Early Innings

On the field: Orioles left-hander Kent Mercker and Rangers right-hander Roger Pavlik looked as if they were replaying the early innings of the 26-7 debacle that they faced each other in on April 19. Mercker gave up five runs early and Pavlik allowed the Orioles to rally with six runs in his 4 2/3 innings.In the dugout: Left fielder Jeffrey Hammonds was out of the starting lineup for the third time in 25 games this season. He figures to be back the next two nights against left-handers.In the clubhouse: Catcher Chris Hoiles was still on baby alert.

DETROIT -- As Ben McDonald pulled off his jacket yesterday to warm up for his first major-league appearance in two months, everything felt strange.Strange, because throwing doesn't come naturally to McDonald right now, after such a long layoff. His mechanics are halted, his control sporadic. Strange, because as the lifelong starter prepared to pitch, there was a game going on, and another guy TC was throwing next to him in the bullpen.McDonald shook off his feelings of discomfort, how ever, and threw four good innings of relief in the Orioles' 7-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers yesterday afternoon.

SEATTLE -- The Mariners completed their warm-ups just before the start of last night's game, and third baseman Edgar Martinez flipped the ball to his 6-foot-10 pitcher. Then Randy Johnson bent down behind the mound and tucked his head down for a moment of contemplation.He could've been praying for the Orioles.Johnson struck out nine in the first four innings and finished with 13 in seven innings as the Mariners routed Ben McDonald and the Orioles, 8-3. Orioles batters finished with 17 strikeouts, breaking the club record of 15 that had been set three timespreviously.

Kenny Cloude did it all yesterday as third-ranked McDonogh (11-2) whipped visiting and No. 4 Mount St. Joseph (12-3), 19-3.It marked the second time this season that McDonogh routed the Gaels. McDonogh had won, 11-2, in the first meeting.The victory left the Eagles 10-1 in Maryland Scholastic Association A Conference, a game up on Calvert Hall (9-2) and two ahead of St. Joe (7-3).Cloude (5-2), the ace of the defending MSA A Conference champions' pitching staff, was sharp in the early innings (retiring the first seven batters)

ARLINGTON, Texas -- There aren't going to be too many instances when 36-year-old Rick Sutcliffe has to defer to his elder, but last night was one of them.He went head-to-head with Texas Rangers right-hander Nolan Ryan -- nine years his senior -- and came up on the short end of a 5-2 decision in the opener of a four-game series at steamy Arlington Stadium.Ryan gave up just two hits over seven innings to win his fourth game in a row and sent the Orioles to their fourth consecutive loss in the process.

The Bash Brothers didn't raise a forearm last night, but the renewed and improved Oakland Athletics left behind some bruised egos when they slipped out of Baltimore.Orioles right-hander Mike Mussina brought home a run with a wild pitch and set up the go-ahead run with another to help the A's complete a three-game sweep with a 4-2 victory at Camden Yards.The Orioles had been next to invincible at home until the A's arrived in town, but even their last unbeaten pitcher could not keep the Oakland lineup under wraps.

SEATTLE -- The Baltimore Orioles officially began a full-scale rebuilding project yesterday, with a flurry of roster moves that left the pitching staff dramatically altered.Jeff Ballard and Jeff Robinson, who were removed from the starting rotation on Monday, were removed from the 25-man major-league roster along with reliever Paul Kilgus to make room for three minor-league pitchers.Call it the Tuesday Morning Massacre. Ballard and Robinson were optioned to the Class AAA Rochester Red Wings.