Smith saves best for last this time

Anderson led off the game with a double to left-center and scored on Hammonds' single to left-center.

Hammonds stole second with two outs and took third on Stanley's throwing error, but was stranded there when Leo Gomez flied to right.

The Yankees swiftly erased the Orioles' lead. Leadoff hitter Bernie Williams led off with a double to right and moved to third on Boggs' single to right.

Moyer walked O'Neill, loading the bases with nobody out. Moyer minimized the damage, holding the Yankees to one run by getting Stanley to ground to Ripken, who started a double play, then striking out Don Mattingly.

The importance of last night's game hinged on the outcome of labor negotiations.

In the event Friday's seemingly inevitable strike wipes out the remainder of the regular season but a settlement is reached in time to save the playoffs, then last night's game was meaningless for the Orioles, who with Monday night's loss were mathematically eliminated from earning a wild-card spot before the strike.

"I know it's a possibility," Oates said of that scenario. "But being the optimist I am, it doesn't really bother me a whole lot. I don't think the season is going to end."

ORIOLES TONIGHT

Opponent: New York Yankees

Site: Yankee Stadium, New York

Time: 7:35

TV/Radio: HTS/WBAL (1090 AM)

Starters: Orioles' Ben McDonald (13-7, 4.20) vs. Yankees' Jimmy Key (17-3, 3.19)