Bobby Bonilla

Cal Ripken practices a small superstition, requiring his teammates to make direct eye contact with him every time congratulations are exchanged. He may look like Rasputin when he does it, but superstitions must be honored.Especially when a team is streaking, as the Orioles are. After Ripken hit one of three Orioles homers and they beat Seattle, 10-5, last night, Manny Alexander offered Ripken a handshake and playfully looked away. Ripken pulled him back and stared him down until Alexander stared back.

CLEVELAND -- There is such a thing as an emotional wringer. Another name for it is Orioles baseball.The Orioles went through all kinds of feelings last night in a 13-10 victory over Cleveland. Frustration early, when they couldn't get a clutch hit and fell behind 3-2. Anger, when shortstop Cal Ripken argued with plate umpire Gary Cederstrom and pitcher David Wells fired his glove into the dugout.Joy, when they scored 10 runs in two innings and took a 13-3 lead. Angst, when reliever Arthur Rhodes went out with a shoulder injury that will sideline him for the rest of the year.

CLEVELAND -- The Orioles got mad last night. They showed emotion. What a difference.David Wells, furious at some bad luck, fired his glove into the dugout. Cal Ripken chewed out home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom. B.J. Surhoff barrelled into second base breaking up a double play. Jeffrey Hammonds and Chris Hoiles pumped their fists after crucial hits. Rafael Palmeiro threw his gum.And the Orioles won a big game, against a good team, on the road, beating Cleveland, 13-10. With the victory, the Orioles pulled out a split of the four-game series, and they've won four out of the first seven in the current 13-game road trip.

Bobby Bonilla -- UP -- Even he was shocked he was still around after the trade deadline passed.David Wells -- UP -- If the Orioles are going to make a run at the playoffs, then he and Mike Mussina must lead them.Wild-card chances -- HORZ -- It's all in the hands of the pitchers, Wells, Mussina and the two relievers coming off the disabled list, Arthur Rhodes and Roger McDowell.Roberto Alomar -- UP -- With all the trade talk, his on-field performance has been staggering - 18 runs scored in the last seven games, even though he's had two homers taken away at the fences.

Baseball's rumor mill is thick with trade talk. Some of the deals being discussed as Wednesday's midnight deadline approaches: San Diego is talking with Pittsburgh about a possible blockbuster -- the Pirates would send outfielder Orlando Merced and shortstop Jay Bell to the Padres for left fielder Rickey Henderson, pitchers Bryce Florie, Scott Sanders and a minor-leaguer.San Diego general manager Kevin Towers used to be the scouting director for Pittsburgh, and knows the Pirates players firsthand, always a factor when trades are considered.

The Orioles played last night like 3-year-olds flush from too much chocolate. Manager Davey Johnson provided the motivation after Wednesday's loss, and, responding, they ran and ran hard against the Cleveland Indians.Everybody from Roberto Alomar to Chris Hoiles to Bobby Bonilla looked to take an extra base. They hustled to first, and to second, third and home. They looked like -- dare we say it? -- the Minnesota Twins.And still Cleveland dismissed the Orioles, 10-7, Albert Belle teaching rookie pitcher Rocky Coppinger something about hitting in the major leagues.

Just like the old days. Eddie Murray punishing a pitcher, Orioles fans chanting in approval, a curtain call after a Murray homer.Only the venue was different for Murray's return to the Orioles, Camden Yards instead of Memorial Stadium, as well as the result -- nothing like 1979 or 1983. The Twins beat the Orioles, 9-5, before 42,129 last night, scorching Jimmy Haynes for seven runs in 4 1/3 innings.Murray, acquired for pitcher Kent Mercker in a trade with Cleveland on Sunday, hit a two-run homer, the 492nd of his career, and Baltimore approved.

Orioles center fielder Brady Anderson, sidelined by what some doctors believe is appendicitis, will play tonight, manager Davey Johnson said last night.And, as Johnson announced this after last night's game, along with the fact that Roberto Alomar will play tonight, he sounded as if he couldn't believe it."I don't know what to expect [with Anderson]," said Johnson. "He's cleared to play [by doctors], and he wants to play. . . . They feel it isn't going to hurt him to play."I don't know if he's got appendicitis.

(Through Thursday's games)UPS AND DOWNSManny Alexander -- UP -- Finally gets his chance, but beware: The world is watching, and so is Cal.Cal Ripken -- UP -- Went from being one of the better AL shortstops to being the best third baseman. He'll try pitching next week, should the need arise.Davey Johnson -- HORZ -- Said he may be the most hated person in Baltimore since making the move. Not quite, but he may be in the top 10.David Wells -- UP -- He's gotten his act together. Teams interested in acquiring a pitcher for the stretch have noticed, no doubt.