Hernandez: No Closer Inspection of Criticism

SEATTLE Roberto Hernandez doesn't know why Texas Rangers pitchingcoach Claude Osteen singled him out for derision last week when hesaid the White Sox reliever doesn't compare to his own closer, TomHenke.

Nor does he care.

"I'm not in competition with him or Henke; I'm in competitionwith their hitters," Hernandez said of tonight's start of a four-gameseries at Texas.

"Of all the teams I've faced since 1991, the one I've had themost trouble with is Texas (8.21 ERA). That's why every year Istrive to do better against them. I don't now why all that cameabout, but it doesn't affect me."

QUOTE MASTER: Tim Belcher, set to make his Sox debut Thursday,is a delight for reporters. When he needed extensive treatment onhis shoulder in mid-June after pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, hewent to his laptop computer.

"Media members: To assist you in your quest for quotes, let useliminate the needless and often time-consuming volley of intellectwhile crowded around a cramped cubicle. Please accept my `seriousand thoughtful' account of the game."

THE NAME GAME: General manager Ron Schueler hadn't written offReds GM Jim Bowden before Saturday's deal for two minor league pitchers. He was just upset that ScottRuffcorn's name had been revealed.

"I can't prove it's his fault, but somehow it got out," Schuelersaid.

"The thing that broke down the deal were Jason Bere, ScottRuffcorn and Jim Baldwin. We weren't going to give any of them up."

ALVAREZ CONCERN: The club is bothered by Wilson Alvarez'sincreasing wildness. He walked five in one inning during Saturdaynight's 13-10 victory for a major league high 89.

"You try to be patient with walks, but they're hard to tolerate,especially at the major league level," manager Gene Lamont said.

MONSTER MASHES: The White Sox tied last season's total of 110home runs in their 102nd game when Frank Thomas and Bo Jacksonconnected Saturday.

Jackson's went 472 feet to center, longest of the season for aSox.

"You see Bo and Frank hit so many monster shots in battingpractice that you're surprised when you don't see more in a game,"Lamont said.

"But then, most of theirs in BP are when I'm out there."