Minnesota Twins

Quote: "There was no message to send. If I wanted to send them a message, I'll write Joe [Torre] a letter. Once you get to the postseason, you throw it all out the window." -- Indians manager Mike Hargrove, dismissing talk that the New York-Cleveland series was anything more than four games in late SeptemberIt's a fact: The Tigers are 56-51 when homering at least once, and 4-37 when they don't homer.Who's hot: Jason Giambi has 225 RBIs over two consecutive seasons, third-best in Oakland history.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Reliever Tyler Yates allowed a two-run single to designated hitter Rondell White as the Minnesota Twins came back to beat the Orioles, 5-4, before 7,363 at Hammond Stadium yesterday. Trying to protect a 4-3 lead, Yates allowed two straight hits, and after getting one out, gave up White's game-winning single, which eluded a diving David Newhan at first. The Orioles take a 10-17 record into their Grapefruit League finale against Florida today in Jupiter. Orioles vs. Marlins Jupiter, Fla., today, 1:05 p.m.

MINNEAPOLIS -- The first time the Minnesota Twins' Justin Morneau absolutely crushed the pitch over the Metrodome fence Friday night, the Orioles pitcher who served it up couldn't watch. By the second time Morneau did it - eight innings and a couple hours later to give the Twins a 7-5, 12-inning victory before what remained of a crowd of 22,894 - the victimized Orioles pitcher and his team couldn't help but stare motionless and defeated. Orioles@Twins Today, 2:10 p.m., Ch. 13, 1090 AM Starters: Orioles' Erik Bedard (5-5, 5.84)

If nothing else, the Orioles' final homestand of the season will play a pivotal role in the tight race between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins at the top of the American League Central. Yesterday, they threw the Twins a present, rallying to beat the Tigers, 4-3, on a two-run double by Melvin Mora in the eighth inning. Now they'll try to hand a few gifts back to Detroit in three games this weekend against the Twins. Twins@Orioles Tonight, 7:05, Comcast SportsNet, 1090 AM Starters: Twins' Carlos Silva (10-13, 5.88)

The Minnesota Twins appear to be the front-runners for Sidney Ponson, though a handful of other teams are interested. They'd likely try to sign him to a minor league deal. Ponson's grievance hearing still hasn't been rescheduled. Now I'm told it might not take place until spring training, perhaps right before the start of the season. For those of you wondering whether Jay Gibbons will be traded, he's not in great demand right now. I'd keep him and still try to sign Aubrey Huff. Craig Wilson does intrigue me, though, since the Orioles are traditionally inept against left-handed pitching.

BaseballChicago White Sox -- Signed Carlton Fisk (.241, 18 HRs, 74 RBI in 1991) to a 1-year contract worth $1 million guaranteed.Detroit Tigers -- Signed 1B Dave Bergman to a 1-year contract.Minnesota Twins -- Named Phil Roof manager of Class AA Orlando.Philadelphia Phillies -- Traded 1B Von Hayes (.225, 0 HRs, 21 RBI) to the California Angels for OF Ruben Amaro (.326, 4 HRs, 42 RBI in Class AAA) and minor league P Kyle Abbott (14-10, 3.99 ERA in Class AAA).BasketballGolden State Warriors -- Placed C Alton Lister on the injured list.

In recognition of Labor Day, the Orioles are offering discounted tickets to federal government employees and their families for their 1:35 p.m. game on Sept. 6 against the Minnesota Twins. Federal government employees and contractors, military personnel and their family members may purchase left field lower box seats for $20 or upper reserve tickets for $8. Individual tickets may be purchased in person at the Orioles ticket office or by calling 1-888-848-BIRD. Fans will need to provide a valid government photo ID if purchasing tickets in person or the name of the federal government agency or department and ID number if ordering by phone.

BaseballCincinnati Reds -- Activated P Rob Dibble from the 15-day DL.Minnesota Twins -- Recalled P Larry Casian from Triple-A Portland. Removed P George Tsamis from the active roster.San Diego Padres -- Purchased the contract of C Kevin Higgins from Triple-A Las Vegas.BasketballPhiladelphia 76ers -- Exercised their option to buy out the contract of F Armon Gilliam, making him a free agent.CollegeChapman -- Named Mary Hegarty women's basketball coach.Massachusetts -- Named David Peters assistant hockey coach.

BaseballOrioles -- Triple-A P Steve Searcy retired.Colorado Rockies -- Placed IF Fred Benavides on the 15-day DL.Milwaukee Brewers -- Activated P Angel Miranda from the 15-day DL. Sent P Josias Manzanillo to Triple-A New Orleans.Minnesota Twins -- Placed P Mark Guthrie on the 15-day DL. Activated OF Shane Mack from the 15-day DL.Montreal Expos -- Placed OF Larry Walker on the 15-day DL retroactive to Wednesday. Recalled OF Matt Stairs from Triple-A Ottawa.Toronto Blue Jays -- Placed IF Alfredo Griffin on the 15-day DL. Activated IF Luis Sojo from the 15-day DL.BasketballNBA -- Fined the Chicago Bulls $25,000 for not making their players available to the media.