The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 38

THURSDAY, April 30, 1992 Kaleidoscope Howell, Dodgers make short work of Spirit For Distefano, breaking wasn't hard to do Add the name Benny Distefano to the list tjof players who have emerged from obscurity J-to become no-hit busters. 1 1 a i xl. the Southern Division cellar at 7-14. Mecir allowed seven runs, 11 hits and one walk in three innings. "It wasn't like our guys were walking people," said Spirit pitching coach Gary Wheelock.

"They hit the ball well and that happens sometimes." Howell and trainer Matt Wilson decided to shorten the pitcher's stint to one inning because the Dodgers sent 1 1 men to the plate in the first inning, which cooled off Howell's arm after warm-ups. "I warmed up for a long time," Howell said. "As a relief pitcher, you think you have 10 minutes. But to warm up and then wait, we went on the side of caution. There's no sense in By James Curran Sun Sports Writer SAN BERNARDINO Given a chance to see a genuine big-leaguer pitch at Fiscalini Field, many of the 1,628 fans in attendance Wednesday night may have regarded the Spirit's game against Bakersfield as secondary in importance.

And any who didn't may have changed their minds after the first half-inning, when the Dodgers put it away before Jay Howell even took the mound. Bakersfield scored five times in the first inning and the Spirit never recovered in a 9-1 California League mauling. Four Bakersfield pitchers beginning with the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen stopper, who pitched the first inning as part of his rehabilitation assignment limited San Bernardino to four hits. The lone Spirit run came in the third, when Eddy Diaz hammered a pitch from Ross Farnsworth for a solo home run. Farnsworth got the win (2-1), allowing three hits with two strikeouts and two walks.

The Dodgers snapped a seven-game losing streak and improved to 10-11 in the Southern Division. Meanwhile, Bakersfield tagged four Spirit pitchers for 19 hits. Jim Mecir (2-3) took the loss for the struggling Spirit, which sunk further into pushing it." Spirit notes Jay Howell said he will remain with Bakersfield at least through Friday, when he will start another game. "It's really hard to say how long I will be down here," he said. "If I look at it from how far I came in the last two weeks, and if I don't have any injury setbacks, I don't foresee it being very long.

I threw some good breaking balls. I'd like to get commmand of the spots and allow the arm strength to happen." Former Spirit manager Ralph Dickenson returned to San Bernardino Wednesday. The Seattle Mariners' roving hitting instructor said the Spirit should not be discouraged by a meager four-hit offense: "We've been doing fine up till tonight. They threw a lot of change-ups and got ahead. We'll adjust and be OK." Rose back in lineup for Angels By Mike Terry Sun Sports Writer CD AtHsI 5- if- Rlfife lliisf I If Jill JiMMfc Mavericks' rally falls short in loss The Sun MODESTO Right fielder Darius Gash knocked in two runs in a six-run ninth inning for the High Desert Mavericks, but the Modesto A's held on for a 7-6 California League victory in front of 492 fans Wednesday night.

Modesto scored four times in the bottom of the sixth to boost its lead to 7-0. Jeff Barnes ripped a three-run triple and scored on a single by Jason Wood. But the defending league champion Mavericks (8-12) got off the deck in the ninth. Tookie Spann, Julio Bruno and Pablo Martinez each drove in and scored a run during the rally. Ken Hokuf walked two batters before retiring the final batter to end the game and pick up his first save.

Mike Grimes (2-1) picked up the win with seven shutout innings, striking out 11 while allowing four hits and three walks. Geoff Kellogg (1-2) took the loss for the Mavs, giving up three runs and four hits in five innings with five strikeouts and six walks. Wood and Damon Mashore hit solo home runs for the A's. Prep baseball Yucaipa rolls over Rim, 14-7 The Sun AP WIREPHOTO Houston Astros last week, Distefano was called on to pinch-hit Tuesday night against JjDavid Cone, who was five outs away from the first no-hitter in the 31-year history of the I New York Mets. Distefano hit the ball off the end of his bat an infield single down the third-base line, (and Cone's no-hitter was gone.

I "I grew up a Mets fan," said Distefano, 4orn in Brooklyn. "A fan hollered, 'Benny, iyou're from New York, don't break up the But I just did my job." 5 Distefano, 30, bounced around the Pitts-'. burgh Pirates organization for most of the 1980s. He played in Japan in 1990, hitting ibnly .215 with five homers before being re-pleased. He signed with Tucson on Jan.

3. J-; "I never realized the Mets never pitched a no-hitter," Distefano said. Thanks to him, they still haven't. The Streak is at 4,816 games. IF YOU CAN STILL SEE THEM: 'Cleveland Indians speedster Ken Lofton he was living dangerously when he stole 'home against Milwaukee last week.

"It's OK las long as the hitter doesn't swing. If he swings and hits you, you'll be hanging up your shoes." A REAL CONTROL FREAK: Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan, known for his Control, says he learned to throw strikes when I tie was seven, pitching to his 72-year-old grandfather, who wasn't too mobile. "If I threw too far inside or outside, he couldn't I reach it. And if he missed, I had to chase it. So, I learned to hit the target." WHAT TIPPED YOU OFF? The Lakers' Byron Scott, at the end of a regu- Jar season in which the team lost Magic John-', son, James Worthy, Sam Perkins and Vlade Divac: "It finally occurred to me that we 'weren't an elite team anymore." JOSE1, BALLO: Oakland's Jose Canseco, after hitting a 432-'.

foot home run into a stiff wind: "That ball would have gone through quicksand. It was perfect. It was the complete domination of the ball." Sports in brief America3 ends Conner's i win streak, takes 5-4 lead i Bill Koch's America3 stole Dennis Con-' ner's wind and ended Stars Stripes' three-; race winning streak in the America's Cup de-' lender finals Wednesday, America3 got a favorable wind shift for the fifth lead change in the race and won by 1 minute, 8 seconds to take a 5-4 lead in the best-of-13 series. In the challenger finals, New Zealand benched American-born skipper Rod Davis before the race and then made several errors I on the water in losing by 20 seconds to Italy's ll Moro di Venezia, which took a 4-3 lead in the best-of-nine series. A win today would make II Moro the first European challenger to I reach the America's Cup match since En- gland's Sovereign in 1964.

IRELAND ROUTS U.S. IN SOCCER: I Ireland got second-half goals from Andy Townsend, Dennis Irwin, Niall Quinn and "J'ony Cascarino and beat the United States soccer team 4-1 at Dublin. The Americans, who defeated China 5-0 two weeks ago at Stanford, kept the Irish, World Cup querterfinalists in 1990, scoreless in the first half. But Ireland ripped the U.S. niidfield and defense in the second half.

DANIELS SIGNS WITH USBL TEAM: Much-traveled basketball player Lloyd Dan-; iels signed to play for the Long Island Surf of the United States Basketball League. I Daniels played in the new Global Basket-; ball Association this winter. He also has played in the Continental Basketball Associa-; tion and overseas since leaving Nevada-Las Vegas following his arrest in a crack house. His recruitment by UNLV after he attended five high schools in three states without earn-i ing a diploma led to an invedstigation by the 'NCAA. SHOOTERS SEEK NRA'S REMOVAL: i Upset about National Rifle Association poli-' ticking, a group of sport shooters plans to ask U.S.

Olympic Committee to remove the group as the sport's governing body. The NRA says it already has addressed complaints of its critics, who plan to make their case here at a USOC meeting Friday. I WOMAN AMENDS SUIT AGAINST BENGALS: A Spokane, woman who claims she was by up to 15 members of the Cincinnati i Bengals has amended her lawsuit by detailing Jcharges of the NFL club's alleged negligence. I The amended suit alleges the club was negligent because it rented an entire floor of suburban Seattle hotel where the rape allegedly occurred in October 1990, but did not secure the floor; and that the club hired and kept at least one player it knew had com-Imitted prior assaults. LAWYER DEMANDS NEW TRIAL: defense lawyer in Bakersfield charged ju-Irors and the prosecutor with misconduct as he demanded a new trial for a star high school found guilty of murdering a girl he isometimes dated.

The motion appeared likely to halt Fri-day's scheduled sentencing of Offord Rollins IIV, last year's state triple jump champion for High School. BRIEFLY NOTED: San Antonio Spurs center Uavld Robinson was named the NBA's de- -ffcnsive player of the year Veteran pitcher Ott Can Boyd signed a minor-league contract yiVn the Pittsburgh Pirates. Starting next Season, women's coaches will be ejected from tyCAA games after drawing two technical jtous, just like men's coaches. Previously, women's coaches were allowed three. From Sun News Services Texas pitcher Jose Guzman threw a two-hit, 5-1 victory against the Yankees on Wednesday.

Matt Nokes hit a home run in the seventh inning to break up the no-hitter. Texas' Guzman loses no-hitter but still beats Yankees, 5-1 Jose Guzman took a no-hitter into the ROUNDUP seventh inning and finished with a two-hit- ter Wednesday night, leading the visiting Texas Rangers over the New York Yankees, 5-1. TORONTO It was a smiling and joking Bobby Rose who showed up at Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays a sight the Angels were more than relieved to see. On Tuesday, Rose went through one of the most frightening events a baseball player can endure taking a high-speed pitch in the head. Rose was struck square on the helmet by a Dave Stieb fastball in the fourth inning of the Angels' 9-5 victory.

"I wasn't guessing on the pitch. I just didn't really pick up the ball," said Rose, who spent a restless night at Ml. Sinai Hospital here for observation. "But I don't think he intended to hit me. I'm not gonna make a stink; it's something he has to live with." Because the beanball came after a Lance Parrish homer, it was speculated that Stieb did have some questionable intentions.

Stieb would not comment either way. But ROse, who was back in the starting lineup Wednesday, said he was glad there was no retaliation by Chuck Finley or the rest of the California stalT. "I don't believe in that (stuff). That's messing with a man's career," Rose said. He added that although he did not lose consciousness, he was "dizzy." Normally when a possible concussion is suspected, hospitals awaken a patient every hour.

But Rose stayed up all night pestering doctors to release him. They finally let him go at 5 a.m. Angels notes Bobby Rose said he momentarily Hashed back to last year, when then-teammate Luis Sojo was beaned by Detroit's Dan Gakeler. "But that was worse," Rose said. "He hit him square in the face." Several Angels still believe that catcher Andy Allan-son, now with Milwaukee, called for the dangerous pitch to Sojo.

Matt Keough, struck in the head by a batted ball during spring training, underwent a second MRI examination with positive results. Although attending physican Dr. Mike Sukoff said he was "optimistic" about Keough's future, the right-hander was not given a date to resume baseball workouts Chuck Finley's victory Tuesday ended an eight-game winless streak for Angels starters. Von Hayes needs three at-bats for 5.000 in his career. Joe Grahe will make his first-ever start against Cleveland today.

He has yet to face -Boston and New York. He may be the Angels' chief base stealer, but Luis Polonia is not fazed by his total of two. "If we weren't scoring runs I'd be more concerned," Polonia said. "But because we're not stealing doesn't mean we're not running. I'll bet you I have more runs scored with less steals than at this point last year." He's right.

Last April Polonia had eight steals and 12 runs. He already has 14 runs this year with onp April game left. Redlands plays Long Beach tough in loss The Sun LONG BEACH Marc Di-Carlo hit a three-run homer as the University of Redlands hung tough before losing 7-5 to Division I power Long Beach State in a non-conference game Wednesday. Senior catcher Mike Kon went 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI for the Bulldogs (17-15-1). Freshman shortstop Clint Stude-bakerwent2-for-2.

Sophomore left-hander Ven-nie Henderson took the defeat, giving up five runs on live hits in five innings. He struck out 10. Senior second baseman Mitch Kaylar went 3-for-4 with an RBI for Long Beach (27-17-1). Freshman left-hander Tim Dixon picked up the win, giving up two runs on seven hits. He struck out four.

consecutive victory and Phil Plantier drove in three runs with a pair of doubles as Boston beat visiting Chicago. Jeff Reardon relieved with the bases loaded in the ninth and retired pinch-hitter Matt Merulo on a foul pop for his fourth save. ORIOLES 5, TWINS 4: Randy Milligan, returning from a six-game layoff that followed a collision with a teammate, singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth inning as Baltimore won at Minnesota and improved to 13-8, its most April wins since 14 in 1979. Minnesota (9-12) ensured its sixth losing April in seven years as John Smiley failed to win for the fifth time. BREWERS 5, ROYALS 3: Ricky Bones combined with four relievers on a five-hitter for his first American League victory as Milwaukee beat visiting Kansas City.

INDIANS 5, ATHLETICS 2: Mark Whiten homered, tripled and singled twice as Cleveland beat visiting Oakland despite Mark McGwire's 10th home run of the season. From Sun News Services Guzman (2-2) didn't allow a hit until Matt Nokes homered with one out in the seventh inning. Kevin Maas then blooped a single. Guzman got his second complete game a third career two-hitter, striking out eight and walking three. Kevin Reimer drove in three runs with three hits for the Rangers, who have won nine of their last 12 against the Yankees.

Greg Cadaret (2-1) allowed five runs and seven hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked four. Juan Gonzalez's sacrifice fly put Texas ahead in the first, and Reimer led off the second with his second homer. Dickie Thon singled in a run in the fourth, and Reimer hit a two-run single in the seventh after Rich Monteleone relieved and issued four walks. RED SOX 6, WHITE SOX 1: Frank Viola allowed five hits in S' innings for his second Senior center fielder Bill Haynes went 3-for-3, scored four runs and drove in another to help carry Yucaipa to a 14-7 Sunkist League victory over Rim of the World on Wednesday.

Yucaipa improved to 7-1 in league play, 14-7 overall. Junior right fielder J. P. Thomas was 2-for-4 with three runs for Yucaipa, and junior first baseman Sean Smith went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs for Yucaipa. Senior right-hander Lucas Stiles picked up the win, giving up seven runs on nine hits and struck out six.

For Rim (1-8, 2-14), senior Scott Scherr homered, doubled and had three RBI. BIG BEAR 7, AQUINAS 4: Junior shortstop Tom Bolin went 2-for-3 with four RBI help the Bears (7-2, 9-8) over the Falcons (5-3, 8-4) in a De Anza League game. Prep Softball Yucaipa's Minor blanks Rim on 3 hits The Sun Sophomore right-hander Windy Minor pitched a three-hitter and Charity Green doubled home the winning run as Yucaipa (8-2, 10-7) topped visiting Rim of the World 3-0 (0-8, 3-10) in a Sunkist League game Wednesday. Minor struck out three and walked two for the Thunderbirds, 8-2 in league and 10-7 overall. Hazel Hudson had an RBI single.

Rim fell to 0-8 and 3-10. SAN BERNARDINO 6, BARSTOW second baseman Isabel Contreras was 2-for-4 with two runs and sophomore left fielder Kennelta Nelson was 2-for-4 with an RBI to help the Cardinals (3-6, 4-11) over the Aztecs (5-2) in a San Andreas League game. Junior right-hander Julie Del-gado picked up the win, giving up three runs and eight hits. BIG BEAR 17, AQUINAS 7: Sophomore first baseman Holly Robinson drove in five runs and scored three to lead the host Bears (9-0, 12-3) over the Falcons (0-7) in a De Anza League game. Senior right-hander Kelly Voeltz (6-3) gave up two earned runs on six hits.

Smoltz pitches Atlanta's third straight shutout, 8-0 over Cubs John Smoltz just wanted to keep up fj ROUNDUP with Atlanta's other starting pitchers. So he went out and threw Atlanta's third consecutive shutout at the Chicago Cubs on Wedneday, scattering seven hits in an 8-0 victory that extended the Braves' winning streak to five games. speak for themselves." METS 1, ASTROS 0: Bret Saberhagen pitched a three-hitter for his first victory in the National League as New York blanked visiting Houston for the second straight game. David Cone pitched a two-hitter to beat Houston 4-0 on Tuesday. He lost a no-hitter with one out in the eighth.

PIRATES 4, REDS 0: Zane Smith pitched a four-hitter and Steve Buechele hit his second homer in two nights, powering Pitts-' burgh to the win at Cincinnati. CARDINALS 2, GIANTS 1: Rex Hudler scored from second base on Dave Righetti's wild pitch and a throwing error by catcher Kirt Manwaring in the 12th inning, and Lee Smith finished up for his third save in three days and seventh of the season at St. Louis won at San Francisco. PADRES 7, EXPOS 2: Greg Harris stopped a hard-luck skid with his first victory of the season and San Diego beat visiting Montreal, which fell to 0-12 in night games. Harris is only 1-1 despite a 2.06 ERA in five starts this year.

From Sun News Services Smoltz (2-2) struck out nine and walked three' in registering his first complete game of the season. "We have an inner competition," Smoltz said. "You can't do any better than throw a shutout so I was just trying to duplicate what they had done." The Cubs, who have now lost six of their last seven games, managed only 12 hits in the 27 innings. Charlie Liebrandt and two relievers blanked Chicago 1-0 Tuesday night on three hits, and Tom Gla-vine had a two-hitter in a 5-0 victory Monday night. "I don't know if I've ever managed three successive shutouts," said Cox.

"All I know is that it's a pretty good feeling sitting in the dugout." "It just was not our series, period," said Cubs manager Jim Lefebvre. "We got out-pitched and we got outplayed. The fucts.