Orioles ups and downs

Up:

Jay Gibbons

When Gibbons homered against his former team for the fifth straight game in Toronto, Blue Jays GM Gord Ash rose and left his suite. Ouch. Who knew Popeye was left-handed?

Up:

The Professionals

Peter Angelos listened to his baseball people and reacted in time to claim Blue Jays third baseman Tony Batista off waivers Monday. As a rival baseball man once said, "It was like a star falling from the sky."

Down:

Brook Fordyce

He entered Friday's game with one RBI in June. His three-year contract isn't enough to keep Fernando Lunar from gaining visibility. And whatever happened to that Charles Johnson guy?

Up:

Mora! Mora! Mora!

Summer smash stars versatile Melvin Mora. Watch him swing for the fences then bunt for a hit. Has grown from a trade throw-in last July to a commodity.

Up:

Sidney Ponson

His complete-game two-hitter reminded everyone of his ceiling. And in a day game, no less.

Down:

Curse of the MVO

Randy Myers and Rafael Palmeiro couldn't escape it. Neither could B. J. Surhoff. On Monday, Delino DeShields became the fourth straight Most Valuable Oriole not to make it through the next season in Baltimore.