Kent Mercker

HittingBernard Gilkey, Mets: 3 RBIs, 5 runs scored.Larry Walker, Rockies: 6-for-7, HR, 3 stolen bases.PitchingAl Leiter, Mets: 7 innings, 0 runs, 4 hits.Jeremi Gonzalez, Cubs: 8 innings, 1 run, 4 hits.Kent Mercker, Cardinals: 7 innings, 0 runs, 6 hits.Pub Date: 4/20/98

For Nick Markakis, the third time was the charm. Or Charm City. Markakis signed with the Orioles yesterday after being chosen last week with the seventh pick in the amateur draft. He'll receive a $1.85 million bonus, and the team intends to begin his professional career with the short-season Aberdeen IronBirds, whose opener is Tuesday at Ripken Stadium. Drafted twice by the Cincinnati Reds, Markakis batted .439 with 21 homers and 92 RBIs at Young Harris (Ga.) College. He also appeared in 15 games as a pitcher, going 12-0 with one save and a 1.68 ERA in 96 2/3 innings, and leading all junior college players with 160 strikeouts.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Kent Mercker did not make his scheduled start yesterday, sitting out with what Johnson called "flu-like" symptoms. Johnson hopes Merker can start sometime this weekend. Mike Mussina is scheduled to start today against Florida. Mussina has been out since March 2 with a strained left abdominal muscle. If Mussina can't go, Rhodes will start.Pub Date: 3/14/96

DALLAS - Frustrated in their search for free-agent pitching help, the Orioles are considering assisting their pitchers by moving home plate at Camden Yards closer to the backstop, according to club sources. No decision has been finalized, according to club officials, but one must be made in the next several days as renovation of the field approaches a critical stage. Drainage tiles already have been installed beneath the outfield and are scheduled for installation beneath the infield this week.

HittingDmitri Young, Reds: 3-for-5, HR, 4 RBIs, 3 runs.Andy Fox, Diamondbacks: 3-for-5, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 runs.PitchingKevin Brown, Padres: 5-hit shutout, career-high 11 strikeouts, one walkRuss Ortiz, Giants: 8 innings, 6 hits, 8 strikeouts, first major-league victory.Kent Mercker, Cardinals: 7 innings, 1 run, 2 walks, third straight win.Pub Date: 8/06/98

BASEBALL (AL) * Orioles -- Placed Jose Mesa (pitcher) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 21. Recalled Anthony Telford (pitcher) from Rochester of the International League. Traded Chris Myers (pitcher) to the Montreal Expos for Richie Lewis (pitcher) and sent Lewis to Rochester of the International League.BASEBALL (NL) * Atlanta Braves -- Activated Kent Mercker (pitcher) from the 15-day disabled list. Designated Mark Ross, pitcher, for assignment.BASKETBALL (NBA) * Golden State Warriors -- Signed Victor Alexander (forward-center)

Quote: "There were some doubts I would ever get here. I go frustrated a lot. I had high hopes coming out of college [Stanford, as a teammate of Mike Mussina] and I just kept getting hurt. It was a rough road." -- Padres' Stan Spencer, who won yesterday in his major-league debut at 29 after missing parts of three seasons with three different injuries.It's a fact: The Astros lead the league in scoring, yet are the only team in the majors without a grand slam this season.Who's hot: The Pirates have won a season-high nine straight games and 13 of their last 15.Who's not: By falling to the Padres yesterday, the Phillies ran their loss streak to six.On deck: In St. Louis today, the Braves' Greg Maddux (17-6)

At Oriole Park at Camden YardsDay ................ Time ..... TV ................... StartersTonight ............ 7:35 ..... 13, 50 ............... Bob Wolcott (2-5, 5.44) vs. Jimmy Haynes (1-4, 7.76)Tomorrow night ..... 7:35 ..... 13, 50 ............... Undecided vs. Kent Mercker (2-2, 7.63)Sunday ............. 1:35 ..... 54, 50 ............... Sterling Hitchcock (3-2, 4.64) vs. Mike Mussina (6-2, 3.64)Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) and WTOP (1500 AM)Mariners updateThe Mariners' two best players are ailing.

The starters* No. 1: RH Mike Mussina (19-9, 3.29 ERA)* No. 2: To be named, possibly RH David Cone (18-8, 3.57), LH Kenny Rogers (17-7, 3.38) or RH Kevin Brown (10-9, 3.60)* No. 3: RH Scott Erickson (13-10, 4.81)* No. 4: LH Kent Mercker (7-8, 4.15)* No. 5: RH Jimmy Haynes (2-1, 2.25)/LH Rick Krivda (2-7, 4.54)Note: The Orioles have Ben McDonald (3-6, 4.16) on their roster, but will want him to accept a major reduction in his $4.5 million salary. If he doesn't, they'll strongly consider not tendering him a contract by tomorrow.

At Kauffman Stadium, Kansas CityTonight 8: 05 HTS - Kent Mercker (1-1, 9.00)vs. Chris Haney (0-3, 3.91)Tomorrow 8: 05 13, 50 - Arthur Rhodes (2-0, 0.90)vs. undecidedRadio: Both games on WBAL (1090 AM) and WTOP (1500 AM)Royals updateKansas City may be the most ill-conceived team in the game, as the early results show. The Royals have good speed and almost no power (incredibly, they have hit only five homers, three fewer than Brady Anderson), the kind of team that must win with pitching and defense.

Quote: "There were some doubts I would ever get here. I go frustrated a lot. I had high hopes coming out of college [Stanford, as a teammate of Mike Mussina] and I just kept getting hurt. It was a rough road." -- Padres' Stan Spencer, who won yesterday in his major-league debut at 29 after missing parts of three seasons with three different injuries.It's a fact: The Astros lead the league in scoring, yet are the only team in the majors without a grand slam this season.Who's hot: The Pirates have won a season-high nine straight games and 13 of their last 15.Who's not: By falling to the Padres yesterday, the Phillies ran their loss streak to six.On deck: In St. Louis today, the Braves' Greg Maddux (17-6)

HittingDmitri Young, Reds: 3-for-5, HR, 4 RBIs, 3 runs.Andy Fox, Diamondbacks: 3-for-5, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 runs.PitchingKevin Brown, Padres: 5-hit shutout, career-high 11 strikeouts, one walkRuss Ortiz, Giants: 8 innings, 6 hits, 8 strikeouts, first major-league victory.Kent Mercker, Cardinals: 7 innings, 1 run, 2 walks, third straight win.Pub Date: 8/06/98

Hitting Bobby Abreu, Phillies: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBIs. Mark Grace, Cubs: 3-for-5, 2 doubles, HR, 3 RBIs. Rondell White, Expos: 3-for-5, HR, 2 RBIs. Matt Williams, Diamondbacks: 3-for-5, double. Pitching Dennis Martinez, Braves: 6 innings, 3 hits, 1 run. Kent Mercker, Cardinals: 5 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 5 strikeouts. Pub Date: 5/29/98

JUPITER, Fla. -- St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa had just gotten a dose of bad pitching news, but he should be used to that by now.Left-hander Donovan Osborne may be out longer than expected with a persistent groin strain, bringing to three the number of 1997 starters who will not be in the Cardinals' rotation on Opening Day. La Russa will have to get by with a patchwork pitching staff for the first month or so of the 1998 season, which could challenge...

BaseballAL: Named Indians OF David Justice Player of the Week.NL: Named Astros OF Derek Bell Player of the Week.Cardinals: Activated OF Phil Plantier from 15-day DL.Cubs: Recalled P Dave Stevens from Triple-A Iowa.Giants: Recalled OF Marvin Benard from Triple-A Phoenix. Optioned OF Jacob Cruz to Phoenix.Indians: Promoted OF Bruce Aven from Triple-A Buffalo.Mariners: Placed 3B Russ Davis (sprained right ankle) on 15-day DL. Recalled P Bob Wolcott from Triple-A Tacoma.Marlins: Purchased contract of P Donn Pall from Triple-A Charlotte.

BOSTON -- Eddie Murray left Baltimore after the 1988 season on bad terms with the Orioles' front office. But he returns eight years later to open arms, by a team that desperately needs him to produce runs.The Orioles traded slump-ridden pitcher Kent Mercker for Murray yesterday, announcing the deal after the Orioles' 10-6 win over Boston. The Orioles also will add cash to the deal, to make up the difference between Mercker's $2.825 million salary and Murray's $2 million. According to a source familiar with the terms of the deal, the Orioles will pay Cleveland the pro-rated difference between the players' salaries every two weeks, a sum that could add up to between $300,000 and $400,000.

The Orioles rallied in the ninth inning for the second time in three nights to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays, 11-10, last night before 45,955 at Camden Yards.Bobby Bonilla delivered the winning blow, a sacrifice fly to shallow left field that scored Brady Anderson with the winning run. Roberto Alomar, who didn't start because of his sprained left ring finger, had tied the game at 10 with a sacrifice fly three batters earlier.As he was in Monday's 8-6 Orioles victory, Blue Jays closer Mike Timlin was on the mound, the loser after a blown save.