SAN FRANCISCO - When the Orioles traded for Gary Matthews, hitting coach Terry Crowley took one look at the numbers and realized it was time for a different approach.
Basically, Crowley told Matthews to forget about hitting home runs and just concentrate on making good solid contact.
"I thought he had too many strikeouts for somebody who switch-hits," Crowley said. "I thought his batting average could be higher for a guy who runs as well as he does. And he had been on enough teams to indicate things hadn't worked out."
Matthews, 27, had been a prized prospect in the San Diego Padres' organization, but now the Orioles are his fifth team. He was with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and New York Mets before coming to the Orioles in April for left-handed reliever John Bale.
He came into the season as a .217 career hitter but entered last night batting .272. Orioles manager Mike Hargrove has used Matthews as a fourth outfielder, rotating him at all three outfield positions. And last night marked the fifth time Matthews hit third in the batting order, the spot normally reserved for the team's best hitter.
Matthews entered last night with just one home run, 13 less than he had last season, but his on-base percentage [.351] was 23 points higher than a year ago.
"Crow's been one of the biggest reasons I've been successful here," Matthews said. "He said, 'We're going to be aggressive, but I don't want you to go out and try to hit home runs.' Ever since he said that, it put my mind at ease. In San Diego, they told me I had to hit 20 home runs. I hit a few last year, but my average was down."
Matthews hasn't abandoned the idea of someday hitting for more power. But, for now, the Orioles are pleased to see him slashing balls in the gaps. He has 12 doubles and three triples after having 15 doubles and two triples last year.
"I'm pleased with his strikeout ration [one for every 4.25 at-bats]," Crowley said. "He's had games where he's gotten out of whack, but for the most part he's making good contact. ... He's come a long way."
Left with few options
Giants left fielder Barry Bonds entered last night leading the National League with a .348 average, which broke down to an identical .348 average against right-handers and left-handers. As a team, the Giants were batting .296 against left-handers and .254 against right-handers.
So that diminished the role left-handed reliever B.J. Ryan would likely have in close ballgames this weekend. "We'll probably try to stay away from B.J. if we can," Hargrove said.
Ryan entered last night with a 7.71 ERA, and Hargrove hinted that the Orioles might be thinking about promoting a left-hander from Triple-A Rochester.
The Orioles could promote Yorkis Perez (1-1 with a 3.86 ERA), or Mike Mohler (0-0, 3.38).
Around the horn
Hargrove started catcher Brook Fordyce for a second consecutive game, leaving Geronimo Gil on the bench, saying Gil would be back in there today. The Orioles entered last night 5-16 in games Fordyce starts behind the plate. ... Rochester catcher Fernando Lunar went on the disabled list after pulling his right hamstring Thursday. The Orioles promoted Trey Salinas from Single-A Delmarva to take his place.