Aaron Sele

SEATTLE - A meeting of former Orioles convened last night inside Safeco Field. Starting pitcher Aaron Sele (honorary member), left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes and left fielder Mark McLemore got together for new times' sake to account for the Seattle Mariners' 2-1 win over their old team. Considered too great a health risk for the Orioles to sign as a free agent two years ago, Sele used 85 pitches to get 22 outs while remaining perfect in eight decisions this season. Rhodes, who left via free agency the same winter, stemmed a critical eighth-inning rally.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers emerged from The Ballpark's first-base dugout last night and were greeted by an unstoppable force of nature that threatened to suck the air from their lungs.And did anyone mention it was pretty warm?While the Texas flatlands contend with a month set on broil, the Orioles continue to justify the faith of those who still see them as more than second-half schedule-filler. The Orioles didn't just beat the Rangers last night before 45,171 fan-wavers, they capped a two-game wipeout of a club that embarrassed them earlier this season.

RangersThat was then: Juan Gonzalez had 157 RBIs, most in the AL since 1949, and Texas went 5-for-5 against Anaheim in the last two weeks to win the division. The Rangers hit just .141 in a Division Series sweep by the Yankees.This is now: Texas signed first baseman Rafael Palmeiro, who should take advantage of the Ballpark's short right field.Upside: Palmeiro and a full season of shortstop Royce Clayton should solidify an infield defense that went in the past three seasons from 59 errors to 74 to 90.Downside: Rick Helling and Aaron Sele (28-35 the previous two years)

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Someone call off the search party. It appears the Orioles' offense is alive and kicking. After going through a hapless stretch last week that brought back painful memories of their September collapse, the Orioles have put together a three-game offensive outburst. Last night, it finally resulted in victory, as the Orioles jumped to an early lead against the Anaheim Angels and held off another furious comeback by scoring some big late-inning runs of their own in a 7-6 win at Edison International Field.

ATLANTA - Aaron Sele was supposed to represent the Orioles on this night. He was supposed to justify the money thrown at him this winter by winning games and earning his second All-Star selection. He's winning games - 11 of them at the break. And he was in the American League's bullpen last night, waiting for a call from manager Joe Torre after being a spectator for all nine innings in 1998. He's just not an Oriole. Does close count? Sele had reached agreement on a four-year Orioles contract in January and flew to Baltimore for his physical.

What if a team were forced to trade its best, most marketable player under conditions akin to extortion, lost both its catchers to significant injuries, found itself within baseball's highest-percentage division and faced the likelihood of its franchise shortstop leaving via free agency at season's end? What kind of cataclysmic season could be expected? Well, the Seattle Mariners are doing just fine, thank you. The Mariners won seven games in a row before losing, 3-2, Wednesday to Anaheim.

He said it "Aaron is experienced. He knows what he is going to do. He's not going to get rattled out there." Lou Piniella, Mariners manager, on Game 5 starter Aaron Sele. He said it "There were some times this year where we played some pretty ugly baseball. ... but I never sensed that we were losing our focus." Bob Brenly, Diamondbacks manager.

Red Sox: Mo Vaughn singled leading off the eighth for his 1,000th career hit. Boston entered with a .320 team average at Fenway Park.Rangers: When he was with Boston, Aaron Sele was 38-33 with a 4.41 ERA in 108 starts. Entering the game, Texas had four of the league's top nine hitters (Ivan Rodriguez, Tom Goodwin, Mark McLemore and Juan Gonzalez).Pub Date: 5/02/98

Quote: "What have I been saying all year? It is going to come down to the final series. I wish I had been wrong." - Oakland manager Art Howe on tight playoff race between his Athletics, Seattle and Cleveland. It's a fact: The Royals have given up 231 homers, the most in the majors. Who's hot: Seattle's Aaron Sele has a 2.55 ERA in the month of September. Who's not: The Yankees have lost 11 of their past 14 games. On deck: The Yankees will once again try to clinch the AL East tonight when they finish a three-game series against Tampa Bay.