The Hot Corner

It's a tired debate, but yet another home run explosion—an average of 2.6 per game had been hit through Sunday; last year's record total (5,528 homers) was achieved at a pace of 2.3—again has fueled talk that the ball is juiced. Padres pitching coach Dave Smith compared some of this year's balls with some from 1999. "These balls are more solid than what we had last year," Smith says. One American League hitting coach agrees: "Instead of aluminum bats we have aluminum balls."...

The Mariners have the second-lowest team ERA (3.91 at week's end) in the American League and more help is on the way. Lefthander Ryan (Little Unit) Anderson—who's 6'11" and only 20-years-old—struck out 20 in 11? innings and allowed three hits in his first two starts at Triple A Tacoma....

The Indians' players are taking not-so-veiled shots at former manager Mike Hargrove, now skipper of the Orioles. "Charlie's great," Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel said last week, referring to new Cleveland manager Charlie Manuel. "It seems like we have more freedom this year. Last year it seemed like you were always being watched."...

Mets shortstop Rey Ordo�ez was criticized last week by manager Bobby Valentine for a lack of offense (.143 average); he also had already made four errors, the same number he had all last year....

The Angels think righthander Ramon Ortiz, 23, can continue to pitch with a slight tear of the labrum in his right shoulder, but they plan to watch him closely. "There will be no compromising our future for our needs right now," says manager Mike Scioscia.