Original from Alan Hess at 1:261/1000 in "LOCAL-SPORTS"
Forwarded May 23 97 by Alan Hess at 1:261/1000
So far, in two innings, the Orioles are 0 for 6 with runners in scoring 
position (including a whiff in a sac fly situation.)  They took a 1-0 error 
when Bordick's grounder to third was muffed with two outs and two on in the 
second.  Brady then popped up the first pitch.  Can't blow all those 
opportunities and expect to win.
Bordick gave it right back, muffing Franco's bouncer to start the bottom of 
the second.  That's his seventh error of the season, as he continues to prove 
that Cal belongs at short.  Key hung a 2-2 curve to Justice, who doubled.  
Ramirez then singled in both runners, giving the Indians a 2-1 lead and 
making them 1 for 1 w/ RISP.  Key is off tonight.
The Indians got three more runs in the third, two on sac flies (a fundamental 
Davis couldn't execute for us) and one on a two-out single.  5-1, and 
Boom-Boom is warming up.  Is Johnson planning to concede this game?
Let's see - Pat Gillick thought we had too much offense last season, 
especially home runs.  He also thought our defense was bad, even though it 
was among the best in the league (yes, Bonilla was never anywhere close to a 
Gold Glove threat in right, and should have been replaced in the late innings 
of close games, but otherwise we were fine defensively.)  So, he went for 
more speed, less power, and (supposedly) better defense.  
Have those changes worked?  In a word, NO.  The Orioles are playing .700 ball 
for one reason this season - improved pitching, especially from the starters. 
 Through about 1/4 of the season, speed has been a non-factor, as all our 
base stealing threats have been injured and unable to utilize their speed.  
Anderson, Alomar, Davis, Hammonds - all hobbled on the bases.  Is the defense 
improved?  Again, no - the left side of the infield already has committed 15 
errors, far more than the combo of Cal at short and Surhoff at third through 
43 games last season.  Surhoff has played well in the outfield, but lacks the 
speed of Hammonds and Tarasco, so we lose there as well.
An aside - last season, people got on Bonilla's case for saying he couldn't 
adjust to being a DH.  This season, Eric Davis is saying the same thing, and 
the results bear him out, just as they did Bonilla.  Because of his 
hamstring, Davis has DHed the last 10 games.  In those games, he's 3 for 28 
with at least a dozen strikeouts.  Unlike Bonilla, Davis physically can't 
play the field, so he has to DH to be in the lineup.  
-+- Msged 4.10
 + Origin: Nerve Center - Source of the SPINAL_INJURY echo! (1:261/1000)
--- Msged 4.10
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