Back Spasms

A day after fielding a full squad for Wednesday's practice, the Ravens opened Thursday's session with just one player absent. Inside linebacker Jason Phillips was not present during the portion of practice open to the media. Several players with injury concerns - wide receiver Lee Evans (left ankle), center Matt Birk (left knee surgery), right guard Marshal Yanda (back spasms), cornerback Chris Carr (left hamstring) and rookie quarterback Tyrod Taylor (bruised left shoulder)

Senior Casey McRoy scored 26 points as host Archbishop Spalding upended No. 3 Calvert Hall, 56-55, in a Baltimore Catholic League game Wednesday night. "Spalding came out ready to play. We didn't match their intensity in the first half, and we didn't make enough plays throughout to win the game," Cardinals coach John Bauersfeld said. Calvert Hall, whose standout forward, Jonathan Graham, sat out with back spasms, trailed 37-26 at the half.

VS. ST. LOUIS BLUES* WHEN: Tonight, 8:35.* WHERE: St. Louis Arena.* RADIO: WCAO-AM 600.* OUTLOOK: This is the Caps' second trip into St. Louis to face former players Scott Stevens and Geoff Courtnall. The teams played to a 3-3 tie on Dec. 20. The Blues' only trip to the Capital Centre is March 19. Don Beaupre should start in goal for the Caps (21-23-2), who had a four-game unbeaten streak snapped Saturday in Montreal. Center Peter Zezel is back in the lineup but defenseman Rod Langway is out for the week with back spasms.

Opponent: Pittsburgh PenguinsSite: Civic Arena, PittsburghTime: 7: 30Radio: WTEM (570 AM)Outlook: The Capitals go into Pittsburgh on a bit of a high, having rallied for a 1-1 tie in the last 8.4 seconds against the league-leading Panthers on Saturday. Washington RW Peter Bondra, who tied the game, has nine goals in eight games and leads the team with 19. Olie Kolzig, who started against the Panthers, will be in net again tonight. Washington reports that LW Todd Krygier (sprained wrist) and D Sergei Gonchar (lower back spasms)

On the field: The Orioles had three chances to jump on Boston starter Steve Avery in the early innings, but couldn't get a clutch hit. They had two singles and a walk in the first inning, two singles in the third and a single, double and walk in the fifth without scoring. Each time, they grounded into double plays.In the dugout: Manager Davey Johnson didn't hesitate to write Cal Ripken's name in the lineup. Ripken made his 2,407th consecutive start even though he has been treated for back spasms the past two days.

Blue Jays: Jose Cruz was a late scratch with a strained hip flexor. He's listed as day-to-day.Cubs: Ryne Sandberg was out of the lineup for a third consecutive game because of back spasms.Expos: Rookie Vladimir Guerrero left in the second after straining his left quadriceps muscle running to first in the first. Guerrero has made three trips to the disabled list this season and missed 52 games. Attendance was a season-low 8,782.Phillies: The team has won 14 of its past 19 road games.Pirates: Shawon Dunston extended his hitting streak to 10 games and is 11-for-24 with four homers and two doubles since coming over in a trade with the Cubs.

Jack Kramp, the veteran Anne Arundel Umpires Association chief, suffered a heart attack Wednesday night, but is resting comfortably in the coronary unit at North Arundel Hospital.Kramp, who turns 37 on Monday, has had a history of back problems preventing him from umpiring, but no prior heart problems. He said he experienced his heart attack upon arriving at the hospital.L "I was having back spasms and got one real bad," said Kramp."After taking my pulse a couple times and getting nothing, my heart started to flutter, and I decided to go to North Arundel.

Baseball Angels: Optioned P Juan Alvarez to Triple-A Edmonton. Astros: Assigned IF Julio Lugo, IF Tripp Cromer and OF Lance Berkman to minor-league camp. Indians: Re-assigned P Chris Haney to minor-league camp. Braves: Signed P Greg McMichael to minor-league contract. Reds: Assigned former Orioles P Bobby Munoz and P Osvaldo Fernandez to Triple-A Louisville. Giants: Optioned P Miguel Del Toro to Triple-A Fresno. Rangers: Assigned P Brian Sikorski and P Chuck Smith to Triple-A Oklahoma.