Erickson

Scott Erickson's ability to induce ground balls is what made him so appealing to the Orioles. The thinking was getting him off the artificial turf in the Metrodome would transform the right-hander into a more consistent performer.That thinking has been sound thus far, as his 3.51 ERA and the Orioles' 3-1 record in games he has started attests. But Erickson also brings an added dimension to the mound -- the ability to get a needed strikeout. And that's what enabled him to survive six innings in the Orioles' 4-3 win over Texas on Tuesday.

In a bid to improve treatment and reduce errors, Erickson Retirement Communities and three Baltimore-area hospital systems said yesterday that they plan to create a pioneering health information exchange that would give emergency room physicians quick access to patients' medication histories. As part of a governor's initiative, the Maryland Health Care Commission requested in January proposals to create such an exchange. The commission selected the joint venture of Erickson, which runs retirement communities locally in Catonsville and Parkville, and Johns Hopkins Medicine, MedStar Health and the University of Maryland Medical System and will provide $250,000 in startup funding through the Health Services Cost Review Commission.

CHICAGO -- The Red Sox trade for one of baseball's best closers. The Orioles trade for a starter with a 20-36 record since 1993.No, the Orioles certainly didn't close the gap between themselves and the AL East leaders. But their trade for Scott Erickson is no blunder.Understand, closing the gap on the Sox became impossible once the Sox shrewdly filled their biggest hole by acquiring closer Rick Aguilera from the Twins. Did someone check and see if Pat Gillick isn't working for the Sox on the sly?

Scott Erickson is the Minnesota Twins' pitching ace, but he is no Superman, and after the Orioles had chased him into the clubhouse in the fifth inning, he seemed almost too human."

Scott Erickson doesn't like the defense.Bobby Bonilla doesn't like being a DH.The Orioles can't beat Texas, but they sure can point fingers.One for all, all for one, rah, rah, rah.The defense isn't good enough for Erickson? Fine, let him go back to Minnesota. Back to the Metrodome. Back to Pat Meares at shortstop.Bonilla can't hit as a DH? Well, he's not the first slugger to experience that problem, but it's not as if he approached this experiment with an open mind.Pat Riley diagnosed the problem that afflicts not just the Orioles, but professional athletes in all sports.

MIAMI -- When they beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to win the national championship two years ago, the Miami Hurricanes were still more Jimmy Johnson's team than Dennis Erickson's. Taunts were as common as touchdowns. It was almost as if cheap shots were a part of their playbook.Despite claims by Erickson to the contrary, as well as a relatively incident-free 1990 regular season, last year's 46-3 trashing of Texas in the Cotton Bowl did little to alter Miami's ornery image. The Hurricanes had little regard for the Longhorns, or the rules.

BOSTON -- Shutouts, not records, were on Scott Erickson's mind last night.Erickson stretched his scoreless streak to 30 innings -- matching Frank Viola's Minnesota record -- before tiring in the ninth inning as the Twins beat the Boston Red Sox, 9-3.Erickson (4-2) beat Seattle, 6-0, on April 26 and Boston, 1-0, last Wednesday. He pitched eight scoreless innings before allowing a three-run homer in the ninth to Tom Brunansky, his fifth home run of the season."I was hoping he'd miss it, but he didn't," said Erickson, who knew the pitch was a mistake as soon as he released it. "A fastball that didn't run," Erickson called it.Viola set the club record in 1988.

MIAMI -- Spoils of success spill into Dennis Erickson's office every morning like a splash of Florida sunshine. Fan mail from boosters. Congratulatory calls from colleagues. Unannounced visits from friends, all wanting to spend a moment with college football's hottest coach.A reporter drops by to inquire about Regular Season No. 3 at the University of Miami, which Erickson has just completed at 11-0.How does it feel, he is asked, to savor perfection?"Haven't had much time," Erickson says.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- University of Miami coach Dennis Erickson had barely finished his coffee Monday morning and already three irate "fans" had called to tell him what a lousy job he's doing.Welcome back to the office, coach.This is what it is like after a 28-10 loss to Florida State. This is what it is like to lose to anybody when you coach the 'Canes.Erickson is 48-5 in five Miami seasons, but it doesn't seem to matter how much he wins. After every loss, it's always the same. There is gloom and doom.

As baseball's freshly minted streak-breakers, the Orioles now have another assignment.The Minnesota pitcher they'll face tonight (7:35, HTS), Scott Erickson, has won 10 straight decisions. If he makes it 11, he'll break the Twins' record that he shares with Bert Blyleven and Ray Corbin.Erickson, a righthander who is tied with California's Chuck Finley and Toronto's Jimmy Key for the American League lead in wins with 10, may be young, but his success comes as no real surprise. Last year, after being summoned from the minors June 21, he was 8-4 and tied Oakland's Dave Stewart for the majors' best September at 5-0.Watching Erickson with interest last year was Roy Smith, pTC tonight's Orioles starter.