Rocky Coppinger

Statistics through Thursday's gameUps and downsB.J. Surhoff -- UP -- A double shy of delivering $1 million, the left-field grinder rivals Eric Davis for Week of the Season.The Big Three -- UP -- Key, Mussina, Erickson vs. Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux. You decide.Mom's Day giveaway -- UP -- Flowers from players were a nice touch, no matter what No. 28 says.Randy Myers -- DOWN -- He gripes. He sulks. He composes nastygrams. Needs editing.Tony Tarasco -- UP -- "Play me then trade me."Rocky Coppinger -- DOWN -- Though hopeful of a physical and mental mending, the Orioles don't have any idea when he might return.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- One down, how many more to go?One day after 21-year-old Mike Johnson lasted as long as a dTC middle reliever in his first major-league start, the Orioles were left to ponder what will become of their troubled fifth starter's role.With Rocky Coppinger in Rochester, former starter Shawn Boskie in exile and Johnson's career still in its infancy, the situation represents the season's first front-office challenge.Johnson was selected as a Rule 5 draftee last winter because of his promise, not because of his ability to start every fifth day for a team that views itself as a playoff participant.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- One down, how many more to go?One day after 21-year-old Mike Johnson lasted as long as a middle reliever in his first major-league start, the Orioles were left to ponder what will become of their troubled fifth starter's role.With Rocky Coppinger in Rochester, former starter Shawn Boskie in exile and Johnson's career still in its infancy, the situation represents the season's first front-office challenge.Johnson was selected as a Rule 5 draftee last winter because of his promise, not because of his ability to start every fifth day for a team that views itself as a playoff participant.

On the field: Roberto Alomar missed the first two games of this series to rest his sore left ankle. Yesterday, he stole his first two bases.In the dugout: Manager Davey Johnson removed Scott Erickson after six innings and 111 pitches (65 strikes), bringing in left-hander Arthur Rhodes with the Orioles ahead 9-2.In the clubhouse: "I wish I knew what I could do to make him more relaxed, more focused on what he needs to do. I don't think he's 100 percent. He did throw harder a couple of years ago, but he also was lighter.

At Oriole Park at Camden YardsDay ....... Time ..... TV ...... StartersTonight ... 7: 35 .... 13, 50 .. Randy Johnson (4-0, 2.41)................. .............. vs. Mike Mussina (3-1, 3.99)Tomorrow .. 7: 35 .... HTS ..... Jamie Moyer (1-0, 1.42)................. .............. vs. Rocky Coppinger (1-0, 4.76)Saturday .. 1: 35 .... HTS ..... Jeff Fassero (4-1, 4.22)................. .............. vs. Scott Kamieniecki (2-1, 3.75)Sunday .... 1: 35 .... HTS ..... Dennis Martinez (1-2, 5.75)

Ups and downsScott Erickson -- Up -- He's 4-1 while averaging more than seven innings and fewer than 90 pitches per start.Mike Bordick -- Up -- At last count, has saved at least three games with his glove. What's this, an RBI?Rocky Coppinger -- Down -- Needs to grow into his talent. And is he really healthy?Rafael Palmeiro -- Up -- Entered weekend on 12-game hittin streak. Entered month with 20 RBI.The Dominican strongman -- Even -- Armando Benitez throw batting practice to the Red Sox on Sunday and bullets to the Twins on Wednesday.

At Metrodome, MinneapolisDay ....... Time .... TV ..... StartersTonight ... 8: 05 .. 54, 50 .. Rocky Coppinger (0-0, 8.10)................. ............ vs. Frank Rodriguez (1-2, 7.54)Tomorrow .. 8: 05 .. HTS ..... Scott Kamieniecki (1-0, 3.18)................. ............ vs. Bob Tewksbury (1-3, 3.16)Thursday .. 8: 05 .. 54, 50 .. Scott Erickson (3-1, 2.96 ERA)................. ............ vs. Scott Aldred (1-1, 5.93)Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) and WTOP (1500 AM)Twins updateMinnesota is 11-13, 1 1/2 games out of first place in the mediocre AL Central, and has lost its past five games.