Closer

WACO, Texas -- Federal authorities said yesterday that they have begun edging closer to the fortified compound of the David Koresh cult and clearing its surrounding grounds of debris that could hamper an assault."

The Carroll County commissioners moved a step closer yesterday to establishing a new zoning classification to encourage the development of high-tech business parks with well-paying jobs. After the county planning office presented details of an "employment campus zoning district" - along with an accompanying process for speeding along review of prospective developers' proposals - the commissioners voted to set a public hearing on the proposal. Steven C. Horn, county planning director, said that when the policy is in place, the county could designate parcels for use as business parks as part of its periodic reviews of zoning throughout the county.

George Sherrill, the Orioles' All-Star closer who was threatening to break the club's saves record, was placed on the disabled list yesterday afternoon with left shoulder inflammation. Sherrill, who has 31 saves in his first season as a closer, was not available for Monday night's loss to the Boston Red Sox after complaining that he couldn't get loose before the game. Manager Dave Trembley wouldn't speculate about the severity of the injury or who would take Sherrill's spot as closer.

TORONTO -A day after George Sherrill blew his second save in six opportunities this season, Orioles manager Dave Trembley declined to endorse the 2008 All-Star as his full-time closer. Trembley said it could be a "day-by- day" decision on who gets the ball in a save situation. "I think No. 1, we have to do what's best to get us on the winning track, and No. 2, I have to take a look at the situation and do what I feel is in the best interest of the team for today," Trembley said before Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in a game in which a save situation didn't arise.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Where is the closer?It was Topic A for the Orioles yesterday, but that shows you how quiet things are here in Camp Content, where salaries are high, jobs are secure and any important question already is answered.Where is the closer? Who cares? It wouldn't matter if Randy Myers missed spring training, rode a team of sled dogs from Washington state to Baltimore and showed up on Opening Day.OK, maybe that's a little strong. It wouldn't hurt for Myers, the Orioles' new closer, to deign to show up one of these weeks in return for the $3.1 million he will earn this year.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- When the Orioles were trying to sign Lee Smith, they didn't tell him about the two-mile run at the first spring workout."That Oatesy, he knows how much I hate to run, and the first day I'm here, he made me run around the whole city of Sarasota three times," Smith said yesterday.No, the morning after was not good to the Orioles' new closer, not at age 36, not at 6 feet 6 and 269 pounds."My arm feels great," Smith told bullpen coach Elrod Hendricks. "But the rest of my body feels like I had a stroke."

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE -- Democratic and Republican negotiators, struggling to overcome their long-standing budget differences, appear to be moving closer to an agreement that would make a significant dent in the federal deficit."

CLEVELAND -- Relief pitcher Gregg Olson returned from the disabled list yesterday, but it may be awhile before he returns to his role as Orioles closer.Olson has been sidelined for nearly six weeks with a slightly torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, so he figures to feel his way around for a while. Manager Johnny Oates likely will wait for a non-critical situation to send him back to the mound."I don't know where this is going to go," Oates said. "Mechanically, he's not favoring it [his elbow]

The fan's intuition says few scenarios could be more tense than the ninth inning of a tight ballgame. That's when you want the known commodity -- that grizzled chap with the Fu Manchu -- striding out of your club's bullpen to the peels of a gnashing rock anthem. But when the Orioles face that crucible this season, they'll turn to fresh-faced, second-year man Chris Ray to extricate them. It's a plan that isn't as loony as one might think, according to baseball history. Plenty of rookies and second-year pitchers have thrived as closers.

The Bowie Baysox didn't miss Armando Benitez.Actually, Benitez has the highest ERA in the Baysox bullpen since his return to the Double-A team Friday. Benitez, who now shares the Baysox's closer role with Joe Borowski, has given up a run and two hits in his first 2 2/3 innings back.Borowski has five saves and a win this month, not allowing a run while striking out 18 in his past 11 2/3 innings."I am very fortunate in that I have two closers," Baysox manager Pete Mackanin said. "If I had to put together a team from scratch, I would want this situation everywhere I managed."