Tarasco

NEW YORK -- Twelve-year-old Jeff Maier dreamed of making a big play at Yankee Stadium, but he never imagined that it might happen before he got out of middle school.The baby-faced Oriole killer reached over the right-field fence yesterday and deflected Derek Jeter's eighth-inning fly ball away from Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco, turning a likely out into a game-tying home run in the first game of the American League Championship Series."I just leaned over and it jumped into my glove," said Maier, of Old Tappan, N.J., who was mobbed by reporters and cameramen moments after the incident changed the course of Game 1 -- an eventual 5-4 New York victory in 11 innings -- and perhaps the best-of-seven playoff that will determine which team will go to the World Series.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Orioles manager Davey Johnson had a couple of surprises left after all. He announced yesterday that slugger Bobby Bonilla would start the 1996 season as the designated hitter and newly acquired Tony Tarasco would be in right field on Opening Day.Bonilla opened the exhibition season in right field and spent the past few weeks working steadily at third base, leaving room for speculation that he would play regularly at one of those...

The Orioles eliminated what could have been a major distraction as they groom reliever Armando Benitez for the closer's role, agreeing to terms with the right-hander yesterday on a one-year contract worth $900,000 and avoiding salary arbitration.The club submitted salary figures at noon yesterday for the two remaining players eligible for arbitration, outfielders Jeffrey Hammonds and Tony Tarasco, and expected to hear back from their representatives either last night or early today. Hearings would begin Feb. 2 if agreements aren't reached and could drag on as late as Feb. 21, the day after position players are due to report to spring training.

CHICAGO -- The Orioles boarded last night's charter to Boston with mixed emotions. They now fully realize they will travel the next eight weeks without Eric Davis, who will undergo surgery Friday to remove a mass from his abdomen. At the same time, they welcome the ascendance of his two young understudies and the return of Mike Mussina to star status.While the team was confirming Davis' surgery, it was riding a third straight powerful start by Mussina and a command performance from outfielders Jeffrey Hammonds and Tony Tarasco.

CHICAGO -- The Orioles boarded last night's charter to Boston with mixed emotions. They now fully realize they will travel the next eight weeks without Eric Davis, who will undergo surgery Friday to remove a mass from his abdomen. At the same time, they welcome the ascendance of his two young understudies and the return of Mike Mussina to star status.While the team was confirming Davis' surgery, it was riding a third straight powerful start by Mussina and a command performance from outfielders Jeffrey Hammonds and Tony Tarasco.

What the Orioles did yesterday: Rallied for two runs in the ninth to wipe out a 3-1 deficit, then settled for a 3-3 tie when the game was called after 10 innings. Starter Rocky Coppinger threw two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and walking one. Tony Tarasco singled in the tying runs. The Orioles are 4-2-1.What the Orioles will do today: Travel to West Palm Beach to play the Montreal Expos. Mike Mussina will face the Expos for the second time, followed by Rick Krivda, Shawn Boskie, Brian Williams and Giovanni Carrara.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Catcher Chris Hoiles improved at the plate in the Orioles' 7-4 loss to Atlanta yesterday, but his play behind the plate remains less than impressive.Fred McGriff and Jeff Blauser stole second base on Hoiles, who has thrown out only one of six base stealers this spring. Blauser, who stole eight bases last year, made it look easy yesterday. Hoiles' throw barely cleared the infield grass and bounced well short of the base.He could not be faulted on McGriff's steal. The slugger had such a jump on Scott Erickson's pitch that the play did not even warrant a throw to second.

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees are known for developing great young players, but this is ridiculous.Twelve-year-old Little Leaguer Jeff Maier of Old Tappan, N.J., reached over the right-field fence and pulled a fly ball away from Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco yesterday, turning a likely out into a game-tying home run by Derek Jeter and buying the Yankees time to score a 5-4, 11-inning victory in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at...

On the field: On the night they traded for slugger Geronimo Berroa to bolster a sagging offense, the Orioles didn't collect their first hit off unheralded Toronto right-hander Robert Person until Cal Ripken led off the fifth inning with a single to center field. He also was the club's only base runner; Person had set down the first 12 batters.In the dugout: Manager Davey Johnson gave rookie Dave Dellucci his third consecutive start in right field. Tony Tarasco, in a 2-for-21 slump, was on the bench again.