thought the Rockies traded Shepherd to Boston in June '94.

He opened with the Red Sox last season, Injured his shoulder, got released, signed with Florida, then became a free agent again. Got all that? Good. Now back to Puerto Rico. Shepherd went 1-5 with six saves for Caguas, finishing with a league-leading 63 strikeouts in 48 innings. Bonllla noticed.

Alomar noticed. Everyone did. "He throws hard," Alomar said. "He's a competitor. He pitched about every day over there.

He likes to take charge on the mound." Shepherd said he had offers from "everywhere," and took less money to sign with the Orioles, believing the club had a chance to reach the World Series. Funny, Thrift feared he would sign with another such team Atlanta. And now? Shepherd, married with two young sons, knows the Orioles might acquire another right-handed reliever and send him to Triple-A, but he seems unfazed. One day, he'll go home to Wabash, open a baseball school, or maybe become a state trooper. But not yet.

"I don't worry," Shepherd said. "If I make the team, great. If they send me down, they send me down. If they release me, they release me. "I've been through it all," he said.

"I don't pay much attention." Decision day? It wouldn't normally be a major issue, but In an Orioles training camp with few roster questions, the fate of the bubble guys has taken on added significance. For that reason, today is an important day for infielder Jeff Hu-son, who will be guaranteed his full 1996 salary if he remains on the roster past midnight. The Orioles are expected to keep him, which means that someone else will have to step aside by Opening Day. Shortstop Manny Alexander is out of options and might be traded, or outfielder Mark Smith could be optioned back to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. Weaver stops by Former Orioles manager Earl Weaver was back in camp, sparring with Jim Palmer and taking advantage of the opportunity to hook up with some of the ex-Orioles that now play and coach for the Indians.

Dennis Martinez spotted him first, and after making the usual pleasantries, hailed Palmer from across the field to join them, but Weaver wasted no time getting back into character. home two runs in the three-run ninth inning. Ripken is batting .353 (12-for-34) this spring. Downs Left-hander David Wells lasted Just three innings and surrendered four runs on six hits to record his third loss in five spring decisions. The Orioles had Just three hits through the first eight innings against veteran Orel Hershiser and three Indians middle relievers.

They finally broke through with three runs on four hits against former Oriole Jose Mesa In the ninth, but the rally fell short. Peter Schmuck Shepherd allowed two earned runs in 35 Innings at Slngle-A South Bend In 1991, and still couldn't get promoted to Double-A. Only In '92 his seventh pro season did It finally happen. Everything was coming together Shepherd even pitched in the Southern League All-Star Game. But then a White Sox official stopped In Birmingham for a visit, and encouraged players to ask him about their futures.

"Will you call me up?" Shepherd asked. "Why would we?" the club official said. "Will you protect me on the 40-man roster?" "No," the club official said. "Definitely not." At that point, Shepherd asked for a trade, and even considered becoming a professional boxer. But when the White Sox sent him to Philadelphia for Infielder Dale Sveum, It appeared he finally had caught a break.

Not so fast. Shepherd Joined the Phillies In September and posted a 3.27 ERA in 12 relief appearances. Naturally, it did him no good. The Phillies left him unprotected In the expansion draft, and he wound up in pitcher's hell Colorado. TraveHnman Keith Shepherd's career transactions: June 1986: Drafted by Pittsburgh, 11th round.

Dec. 5, 1988: Selected by Kansas City, minor-league Rule 5 draft. July 24, 1989: Released by Kansas City, signed by Cleveland. 0(1 22, 1990: Released by Cleveland. March 12, 1991: Signed by Chicago White Sox.

Aug. 10, 1992: Traded to Philadelphia for IF Dale Sveum. Nov. 17, 1992: Selected by Colorado in expansion draft. June 3, 1991: Traded to Boston for RHP Brian Conroy.

June 5, 1995: Released by Boston, signed by Florida. Nov. 7, 1995: Signed by Orioles. New teammates pitch in to add to Shepherd's O's repertoire Itangtrs inquire about Alexander's availability FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. The Philadelphia Phillies released catcher Lenny Webster yesterday, and his next stop may be with the Orioles.

The Orioles are searching for another catcher, and assistant general manager Kevin Malone said the team probably would have interest in Webster now that he's a free agent. The Phillies tried numerous times to deal Webster to the Orioles during the past two months, but the Orioles declined to give them anything of substance; Philadelphia officials say Orioles GM Pat Gillick gambled that the Phillies eventually would have to release Webster. If so, Gillick guessed right. Webster, 31. batted .267 with four homers and 14 RBIs for the Phillies last season.

He played the 1994 season for the Expos, when Malone was GM In Montreal. He is considered to be an average defensive player. The Orioles may not have a major-league job to offer Webster, however, if they decide to carry two catchers. They could offer him a minor-league contract, with the understanding he'll get a shot at promotion if Chris Holies' throwing problems worsen. Texas GM Doug Melvln called the Orioles yesterday, after finding out that Benji Gil, the Rangers v-eryday shortstop, will be out for six to eight weeks because of back trouble.

The Orioles have an extra shortstop Manny Alexander. "I don't think he's available," said Melvin. "I don't know what it would take to get him anyway. He's had a good spring." Buster Olney vision. We've got to deal with the White Sox first, but if we get there and they get there, it's going to be tough." The Yankees also tried to keep pace, re-signing David Cone and trading for Tim Raines and Tino Martinez.

Although it appeared that owners Peter Angelos and George Stelnbrenner were dueling with dollars, it soon became clear that both teams were shooting for more than the AL East title. They were aiming at the Indians. "I assumed that would be the goal of other teams," said Hargrove. "I know it was always our goal to get ahead of the teams that finished ahead of us." Of course, the Indians are aiming a little higher, and they have every reason to believe they are poised to complete their meteoric climb from perennial also-ran to world champion. The only serious personnel loss the club suffered during the off-season was the departure of first baseman Paul Sorrento, and they replaced him with one of the best hitters in the game (Franco).

"On paper, I think we're better," Hargrove said, "but if it works on paper and doesn't work on the field, that doesn't do you any good." i The whole baseball world may be out to get them, but the Indians don't appear to be burdened by the tremendous pressure to live up to and move beyond their 1995 success. "The expectations of this team are as high as our fans'," Hargrove said. "We expect to do well, but I don't think we're putting the pressure on ourselves that you would think that would bring." Quite the contrary. The Indians seem very self-assured, but it is for the most part quiet confidence rather than conceit. "I don't think we're the best team in baseball," Martinez "We Just don't think that way.

I Just think we have a great ballclub. If people want to say that, we'll take it, but we still have to go out there and do it." Calendar Teday: Last day to place player on unconditional re lease waivers without having to pay entire salary. Sunday: Opening Day; active rosters must be re duced to 25 players. July All Star Game, Philadelphia. tuj II: DeaHltnc for postseason rosters.

lest 1: Aci've rosters Increased to 40 payers, let 11: World Series begins, city of AL champion. Rosenthal.from Page Id RUSSIAN 1 Beautiful Maneuiei JT Fun bocty mauoge i Steam Ft body ihampoo. 1 II 10-11 7Poy 4Hand 20 I I Hou tlOl MmogOn MoMO0t0B 11 i 561-4814 A'-i soa LI Indians.from Page Id front-line starting pitchers and signed free agents Roberto Alomar, Randy Myers, B. J. Surhoff, Mike Devereaux and Roger McDowell.

Top to bottom, they still don't measure up to the Indians on paper, but it was enough to get their attention. "They the Orioles came real close," Indians manager Mike Hargrove said. "They've got a good ballclub. Robbie Alomar and Carlos Baerga are arguably the best second basemen in the game. Robbie adds a dimension to their club that they really didn't have, except for Brady Anderson." Veteran right-hander Orel Hershiser got his first look at the new Orioles lineup in yesterday's 4-3 exhibition victory.

He pitched 4 scoreless Innings but still seemed Impressed with the personnel that Gillick has assembled. "It looks like a great team," Hershiser said. "You look around that infield and it's one of the better infields you'll ever see. And offensively, they can be very good. Fortunately, they aren't In our dl- had been the general manager In Pittsburgh when the Pirates took Shepherd out of Wabash (Ind.) High School In the 1 1th round of the 1986 draft.

Who would have guessed that nearly a decade later, the two would cross paths again? "I went back and looked his records up," Thrift said. "I knew it was the same guy." The same guy, with the same arm, but only 28 major-league appearances. Shepherd has gone from Watertown, N.Y., to Augusta, Klnston, to Reno, Birmingham, to Reading, Pa. And yet, he's convinced he'll be on the Orioles' Opening Day roster. "I should be," he said yesterday before pitching a scoreless Inning in the Orioles' 4-3 loss to Cleveland.

"I don't see why not." Heck, to this day, Shepherd believes that his career would have turned out differently If Thrift hadn't been fired In Pittsburgh. Pirates pitching coach Ray Miller told him: "I expect to see you In the big leagues by the time you're 21." But the new regime in Pittsburgh didn't know him, and left him unprotected in a minor-league draft. Kansas City took him. And Shepherd's troubles began. "That screwed my whole career up," Shepherd said.

"I started bouncing around. Nobody had any money Invested In me. They didn't care." He asked the Royals to release him when they wouldn't promote him to Double-A. He signed with Cleveland and pitched well at Slngle-A Klnston. But rather than advance him, the Indians sent him to a co-op team in Reno.

Shepherd went home for a week. Almost quit. They said I was Just a fill-in guy, wasn't a prospect," Shepherd said. "It was ridiculous. Half the players weren't even professionals.

We started off 3-29, something like that." To escape, Shepherd accepted an assignment to Watertown a lower Slngle-A club than where he had started. Again, he asked for his release. This tljne, he signed with the Chicago White Sox. It was the same, old story. 96 GEO METRO sCWXl 110150 lOuto.Ovodrwe Transmission.

Hatchback 1111 '96 CAVALIER '8995 98 Wo, Cvodnve Transmission, Dual Ambers. A8S, Cloth Intoa wl inu rii.s 96 BERETTA SPORT CPE 10461 uvcanve inns awim Zvy SteteoCass frarDet '96 CORSICA 4DR iiotW 4Cyl, Automate, YjriU CT.fl Pwt Stminq, itrar OCT 'rzrimiiBV6. '96 GEO PRIZM ISSSS8 1.6 liter, OvodrivtTians, AVC, AMf Stfffo Cass, Fw. Strennq, Rear Ptf. 96 CAMARO SPORT CPE 110917 3 lUrturan Uwfc .1111 Wil Dust Ajrtoss, Artikxk Biates uvitucnoNic rjXMDir HOTLINE 288-6080- cm no wr fffmct or row ntwi T3 Orioles spring stats (Through yesterday's game) latimt it ii Hammonds .417 4 0 3 6 BRipken .353 7 0 0 5 Smith .351 10 16 Anderson 2 0 4 6 Aleander i 1 0 10 Bondla .313 1 0 1 9 Huson .286 3 0 0 4 Surhoff .277 4 1 0 7 Devereaux .241 10 0 0 C.

Ripken .237 2 0 1 8 Alomar .233 4 0 0 7 Zaun .226 0 0 0 6 Palmeiro .214 0 0 2 7 Hall .162 0 0 0 2 Holies .152 0 0 3 7 Devarez .133 0 0 0 0 larasco .125 0 0 0 3 Gresham ,000 0 0 0 0 TUh' 41 I 11 Htchlnt 1 Bl lai IP McDowell 2 0 0 00 1 7.1 4 Krivda 1 1 1.38 0 13.0 16 J.Myers 0 0 1.50 0 60 3 Enckson 2 1 1.61 0 28.0 28 Rhodes 1 0 1.93 0 4.2 6 Florence 0 0 3 00 0 6.0 7 R. Myers 0 0 300 0 60 8 Bemtez 0 1 3 12 3 9.2 4 Mercker 0 0 338 0 80 8 Shepherd 0 0 3.38 3 8 0 8 Lee 0 0 450 0 40 6 WeM 2 3 6 00 0 21.0 34 Haynes 2 2 6 88 0 17.0 22 Mussina 0 1 692 0 13.0 19 Orosco 0 0 10.13 0 6.1 11 ToW 11 II IM 7 111.1 Not does not include split squad games 'lotals include players no longer on roster. 3.