The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 17

THE SALINA JOURNAI SPORTS FRIDAY, JULY 26, 1996 CS- V-BIG 12 FOOTBALL MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NU program remains under close scrutiny Standings Huskers repeated as champions last season, but had distractions ST. LOUIS The fish bowl in Lincoln, continues to get smaller and smaller. i Last year, the Nebraska Corn- huskers won a second straight national football championship, the final Big Eight Conference title and extended their winning Streak to 25 games. It doesn't get any better than that, right? Hardly. The '95 season may have been the best of times A for the Corn- huskers on the field, but away from sold-out Memorial Stadium, it was the pits.

The local and national media had a field day as Several Nebraska players, led by Heisman Trophy candidate Lawrence HAROLD BECHARD The Salina Journal Phillips, ended up on the police blotter. Those troubles continued into 1996 with Phillips getting arrested, again, and defensive lineman Christian Peter being drafted and then released by the New England Patriots because of his less- than-wholesome off-the-field activities. In the midst of this mess came the tragedy involving Nebraska backup quarterback and Goodland native Brook Berringer, who was killed in a plane crash April 18; Through the good times, and bad, Nebraska coach Tom Osborne stood behind his football program and its philosophy. But the scrutiny continues. Osborne said Thursday at the Big 12 Conference media day that a newspaper has asked for driving and phone records pertaining to Cornhusker players for the previous year.

"I don't think that's heading anywhere positive," Osborne said with a strained smile. The newspaper in question is the Dallas Morning News. But such is life at the top, and that's where the Nebraska Corn- huskers reside these days. No college football program is as successful, yet none has been more scrutinized. J'The only way we'd get rid of it is if we start losing a lot of football games," said Osborne, who has been writing a book this summer on Nebraska football.

expect that to happen soon. The Cornhuskers were an overwhelming choice as the No. 1 team COLLEGE FOOTBALL in the preseason Big 12 poll (which ranked the teams 1 through 12) and are expected to put the program's best-ever defense on the field this season. How good is Nebraska expected to be? Well, eight of its players were selected to the preseason all- conference team and only one other team (Texas) had as many as five. Good coaching? Kansas and Kansas State totaled just one player on the preseason all-conference team (K-State cornerback Chris Canty), but were ranked fifth (KSU) and sixth (KU) in the team poll.

Must be good coaching. The Texas media, which numbered 44 strong at the Trans World Dome (second only to Missouri), did its part. Eight players all from Texas or Texas were named to the team. Coaching no-shows Two head coaches Glen Mason of Kansas and Rick Neuheisel of Colorado are absent from St. Louis this week.

Mason is getting married today to Lawrence dentist Kate Blubaugh. Neiheisel had a previous family commitment in Boston this week where his father is receiving an award. Filling in are assistants Mike Hankwitz (KU) and Karl Dorrel (CU). Tickets remaining A limited number of tickets still remain for the Big 12 championship game set for Dec. 7 in St.

Louis. Approximately 33,000 seats were originally available to the general public through a lottery which ended July 3. A few thousand seats remain and all are located on the upper concourse and are priced at $43.00 each. The tickets are available through a first-come, first-served process. Application forms may be obtained by calling 1-800-916-0084.

Big stadium And speaking of tickets, the University of Texas is expanding Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. The stadium already has 83,000 seats the largest stadium in the Big 12 but will house 105,000 fans when renovation is complete in the next few years. TV package Expect to watch several Big 12 football games on television this fall. Each Saturday, the conference will have three games available at 11:30 a.m. (syndicated), 2:30 p.m.

(ABC) and 6:15 p.m. (Prime Sports). Kansas State has two games already set for television Aug. 31 against Texas Tech (ABC) and Sept. 14 against Cincinnati (syndicated).

Kansas has no TV games scheduled yet, but expects to be on the tube two or three times this season. Big Ten joins new 'Super Alliance' I Unbeaten Penn State not winning national title factors into decision By The Associated Press CHICAGO Keep the tradition of the Rose Bowl intact, eliminate talk of a playoff system, enhance the bowl system and find a way to haye teams eligible for a national championship game. All reasons, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said Thursday, why the league decided to join a new football super alliance that will create a No 1. vs. No.

2 championship matchup beginning after the 1998 season. The money ain't bad, either. The Los Angeles Times said ABC has agreed to pay about $518 million over seven years, including a three-year option, for the right to televise the Rose Bowl and the three other bowl games that will make up the "Super Alliance." "That's too low," said Delany, who added he didn't have the exact figure. The champion will be decided from among the six major conference champions and two at-large selections. The conferences are the Atlantic Coast, Big East, Southeastern and Big 12, all from the bowl alliance, and the Pac-10 and Big Ten, until now bound by contract to send their champions to the Rose Bowl.

"I'm in my 40th year of coaching, and it's one of the greatest things I've ever seen," said Iowa coach Hayden Fry. Per team payout for the Rose Bowl, which is scheduled to host the national title game in 2002, will increase from last year's $8.3 million to between $12 million and $13 million in the first year of the new alliance, reports say. Delany said the Rose Bowl could get a national title game earlier in 1999,2000 or 2001 should a Big Ten or Pac-10 team be ranked No. 1 during any one of those seasons. Penn State's experience in the 1995 Rose Bowl, when the Nittany Lions were unbeaten and ranked second but did not win the national championship after beating Oregon, was a "catalytic factor" for the Big Ten joining the new alliance, Delany said.

Champions of the Pac-10 and Big Ten have been meeting in the Rose Bowel since 1946. They will continue to do so unless a Big Ten team goes elsewhere for a national title game or if the Rose Bowl is hosting the championship game and no team in the Big Ten or Pac- 10 is No. 1 or No. 2. "The first Rose Bowl I see a Big Ten team not participating will be a sad day," said Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, whose school has reservations about the agreement.

Details need to be worked out, like how the top two teams should be determined. AMERICAN LEAGUE East Division Pet GB New York 60 40 .600 Baltimore 60 50 .500 10 Toronto 48 56 .451 15 Boston 45 55 .450 15 Detroit 31 70 .307 29'A Central Division Pet GB Cleveland 62 40 .608 Chicago 65 47 .539 7 Milwaukee SO 50 .600 11 Minnesota 49 52 .485 12'A Kansas City 47 56 .456 Division Pet GB Texas 58 44 .569 Seattle 54 45 .545 2V6 Oakland 53 50 .515 S'A California 48 53 .475 9V4 New York 4, Texas 2 Oakland 6, Chicago 5 Boston 12, Kansas City 2 Minnesota 11, Baltimore 4 Cleveland 10, Toronto 0 Seattle 8, Milwaukee 7 Thursday's results Toronto 4, Oakland 3 Kansas City 7, New York 0 Minnesota 16, Boston 6 Cleveland 10, Baltlmore-7 Texas 4, Chicago 3,12 Innings Milwaukee at California (n) Detroit at Seattle (n) Friday's games Kansas City (Haney 8-8) at New York (Key 77), 6:35 p.m. Cleveland (Swindell 1-1) at Baltimore (Mussina 11 -7), 6:35 p.m. Oakland (Adams 0-0) at Toronto (Guzman 96), 6:35 p.m. Texas (Oliver 8-3) at Chicago (Alvarez 12-5), 7:05 p.m.

Boston (Clemens 4-9) at Minnesota (Radke 5-13), 7:05 p.m. Milwaukee (D'Amlco 3-2) at California (D.Spdnger 0-0), 9:05 p.m. Detroit (Sager 2-1) at Seattle (Hitchcock 9-4), 9:05 p.m. NATIONAL LEAGUE East Division Pet. QB Atlanta 83 38 .624 Montreal 54 46 .540 814 Rorlda 48 53 .475 15 New York 47 54 .485 16 Philadelphia 41 61 .402 22 Central Division Pet QB St.

Louis .54 48 .529 Houston 54 49 .524 Cincinnati 48 49 .485 Chicago 48 53 .475 5V4 Pittsburgh 48 54 .480 7 West Division Pet. GB Colorado 53 48 .525 Los Angeles 54 49 .524 San Diego 54 49 .524 San Francisco 44 57 .436 9 Wednesday's results Cincinnati 3, Philadelphia 1 Rorlda 3, Los Angeles 0 Atlanta 4, St. Louis 1 Pittsburgh 5, Montreal 4 Houston 6, San Diego 4,10 Innings Colorado 7, New York 6,10 Innings Chicago 7, San Francisco 1 Thursday's results Los Angeles 8, Rorlda 3 Pittsburgh 8, Philadelphia 4 Montreal 4, St. Louis 2 San Francisco 4, Atlanta 3 Chicago 10, Colorado 8 Friday's games San Diego (A.Ashby 8-2) at Florida (Rapp 5 11), 6:05 p.m. Philadelphia (Schilling 4-4) at Pittsburgh (Neagle 12-4), 6:35 p.m.

New York (Wilson 4-5) at Cincinnati (Smile 8-9), 6:35 p.m. Montreal (Fassero 9-7) at St. Louis (Osborne 9-5), 7:05 p.m. Los Angeles (R.Martinez 7-4 or Park 5-3) a Houston (Wall 6-2), 7:05 p.m. Chicago (Navarre 7-9) at Colorado (Freeman 7-8), 8:05 p.m.

Atlanta (Glavlne 10-5) at San Francisco (M.Lelter 4-9), 9:05 p.m. American League ROYALS 7, YANKEES 0 KANSAS CITY NEW YORK abrhbl abrhbl Offrmnlb 5120 BoggsSb 4010 TGdwncf 4000 Girardlc 4000 LckhrtSb 5000 O'Neill rf 4000 Roberts dh 4221 BeWms cf 3000 Paqtte 3b 4330 TMrtnz 1b 4020 Damon rf 4030 Sierra dh 4010 Sweeny 4122 Duncan 2b 4010 TuckerII 4002 GeWmsll 4000 DHwrdss 3012 DJeterss 4030 Totals 377137 Totals 350(0 KansatClty 010 002 New York 000 000 (10), Sweeney (1). Kansas City 1. City 12, New York 10. (17), Paquette (9 Sweeney (2).

(11), Damon (18 DHoward. IP RER BB SO Kansas City 72-3 6 0 0 1 2 Plchardo 11-3 2 0 0 1 New York Mutton L.0-2 51-3 6 3 3 1 2 Wickman 11-33 1 1 2 I Meclr 11-3 2 1 1 0 Brewer 2-32223 Polley 1-300001 Barrett; First, Tschldi Second, McClelland; Third, Hlckox. BLUE JAYS 4, ATHLETICS 3 OAKLAND TORONTO abrhbl abrhb Mshorerl 5000 Nixon cf 500 4001 4 1 0 Broslus3b 3010 CDkjdodh 202 McGwMb 4111 BrmUddh 200 Berroadh 4000 CarterII 4 1 2 Stnbchc 4110 SprgueSb 4 1 1 Giambi If 4020 Olerud 1b 402 Young 3111 O'Brien 4 1 2 Bordlck ss 4010 Green if 301 Samuel rf 101 AGnzlzss 4 0 1 Totals 35 3 7 3 Totals 37 412 Oakland 000 200 Toronto 000 000 (12). 1. Oakland 7, Toronto 10.

(15), ambl (30), Young (12), CDelgado (21), AGon zalez (26). HR-McGwire (37), Carter (24 Sprague (26). SB-Mashore (3), Samuel (6). IP RER BB SC Oakland Telgheder 6 8112 Mohler 12-3 3 1 1 0 Witastek L.0-1 1 1221 Toronto Flener 6 5221 Juantrlll 1 11011 2 10002 Garcia; Rrst, O'Nora; Sec- nd, Rellty; Third, Cederatrom. TWINS 16, RED SOX 6 OSTON MINNESOTA abrhbl abrhbl rye 2b 5221 Knbteh 2b 3410 nvlntnss 3120 CoomerSb 1000 Wrgezss 2011 Becker 4123 2012 Hckngrf 1010 Jftrsondh 2100 Motitordh 5233 Mitchll rf 2000 Hale dh 0000 O'Lery rf 2010 Crdva If 5221 Nhhng 3b 2000 Sthvk 1b 6233 1011 DHIIns3b 3120 Stanley 2111 Rboulet2b 1000 Httberg 1000 RKelly rf 5233 Hslmanlb 4000 Wlbeckc 4112 Gmwtlll -4120 Duranlc 0000 Insleyd 3010 Mearesss 4111 'otala 356126 Totals 42161916 Boston 013 000 6 Minnesota 001 761 E-JnValentin (11).

1. Mlnneso- a 1. 6, Minnesota 10.2B—Frye 9), Greenwell (8), Hocking (6), Molltor 2 (25), Cordova'2 (30), DHolllns (17), Meares (19). (16), Stahovlak (8), RKelly (2), Walbeck (1). (3), Canseco (3).

Tlnsley (6). Becker. IP RER BB SO Boston Wakeleld L.7-10 31-3 77703 Eshelman 32-3 11 9 7 4 4 Hudson 1 10010 Minnesota Aldred 3 64404 5 41123 Hansell 1 21100 Coble; Rrst, Reed; Second, Johnson; Third, Young. INDIANS 10, ORIOLES 7 CLEVELAND BALTIMORE abrhbl abrhbl Lofton 5230 RAImr2b 5442 Vizquel ss 3110 ByAdsncf 5122 Baerga2b 2000 RPmro 1fa 5010 Thome 3b, 4211 Bonillarf 5121 Belle If 4235 CRpken ss 3110 MRmrzrf 5210 Murray dh 4001 Giles dh 3132 Surhoff3b 3011 Cneonlb 5020 Holies 3010 SAImrc 5012 Dwauxlf 4000 Espnza 2b 5010 Totals 41101610 Totals 377127 Cleveland 301 030 Baltimore 201 001 (8), Bonllla (4). 2, Baltimore 1.

8, Baltimore 6. (27), Giles 3 (3), RAIomar (25). (3). 2 (34), RAIomar 2 (13), ByAnderson (32). 2 (47), Vizquel (25).

IP RER BB SO Cleveland 51-3 9 4 4 2 2 Embree 0 00010 Plunk 22-3 22203 Assenmacher 1 11102 Baltimore Copplnger L5-2 42-3 97722 Stephenson 41-3 7 3 3 1 1 Morrison; First, Bamett; Second, Clark; Third, Culbreth. RANGERS 4, WHITE SOX 3 TEXAS CHICAGO abrhbl abrhbl Hmtond 5001 5112 IRdrgzc 6020 DLewisd 5000 Grserll 6221 VnturaSb 6020 JGnzlzdh 5122 Bainesdh 3110 Palmer 3b 3010 Martin dh 2010 Buford pr 0000 Trtbull rf 5010 RGnzis 3b 0000 DaMtnz 1b 6031 SUIwell 3b 1000 Dmm 2b 5010 Stevens 1b 4010 Krkvcec 4000 McLmr2b 4000 Snopekph 1000 Newsonrf 4110 Mchadoc 0000 Elsterss 4010 Guillen ss 4130 Totals 424104 Totall 463133 Texas 001 000 020 Chicago 000 120 000 2. 8, Chicago 13. (33), Ventura (19), Balnes (18), Guillen (18). (11), JGonzalez (29), Phillips (9).

2 (10), Durham (12). (5), Ventura (3). Martin. IP RER BB SO Texas BWlt 7 83315 Cook 1 00010 Russell W.3-1 3 30031 Vosberg 1-300000 2-320000 Chicago Andujar 61-3 5 1 1 4 6 LThomas 1-300000 Karchner 1-332200 Sirolka 1 00000 RHemandez 2 00006 2 21100 Brinkman; Rrst, Kaiser; Second, Cousins; Third, Welke. National League DODGERS 6, MARLINS 3 LOS ANGELES FLORIDA abrhbl abrhbl Kirby cf 4021 KAbbtt2b 4110 Castro 2b 4110 ERnlrass 4011 Mndsl rf 4210 Shtfield rf 4110 Karros 1b 5123 Conine 1b 4010 Busch3b 5110 DvWhtcf 4112 Ashley If 2000 Orsulak If 4010 Hlndsw 2011 Pndlton 3b 3010 Gagne ss 5120 YPerez 0 0 0 Prince 3011 TMIhw 0000 Astaclo 3000 Dawson ph 1010 TdWrip 0000 CJhnsnc 3000 Hmndp 1000 Verasph 1000 Arias 3b 2010 Totals 37 611 6 Totals 35 3 9 3 Los Angeles 310 001 Florida 000 001 Angeles 1.

Angeles 10, Rorlda 6. (3), Mondesi (20), Hoi- landsworth (13), Sheffield (21), Conine (21), Pendleton (19). (4). (22), DvWhite (9). (1), Castro (1).

IP RER BB SO Los Angelet 81-3 7 3 3 1 3 Osuna 0 10000 TdWorrell S.25 2-31 0001 Rorlda Hammond L.3-6 42-3 6 4 4 1 3 Powell 11-33 1 1 1 1 Weathers 12-3 0 0 0 2 2 YPerez 1-300000 TeMathews 1 21112 Runge; Rist, Hernandez; Second, Kellogg; Third, Layne. EXPOS 4, CARDINALS 2 MONTREAL ST. LOUIS abrhbl abrhbl Grdzlnss 5011 OSmithss 3000 LnsingZb 5020 Lnkfrdcf 4000 FloydII 4000 GantII 4000 Atou rf 3121 BJrdn rf 4010 HRdrgzfb 4100 Mabrytb 4000 RWhlted 4010 GaeW3b 3100 DFIchrc 4021 Pgnozzlc 2112 Stnkwcph 1011 Gallego2b 1000 Spehrc 0000 McGeeph 1010 Andrws3b 5010 Ptkvskp 0000 Urblnap 2100 Hnycttp 0000 Sntngtoph 1110 Bailey 0000 DVeresp 0000 Morgan 2000 Rojasp 0000 Allcea2b 1000 Totall 38411 4 Totall 29 2 3 2 Montreal 000 110 St. Loult 020 000 (5). 13, St.

Louis 4.2B—BJordan (24). (8). Alou (5). Santangelo (4), OSmlth (6). Urtalna.

IP RER BB SO Montreal 7 32238 DVeres 2-300011 11-3 0 0 0 0 2 St Loull Morgan 7 72143 Pelkovsek L.6-2 11-32 2 2 1 '2 Honeycutt 1-320000 Bailey 1-300001 Gregg; Rrst, Davidson; Second, Bonin; Third, Pondno. PIRATES 6, PHILLIES 4 PHILADELPHIA PITTSBURGH abrhbl abrhbl Oterocf 4000 Alnwttid 3120 Mmdnl 2b 4000 Martin If 3121 Jfferles 1b 4 1 1 1 King 2b 5222 Zeile 3b 3100 Merced rf 5133 Esnrich rf 4110 MJhnsn 1b 3000 Sntlagoc 4133 Hayes3b 400 0 Incvglalf 2000 JBellss 3000 Slockerss 2000 Kendall 4120 Spmgrp 2000 Mteelip 2000 Amaro ph 1000 MWIkn 0000 KRyanp 0000 Plesacp 1000 Totall 304 54 Totall 33 611 6 Philadelphia 020 101 Pittsburgh 002 031 2. 2, Pittsburgh 10. (13), Santiago (14), King (21), Merced (19). (3), Santiago (17), Merced (14).

SB-JAIIensworth (1), Merced (8). (1). IP RER BB SO Philadelphia Springer L.2-9 41-3 7 5 5 2 3 Borland 1 11121 Frey 2-300010 KRyan 2 30021 Pittsburgh MiceliW.2-6 6 44423 May '1-300000 MWIIklns 1-310011 Plesac 11-30 0 0 0 0 Cordova 1 00000 Gorman; Rrst, Winters; Second, Marsh; Third, Nauert. GIANTS 4, BRAVES 3 ATLANTA SAN FRANCISCO abrhbl abrhbl Grssomd 4120 Benard 4110 Lemke 2b 3100 Dnston ss 1110 CpJnes3b 4113 Aurlllass 2000 McGrff 1b 3000 MaWlm 3b 4122 Dyelf 4000 BondsII 3122 Whiten rf 3000 McCrty 1b 4010 EdPrezc 2000 Lmpklric 4000 Blllard ss 2000 RbTpsn 2b 2000 Mrdcal ss 1000 JCruz rf 3010 GMddx 2000 Watson 3010 JLopezph 1000 Totall 29 3 3 3 Totall 30 4 9 4 Atlanta 000 000 San Francisco 300 010 (4). 3, San Francisco 1.

2, San Francisco 5. som (19), Benard (11), Dunston (12), MaW- Illiams (14). (2). (21), Bonds (26). IP RER BB SO Atlanta GMaddux L.10-8 7 84424 Borbon 1 10000 San Francisco Watson W.7-8 81-3 3 3 3 3 7 2-300000 Vanover; Rrst, Froemmlng; Second, Hirschbeck, Third, Williams, C.

Late boxscores WEDNESDAY'S AMERICAN LEAGUE MARINERS 8, BREWERS 7 MILWAUKEE SEATTLE abrhbl abrhbl VinaZb 5011 CoraZb 5110 Ustachcf 5110 ARdrgzss 5231 Seltzer dh 5120 GrfyJrcf 4110 Nilssonrf 3113 Buhner rt 4121 Mleske rf 0000 Srrento tb 4220 GVghn If 4000 Strange 3b 1001 Jahalb 4121 1000 JsVlntn ss 4000 Bragg ph 0001 CirtlloSb 3210 DWilsnc 5144 Mthenyc 4131 BRHntrdh 4020 Amaral II 3000 Manto If 1000 Totall 37711 6 Totall 37 815 8 Milwaukee 300 301 Seattle 020 101 103-8 (12), Cora (9). 1, Seattle 1. 5, Seattle 9.2B— Cirillo (22), Cora (27), ARodriguez (36), Buhner (18), Sorrento (21), DWIIson (17). 3B-Mathe- ny (2). (12), Jaha (22), DWIIson (13).

Jr (11). CS-JsValentin (3). Bragg. IP RER BB SO Milwaukee Eldred 5 73313 Garcia 11-32 2 2 0 1 Miranda 2-310001 Lloyd 1 10000 Fetters L.2-2 2-34331 1 Seattle BWells 32-3 96614 Meacham 31-3 2 1 0 0 Ayala W.3-2 2 0000-2 Young; Rrst, Coble; Second, Reed; Third, Johnson. WEDNESDAY'S NATIONAL LEAGUE ROCKIES 7, METS 6 NEW YORK COLORADO abrhbl abrhbl Ochoa rf 5 1 2 0 EYng 2b 6120 Vzcaino2b 5010 Weiss ss 5110 GilkeyH 5233 Burks If 5342 Hndleyc 4121 Bchetterf 6000 Huskeylb 4010 Glrrgatb 4121 Everett 4000 CastillaSb 6132 KenlSb 4000 JeReedc 4010 Bogar3b 0000 QMCrkcf 5042 Ordnz ss 4110- Rynoso 2000 Ismghs 2112 MiTmn ph 1 0 0 Tmbrinph 1000 Holmes 0000 Mlicklp 0000 VndrWIph 1000 Totall 38611 6 Totall 457177 New York 220 000 020 0-8 Colorado 103 101 000 1-7 (25).

4. York 5, Colorado 16.2B-Hundley (20), Weiss (12), Burks 2 (29). 2 (20), Hundley (27), Isringhausen (2), Burks (26). (6). IP RER BB SO rHW York Isringhausen 6 14 6 6 2 Mllckl 2 10011 12-3 2 1 1 2 0 Colorado Reynoso 7 64420 Holmes 2 42211 Leskanic W.7-3 1 10002 Pondno; Rrst, Gregg; Second, Davidson; Third, Bonin.

CUBS 7, GIANTS 1 CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO abrhbl abrhbl McRaecf 4001 Benard 4000 Sndbrg 2b 5010 Batiste 3b 4010 Grace 1b 5120 MaWlm 1b 4 1 1 Sosa rt 3110 Bonds If 3000 Glnvlle rf 0000 Dnston ss 4020 Gnzalezll 4110 JCruzrf 3 0 CO Huston 3b 4222 RbTpsn 2b 3000 Servalsc 312.1 Mnwmc 3000 Snchez ss 3101 VnLgm 1000 FCsfcp 4021 Decker ph 1000 TAdms 0000 Butista 1000 Totals 35 711 6 Totall 31 1 5 1 Chicago 040 010 020-7 San Francluo 000 000 (1), JCruz (1). 1. 6, San Frandsco 6. vals 2 (14), Dunslon (11). (2), MaWllliams (21).

(4), Servais (1). Sanchez. IP RER BB SO Chicago 81-3 51135 TAdams 2-300000 San Francluo VnLgm L.6-10 5 85412 Bautlsta 4 32211 Bell; Rrst, Hallion; Second, Crawford; Third, Montague. Baseball today SCOREBOARD Friday, July 26 Texas at Chicago (7:05 p.m. CDT).

Wilson Alvarez (12-5) pitches for the White Sox against Darren Oliver (8-3). STARS Wednesday Gary Sheffield, Marlins, tied a club record with his 27th homer as Florida beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0. Rookie Terrell Wade, Braves, allowed one run and two hits in his first major league start as Atlanta beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-1 Wednesday night Wade struck out eight and walked two In five Innings. Dennis Martinez, Indians, was activated from the disabled list and allowed three hits In five shutout Innings, as Cleveland beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-0.

Martinez, who had a strained tendon In his right elbow, made his first start since June 28. Dan Wilson, Mariners, capped a three-run rally In the ninth with a run-scoring double, his fourth RBI of the game, In Seattle's 8-7 victory over Milwaukee. Vlnny Castilla, Rockies, singled over can- terfielder Carl Everett In the 10th Inning for a 76 win over the New York Mets that moved the Rockies Into first place In the NL West, STINGY Kevin Brown lowered his league-leading ERA to 1.76 Wednesday, pitching eight shutout In- nings as Florida beat Los Angeles 3-0. SLUGGERS Mark McGwire hit his 36th homer In the Oakland Athletics' 8-5 victory Wednesday over the Chicago White Sox. McGwire's 31st homer In 56 games traveled an estimated 470 feet.JB feet longer than the homer he hit Tuesday night, and is the longest ever by an opponent at new Comiskey Omar Vizquel hit his career-high seventh homer of the season when Cleveland beat Toronto 10-0 Wednesday.

SLUGGING PITCHER Cincinnati starter Dave Burba, who homered In each of his last two starts, singled In the Reds' first two runs as they completed a four- game sweep of Philadelphia with a 3-1 victory Wednesday. Burba was 4-for-41 SWEEPS The Minnesota Twins completed Ihelr first three-game sweep at Baltimore since 1983, beating the Orioles 11-4 Wednesday night. Minnesota outscored Baltimore 23-11 in its lirst road sweep of the Orioles since May 23-25, 1983. SLUMPS Houston catcher Rick Wilklns is hitting .152 (16-foM 05) since June 1. STRUGGLING Doug Union allowed four hits and seven runs, walked five and threw 57 pitches In 1 1-3 innings City's 12-2 loss to Boston on Wednesday.

STARTERS Andy Fettle became the American League's first 15-game winner, giving the New York Yankees a 4-2 victory Wednesday over the Texas Rangers. Pettitte (15-5), second In the majors to John Smoltz's 17 wins, Improved to 9-0 in day The Pittsburgh Pirates used 14 different starting pitchers in their first 99 games. STOPPERS Atlanta relievers Brad Clontz and Greg McMlchael threw two perfect Innings each Wednesday night, with McMlchael earning his second save In the Braves' 4-1 victory over St. Louis. SWINGS The Minnesota Twins, who lost four of six to Baltimore In April, routed the Orioles 11-4 Wednesday night to complete their first three- game sweep at Baltimore In 13 years.

SENT The Chicago White Sox released veteran right-handed pitcher Kirk McCasklll after Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Oakland. McCasklll, 35, was 5-5 with a 6.97 ERA in 29 games. SELLOUTS The Colorado Rockies drew their major league record 103rd consecutive sellout to Wednesday night's game against the New York Mets at Coors Field. SEASONS July 26 1962 Warren Spahn of the Milwaukee Braves set the NL record for home runs by a pitcher when he hit his 31st off of New York's Craig Anderson. Spahn dealt the Mets their 11th straight loss with a 6-1 victory.

Bench of the Cincinnati Reds hit three straight homers oil Steve Carilon of the St. Louis Cardinals. On the same day, Orlando Cepeda of the Atlanta Braves also connected for three consecutive homers In an 8-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. 1984 Pete Rose of the Montreal Expos tied Ty Cobb on the all-time career singles list, No. 3,052, with a base hit in the eighth Inning in a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

1991 Montreal's Mark Gardner became the first to pitch nine no-hit Innings against a Dodgers home team since Johnny Vander Meer beat Brooklyn at Ebbets Reid on June 15, 1938, for his second straight gem. But the Dodgers won In the 10th on two singles off Gardner and Darryl Strawberry's RBI single off Jeff Fassero. Today'! birthdays: Greg Colbrunn, 27; Mike Mohler, 28; Jody Reed, 33. LEGION BASEBALL Falcons advance at Zone Power, Powell enjoy big games as No. 1 seed 1 Falcons post 11-1 win 1 By LARRY MORITZ The Salina Journal The pitching was provided by Brett Power, while the power came courtesy of Jeff Powell.

The Salina Market-Aide Falcons opened postseason play Thursday- night at Dean Evans Stadium with' an 11-1 victory over Manhattan Edwards Ford. Power tossed one-hitter and Powell got the offense going with a three-run homer, leading the top-seeded Falcons to a lopsided win in the opening round of American Legion: Zone Tournament. "I was happy to see Jeff and Brett have good games they've really been focused lead-" ers for our team the last few weeks," Salina coach Mike Garret- son said. Salina advances to today's win-- ners' bracket final in the four-, team tournament where it will" meet Junction City, a 9-2 winner 7 over Dickinson County in day's late game. The zone champion advances to next week's Legion state tourney at Newton.

Power came within one strike a no-hitter, but allowed a two-out. single in the fourth to Manhattan's Terrance Ellis. The game- was stopped after four innings by the run-rule. "I wanted the no-hitter said Power, who retired the next' batter after Ellis' single to end the, game. "That was my goal in but you don't dare say one thing in the dugout because it's bad luck.

But I also wasn't aware that it was going to be the last iri- ning." It took the Falcons' offense a little more than one inning to get rolling, but nine runs in the second gave Salina an early Powell was given new life when his pop foul was dropped by first baseman Kevin Devore as he attempted to make a running catch; Powell drove the next pitch down the left field line, clearing the fence just to the right of the 338i foot sign for a three-run homer and a 3-0 Falcon lead. "The first baseman gave me a pretty good chance when he" dropped the foul ball," Powell said. "We really wanted to jump out on them in the first game and' Mike wanted us to be visitors so we could jump on them early. We, didn't do it in the first inning, but we got nine in the second." "I was happy with the way wen swung the bats because we haven't played many games in the last two weeks," Garretson said: "It's easy to get antsy when you don't play a lot, but we took care of business." Jason Gordon had two hits and scored two runs in the second inning, while Chris Banninger had a two-run double. Every Falcon batter had at least one hit, with Troy Gillund and Andy Thiel joining Gordon with two hits apiece.

Junction City 9, Dickinson County 2 The Flame broke this; game open with four runs in the bottom of the fifth, all coming with two outs. Kenny Reid and Todd Bogen 1 hagen had RBI singles to make it a 6-2 game, and Mark Felvus capped the inning with a bases-loaded single to score both Reid and Bogenhagen. Dickinson County's Curtis Hall and Jarrett Konrade had two hits apiece, with Konrade driving in his team's first run with an RBI single in the third. Dickinson County will meet Manhattan in today's elimination" game starting at approximately 8. p.m.

Those teams must win four consecutive games in the losers' bracket to advance to state. LEGION BASEBALL: CLASS A STATE TOURNAMENT Salina Hawks beat Leavenworth in opener! Just pitches strong game, gets help from offense in 6-2 triumph By ARNE GREEN Tlie Salina Journal JUNCTION CITY Todd Just didn't need much help Thursday in the first round of the American Legion Class A State Tournament, yet the Salina Hawks pitcher got plenty. Backed by a nine-hit attack that was further aided by seven Leavenworth errors, Just tossed a complete-game seven-hitter as the Hawks advanced with a 6-2 decision over the Cavaliers. The Hawks (41-9) will play Kansas City Ceres Grain at 6 p.m. today in a winners' bracket semi- final while Leavenworth (29-24) faces Manhattan Manko at 10 a.m.

in the losers' bracket. Kansas City (55-8) edged Manhattan 4-2. "It didn't look pretty, but we seem to find ways to win," Hawks coach Tim Bellew said. "We found a way to win when we weren't swinging the bats very well. "Todd Just did a heck of a job pitching and the mistakes we made didn't hurt us and theirs hurt them." Salina scored two unearned runs in both the third and fourth innings, which was all Just needed.

The Hawks' starter struck out 10, walked just one and did not allow an earned run until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Leavenworth put together three base hits. "I threw the fastball first, then the curve to get them off balance," said Just, who improved to 9-2. "They had trouble adjusting to the curveball and they seemed a little behind on all the pitches." Just had five strikeouts and allowed just one hit through the first three innings and allowed an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth after the Hawks had grabbed a 4-0 lead. "At times he was overpowering," Bellew said of Just. "Right now he's just in the frame of mind that he's going to get it done." A pair of Leavenworth errors helped set up the Hawks' two third-inning runs.

With two outs, Brian Lamone singled sharply to right, scoring Tyler Charvat and Just, both of whom had reached on Cavalier miscues. "Brian Lamone's hit was huge," said Bellew, whose Hawks made two errors. "At times we played' well and at times we struggled. "The main thing about a good" team is when you're not playing well, you find ways to win. Give- some credit to the kid on the mound for them (Aaron Long).

He; threw pretty well." In the fourth, Salina got two more runs when Clete Wilson" reached on an error and scored allj the way from first on Chris Ko- hart's single to left, followed by: two errors on left fielder Tabe' Medill. Kohart reached third on 1 the play and scored on a passed ball. Justin Stein's single scored Just' with one of the Hawks' two runs in the seventh inning and Lantz, who had doubled, came 7 home on a wild pitch..