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Up next: Rays at Orioles

By MARC TOPKIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 13, 2001

SCOUTING REPORT: The Orioles were supposed to be rebuilding after losing 88 games last season, their most in 10 years. But owner Peter Angelos couldn't commit to such a plan and instead signed retread veterans such as Mike Bordick, David Segui and Pat Hentgen. Then they lost Albert Belle to a hip injury. The result is a bad team littered with old players rather than a bad team of prospects building toward the future. They should have a good season-long battle with the Rays for last place.

THE PAST WEEK: The Orioles were .500 until losing to Boston on Thursday, but it wasn't all that much to brag about. The O's have one of the worst offensive clubs in the majors, totaling more than six hits in only three of their first eight games. (One, of course, was the no-hitter by Boston's Hideo Nomo.) Pitching has kept the Orioles from a start as bad as, say, the Rays.

EX-RAYS: Right-hander Jason Johnson had an inconsistent 1998 season for the Rays and it didn't seem to be that big a loss when they traded him the next spring for outfielder Danny Clyburn. But Clyburn ended up being released and Johnson, despite a 1-10 record and 7.02 ERA last season, has a spot in the Baltimore starting rotation. He is scheduled to face his old mates Monday. ... There is some talk the O's might sign Jose Canseco to a minor-league contract.

2000 SEASON SERIES: The Rays went 4-5 in the first nine games, then went into Camden Yards in late August with a chance to move past the Orioles into fourth place but lost three of the four. The O's ended up ahead 8-5 for the year.

WHO'S HOT: Bordick went 3-for-4 Thursday against Boston to improve his average to .324.

WHO'S NOT: Yes, Cal Ripken is still here. But he hardly looks like the player he once was. Ripken, who played in just eight spring training games because of a hairline fracture of a rib, is hitting .091.

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