Tim Belcher

The Cincinnati Reds traded outfielder Eric Davis to the Los Angeles Dodgers last night as part of a four-player deal that sent right-hander Tim Belcher to the Reds.Cincinnati also got reliever John Wetteland and sent reliever Kip Gross to the Dodgers.Davis, 29, played in only 89 games last season, hitting .235 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI.He has been hampered by injuries throughout his career. He fell out of favor with Reds manager Lou Piniella when he decided to sit out most of the second half of the season because of what Davis called chronic fatigue resulting from his kidney injury in the 1990 World Series.

At Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.Day, Time, TV, StartersTonight, Game 1, 6:05, HTS, Scott Kamieniecki (8-5, 3.80) vs. Tim Belcher (11-11, 4.88)Tonight, Game 2, 9 approx., HTS, Esteban Yan (1997 debut) vs. Ricky Bones (2-4, 6.46)Tomorrow, 8:05, HTS, Jimmy Key (13-7, 2.89) vs. Glendon Rusch (5-8, 5.75)Thursday, 8:05, 54, 50, Rick Krivda (1-0, 9.49) vs. Kevin Appier(7-10, 3.10)Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) and WTOP (1500 AM)Royals updateKansas City has made some changes since the last time these teams met, not a surprise considering that was in the second week of April.

Here's a quick list of some of the most memorable aspects of Opening Day 1998:The anthem: Entertainer John Davidson, currently performing in "State Fair" at the Lyric Opera House, gave an overblown rendition of the national anthem in which he coaxed the sellout crowd to repeat the traditional Baltimore "Ohhhh!" in the final stanza several times. Talk about milking a moment.The Moose: Opening Day starter Mike Mussina struck out the first two batters in the first inning and went on to strike out 11, but again was abandoned by the Orioles' offense.

Athletics: Center fielder Ryan Christenson missed his fourth straight game with a strained left hamstring. Bip Roberts has at least one hit in all 11 games he has started since joining Oakland in a trade with Detroit on June 23.Blue Jays: Roger Clemens has averaged 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings pitched and is 17-9 against Detroit in his career.Royals: Glendon Rusch has allowed 15 homers this season, second most on the staff to Tim Belcher.Indians: Cleveland is 47-9 when scoring four or more runs and 5-28 when scoring three or fewer.

BaseballExpos: Purchased contract of OF Vladimir Guerrero, 20, from Harrisburg, where he was Double-A Eastern League MVP. Designated P Scott Gentile for assignment.Indians: Recalled P Joe Roa from Triple-A Buffalo. Put IB Herbert Perry on 60-day DL.Marlins: Recalled P Livan Hernandez (Cuban who signed four-year, $4.5 million contract this year), P Bill Hurst, P Andy Larkin and IF Ralph Milliard from Double-A Portland.Padres: OF Todd Steverson cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas.

At Oriole Park at Camden YardsDay ...... Time ... TV ..... StartersTonight .. 7:35 .. 13, 50 .. Chris Haney (4-5, 4.23)............... ............ vs. Rocky Coppinger (2-0, 6.55)Tomorrow .. 1:05 .. 45, 5 .. Tim Belcher (6-2, 4.53)............... ............ vs. Scott Erickson (3-5, 5.47)Sunday .... 1:35 .. HTS .... Kevin Appier (5-7, 3.88)............... ............ vs. Rick Krivda (2-2, 3.52)Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) and WTOP (1500 AM)Royals updateThe Kansas City Royals aren't a scary ball club, but they certainly gave the Orioles a worry or two during their series in K.C. last week.

Football Chiefs: Signed RB-KR Dante Hall to three-year contract. Eagles: Signed WR Anthony Ladd and DE Michael Mason. Baseball Major League Baseball: Suspended Pirates pitching coach Pete Vuckovich for three games and fined him undisclosed amount for actions in game vs. Mets on June 23. Angels: Placed P Tim Belcher on 15-day DL, retroactive to July 3, with strained throwing elbow. Recalled P Lou Pote from Triple-A Edmonton. Optioned P Brian Cooper to Edmonton Braves: Optioned P Ismael Villegas to Triple-A Richmond.

BaseballBaseball Hall of Fame -- Named Donald C. Marr president. Added Yogi Berra, Pee Wee Reese and Bill White to the veterans committee.Orioles -- Placed P Mike Mussina on the 15-day DL, retroactive to July 22. Recalled P Arthur Rhodes from Triple-A Rochester.Boston Red Sox -- Activated former Orioles C Bob Melvin from the 15-day DL. Optioned C John Flaherty to Triple-A Pawtucket.Cincinnati Reds -- Traded P Tim Belcher to the Chicago White Sox for P Johnny Ruffin and P Jeff Pierce. Assigned Ruffin to Triple-A Indianapolis and Pierce to Double-A Chattanooga.

Kansas City Royals closer Jeff Montgomery threw a low fastball and Orioles left fielder Mark Smith swung and, through his hands, he felt contact. Imperfect contact.Smith knew he hit a high fly, and that he missed a chance to drive a very hittable pitch and break a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the ninth. He dropped his head and flipped his bat away and headed toward first, in a half-hearted run. On the bench, some of Smith's teammates sat passively. They knew it was an out. Royals center fielder Johnny Damon tracked the ball, drifting back.