Ballpark In Arlington

ARLINGTON, Texas - As a rookie, Rusty Greer put himself in the major-league record books. He caught the last out of a perfect game. A line drive to center field landed in his glove to seal Kenny Rogers' perfect game on July 28, 1994, one of the highlight moments of the Texas Rangers' first season at The Ballpark in Arlington. It was more than a Rangers highlight. It was one of many for Major League Baseball in 1994, one of the sport's most extraordinary seasons. In 1994, baseball had record pursuits and tight pennant chases.

Statistics through ThursdayUps and downsJeffrey Hammonds -- UP -- Settled right into the No. 2 slot in the batting order, going 7-for-16 in a three-game series against theTexas Rangers. Where would O's be without him?The road -- UP -- The Orioles seem to feel more at home on the road, where they entered the weekend 16 games over .500. They're only eight games over at Camden Yards.Rafael Palmeiro -- UP -- Says he doesn't get a special thrill out of hurting the Rangers, but he seems to have a special talent for it. Hit three homers in three games at The Ballpark in Arlington.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Utility player Jeff Reboulet was not part of the new-look Orioles lineup. He wasn't even a consideration. But after the club managed just two runs through 11 innings last night, he became a hero.Reboulet, who entered the game as a late-inning replacement for shortstop Mike Bordick, slapped an RBI single down the right-field line with one out in the top of the 12th inning to propel the Orioles to a 3-2 victory over the Texas Rangers and complete a three-game sweep at The Ballpark in Arlington.

For the second time in two starts, Orioles catcher Lenny Webster had to leave a game early because of injury. Last night, he suffered a strained tendon in his right ankle in the fourth inning while falling backward to avoid a tight pitch from Cleveland Indians starter Dwight Gooden.Webster grimaced as he bent forward at the waist, then limped off the field with trainer Richie Bancells. He is listed as day-to-day.Charles Johnson, who had started the previous five games, struck out while completing Webster's at-bat and took over behind the plate.

DALLAS - Even given a day to digest the Texas Rangers' 10-year, $252 million signing of free-agent shortstop Alex Rodriguez, baseball's salary structure still suffered from acute indigestion. Early Monday morning, Rangers owner Tom Hicks wrested away the sport's most talented player in a manner that has riled the game's power structure and added another chapter to agent Scott Boras' list of negotiating accomplishments. Less certain is whether Rodriguez becomes only the second of the past 11 players to be anointed as highest-paid to subsequently play for a world champion.

- Left-hander Joe Saunders was not the popular choice to get the Orioles' first postseason start in 15 years and to try and guide the club back to Baltimore for its first home playoff contest since Game 6 of the 1997 American League Championship Series. Saunders has been with the Orioles for barely a month. The 31-year-old veteran had never won a playoff game in four previous attempts. And he's been on the ugly side of awful for most of his career against the Texas Rangers, including a dismal 0-6 record and a 9.38 ERA in his starts at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Devil Rays: Quinton McCracken has 13 career homers, including seven in 67 games this season. In the first 274 games of his career, he had six.Blue Jays: Jose Canseco's RBI single extended his hitting streak to eight games.Angels: Tim Salmon has nine homers at The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, tying him with Ken Griffey and Jose Canseco for the most by a Rangers opponent.Pub Date: 6/16/98

I cannot get my mind off the tragic death of the man who fell from the second deck of the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas after trying to catch a ball tossed to him by outfielderJosh Hamilton. Wouldn't it be a good idea for the commissioner of Major League Baseball to make a public announcement that "gift baseballs" are to be thrown no higher than the first deck of baseball stadiums? Al Funk, Timonium

orioles@rangers scouting report Texas blew a four-run eighth-inning lead against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday to suffer a three-game sweep. Second baseman and leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler has gotten off to a hot start with two homers, eight RBIs and a .348 batting average. All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton hit his first homer Sunday. When Wednesday's starter, Kris Benson, pitched for the Rangers on Friday, it was his first major league appearance since he started 30 games for the Orioles in 2006.

* Last night's game was the last one under the lights for the Orioles until they meet the Rangers on Friday at The Ballpark in Arlington. In between, the Orioles play their next six games during the day. The Orioles are 1-0 during the daytime this year, while only 22-24 last year. The Orioles haven't had a winning record in day games since 1986 when they were 26-23.* The Orioles, who were 4-8 against the Rangers last year, lost their first season series against the Rangers since 1974.* The Rangers have the best record of any opponent at Camden Yards.