Orioles File Protest Over Defeat

The Baltimore Orioles have formally asked acting commissioner Bud Selig and A.L. president Gene Budig to overturn their Game 1 loss to the Yankees, saying “the best interests of baseball demand no less.”

Pressing their claim that the game-tying, eighth-inning home run by Derek Jeter should be overturned because of fan interference, Orioles owner Peter Angelos and general manager Pat Gillick submitted a five-page written protest Thursday that included five attached pages of newspaper articles.

Baltimore asked that Game 1 of the American League championship series be resumed with the Orioles ahead 4-3 in the eighth and Jeter at the plate.

“The best interests of baseball demand that this wrong be righted,” the Orioles said. “The best interest of the baseball fans is not served by the silence on the part of those who have a responsibility to speak. Here, millions of fans, the national media, and umpire himself have already spoken. It is time now for the commissioner to safeguard the integrity and restore public confidence in baseball.”

Jeter’s homer, pulled over the wall by a 12-year-old fan on Wednesday (see page A1), tied the game 4-4 and New York won 5-4 in the 11th on a home run by Bernie Williams.

Under baseball’s rules, protests are not permitted on judgment calls.

Say it ain’t so, Bobby Bo

Bobby Bonilla’s postseason slump continues. Bonilla struck out four times in Game 2 as the Orioles topped the Yankees, his second four-strikeout performance in the last three games.

Bonilla’s last hit was a bases-empty homer in his first at-bat of Game 4 of the division series.

Neagle gets nod

There’s no guessing anymore. Denny Neagle will be on the mound for the Braves in Game 4 of the NLCS.

Manager Bobby Cox had indicated before the series that if he decided to go to a fourth starter, it would be Neagle. Tom Glavine is slated to go on Saturday when the series shifts to St. Louis.

Piazza won’t need surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza had an MRI on his right knee earlier this week and won’t need arthroscopic surgery at this time.

Piazza had the MRI on Tuesday at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in nearby Inglewood. The Dodgers said Thursday it showed the slight tear to the meniscus has improved.

Dr. Ralph Gambardella also said Piazza will begin a rehabilitation program immediately to strengthen the knee.

Piazza, who hit .336 with 36 homers and 105 RBIs this season, had an MRI in late May on the same knee. At that time, the scan showed a slight tear to the meniscus.

Torborg looks around

The Boston Red Sox are well aware of Jeff Torborg’s interest in their managing job because CEO John Harrington phoned him a few days ago, according to a source close to the talks.

Torborg will be interviewed by Boston following the American League playoffs, which he’s working as a CBS Radio analyst, and is expected to remain the front-runner.

Torborg has tried to maintain a low profile after being perceived as lobbying for the Baltimore Orioles job when Phil Regan was fired in 1995.