Kevin Tapani

HittingBret Boone, Reds: 2 HRs, 4 RBIs.Moises Alou, Astros: 2 HRs, 4 RBIs.Brian Johnson, Giants: 2 HRs.Edgardo Alfonzo, Mets: 4-for-5, 4 RBIs.Raul Mondesi, Dodgers: grand slam.PitchingKirk Rueter, Giants: 7 innings, 1 run, 6 hits.Kevin Tapani, Cubs: 7 1/3 innings, 1 run, 6 hits.Chuck McElroy, Rockies: 2 perfect innings for win.Pub Date: 6/01/98

AMERICAN LEAGUE Who's hot Mark Buehrle of the White Sox has allowed two runs in his past 24 innings, lowering his ERA to 3.76. Who's not Dave Mlicki of the Tigers has given up a home run in nine of his 11 starts. Line of the day Mark Buehrle, White Sox starting pitcher IP R H BB SO 7 2/3 0 4 3 5 NATIONAL LEAGUE Who's hot Jay Bell of the Diamondbacks is 7-for-9 in his past two games. Who's not Todd Ritchie is the first Pirates pitcher to start the season with seven straight losses since Jose DeLeon in 1985.

Quote: "This is like Christmas. We knew Mark McGwire was going to be generous, but we didn't know it would be so spontaneous, in the heat of the celebration." -- Hall of Fame president Don Marr after receiving the 62nd home run ball, the bat that hit it, McGwire's uniform, cleats, etc.It's a fact: At 23, third baseman Scott Rolen has become the youngest Phillie this century to reach 100 RBIs.Who's hot: Mets third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo has hit 11 of his 17 homers this season in his last 35 games, including four in his last seven.

BaseballCubs: Placed P Kevin Tapani (sore lower back) on 15-day DL. Optioned P Steve Rain to Triple-A Iowa. Recalled P Rodney Myers from Iowa.Marlins: Released C Jorge Fabregas. Recalled C Ramon Castro from Triple-A Calgary.Padres: Purchased contract of P Buddy Carlyle. Recalled P Heath Murray from Triple-A Las Vegas. Optioned IF Ed Giovanola and P Stan Spencer to Las Vegas.Tigers: Acquired OF Jerry Amador from Mariners as second player to be named in deal for OF Brian Hunter on April 28.BasketballJazz: Named Kevin O'Connor VP of basketball operations.

NATIONAL LEAGUE He said it "It's much different having Larry in the dugout. You get excited with him." Amaury Telemaco, Phillies pitcher, on the difference between Larry Bowa and former manager Terry Francona On deck Kevin Tapani of the Cubs tries to move to 4-0 today, facing the Rockies. Who's hot Juan Pierre of the Rockies hasn't struck out since his fourth at-bat on Opening Day, 53 plate appearances. Who's not Jose Vizcaino of the Astros has not homered in 473 at-bats, the longest drought in the NL. It's a fact Craig Wilson made his major-league debut for the Pirates Sunday, joining Jack and Enrique Wilson in the lineup.

Quote: "I just like the idea of me going out and doing a good job without a whole lot of hoopla." -- Mets' John Olerud, whose .351 batting average is second in NL only to Larry Walker's .360.It's a fact: The Brewers closed their home season having drawn 1,811,548 fans, their highest total since 1992.Who's hot: The Braves have won 11 of their last 13 games, including six of seven on the road.Who's not: The Marlins' Kirt Ojala has lost three straight starts and seven of his last eight decisions.

At the Metrodome, MinneapolisDay ... ... ... Time ... ... ... TV ... ... ... StartersTonight ... ... 8:05 ... ... ... 13, 50 ... ... Arthur Rhodes (1-5, 8.83) vs.... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. .. ... ... .. .. Pat Mahomes (8-4, 5.06)Tomorrow night ... 8:05 .. .. .. 54, 50 ... ... Mike Mussina (14-5, 3.24) vs.... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Carlos Pulido (3-6, 5.66)Wednesday afternoon ... 1:15 .. HTS ... ... ... Sid Fernandez (6-6, 5.09) vs.... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Kevin Tapani (9-7, 4.82)

Quote: "I just like the idea of me going out and doing a good job without a whole lot of hoopla." -- Mets' John Olerud, whose .351 batting average is second in NL only to Larry Walker's .360.It's a fact: The Brewers closed their home season having drawn 1,811,548 fans, their highest total since 1992.Who's hot: The Braves have won 11 of their last 13 games, including six of seven on the road.Who's not: The Marlins' Kirt Ojala has lost three straight starts and seven of his last eight decisions.

Quote: "This is like Christmas. We knew Mark McGwire was going to be generous, but we didn't know it would be so spontaneous, in the heat of the celebration." -- Hall of Fame president Don Marr after receiving the 62nd home run ball, the bat that hit it, McGwire's uniform, cleats, etc.It's a fact: At 23, third baseman Scott Rolen has become the youngest Phillie this century to reach 100 RBIs.Who's hot: Mets third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo has hit 11 of his 17 homers this season in his last 35 games, including four in his last seven.

HittingBret Boone, Reds: 2 HRs, 4 RBIs.Moises Alou, Astros: 2 HRs, 4 RBIs.Brian Johnson, Giants: 2 HRs.Edgardo Alfonzo, Mets: 4-for-5, 4 RBIs.Raul Mondesi, Dodgers: grand slam.PitchingKirk Rueter, Giants: 7 innings, 1 run, 6 hits.Kevin Tapani, Cubs: 7 1/3 innings, 1 run, 6 hits.Chuck McElroy, Rockies: 2 perfect innings for win.Pub Date: 6/01/98