Chris Hoiles

The Baltimore Orioles activated catcher Chris Hoiles from the disabled list. Hoiles had 10 homers and 29 RBIs when he went on the 15-day disabled list July 17 because of a strained left hamstring. He suffered the injury while running out a hit July 17 in the second inning of a game against Kansas City. To make room for Hoiles in the lineup, the Orioles optioned catcher Cesar Devarez to triple-A Rochester.

By the time Chris Hoiles' second grand slam sailed past the foul pole, his fan club pretty much had the run of Jacobs Field on Friday night. Hoiles treated more than 20 friends and family members in the stands to a feat even rarer than a perfect game, becoming the ninth major leaguer and first catcher to hit two grand slams in a game as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Cleveland Indians, 15-3.

By the time Chris Hoiles' second grand slam sailed past the foul pole, his fan club pretty much had the run of Jacobs Field on Friday night. Hoiles treated more than 20 friends and family members in the stands to a feat even rarer than a perfect game, becoming the ninth major leaguer and first catcher to hit two grand slams in a game as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Cleveland Indians, 15-3.

The music floating through the Baltimore Orioles' clubhouse said it all: "There's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear. . . ." Those appropriate lyrics, from a classic tune by the Buffalo Springfield, were music to the Orioles' ears after Rafael Palmeiro homered with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday night to give Baltimore its 12th win in 13 games, 5-4 over Oakland at Camden Yards. Exactly what is happening in the AL wild-card race?

Randy Johnson's 16-game winning streak came to an end Thursday night as the Baltimore Orioles got two homers and six runs batted in from Chris Hoiles in a 13-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Camden Yards. Johnson (4-1) struck out 10 but gave up five runs, six hits and two walks in six innings. He was trying to tie the American League record of 17 consecutive victories, set in the 1930s by Johnny Allen of Cleveland and tied by Dave McNally of the Orioles in 1968-69.

The first three batters in Baltimore's lineup posed no problems for Angel pitcher Jack McDowell on Tuesday night. The right-hander dispatched Roberto Alomar, B.J. Surhoff and Harold Baines with relative ease, the trio combining to go 0 for 12 against McDowell. That pesky No. 8 hitter was another story, though.

The first three batters in Baltimore's lineup posed no problems for Angel pitcher Jack McDowell Tuesday night. The right-hander dispatched Roberto Alomar, B.J. Surhoff and Harold Baines with relative ease, the trio combining to go 0 for 12 against McDowell. That pesky No. 8 hitter was another story, though. And for McDowell, it turned out to be the same old story.

Chris Hoiles could have downplayed the whole thing. He could have come on with that no-big-deal attitude that plays so well at the major-league level, but he did not. It may be early in the season. It might not be a big deal, yet. But Hoiles was leading the American League with a .386 batting average through Wednesday's games. That might be no big thing to a Cal Ripken, but it was a nice way to start the day for a young catcher who is just starting his first season as an everyday player.

The music floating through the Baltimore Orioles' clubhouse said it all: "There's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear. . . ." Those appropriate lyrics, from a classic tune by the Buffalo Springfield, were music to the Orioles' ears after Rafael Palmeiro homered with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday night to give Baltimore its 12th win in 13 games, 5-4 over Oakland at Camden Yards. Exactly what is happening in the AL wild-card race?

The New York Yankees clinched a playoff berth Saturday, yet they had something even more special to celebrate: David Cone, it appears, is all right. Cone, sidelined for a month because of tendinitis in his right shoulder, pitched five encouraging innings and the Yankees nailed down a postseason berth with a 4-3, 11-inning victory over Toronto at New York. "I'm honestly pleased with how the day came out," Cone said. "I thought it was pretty close to normal." "Today was a huge step," he said.

The first three batters in Baltimore's lineup posed no problems for Angel pitcher Jack McDowell on Tuesday night. The right-hander dispatched Roberto Alomar, B.J. Surhoff and Harold Baines with relative ease, the trio combining to go 0 for 12 against McDowell. That pesky No. 8 hitter was another story, though.

The first three batters in Baltimore's lineup posed no problems for Angel pitcher Jack McDowell Tuesday night. The right-hander dispatched Roberto Alomar, B.J. Surhoff and Harold Baines with relative ease, the trio combining to go 0 for 12 against McDowell. That pesky No. 8 hitter was another story, though. And for McDowell, it turned out to be the same old story.

The New York Yankees clinched a playoff berth Saturday, yet they had something even more special to celebrate: David Cone, it appears, is all right. Cone, sidelined for a month because of tendinitis in his right shoulder, pitched five encouraging innings and the Yankees nailed down a postseason berth with a 4-3, 11-inning victory over Toronto at New York. "I'm honestly pleased with how the day came out," Cone said. "I thought it was pretty close to normal." "Today was a huge step," he said.

Randy Johnson's 16-game winning streak came to an end Thursday night as the Baltimore Orioles got two homers and six runs batted in from Chris Hoiles in a 13-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Camden Yards. Johnson (4-1) struck out 10 but gave up five runs, six hits and two walks in six innings. He was trying to tie the American League record of 17 consecutive victories, set in the 1930s by Johnny Allen of Cleveland and tied by Dave McNally of the Orioles in 1968-69.

The Baltimore Orioles activated catcher Chris Hoiles from the disabled list. Hoiles had 10 homers and 29 RBIs when he went on the 15-day disabled list July 17 because of a strained left hamstring. He suffered the injury while running out a hit July 17 in the second inning of a game against Kansas City. To make room for Hoiles in the lineup, the Orioles optioned catcher Cesar Devarez to triple-A Rochester.

Chris Hoiles could have downplayed the whole thing. He could have come on with that no-big-deal attitude that plays so well at the major-league level, but he did not. It may be early in the season. It might not be a big deal, yet. But Hoiles was leading the American League with a .386 batting average through Wednesday's games. That might be no big thing to a Cal Ripken, but it was a nice way to start the day for a young catcher who is just starting his first season as an everyday player.

The top 10 catchers in career on-base plus slugging percentage (minimum 500 games) through the 1996 season: Mike Piazza (1992 - ): .947 Mickey Cochrane (1925 - 37): .897 Bill Dickey (1928 - 46): .868 Roy Campanella (1948 - 57): .861 Gabby Hartnett (1922 - 41): .858 Chris Hoiles (1989 - ): .839 Babe Phelps (1931 - 42): .835 Yogi Berra (1946 - 65): .832 Bubbles Hargrave (1913 - 30): .824 Mickey Tettleton (1984 - ): .821 * Researched by HOUSTON MITCHELL / Los Angeles Times

The Cleveland Indians put left-handed reliever Ron Villone on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained stomach muscle. Villone suffered the injury while pitching in Friday night's 15-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. He gave up the second of Chris Hoiles' two grand slams and yielded four runs and three hits in three innings. Villone has no record and a 5.91 ERA in 22 appearances. The Indians acquired Villone from the Milwaukee Brewers in December.