Francisco Giants

ATLANTA -- The San Francisco Giants arrived last night in the land of the Tomahawk Chop, the Jane Fonda Famous Fan Workout and the Sterno Can That Almost Blew Up the Stadium.Outside the ballpark, the Giants found an Atlanta radio station holding a Pin The Earring On Barry Bonds contest. Inside the ballpark, the Giants found Fred McGriff, baseball's scariest rotation since possibly the Civil War, and 50,000 people chanting and chopping."Tell you what," said Giants closer Rod Beck, stroking his famous Fu Manchu.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Atlanta Braves dealt the San Francisco Giants another series of blows yesterday -- on and off the field.They collected 16 hits, including six home runs, in a 9-1 rout that completed the season's first series sweep of the Giants and put the Braves within 4 1/2 games of the division leaders in the National League West."

BaseballBaseball Hall of Fame -- Named Donald C. Marr president. Added Yogi Berra, Pee Wee Reese and Bill White to the veterans committee.Orioles -- Placed P Mike Mussina on the 15-day DL, retroactive to July 22. Recalled P Arthur Rhodes from Triple-A Rochester.Boston Red Sox -- Activated former Orioles C Bob Melvin from the 15-day DL. Optioned C John Flaherty to Triple-A Pawtucket.Cincinnati Reds -- Traded P Tim Belcher to the Chicago White Sox for P Johnny Ruffin and P Jeff Pierce. Assigned Ruffin to Triple-A Indianapolis and Pierce to Double-A Chattanooga.

BaseballChicago White Sox -- Placed DH George Bell on the 15-day DL. Recalled C Matt Merullo from Triple-A Nashville.Cincinnati Reds -- Activated OF Kevin Mitchell from the 15-day DL. Waived P Greg Cadaret for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.Colorado Rockies -- Optioned P Scott Frederickson to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Recalled P Marcus Moore from Colorado Springs.Detroit Tigers -- Signed free-agent P Storm Davis. Designated P John Hudek for assignment.Milwaukee Brewers -- Optioned P James Austin to Triple-A New Orleans.

BaseballChicago Cubs -- Signed OF Brooks Kieschnick, the club's first-round draft selection.Minnesota Twins -- Signed P Marc Barcelo and assigned him to Single-A Fort Myers.New York Yankees -- Announced that they will promote P Mark Hutton from Triple-A Columbus and start him tonight.Montreal Expos -- Purchased the contract of OF Derrick White from Triple-A Ottawa. Assigned P Butch Henry outright to Ottawa.Philadelphia Phillies -- Announced an oral agreement with P Wayne Gomes, their first-round pick.

BaseballCalifornia Angels -- Activated P Joe Grahe from his 30-day medical rehabilitation assignment. Optioned P Jerry Nielsen to Triple-A Vancouver.Florida Marlins -- Recalled OF Chuck Carr from a rehabilitation assignment with Rookie League Kissimmee.Los Angeles Dodgers -- Announced that the contract of manager Tom Lasorda had been extended through the 1994 season.San Diego Padres -- Promoted P Terry Clark from Single-A Rancho Cucamonga to Double-A Wichita. Reinstated C Sean Mulligan to Rancho Cucamonga's active roster.

BaseballDetroit Tigers -- Optioned P Mark Grater to Triple-A Toledo. Called up P Kurt Knudsen from Toledo.Florida Marlins -- Signed IF Kevin Elster to a minor-league contract, and assigned him to Triple-A Edmonton.San Francisco Giants -- Placed P Trevor Wilson on the 15-day disabled list. Sent OF Dave Martinez to Triple-A Phoenix for rehabilitation assignment.Texas Rangers -- Announced that C John Russell has cleared waivers and will join the coaching staff as bullpen catcher.FootballKansas City Chiefs -- Signed LB Derrick Thomas to a series of four one-year contracts.

Baseball Cleveland Indians -- Optioned P Jeff Mutis to Triple-A Charlotte. Recalled OF Wayne Kirby.San Francisco Giants -- Placed OF Dave Martinez on the 15-day DL. Added former Orioles OF Luis Mercedes to the roster.Basketball Houston Rockets -- Announced that Charlie Thomas has agreed to a contract to sell the team to a Florida businessman for an undisclosed amount after the team is finished in the playoffs.Colleges Houston -- Announced the resignation of football coach John Jenkins.West Texas State -- Named Rick Cooper men's basketball coach.

Time expires with the blink of an eye but pleasant experiences along the way count for something on the scoreboard of life. Such relates to enjoying the Opening Day homecoming for Billy O'Dell, who was the Baltimore Orioles' first "bonus baby" when the team was refranchised in the American League 40 years ago.O'Dell was pursued by every team in the majors in 1954 while a standout at Clemson. The school's athletic director, Frank Howard, and coach Bob Smith didn't want to see the young left-handed pitcher leave while a junior but told him if the financial proposal was attractive it was in his best interests to sign.

BaseballMajor League Baseball Executive Council -- Suspended Cleveland Indians P Jose Mesa and Cincinnati Reds 1B Hal Morris for three games and fined them undisclosed amounts or their parts in a fight Tuesday.Atlanta Braves -- Optioned P Mark Wohlers to Triple-A Richmond.Boston Red Sox -- Traded P Daryl Irvine to the Pittsburgh Pirates for IF Jeff Richardson.California Angels -- Placed P Mike Butcher on the emergency 60-day disabled list.Chicago Cubs -- Purchased the contract of IF Eric Yelding from Triple-A Iowa.