Roberto Alomar

BOSTON - Apparently, there is only one way to stop Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez. Tell him to stay home. Major League Baseball figured that out last week, suspending the two-time Cy Young Award winner for five days after he intentionally hit former Cleveland Indians second baseman Roberto Alomar on the backside with a pitch. Of course, Martinez treated the suspension like just another flailing hitter, finessing it to the point where he would be pushed back just one day in the Red Sox rotation.

Fact: While the Orioles' current bullpen craters, four members of the club's deposed 1999 bullpen are thriving. Heathcliff Slocumb, Mike Fetters, Ricky Bones and Arthur Rhodes have a combined 2.43ERA in a combined50 appearances through Monday night's games. And Jesse Orosco will be pitching again soon for the Cardinals after a trip to the disabled list. Opinion: An appropriate punishment that would devastate Indiana's little dictator, Bob Knight? No, don't fire him and make him a martyr.

Probable lineups Indians 1. Kenny Lofton - CF 2. Omar Vizquel - SS 3. Roberto Alomar - 2B 4. Manny Ramirez - RF 5. Jim Thome - 1B 6. Richie Sexson - DH 7. David Justice - LF 8. Travis Fryman - 3B 9. Sandy Alomar - C 10. Bartolo Colon - P Orioles 1. Brady Anderson - CF 2. Delino DeShields - 2B 3. B.J. Surhoff - LF 4. Albert Belle - RF 5. Harold Baines - DH 6. Cal Ripken - 3B 7. Will Clark - 1B 8. Charles Johnson - C 9. Mike Bordick -...

The start of the Sept. 5 game between the Orioles and Cleveland Indians was delayed 89 minutes by rain. Denise Hirschbeck and her three children rode down an elevator to the sub-concourse level at Camden Yards, in search of her husband, John, and a new family friend, Indians second baseman Roberto Alomar.John Hirschbeck was in the umpires' room, waiting out the delay. His wife and children were visiting from Poland, Ohio. He led them to a hallway outside the visitors' clubhouse, and asked an Indians player to summon Alomar.

CLEVELAND -- Harold Baines smiled. And Jim Thome loved it."He never shows much emotion," Thome said yesterday after Cleveland's 11-1 victory over Boston in Game 2 of the American League Division Series."

Expos: Montreal has hit a team-record 47 homers in August.Padres: Reggie Sanders and Eric Owens, each with 30 stolen bases, became the first San Diego pair to reach that mark in the same season since Roberto Alomar (42) and Tony Gwynn (40) in 1989.Rockies: Dave Veres got his 26th save, breaking the single-season franchise record set by Darren Holmes in 1993.

Psst, buddy, wanna buy a still life resembling a Cezanne, but for only about half of what his fetched?China is milking the goof-up bombing of its embassy for everything it's worth. Well, wouldn't you?Don't look now, but something about Cleveland really agrees with Roberto Alomar.Coleman Craten made its money the old-fashioned way: Out of thin air.Pub Date: 5/12/99

The addition of Rich Amaral would improve the Orioles' bench. The additions of Xavier Hernandez and Ricky Bones would fortify their bullpen. But as Price Club II continues to take shape, statistics point to a team that will play inferior defense and struggle against left-handed pitching.The Orioles still might contend for the wild card, especially if they trade for another quality starting pitcher. But even if you discount chemistry -- something you can't do in a clubhouse with this many strong personalities and a weak manager -- the flaws already are apparent.

The Orioles yesterday signed one of the game's premier sluggers and traded for the catcher they desperately need. But such is the state of their deterioration, they're still looking at non-contention, even if they re-sign B.J. Surhoff.Rafael Palmeiro signed yesterday with Texas for less money than the Orioles offered, and Robin Ventura reportedly is on the verge of joining the New York Mets, ensuring that Cal Ripken will remain at third base next season.Surhoff's leverage in Baltimore is increasing by the minute, and maybe now he will get the guaranteed fourth year he is seeking.

The Orioles and free agent Albert Belle will complete a marriage of convenience today when the former Chicago White Sox left fielder announces he has agreed to a club-record, five-year, $65 million contract.Threatened with the loss of almost half of their offense from last season, the Orioles have regained momentum by signing a productive, albeit controversial player capable of supplying the right-handed power presence they've desperately sought.While the Orioles have considered a deal with Belle imminent for days, he apparently offered Chicago a final chance to meet the Orioles' offer yesterday, but was rejected by White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.