CHICAGO -- Mention the city of Rochester, N.Y., to most Orioles and they all but break into hives. Often, the word "dump" comes to mind. At the very least, they roll their eyes.

through the system."

Oates didn't think it necessary to soothe Sabo, who has been used as the designated hitter against left-handers, about it.

"I haven't talked to Chris, but I'm sure he sees why Leo is playing," Oates said. "If it were a borderline thing, I would talk to Chris, but it's not even borderline the way Leo is playing right now."

Greg Biagini was Gomez's manager at Rochester and is his hitting coach now.

"He's always had the potential to do what he's doing now," Biagini said. "You don't put up the numbers he put up in Triple-A without having ability.

"And he did it throughout his minor-league career, not just in Rochester. He did it at every level.

"The year I had him in Rochester, he was on the whole year, from start to finish. He was one of the toughest outs in the league. That's the way he is right now. There's nothing like confidence. He's going up there feeling like they can't get him out right now."

ORIOLES TONIGHT

Opponent: Chicago White Sox

Site: Comiskey Park, Chicago

Time: 8:05

TV/Radio: HTS/WBAL (1090 AM)

Starters: Orioles' Mike Mussina (7-1, 2.62) vs. White Sox's Wilson Alvarez (7-0, 2.73)

IN GOOD COMPANY

In 1990, the Orioles' Leo Gomez was head of an International League class that included Boston Red Sox prospects Mo Vaughn, Scott Cooper and Phil Plantier. Their 1990 IL stats:

Player .. .. ..AB .. ..BA .. .. ..HR .. .. ..RBI

Gomez .. .. ..430... .277 .. .. ..26 .. .. ...97

Plantier .. ..430... .253 .. .. ..33 .. .. ...79

Vaughn .. .. .386... .295 .. .. ..22 .. .. ...72

Cooper .. .. .433... .266 .. .. ..12 .. .. ...44