Alex Ochoa

HittingDarrin Fletcher, Blue Jays: 3-for-5, 2 RBIs.Rusty Greer, Rangers: 3-for-5, 3 RBIs.Bobby Higginson, Tigers: 3-for-5, game-winning RBI.Darren Lewis, Red Sox: 3-for-5.Alex Ochoa, Twins: 3-for-4.Jose Offerman, Royals: 4-for-4.Tony Phillips, Blue Jays: 3-for-5.Pub Date: 7/24/98

On deck The White Sox are on a seven-game road trip with all the games in domes. He said it "It's tough leaving your teammates, but when you go from last place to first, you can't help but be excited. The hard est part is moving all your stuff." Alex Ochoa, Angels outfielder, traded from the Brewers

On deck The White Sox are on a seven-game road trip with all the games in domes. He said it "It's tough leaving your teammates, but when you go from last place to first, you can't help but be excited. The hard est part is moving all your stuff." Alex Ochoa, Angels outfielder, traded from the Brewers

Baseball Expos: Agreed to $825,000, 1-year contract with 2B Wilton Guerrero (.292, 2 HRs, 31 RBIs), avoiding arbitration. Mariners: Agreed to $2,225,000, 1-year contract with OF Mike Cameron (.256, 21 HRs, 66 RBIs with Reds), avoiding arbitration. Marlins: Signed IF Amaury Garcia, P Armando Almanza, P A. J. Burnett, P Jared Camp, P Joe Fontenot and P Nelson Lara to 1-year contracts. Rangers: Agreed to 1-year contracts with P Jonathan Johnson and IF Scott Sheldon. Named Les Parker scout.

The top 10 prospects in the Baltimore Orioles organization, in order:Player.. .. .. .. .. PositionArthur Rhodes. .. .. pitcherManny Alexander.. .. shortstopMark Smith. .. .. .. outfielderLuis Mercedes. .. .. outfielderJeff Williams. .. .. pitcherVaughn Eshelman.. .. pitcherRicky Gutierrez.. .. shortstopAlex Ochoa. .. .. .. outfielderBrad Pennington.. .. pitcherDamon Buford.. .. .. outfielder

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Basilo Ortiz drove in three runs and Alex Ochoa had two RBIs, leading the Bowie Baysox to an 8-3 victory over the Harrisburg Expos in a Double-A Eastern League game last night.Ortiz, who was batting cleanup for the first time this season, hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning, extending Bowie's lead to 5-1.Ochoa homered in the first inning, scoring Curtis Goodwin ahead of him for a 2-0 lead.

Randy Wilstead's two-run single in the ninth capped a four-run rally, lifting the Harrisburg Senators to an 8-7 victory over the Bowie Baysox in a Double-A Eastern League game at the Naval Academy yesterday.With two out in the ninth, Bowie's Armando Benitez hit Mark Grudzielanek with the bases loaded, pulling the Senators (21-9) within 7-5. A wild pitch by Benitez let in another run.Benitez allowed a walk to reload the bases, then ran the count to 3-0 on Wilstead before he was replaced by Dave Paveloff.

BaseballAngels: Agreed to terms with C Chris Turner.Astros: Agreed to terms with P Chris Holt, P Jose Lima, P Alvin Morman, P Billy Wagner, P Donne Wall, OF Bob Abreu and OF Ray Montgomery.Braves: Renewed contract of OF Andruw Jones.Brewers: Agreed to terms with 3B Jeff Cirillo, P Bryce Florie, C Jesse Levis and C Kelly Stinnett.Expos: Renewed contracts of P Ugueth Urbina, P Carlos Perez, P Adrian Acouin and 3B Shane Andrews.Mariners: Agreed to terms with IF Dave Silvestri, LHP Tim Davis, P Edwin Hurtado, P Greg McCarthy, P Paul Menhart and P Salomon Torres.

CANTON, Ohio -- The Bowie Baysox took advantage of a throwing error to score two runs in the eighth inning and open the season with a 4-2 victory over the Canton Indians last night at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium.Eight of the nine Bowie batters recorded hits and top Orioles pitching prospects Rick Forney and Armando Benitez opened and closed in impressive fashion."I'd have to say we looked pretty solid for not being in any kind of a groove," Baysox manager Pete Mackanin said. "We've spent most of the last two or three days on the road.

Alex OchoaWhat he would be doing if there were no strike: He would be competing, as a long shot, to win a job in the Orioles' outfield. Ochoa, who turns 23 later this month, batted .301 with 25 doubles, two triples and 14 homers for Double-A Bowie last year. Scouts say he has one of the best throwing arms in baseball.Where he is instead: Ochoa is waiting at his parents' home in Miami Lakes, Fla., for a resolution.How he's filling his time: Almost every day, Ochoa says, he meets with Reds infielder Lenny Harris and Astros shortstop Ricky Gutierrez, and the three throw batting practice and hit grounders and fly balls to each other.

HittingDarrin Fletcher, Blue Jays: 3-for-5, 2 RBIs.Rusty Greer, Rangers: 3-for-5, 3 RBIs.Bobby Higginson, Tigers: 3-for-5, game-winning RBI.Darren Lewis, Red Sox: 3-for-5.Alex Ochoa, Twins: 3-for-4.Jose Offerman, Royals: 4-for-4.Tony Phillips, Blue Jays: 3-for-5.Pub Date: 7/24/98

He was the organization's prize, someone who stood as proof that the Orioles' minor-league system, though not flooded with talent, hadn't gone completely dry.By this time, Alex Ochoa was supposed to be playing right field at Camden Yards on a regular basis, but the can't-miss prospect never got the chance. That's because the Orioles didn't believe they had a choice.If they wanted outfielder Bobby Bonilla, they had to part with Ochoa. Take it, or leave it.On July 28, 1995, the Orioles took it, shipping Ochoa and center fielder Damon Buford to the New York Mets in a trade ripe with controversy.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Armando Benitez pitched the ninth inning of the Orioles' one-run victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night, collecting a save while Randy Myers warmed up in the bullpen.Yesterday, all parties vigorously denied that the Orioles had a brewing closer controversy."Randy is my closer," manager Davey Johnson said."Everyone knows it's Randy's job," Benitez said."It's a non-issue," Myers said.OK, we get the message.Myers was back in as the closer last night, recording the last two outs in a 9-7 victory for his third save of the season.

BaseballAngels: Agreed to terms with C Chris Turner.Astros: Agreed to terms with P Chris Holt, P Jose Lima, P Alvin Morman, P Billy Wagner, P Donne Wall, OF Bob Abreu and OF Ray Montgomery.Braves: Renewed contract of OF Andruw Jones.Brewers: Agreed to terms with 3B Jeff Cirillo, P Bryce Florie, C Jesse Levis and C Kelly Stinnett.Expos: Renewed contracts of P Ugueth Urbina, P Carlos Perez, P Adrian Acouin and 3B Shane Andrews.Mariners: Agreed to terms with IF Dave Silvestri, LHP Tim Davis, P Edwin Hurtado, P Greg McCarthy, P Paul Menhart and P Salomon Torres.

The buzzwords in Syd Thrift's first year as the Orioles' director of player development were change and movement.Players shifted classifications rapidly. The major-league team's problems with injuries and ineffective play forced a steady stream of personnel moves within the system.It was not an ideal situation, this lack of stability at the three highest levels of the minor-league ladder, as Thrift scrambled to plug with free-agent signees and jumped (forward or backward) players two levels at a time to fill holes.

UPS AND DOWNS* Peter Angelos -- UP -- He's trying to win and that distinguishes him from some other owners.* Jamie Moyer -- UP -- He has been a life-saver.* Bret Barberie -- UP -- His job for now. But check back in a week or two, because these things can change in a hurry.* Leo Gomez -- UP -- This year, his slump was cured by an adjustment in his batting stance, rather than a call from Uncle Angelos.* Alex Ochoa -- UP -- Who knows if he can really play. All the talk drove his trade value through the roof.

Baseball Expos: Agreed to $825,000, 1-year contract with 2B Wilton Guerrero (.292, 2 HRs, 31 RBIs), avoiding arbitration. Mariners: Agreed to $2,225,000, 1-year contract with OF Mike Cameron (.256, 21 HRs, 66 RBIs with Reds), avoiding arbitration. Marlins: Signed IF Amaury Garcia, P Armando Almanza, P A. J. Burnett, P Jared Camp, P Joe Fontenot and P Nelson Lara to 1-year contracts. Rangers: Agreed to 1-year contracts with P Jonathan Johnson and IF Scott Sheldon. Named Les Parker scout.

BOSTON -- With third baseman Leo Gomez off to a terrible start and the team's offense somewhat sluggish, the Orioles -- whose game here was rained out last night -- are in serious pursuit of Texas Rangers third baseman Dean Palmer.Baseball sources indicated yesterday that the Rangers have asked for outfielder Damon Buford and at least one more player -- possibly minor-league outfielder Alex Ochoa -- in return for Palmer, who hit 19 homers in 93 games last year.Palmer, 26, is right out of the Dave Kingman mold.

BOSTON -- With third baseman Leo Gomez off to a terrible start and the team's offense somewhat sluggish, the Orioles -- whose game here was rained out last night -- are in serious pursuit of Texas Rangers third baseman Dean Palmer.Baseball sources indicated yesterday that the Rangers have asked for outfielder Damon Buford and at least one more player -- possibly minor-league outfielder Alex Ochoa -- in return for Palmer, who hit 19 homers in 93 games last year.Palmer, 26, is right out of the Dave Kingman mold.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Curtis Goodwin was going to dunk. Dunk over Michael Jordan. Dunk over everyone.He raced down the lane after a missed shot.He leaped into the air.He . . ."Missed it," the 5-foot-11 Goodwin lamented. "Off the rim."What happened next is in dispute.According to Goodwin's friend, Damon Buford, Jordan snapped: "You're too out of control, kid. Go sit on the sidelines."Buford wasn't there, mind you."But I heard," Buford said, laughing. "I heard it that night."It was just another Sunday in the Arizona Fall League, just another pickup game with that light-hitting outfielder who drove all the fancy cars.