CLEVELAND -- Proving once more that there is no simple move when it surrounds third baseman Cal Ripken, the Orioles quietly dispatched the rehabilitating All-Star to their Sarasota, Fla., minor-league facility Sunday evening so he could participate in a controlled scrimmage yesterday against a group of young players from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The organizational misdirection was intended to allow Ripken a day off from a "circus" of attention, according to club officials.

"It's just a working camp," manager Ray Miller said. "The idea was for two or three days for him to lead off every inning and get five, six or seven at-bats against live pitching in a fairly uninhibited situation."

Ripken, Miller and assistant general manager Bruce Manno took turns Sunday insisting no decision had been made. Meanwhile, Ripken left the clubhouse during the Orioles' 5-0 win over the Detroit Tigers for a flight to Sarasota.

Miller said yesterday he hopes Ripken will be able to rejoin the team when it arrives in Texas on Thursday. Ripken has not played since being scratched from the lineup April 18 but insisted before Sunday's game that he feels physically ready to play.

Miller attempted to distance himself from the intrigue, insisting he had no knowledge of Ripken's getaway until after Sunday's game.

Batting leadoff in every inning yesterday, Ripken went 2-for-7 while splitting his time between third base and designated hitter. Among the pitchers Ripken faced was Chris Peters, who had spent the past three seasons in the major leagues. Minor-league director Tom Trebelhorn is in Florida to supervise Ripken's rehab.

General manager Frank Wren described yesterday's outing as very positive.

Ripken will play under similar circumstances today in Fort Myers, according to the same Orioles officials who orchestrated Sunday's deception.

Indeed, the Orioles admit Ripken's celebrity factors in his stopover against nothing stiffer than Gulf Coast League competition instead of at Double-A Bowie or Triple-A Rochester, where virtually any other player would prepare.

Miller classified it as "an absolute joke" to dispatch Ripken to "any one of those places in Maryland because there would be a mob of people and a lot of distractions. We sent him down [Sunday] afternoon to let him get set up before all the TV cameras show up."

Miller was particularly impressed by Ripken's 10-minute batting practice Sunday and his increased flexibility.

"He showed me agility and running," Miller said. "He was flying around the bases in batting practice. He was swinging a live bat and 'Crow' was happy with his batting stance."

Hitting coach Terry Crowley has supervised Ripken's ever-evolving stance, which is now markedly less contorted than before he landed on the disabled list. When Ripken returns, he will carry a .179 average.

Disenchanted with rookie third baseman Willis Otanez -- 8-for-51 (.157) since April 21 -- Miller has allowed Jeff Reboulet to warm the position until Ripken's return. Otanez received a second consecutive start last night, however, when second baseman Delino DeShields was scratched with a bad back.

Alomar one happy Indian

Roberto Alomar is healthy, happy and in his first year with a new club. The combination always has added up to big numbers in the past, and this season is no different.

The former Oriole has plugged a gaping hole at second base for the Cleveland Indians, who signed him to a four-year, $32 million deal in November. Alomar began last night hitting .342 with 10 doubles, two triples, five homers, 19 RBIs and eight steals, leading the Indians to the best record in the majors and reminding the Orioles how dominant he can be when in the proper frame of mind.

"It's been good here," he said before driving in the go-ahead run in a 6-4 win. "We've got a good bunch of guys. We just worry about the game of baseball. We play hard for nine innings and then everybody goes in different directions. But while we're here, it's like everybody's family."

Alomar spent three often tumultuous seasons with the Orioles, dogged by the controversy surrounding the spitting incident with umpire John Hirschbeck in 1996, limited by an assortment of injuries and hurt by accusations he wasn't giving a full effort.

"Last year, being injured, I couldn't play the way I'm capable of playing. I had a bad ankle, bad shoulder, bad finger. A lot of things happened and I couldn't play to my potential," he said.

"Now, they are letting me play my game here. They have given me the confidence to play my game."

Said Miller: "Robbie's a good kid. He's just a sensitive person. The booing really bothered him. I think it was kind of hard for him because every time they announced the lineup anywhere, Cal Ripken got the greatest ovation in the world and he'd get booed off the field."

Alomar insisted yesterday he wanted to stay with the Orioles.

"We gave them a proposal and they never came back. We called again and the Orioles said they were taking a different direction, and I respect their decision in the same way I hope they respect my decision," he said.

"I understood. There are no hard feelings. I still have a lot of friends there and I wish them the best. Baltimore was great to me, especially the fans. They were awesome to me. They were with me through the good times and the bad times. I will never forget that."

DeShields still hurting

DeShields did not start his second consecutive game because of pain in his lower back, an indication his condition is more serious than the "muscle stiffness" being described by club officials. DeShields received treatment again yesterday and Miller kept the No. 8 slot open for him, withholding a final decision until watching him hit and take infield.

DeShields said his back felt "a lot better now" as he took some light swings in the clubhouse. But his movements clearly were restricted while testing it later.

The pain first struck DeShields on Sunday as he tried to straighten after bending forward. Describing the sensation, he motioned with his hand as if thrusting a knife. DeShields flew to Cleveland rather than subject his back to an almost three-hour bus ride.

Miller had sounded optimistic earlier in the day that DeShields would play, even joking about the second baseman's reaction to the heat being applied to his back.

"I just walked back in the training room," Miller said, "and he came running by with smoke flying off him. I guess they put hot stuff on him. He was screaming. He was running pretty good."

DeShields struck out as a pinch hitter for Otanez to end the eighth inning. He stayed in at second base.

Around the horn

Cleveland shortstop Omar Vizquel returned to the lineup after missing six games with a sore right quadriceps muscle. First baseman Jim Thome was scratched because of back spasms. Manny Ramirez is tied with Kenny Keltner for ninth place on Cleveland's all-time home run list with 163. His 84 homers are the most at Jacobs Field.