B J Surhoff

The Boston Red Sox keep bashing the ball around Fenway Park, and now they're getting some pitching too. John Olerud homered twice to back a solid performance by Bronson Arroyo on Thursday night, and the Red Sox defeated Tampa Bay, 7-4, to complete a four-game sweep. It was the third consecutive game in which Boston has rallied to beat the Devil Rays. "I love the way it ends," Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said. "I'd like the formula to change a little bit."

When it comes to durability, no one can challenge Cal Ripken Jr. Yet the Iron Man isn't the only Baltimore Oriole who this season has earned the right to be called an "everyday player." Ripken, naturally, has been joined by Rafael Palmeiro and B.J. Surhoff in all 130 of the Orioles' games this year. No other team in baseball has three players who haven't missed a game in 1998. Ripken has played in 2,608 consecutive games, including 478 since breaking Lou Gehrig's record in 1995.

Nomar Garciaparra enjoyed his brief stay with the Chicago Cubs so much he's coming back. The five-time All-Star shortstop agreed Tuesday to an $8-million, one-year contract that could rise to $11 million with bonuses. "I really loved playing there, I really loved the experience I had in the short time I was there," he said. "I just felt Chicago is the best place for me. I'm looking forward to going out there and, hopefully, turning this into a long-term relationship."

Mike Mussina has struggled at Camden Yards before. Just never as a New York Yankee. Rodrigo Lopez gave up one run over 6 2/3 innings and the Baltimore Orioles battered Mussina, ending the Yankees' eight-game winning streak with a 7-3 victory Tuesday night. "I've had these kind of games here before," said Mussina, an Oriole from 1991 to 2000. "It's tough anyplace to go walking out that early in a ballgame and know it wasn't your best effort." Melvin Mora homered and Tony Batista and B.J.

B.J. Surhoff hit a go-ahead homer as the Baltimore Orioles rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat Texas, 8-7, Monday night at Baltimore. It was the Orioles' first victory against the Rangers in seven games this season. Mike Devereaux also homered and Roberto Alomar had three hits for the Orioles, who had lost nine of their previous 11. Juan Gonzalez homered for the Rangers, who were trying for their first four-game sweep in Baltimore since 1972.

The Cleveland Indians have made such a shambles of the AL Central race, they no longer find it curious that they're the first team guaranteed a spot in baseball's 1995 playoffs. Even if it has been 41 years since they last appeared in a postseason game. The Indians clinched the division with a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night at Cleveland. "I think it has been inevitable for the last four or five weeks," General Manager John Hart said.

Charlie Hough outpitched Dave Stieb and the Texas Rangers threw out two runners on the bases in the ninth inning to hold off the Toronto Blue Jays, 4-3, Monday night at Arlington, Tex. Toronto went 3-5 on its trip and fell two games behind Boston in the American League East, while Texas won for the seventh time in eight games. Stieb (14-4) had not given up a run in two victories over the Rangers this season, but was tagged for four runs on seven hits in six innings.

After the Angels lost their third consecutive game Sunday, Manager Buck Rodgers said his team was trying too hard to win with home runs instead of base hits. On Monday, the Angels heeded his advice. Junior Felix drove in a career-high five runs with two doubles and two singles, and Jim Abbott won his sixth consecutive decision in a 7-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Leadoff hitter Luis Polonia, who bats ahead of Felix, also had four hits, plus a walk. "That's not too shabby," Rodgers said.

Trading Post: The New York Yankees of the 1950s made a specialty of trading with the Kansas City A's. Now it's the San Diego Padres. Since 1986, the Yankees have acquired 11 former Padre pitchers, though not all in direct deals with San Diego. The 11: John Montefusco, Mike Armstrong, Tim Stoddard, Bob Shirley, Dennis Rasmussen, Ed Whitson, Jimmy Jones, Lance McCullers, Andy Hawkins, Dave LaPoint and Walt Terrell, obtained the other day for Mike Pagliarulo.