Joe Strauss' O's week in review

Ups and downs

Shawn Boskie -- UP -- After a down first seven weeks, a win and his first save in three days! Imitates Greg Maddux and goes from Nowhere Man to The Man.

Terry Mathews -- DOWN -- Six walks vs. two outs last week. Pray it's only rust.

Pete Incaviglia -- UP -- A week after asking Davey Johnson what gives, Inky backs it up with four RBIs against Yankees. Get outta here!

Team offense -- UP -- Formerly slump-ridden O's scored 40 runs in five games, starting with the game in which hitting coach Rick Down took over for Davey Johnson.

Mike Johnson -- EVEN -- Needs regular work. But as No. 5 starter?

Yanks-Orioles rivalry -- UP -- Monday's game was playoff-quality stuff. Hard-core Yanks fans stayed home the next night.

Rafael Palmeiro -- UP -- The weather turns and Raffy burns.

Two-game series -- DOWN -- Did Major League Baseball let NBA commissioner David Stern put together this schedule? Fifteen games, seven cities. Weak.

Quote of the week

"Sometimes pain causes you to act a certain way. Sometimes you get hit by a pitch and it hurts and you get mad. Intellectually, I don't think that it was intentional. He was just trying to come in with a fastball, and if it missed it was going to hit me."

Cal Ripken, on being hit near the left knee by a Kenny Rogers fastball Tuesday night. TV closeups showed Ripken mouthing some R-rated words at Rogers. Moments later, Ripken looked for contact on a play at the plate but found none.