FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Orioles manager Ray Miller said he had a "little discussion" yesterday with left-hander Arthur Rhodes, who turned in one of the worst performances by an Orioles reliever this spring in Tuesday's 11-10 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Given a five-run lead to protect in the ninth, Rhodes allowed four runs and walked three in two-thirds of an inning. By the time Jesse Orosco got the final out, Rhodes already had stormed into the clubhouse.
It was the second straight time Rhodes couldn't close a game in the ninth. Handed a 6-4 lead against the Montreal Expos on Saturday, he allowed three runs (two earned) and three hits in a 7-6 defeat.
Overall, Rhodes is 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA in four games. He has given up seven hits in 4 2/3 innings and opponents are batting .368 against him.
"Arthur's fine," Miller said. "I knew what he was doing. It was very obvious he was working with his slider and he got in trouble. That's what spring training's all about. I just wanted to make sure he knows how much I believe in him and all that.
"I probably could have stayed with him, but I was upset at the infield and everybody else. Young guys, you work on pickoff plays and they're all standing out there talking to each other and nobody's looking. And then the guy gets a base hit and the tying run's at the plate. But that's baseball."
Bench coach Eddie Murray often kids Miller about why managers never enjoy the games.
"As soon as that one was over yesterday, I said, 'That's why,' " Murray said.
Blood off 40-man roster
Pitcher Darin Blood, acquired last summer from the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Joe Carter, passed through waivers and was sent to Triple-A Rochester. He's no longer on the Orioles' 40-man roster.
Blood didn't appear in any games this spring as he recovered from arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow. He began throwing on the side last week.
More moves are expected by this weekend.
Reboulet to start 2nd in row
Jeff Reboulet started at second base last night, going 2-for-2 with a walk, and Miller said he'll use the infielder again today against the Florida Marlins.
It will be the first time this spring that Reboulet, who's bothered by tendinitis in his left heel, has played in consecutive games. The club has been taking a cautious approach to assure that he's healthy when camp breaks. With Delino DeShields expected to begin the season on the disabled list with a fractured left thumb, Reboulet is the favorite to start at second on Opening Day.
DeShields has been throwing and swinging a bat with one hand. He continues to wear a splint on the other one.
Miller checks the waiver wire each day, with particular interest in available middle infielders. While impressed with minor-leaguers Jerry Hairston and Jesse Garcia, he acknowledged yesterday that both players would benefit from beginning the season at Rochester.
Pub Date: 3/18/99