Relief Pitcher

The moment held no significance to Orioles reliever Kerry Ligtenberg. It only reminded him of the one bad pitch that ruined his outing. Ligtenberg was credited with his first American League victory Friday, but only because Tony Batista homered in the eighth inning after the right-hander allowed a game-tying double to Anaheim's Bengie Molina. Ligtenberg got the first two outs before Molina came within inches of a homer, the ball hitting the top of the center-field fence. Molina's hit robbed Orioles starter Rick Helling of the decision.

VIERA, Fla. - Looking for left-handed relief insurance, the Orioles signed veteran Yorkis Perez to a minor-league contract yesterday and assigned him to Triple-A Rochester. There are no immediate plans to add Perez, 34, to the major-league roster. He reported to the minor-league camp in Sarasota, Fla., while the Orioles prepared to face the Florida Marlins at Space Coast Stadium. Mel Didier, a special assistant to vice president for baseball operations Syd Thrift, had been scouting Perez before the pitcher's release this spring by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - For someone whose immediate future in baseball is so unsettled, John Bale couldn't be more relaxed. Maybe it's the surgery that relieved the pain and stiffness in his left arm, or the daughter who recently turned 1. Perhaps it's the distance of last winter's horror in Venezuela, or knowing that his father is in good health. It isn't until all the possibilities are examined that it becomes so clear just how full Bale's plate was last spring as he tried locating one during games.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The first pitcher to arrive at the Orioles' spring training complex on Thursday, left-hander Buddy Groom might be the first to leave for an extended period. Groom's wife, Angela, is expecting the couple's fifth child, and doctors will induce labor this week. Groom will fly home to Red Oak, Texas, on Thursday afternoon after working out at the ballpark. He will return two days later. "I can't afford to be gone any longer than that," he said. Groom led the club in saves with 11 last season, but when he looks in a mirror, he's more likely to see a father of five than a closer.

The Orioles finally exhausted their patience with struggling reliever Ryan Kohlmeier as they optioned last season's closer to Triple-A Rochester and promoted Chad Paronto. The move confirmed what has been one of the season's biggest disappointments as Kohlmeier's choppy work schedule without a defined role combined with his susceptibility to home runs and left-handed hitting created a frustrating cycle for the pitcher and his team. Wednesday night's 6-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays represented a breaking point.

BOSTON - Until further notice, Chuck McElroy's middle name will remain "Undecided." While the Orioles have yet to name their starting pitcher for Friday's game against the New York Yankees, manager Mike Hargrove is leaning toward giving the career reliever his second start in as many weeks. The move does not suggest a permanent role change for McElroy, but it does offer protection for several young arms taxed by innings or injury. McElroy's run of 603 major-league appearances without a start ended in the first game of last Wednesday's doubleheader against the Oakland A's when he delivered five shutout innings in the Orioles' 2-0 win. Hargrove then quipped it would be another 600 appearances before McElroy's next start.

The first batter to step in against Mike Mussina last night slashed a double into left-center field. The third one lined a home run into the Orioles bullpen. And that wasnt the worst part of his night, just an omen in a game that typified his miserable season. In a start that might have been his last for a while. Mussina made another health-related exit, his fifth in his past seven outings. Unable to continue because of a strained right groin muscle, he left with tow outs in the fifth inning, accompanied by trainer Richie Bancells.

DETROIT - With Alan Mills still unable to throw, the Orioles' relief pitcher is expected to go on the disabled list today. Mills will see team orthopedist Michael Jacobs today in Baltimore, while the Orioles begin a three-game series against the Royals in Kansas City. Mills, who was reacquired by the Orioles on June 13, had to stop playing catch after five minutes Wednesday when he began experiencing pain again in a spot behind his right shoulder. He hasn't pitched since Friday in Tampa Bay when he allowed a three-run homer to Greg Vaughn in the eighth inning that began the Devil Rays' comeback from a 9-4 deficit.

Hammond's Brian Brewer and Jason Maxey rank as the most prolific home run-hitting tandem in state public school history. One of Maxey's home runs last week cleared a stand of mature trees in right field at Hammond and sailed out of sight. It seemed to defy gravity. One of Brian Brewer's home runs, off a changeup at Howard, dented the bark on an oak tree 400 feet from home plate. The blast awed spectators. The duo's power numbers are startling. Even more so considering both players are juniors.