BASEBALL MISCELLANY

NAMES AND NUMBERS

* Ballard’s Sad Ballad: The Baltimore Orioles’ Jeff Ballard was 5-0 through six starts last year and the American League’s pitcher of the month in April. Through six starts this season, he is 0-5, having allowed nine home runs in 37 2/3 innings--after allowing 16 in 215 1/3 innings in 1989, which he finished 18-8. The Orioles suspect that Ballard has not recovered from two elbow operations in November, and he will not start today’s game in Oakland, as scheduled, so he can rest and work on the sideline.

“A lot of times, he can’t get his elbow up to make the pitches he has to make,” pitching coach Al Jackson said. “He just doesn’t have all his weapons right now.”

* Comeback Snag: The Cleveland Indians’ Cory Snyder was batting .329 on April 29 and seemingly on the road back from his inexplicable struggle of last season, but he has since gone four for 38 with 16 strikeouts through Thursday, and has had only one extra-base hit in his last 51 at-bats.

“I just hit a brick wall; I don’t want to talk about it,” Snyder said.

* Rebuilding: Lee Thomas has been doing a wholesale and effective job of it as the Philadelphia Phillies’ general manager. Thomas was hired only two years ago, but only four members of the current roster predate his arrival--pitchers Bruce Ruffin and Don Carman, outfielder Von Hayes and catcher Darren Daulton.

* Radar on Rader: The current Angel slump is the true test of the change in Doug Rader’s personality and temperament rather than 1989’s comparatively stress-free and surprising season of 91 victories. So far, no verbal bouts with writers, fans or players. So far, no sign of the infamous Rader of Texas legend. Perhaps an occasional visit from that ghost might be appropriate, and might just be the internal spark Rader says is needed and which he hopes Dave Winfield will supply.

* Mariners Afloat: Jim Lefebvre has continued to keep Seattle pointed toward its first .500 season despite the loss of No. 1 pitcher Scott Bankhead, who is scheduled for shoulder surgery Monday; first baseman Pete O’Brien, who broke a thumb last week; shortstop Omar Vizquel, who tore knee ligaments on the last day of spring training, and outfielder Jay Buhner, who remains on the disabled list with a spring ankle sprain but is expected back soon.

“We’re trying to shake 12 years of losing. We’re trying to keep a positive attitude no matter what the framework is,” Lefebvre said of the injuries.

* Versatility: With 21 appearances through the Houston Astros’ first 29 games, Eric Yelding had already played second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions. He had also gone six for six against the New York Mets’ undefeated Frank Viola, which may translate to familiarity breeding success. Yelding and Viola were formerly teammates in the Minnesota system.