Scoreless

Hard to hit The last time Daniel Cabrera won a game, he held Arizona to one run over six innings June 22. He would have been bidding for a no-hitter last night against Tampa Bay if B.J. Upton hadn't singled in the fourth inning through a spot vacated by Brian Roberts, who was covering second base. Cabrera left after seven scoreless innings, with Upton's single the only hit allowed. He walked five but kept escaping trouble. Toughing it out Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir didn't have time for the pain.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- As his scoreless-innings streak extended through the middle innings last night at McAfee Coliseum, Erik Bedard was creating even better theater. He hadn't allowed a hit through 5 2/3 innings. But both stretches of dominance were halted on one swing by Oakland Athletics second baseman Mark Ellis, whose home run ended Bedard's no-hit bid and his scoreless streak at 21 innings. Orioles@Athletics Tonight, 9:05, MASN, 105.7 FM Starters: Steve Trachsel (5-6, 4.95) vs. Dan Haren (10-3, 2.33)

The week in reviewResultsWon at home over North Carolina, 81-64, SaturdayWho's hotSteve Francis did everything but hand out Valentine's Day cards Saturday in a 22-point performance against the Tar Heels. He hit eight of 12 from the field, including 4-for-6 from three-point range, had five steals, three assists and three rebounds.Who's notTerrell Stokes had nine assists and shut down Ed Cota against Carolina, but had another scoreless game. The senior has gone scoreless in six games this season.

Athletics: All seven of Eric Chavez's homers this season have given Oakland the lead. Ben Grieve's homer was his first at home since July 18, 1998. Matt Stairs went 0-for-3, leaving him 2-for-26 on the A's nine-game homestand that ended yesterday and dropping his average to .239. With a no-decision, Kenny Rogers remains undefeated at Oakland Coliseum since 1994. He has won 16 straight decisions there.Rangers: Juan Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to a season-high nine games. Roberto Kelly left the game during his at-bat in the seventh with a strained left biceps.

Quote: "I think if this wasn't happening at the beginning of the season, it would be no big deal. But now it's magnified." -- Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, on the team's 0-3 startIt's a fact: David Cone had not given up a run in Oakland since 1995, when he pitched for Toronto. He pitched 14 scoreless innings in two Yankees starts since then, plus four yesterday for a total of 18 scoreless innings.Who's hot: The Devils Rays became the first expansion team to open their inaugural season with five straight games of 10-plus hits.

Quote: "That's the kind you stick your bat out and ask, 'Where do you want it?' " -- Phillies' Tyler Green describing a fastball down the middle he threw to the Marlins' Craig Counsell, who hit it for a grand slam.It's a fact: The Expos' Mark Grudzielanek walked in the first inning, his 57th plate appearance of the season. He was the last regular leadoff man in the majors to walk.Who's hot: The Brewers' Fernando Vina was 10-for-14 in the three-game series against the Expos.Who's not: The Pirates ended a 25-inning scoreless streak with a run in the seventh.

Reds: Lenny Harris, a utility player, pitched the bottom of the eighth and retired the side in order with a strikeout and two flyouts. He was the first position player to pitch for Cincinnati since June 3, 1988, when shortstop Dave Concepcion threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings against the Dodgers.Pub Date: 6/02/98

Blue Jays: Toronto has not made an error in eight games. The club record is 11, set in 1986.Brewers: Milwaukee ace Ben McDonald reported no soreness in his right shoulder the morning after his first start in eight days. Mike Fetters (1-0), who came off the disabled list Monday night, pitched two scoreless innings yesterday for the victory. He is working middle relief before resuming his role as closer.Pub Date: 5/08/97

DETROIT -- For Shawn Boskie, imitation is not only the sincerest form of flattery, it's a form of self-preservation.Rained out against the Detroit Tigers yesterday afternoon, the Orioles returned home from a 4-2 road trip holding a 7 1/2 -game lead and a precious two-game sweep over the New York Yankees. And somewhere between Cleveland and New York, they rediscovered the real Boskie.Out of the starting rotation and close to being out of the Orioles' immediate future, Boskie may have rescued his season by scrutinizing film of the game's master pitcher, Greg Maddux.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Right-hander Jimmy Haynes didn't come back to haunt the Orioles on Thursday night, but he gave a good account of himself in his first appearance against the team that traded him away five weeks ago."I wanted to go out and do good," Haynes said. "I really concentrated and stayed focused on what I was doing. I think I did good."He did everything the A's could ask of one of their young starting pitchers. He held the team with the best record in the American League to just four hits over six innings and left with the game still a scoreless tie. The Orioles eventually won the game with four runs in the 11th inning, but Haynes made a very good impression in his first start at the Oakland Coliseum as a member of the A's."

SHUT DOWN The Orioles managed just three hits and five base runners in six scoreless innings Tuesday against Washington Nationals starter Shairon Martis. The right-hander, who pitched a no-hitter for the Netherlands in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, allowed two opposite-field singles to Nick Markakis and an infield single to Adam Jones. He also walked Ty Wigginton and hit Ryan Freel. Martis loaded the bases with one out in the fourth but got Orioles designated hitter Matt Wieters to fly out. RAY SHARP AGAIN Reliever Chris Ray continued his strong spring training, pitching a scoreless ninth.

STILL FUMING:: A day later, third baseman Melvin Mora was still upset with his ejection Tuesday by umpire Rob Drake. Mora spent much of the first inning exchanging words with Drake, who was umpiring third last night. Mora stayed on the field long enough after the final out was made in the first for manager Dave Trembley to run out of the dugout. Mora felt better later when his two-run single in the fifth inning gave him 101 RBIs, just the second time in his career he has reached the 100 mark.

Orioles right-hander Rocky Cherry, who is trying to make the team's opening day bullpen, got himself in a serious jam yesterday. With the game tied at two in the bottom of the ninth inning and the rain starting to fall harder at Roger Dean Stadium, Cherry loaded the bases with no outs. He dodged the first bullet by striking out outfielder Colby Rasmus, who is considered one of the game's best prospects. He retired Ryan Ludwick on a soft liner to second base for the second out and then got out of the inning unscathed when D'Angelo Jimenez lined out to right fielder Chris Roberson.

Three scoreless In his second Grapefruit League outing, Orioles right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, a candidate to be the club's Opening Day starter, turned in three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out two. Guthrie breezed through the first inning in nine pitches, striking out Kevin Youkilis looking to end the frame. He struggled in the second, putting men on the corners with one out. However, he got out of the jam by striking out Bobby Kielty and retiring Chris Carter on a pop-up.

Rally snuffed out Trailing the Florida Marlins by a run in the ninth inning, the Orioles appeared well on their way to another extra-inning game. Mike Costanzo blooped a single down the right-field line and Chris Heintz went to third, putting men on the corners with just one out. However, Joe Nelson got two quick strikes on Guillermo Quiroz and then got the Orioles catcher to hit into a game-ending double play. It was the Orioles' first Grapefruit League loss since they were beaten by the Marlins in their exhibition opener last week.

Hard to hit The last time Daniel Cabrera won a game, he held Arizona to one run over six innings June 22. He would have been bidding for a no-hitter last night against Tampa Bay if B.J. Upton hadn't singled in the fourth inning through a spot vacated by Brian Roberts, who was covering second base. Cabrera left after seven scoreless innings, with Upton's single the only hit allowed. He walked five but kept escaping trouble. Toughing it out Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir didn't have time for the pain.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- As his scoreless-innings streak extended through the middle innings last night at McAfee Coliseum, Erik Bedard was creating even better theater. He hadn't allowed a hit through 5 2/3 innings. But both stretches of dominance were halted on one swing by Oakland Athletics second baseman Mark Ellis, whose home run ended Bedard's no-hit bid and his scoreless streak at 21 innings. Orioles@Athletics Tonight, 9:05, MASN, 105.7 FM Starters: Steve Trachsel (5-6, 4.95) vs. Dan Haren (10-3, 2.33)

Bedard Comes Out Dealing Erik Bedard pitched seven scoreless innings in his duel with Roger Clemens. He gave up only two hits and struck out eight, including the first four batters he faced. The left-hander did not allow a Yankee past first base. Bedard got Johnny Damon on a called third strike to begin the game. He followed that by striking out Derek Jeter. He ended the inning by freezing Hideki Matsui with a 3-2 fastball and then struck out Alex Rodriguez to start the second inning. Offense Gets To Clemens The Orioles finally broke through against Clemens in the sixth.

It certainly was not the spot Sam Perlozzo wanted for Kurt Birkins, but with all his other options in the bullpen exhausted, the Orioles manager had no choice. So, in a scoreless game in the 12th inning, Perlozzo summoned Birkins, who had not pitched in a game since extended spring training on March 30. The Orioles lefthander was one out from getting out of the inning unscathed before surrendering a grand slam to the Detroit Tigers' Craig Monroe. Monroe ripped a 1-1 pitch that sailed through the cold air and steady rain and disappeared over the center-field wall, helping the Tigers to a 4-1 victory over the Orioles before 13,288, the second smallest crowd in Camden Yards history.

The NBA draft became so confusing Wednesday night, somebody traded David Stern. I don't care if Nick Markakis follows Wednesday night's four-hit game by going 0-for-20. He should be playing every single day. Stick with him. Only good can come of it. Anyone else noticing what Jeff Conine has done this week? Triple-A Ottawa has one All-Star Game representative: closer Julio Manon. Eric Mack, fantasy baseball expert at CBS SportsLine, says it's worth holding onto Daniel Cabrera for the strikeouts alone.