The longest errorless streak of Mike Bordick's career almost went unnoticed.

The Orioles shortstop wasn't aware that he had gone 60 games without a defensive gaffe until reading about it yesterday. His personal record, set in 1993 with Oakland, was broken Friday.

"You just try to be as consistent as possible out there," said Bordick, whose streak moved to 61 after last night. "There have been a few balls that I think probably could've been errors."

Bordick actually lobbied an official scorer in Arizona to change a hit to an error, which would've ended his streak. He couldn't make a clean play on a one-hopper up the middle from Quinton McCracken, with the ball skipping off his glove.

Before last night, Bordick hadn't made an error since April 10, and possessed a streak of 326 errorless attempts. Cal Ripken holds the major-league record among shortstops with 428 in 1990.

Coming off shoulder surgery last summer, Bordick had to regain his arm strength along with his timing at shortstop, where he's always ranked among the game's steadiest fielders. The Orioles couldn't adequately replace him last season and needed a healthy return.

"I just wanted to prove to myself that I could come out and play," he said. "I still think my arm has some improving to do. And it felt better since it's warmed up a little bit."

B. Roberts stretched out

Manager Mike Hargrove kept second base open on his lineup card until making sure Brian Roberts was available, which became official shortly before batting practice.

Roberts stayed on the bench the past two nights because of cramping in his left leg that started while he played catch before Thursday's game against the New York Yankees.

"I was just out there throwing and it locked up, knotted up, and got real tight and sore," he said. "I don't know if I was dehydrated from the heat. But today it feels pretty good."

Conine stuck on DL

Two days of running has brought Jeff Conine closer to the end of his stay on the disabled list. But he's not sure when he'll find the finish line.

Conine is eligible to come off the DL today, but the Orioles could wait until after the All-Star break so he receives three extra days of rest.

"With the way things are progressing, hopefully I'll be back before then," he said, adding that he ran with about 60 percent effort Friday.

"We have, what, six games before the break?" Hargrove said. "If he's ready before then, we'll activate him, but those three days of doing nothing are real enticing."

Leon touches home

Jose Leon's first major-league home run was truly a family affair.

With his parents and wife in the stands Friday night, Leon sent a fastball crashing into the center-field bleachers.

The rookie traded a fortunate fan a signed ball and bat for the keepsake. "I gave it to my mom and dad. They got my first base hit, and now they have my home run," he said.

Leon hasn't seen his parents since the day before spring training. His parents traveled from Puerto Rico, and arrived at Rochester on Thursday, only to learn that he had been called up to the Orioles. They spent the rest of the day driving to Baltimore.