Zeile

The Orioles may automatically lose the American League East title if they finish in a tie with the New York Yankees, one of the several tiebreaker scenarios for the AL playoffs.AL vice president Phyllis Merhige gave a cursory explanation yesterday of how the playoff teams will be determined, in the event of ties:Should the Yankees and Orioles finish in a tie for first in the AL East, and they have two of the four best records in the American League, there would be no playoff for the division title.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Orioles manager Davey Johnson loves offense, loves power, big numbers, and he had a hard time hiding his glee after his team walloped five homers Monday, and took the major-league lead with 221 homers.The Orioles have 24 games to play and with another home run last night they're only 18 shy of the single-season record for homers, 240, set by the 1961 New York Yankees, who had Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. The Orioles have hit 16 homers in six games since acquiring Todd Zeile and Pete Incaviglia from Philadelphia, so at the rate of nearly three homers a game, they could approach the Yankees' record in, oh, about a week.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Orioles should rid themselves of uniforms and don red plaid shirts. Swing axes in the on-deck circle, instead of bats weighted down with sand-filled doughnuts. Forget the cleats and go with work boots.Call the Hammermill paper company to be a sponsor. They all swing like lumberjacks anyway, so why not? Hitting behind the ** runner, poking the ball to the opposite field, that's what wimpy teams do. The Orioles have loaded their lineup with a bunch of heavyweights and they swing for the fences.

SEATTLE -- Bench coach Andy Etchebarren had the pleasure of writing out the lineup with the two newest Orioles included. Todd Zeile, batting sixth and playing third base, and Pete Incaviglia, hitting eighth and playing left field.As a result, Chris Hoiles was bumped to ninth in the order. "That's pretty good, when you're No. 9 hitter is third on the team with 23 homers," Hoiles said before going 0-for-4 last night.Orioles manager Davey Johnson said: "We don't have anybody who can hit singles.

On the field: Orioles designated hitter Eddie Murray, two homers shy of 500, has gone two weeks without hitting a homer, which is why the Orioles stopped posting a huge No. 498 on the scoreboard at Camden Yards. "Our thought was maybe it was a little bit too much," said Orioles media relations director John Maroon. "Eddie never said a word, but it was a constant reminder."In the dugout: Orioles manager Davey Johnson wasted no time in starting Todd Zeile at third, despite the fact that Zeile hadn't played third since July 30. Zeile, knowing there was a chance he would be traded, has been taking grounders at third, "trying to keep my arm in shape."

SEATTLE -- Unable to land a top-flight starter to address their need for pitching, the Orioles instead bolstered an already healthy offense, acquiring sluggers Todd Zeile and Pete Incaviglia from the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday for two minor-league players to be named.Zeile likely will play third base, with B. J. Surhoff moving to left field. The deal for Zeile gives the Orioles a starting lineup in which every player likely will finish the year with 20 or more homers. Zeile, who turns 31 in September, has 20 homers and 80 RBIs, impressive numbers considering he was playing for a poor team.

Having struck out in their pursuit of Pittsburgh left-hander Denny Neagle, the Orioles are focusing on other possible acquisitions -- including Philadelphia third baseman Todd Zeile.The Phillies have had a longstanding desire to trade for Orioles outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds and Zeile would fill the Orioles' need for improved right-handed punch in their lineup. Zeile, who turns 31 on Sept. 9, is hitting .265 with 20 home runs and 79 RBIs. He is a subpar defensive player but is a proven run producer.