Nine Innings

No doubt, left-hander John Smiley considered it a defining moment in his baseball career when he recorded his 20th victory of the 1991 season. Right-hander Scott Erickson probably felt the same way. But both of them have to be wondering if it was a blessing or a curse.Neither has won a game since.Smiley, who was 20-8 for the National League East champion Pittsburgh Pirates, was hammered by the Atlanta Braves in two playoff starts before he was traded to the Minnesota Twins during spring training.

Even on good nights, the Orioles can't escape their injury curse. Rookie first baseman David Segui left Memorial Stadium to undergo a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test on his right knee immediately after last night's 6-3 victory over Toronto.The results of the test will not be known until today, but manager Frank Robinson said it was doubtful Segui would play in either of the Orioles' final two games. He was scratched 45 minutes before last night's game, and was replaced by Jeff McKnight, who went 1-for-4.

Mike Mussina is becoming a rather reluctant homer connoisseur. He gave up two homers in his 9-5 victory over Oakland yesterday. He's given up home runs in seven straight games, a total of 11 homers.After his start in California on Monday, Mussina said he had no idea why he can't keep the ball in the park, why he's giving up so many long balls. But he's learning."I've actually kind of figured out I'm going to give up some homers," he said. "I'm just going to have to learn to live with it."Or at least live despite the homers.

Anthony Telford decided yesterday to quit nibbling and start gorging.His bullpen helpers cleaned up the plate after he departed, and as a result, the Baltimore Orioles devoured California's slumping hitters again.With a 3-1 victory at Memorial Stadium, the Orioles completed their first series sweep in almost two months and flashed signs that third place in the American League East may be a reachable goal after all.Telford had no command whatsoever in his previous outing, lasting only two innings, walking four batters and allowing five hits and three runs to the Seattle Mariners.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- He was all of 19 years old, a Hawaiian kid of Portuguese descent trying to find his way in the profession that later would earn him millions.The Dodgers promoted him from Class-A Vero Beach to Triple-A Albuquerque. He toted his bags and a hot-prospect label into an atmosphere that teetered on hostile.Triple-A ballplayers convinced they are being kept out of the majors against all logic don't always take too kindly to young prospects on the fast track.Fernandez fit that profile back in 1982.

The reunion tour for the New York Mets' 1986 world championship team opens next spring at Camden Yards, the participants in Orioles uniforms.The ex-Mets on board: manager Davey Johnson, left-handers Jesse Orosco and Randy Myers, and now right-hander Roger McDowell, who signed a one-year, $750,000 deal yesterday with incentives based on appearances.McDowell, who turns 35 in two days, will bolster the Orioles' middle- and late-inning relief. Orioles general manager Pat Gillick said last night that McDowell will be used as a setup man for Myers, the club's new closer.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Baltimore Orioles right-hander Jeff Robinson pitched his strongest game of the year last night, but there was not enough margin for the error that would cost him the game.Second baseman Juan Bell dropped a throw in the eighth inning, and the California Angels took full advantage of the error to break up Robinson's shutout and score a 2-1 comeback victory at Anaheim Stadium.Turnabout is fair play. The Orioles trailed, 1-0, with two out in the ninth inning Monday night and came back to win on a dramatic home run by rookie Chito Martinez.

CLEVELAND -- Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ben McDonald made no bones about it during an interview on May 16. His elbow was very sore. He was very concerned. But he apparently did not convey that to the team.The next day he pitched nine innings -- nine very strong innings -- and defeated the California Angels for his second victory of the year. Seven days later, the club placed him on the 15-day disabled list with a sore elbow.Tuesday in Boston, right-hander Jose Mesa told reporters after a so-so outing that his arm was only "80 percent," leaving room to wonder why he even went to the mound.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Davey Johnson walked slowly through the clubhouse after the Orioles' 5-2 loss to the Texas Rangers, and he gave a little kick with the side of his foot to a bag full of bats."

Mike Mussina's line was complete after seven innings last night. No earned runs, one broken callus. The rest was up to the Orioles' bullpen, where he hoped to find no blown saves. Mike Trombley escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, and rookie Ryan Kohlmeier gained his fifth save in as many tries to nail down a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals before 33,365 at Camden Yards. The Orioles (55-69) needed the win to stay ahead of Tampa Bay in the AL East. The Devil Rays remained in last place after last night's victory in Chicago, where the Orioles are heading for a two-game series beginning tomorrow before returning to Baltimore.