Zeile

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- As Harold Baines batted in the fourth inning of the Orioles' exhibition opener yesterday, a light rain turned into such a heavy downpour that fans bolted for cover. Baines stood his ground.The Orioles' designated hitter wiped off his bat and ripped the next pitch from Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Frank Lankford into the bleachers in right field, more than 400 feet away.By the time Baines circled the bases, the rain had let up and the sun broke through the clouds. It was typical of Florida's weather.

The Orioles still have interest in bringing back free agent Todd Zeile -- just not at third base, assistant general manager Kevin Malone said yesterday.Zeile, 31, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in August and combined for 99 RBIs between the clubs, said he was told after an initial meeting with the Orioles last week that they did not want to sign him because the club planned to move Cal Ripken from shortstop to third base.Malone said yesterday he told Seth Levinson, Zeile's agent, that Zeile could be an Oriole next year, but in a versatile role.

The Orioles have been a great television team this year -- lots of power, lots of stars -- but that doesn't necessarily mean they've been a great team. The Orioles, manager Davey Johnson acknowledged yesterday, "get hammered" for not doing the little things, moving runners, making adjustments.But they did the little things yesterday, subtle fundamental plays and modifications that beat Toronto, 5-4, before 46,035 at Camden Yards, and kept the Orioles four games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.

NEW YORK -- The Yankees had one victory in hand yesterday and led the Orioles 6-1 in the fourth inning of the second game, and New York fans, who never miss an opportunity to humiliate, denigrate or otherwise insult, began the inevitable chant: SWEEP! SWEEP!A nice idea. Just one problem: The Yankees eventually would lose the second game of the doubleheader, 10-9, victims of an extraordinary Orioles comeback. Todd Zeile had two critical hits and drove in four runs, and the Orioles beat hard-throwing Yankees reliever Mariano Rivera (7-3)

Orioles manager Davey Johnson joked Sunday he would faint if any member of his one-dimensional, power-hitting offense tried to steal. But he didn't say anything about a hit-and-run, a fundamental the Orioles have rarely tried and almost never executed -- until last night.A hit-and-run double by Cal Ripken drove in the tying run and set up the winning run, as the Orioles beat Detroit, 5-4. Scott Erickson (11-11) survived a rocky start to improve to 6-1 in his past eight starts, and the Orioles drew within 2 1/2 games of the idle New York Yankees, the closest they've been to first place since June 20.The Orioles, winners of 27 of their last 42, are a half-game behind the White Sox in the wild-card race, as they begin a crucial three-game series with Chicago tonight.

Orioles third base coach Sam Perlozzo couldn't remember the last time he flashed a hit-and-run sign before last night. Three weeks, he guessed.Three weeks since the Orioles last used a play some teams use two or three times a game. The Orioles live and die with the home run, so naturally, when Perlozzo relayed the hit-and-run sign to Cal Ripken in the sixth inning last night, he shocked everybody. The Detroit Tigers, base runners Rafael Palmeiro and Bobby Bonilla, the whole free world.But Ripken successfully executed, his hit-and-run double driving in the tying run and setting up the winning run in the Orioles' 5-4 victory over Detroit.

NEW YORK -- The Orioles' robotic approach to baseball could be maddening in May and June, with their passionless response to losses. The lack of outward emotion frustrated manager Davey Johnson.But that refusal to be unnerved by anything, a tough loss or a blown call by an umpire, is perfect now, in October, when the emotional pendulum can swing every single day.The Orioles returned to their team hotel Wednesday night feeling as if a 12-year-old New Jersey kid may have cost them Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, but they came back yesterday, oblivious to the momentum and the Yankee Stadium crowd and beat the Yankees, 5-3.Roberto Alomar, vilified and hounded by Yankees fans in Game 1, came back and scored the lead run and drove in an insurance run late in the game.

August 29, 1996: The Orioles acquired Todd Zeile and Pete Incaviglia from the Phillies.

Todd ZeileInning: ThirdCount: 3-1Situation: One on, none outDistance: 350 feetLocation: Left fieldYankees pitcher: David ConeScore: Tied, 2-2Team total in series: 3Team total in postseason: 12