Steve Karsay

Who's hot Steve Karsay of the Yankees has not allowed a run in his past 13 games. Who's not Ellis Burks of the Indians is in an 0-for-15 slump . Line of the dayMatt Franco, Braves 1B AB R H RBI HR 4 2 3 4 1

It's a fact Randy Johnson of the Diamondbacks is 27-1 in his past 38 September appearances, including 37 starts. Milestone Greg Maddux of the Braves is one victory shy of tying Cy Young's record of winning 15 games for 15 straight seasons. The number 47: Starts the Reds' Ken Griffey has been limited to this season because of hamstring, knee and hip injuries. Who's hot Wade Miller of the Astros tied a team record by winning his 12th straight decision. Who's not Matt Morris of the Cardinals is 1-2 with a 6.14 ERA since he was activated from the disabled list on Sept.

At Oriole Park at Camden YardsDay, Time, TV, StartersTonight, 7: 35, HTS, Steve Karsay (0-2, 3.30) vs. Jimmy Key (4-0, 2.48)Tomorrow, 1: 35, HTS, Mike Mohler (0-3, 4.80) vs. Mike Mussina (3-1, 4.22)Sunday, 1: 35, HTS, Ariel Prieto (2-1, 3.55) vs. Rocky Coppinger (0-0, 7.36)Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) and WTOP (1500 AM)A's updateThe first-place Orioles begin a 10-game homestand tonight with a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics. The A's continue to look for consistent pitching after going 13-13 in April.

The Orioles' search for a late-inning specialist apparently will shift to baseball's winter meetings, which begin this weekend in Boston. It also could move beyond Oakland's Jason Isringhausen, whose stated preference to pitch for a contender in 2002 leaves them poised to rummage through the remaining free agents or intensify trade talks. Syd Thrift, the Orioles' vice president for baseball operations, said the club still hadn't made an offer yesterday for Isringhausen, who saved 67 games for the Athletics over the past two seasons.

At Jacobs Field, ClevelandDay, Time, TV, StartersTonight, 7: 05, 13, 50 Scott Erickson (8-9, 5.74) vs. Charles Nagy (13-7, 5.08)Tomorrow, 1: 15, 45, 5 Jason Johnson (3-6, 6.24) vs. Steve Karsay (8-1, 2.66)Sunday, 8: 05, ESPN, Sidney Ponson (11-7, 3.95) vs. Bartolo Colon (11-4, 4.27)Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) and WTOP (1500 AM)Indians updateThe Orioles find the 69-44 Indians driving for the American League's best record. Through a scheduling quirk, the Orioles visit Jacobs Field for the second time this season while still awaiting the Indians' only arrival at Camden Yards.

BaseballAthletics: Placed OF Jose Canseco on 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 1. Activated P John Johnstone, who had been claimed on waivers from Giants. Recalled OF Jason McDonald from Triple-A Edmonton. Optioned IF Tony Batista to Edmonton. Placed P Steve Karsay (tired right arm) on 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 6.Cardinals: Sent OF Scarborough Green to Triple-A Louisville.Mets: Optioned P Juan Acevedo to Triple-A Norfolk. Recalled IF Shawn Gilbert from Norfolk.Rangers: Activated P Julio Santana from DL. Optioned P Eric Moody to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

BaseballAstros: Placed P Sean Bergman (tightness in right forearm) on 15-day DL, retroactive to June 26. Called up P Joe Slusarski from Triple-A New Orleans.Brewers: Activated P Bill Pulsipher from 15-day DL. Optioned P Al Reyes to Triple-A Louisville.Diamondbacks: Recalled P Bobby Chouinard from Triple-A Tucson.Expos: Placed OF Orlando Merced (strained left calf muscle) on 15-day DL, retroactive to July 1. Recalled 3B Jose Fernandez from Triple-A Ottawa. Purchased contract of OF Terry Jones from Ottawa.

CLEVELAND -- The Orioles may never reach .500 again this season. Scott Erickson must be wondering if he'll ever get there, as well.Hoping to apply another bandage to his wounded start this season, Erickson gave up a tie-breaking single to former teammate Roberto Alomar in the eighth inning and Manny Ramirez's second two-run homer to provide Cleveland with a 6-3 victory over the Orioles last night before 43,073 at Jacobs Field.Time: 1: 15TV/Radio: Ch. 45/WBAL (1090 AM)Starters: O's Jason Johnson (3-6, 6.24)

Only in an age of realignment could a team be four games under .500 and only a half-game out of first place. But such will be the case tonight, when the Oakland Athletics (7-11) visit Camden Yards.Having gone winless last week, the A's will be trying to break a six-game losing streak against the Orioles tonight. If they do, and the California Angels lose to the New York Yankees, the A's would move into first place in the watered-down American League West Division.Conversely, the Orioles, with a 10-7 record, do not have a similar opportunity -- they trail the AL East leading Boston Red Sox by 2 1/2 games and are 1 1/2 games behind the second-place Toronto Blue Jays.

After having their multi-year offers and "Confederate money" routinely refused last December by mid-level free agents, the Orioles are asking manager Mike Hargrove and members of his coaching staff to help extend a personal touch this time. Hargrove has contacted at least two of his players while manager of the Cleveland Indians - outfielder Kenny Lofton and closer Steve Karsay - to assist the Orioles' dollars-and-sense approach. Though neither player has indicated where he will ultimately sign, the organization hopes Hargrove's credibility and its ability to offer more prominent roles than those extended by more settled, contending clubs might obtain a veteran framework for a rebuilding clubhouse.

CLEVELAND -- The Orioles may never reach .500 again this season. Scott Erickson must be wondering if he'll ever get there, as well.Hoping to apply another bandage to his wounded start this season, Erickson gave up a tie-breaking single to former teammate Roberto Alomar in the eighth inning and Manny Ramirez's second two-run homer to provide Cleveland with a 6-3 victory over the Orioles last night before 43,073 at Jacobs Field.Time: 1: 15TV/Radio: Ch. 45/WBAL (1090 AM)Starters: O's Jason Johnson (3-6, 6.24)

At Jacobs Field, ClevelandDay, Time, TV, StartersTonight, 7: 05, 13, 50 Scott Erickson (8-9, 5.74) vs. Charles Nagy (13-7, 5.08)Tomorrow, 1: 15, 45, 5 Jason Johnson (3-6, 6.24) vs. Steve Karsay (8-1, 2.66)Sunday, 8: 05, ESPN, Sidney Ponson (11-7, 3.95) vs. Bartolo Colon (11-4, 4.27)Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) and WTOP (1500 AM)Indians updateThe Orioles find the 69-44 Indians driving for the American League's best record. Through a scheduling quirk, the Orioles visit Jacobs Field for the second time this season while still awaiting the Indians' only arrival at Camden Yards.

BaseballAstros: Placed P Sean Bergman (tightness in right forearm) on 15-day DL, retroactive to June 26. Called up P Joe Slusarski from Triple-A New Orleans.Brewers: Activated P Bill Pulsipher from 15-day DL. Optioned P Al Reyes to Triple-A Louisville.Diamondbacks: Recalled P Bobby Chouinard from Triple-A Tucson.Expos: Placed OF Orlando Merced (strained left calf muscle) on 15-day DL, retroactive to July 1. Recalled 3B Jose Fernandez from Triple-A Ottawa. Purchased contract of OF Terry Jones from Ottawa.

BaseballAthletics: Placed OF Jose Canseco on 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 1. Activated P John Johnstone, who had been claimed on waivers from Giants. Recalled OF Jason McDonald from Triple-A Edmonton. Optioned IF Tony Batista to Edmonton. Placed P Steve Karsay (tired right arm) on 15-day DL, retroactive to Aug. 6.Cardinals: Sent OF Scarborough Green to Triple-A Louisville.Mets: Optioned P Juan Acevedo to Triple-A Norfolk. Recalled IF Shawn Gilbert from Norfolk.Rangers: Activated P Julio Santana from DL. Optioned P Eric Moody to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Two months into the season and Jimmy Key's routine already has become monotonous. Give him a cool night, some big-swinging brutes and his predictable control and enjoy the cruise control.The first pitcher to reach six wins, Key last night became the first to reach seven by holding down the Oakland A's for the second time in 11 days. This time the Orioles walked away with a 5-1 win and a new offensive hero to go with their pitching standby.On display for others as much as for general manager Pat Gillick and assistant Kevin Malone, right fielder Tony Tarasco ripped into A's starting pitcher Steve Karsay (0-4)