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By MARC TOPKIN
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 30, 2001
SCOUTING REPORT: The Orioles haven't done much this season, but they are ahead of the Rays, so that's something. Their offense ranks last in the AL in average, home runs and a few other categories in which the equally anemic Rays aren't below them. What has kept them going has been decent pitching, especially from their relievers. Manager Mike Hargrove made headlines recently by saying he would play icon Cal Ripken only 2-5 times a week. Dangerous David Segui is on the DL after hurting his left hand April 22 at Tampa Bay.
THE PAST WEEK: The Orioles haven't been in Baltimore since April 19, having won two of three at Tropicana Field and Detroit and one of three at Minnesota. In the middle, they cobbled together their only three-game winning streak of the season.
EX-RAYS: Right-hander Jason Johnson seemed to be a borderline major-league pitcher when the Rays traded him in May 1999, but he has blossomed into a full-time member of the rotation. Tuesday's start will be his third against the Rays this season; he is 1-1.
PITCHING MATCHUPS: Today, RHP Paul Wilson (1-2, 6.55) vs. RHP Willis Roberts (3-0, 1.25); Tuesday, RHP Bryan Rekar (0-3, 5.14) vs. Johnson (1-2, 4.67); Wednesday, RHP Ryan Rupe (1-3, 6.75) vs. RHP Jose Mercedes (0-4, 7.92).
2001 SEASON SERIES: The Rays play their third series of the young season against the O's. Baltimore leads 4-3, having split a four-game series at Camden Yards and taken two of three at the Trop. The Rays have won three of their past 12 in Baltimore.
WHO'S HOT: It's a relative thing, but Melvin Mora has hit safely in six of his past seven games, raising his average to .211.
WHO'S NOT: 2B Jerry Hairston is 4-for-40 over his past 12 games and is hitting .173.