Spring Training / Highlights : Oberkfell, Behind Horner, Wants Extension or Trade

Ken Oberkfell, the Atlanta Braves’ insurance policy against another Bob Horner injury, wants the National League team to extend his contract or trade him to a team where he can be a full-time player.

Oberkfell, obtained by the Braves from St. Louis last year when Horner broke his right wrist for the second straight season, said he plans to talk with Brave General Manager John Mullen about his position.

“I sincerely hope for Bob and this team that he does come back all the way, because he’s a great player,” Oberkfell said. “But once in a while, you have to think about yourself.

“If Bob does make it, at the end of the year when I’m a free agent, people are going to say, ‘What did you do last year?’ and what’s the answer going to be?”

Oberkfell had the right to demand a trade at the end of last season.

“When there was a lot of uncertainty about Bob’s condition, I did the Braves a favor and didn’t demand one,” he said. “Now, all I’m asking for is them to be fair with me.”

Oberkfell’s contract, which expires at the end of this season, calls for a $600,000 salary.

While several teams have expressed interest in the 28-year-old third baseman, the Braves have indicated that they want to start the season with Oberkfell on their 25-man roster, just in case Horner, who underwent surgery on his wrist in December, is not ready to make a complete comeback.

“I understand their situation and I hope they understand mine,” Oberkfell said. “If I can’t get a chance here, then let me have it somewhere else.”

Exhibition Notes

A mental lapse by Boston right fielder Dwight Evans and a wind-blown triple by Detroit’s Larry Herndon contributed to a five-run seventh inning as the Tigers beat the Red Sox, 7-6, at Lakeland, Fla. With the Red Sox leading, 4-2, reliever Mark Clear walked Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell to start the Detroit seventh. Whitaker stole third and scored on Kirk Gibson’s single. Bob Ojeda came on after Lance Parrish popped out and gave up an intentional walk to pinch-hitter Marty Castillo that loaded the bases. Barbaro Garbey then lofted a pinch sacrifice fly that Evans caught on the warning track, but both Trammell and Gibson scored as Evans held onto the ball. Herndon then hit a pinch triple that fell between three players down the line in shallow right. Herndon scored when Ojeda balked, and the Tigers led, 7-4.

Cecil Cooper’s two-run home run in the ninth inning lifted the Milwaukee Brewers to a 7-5 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Sun City, Ariz. . . . Steve Lake singled, doubled and tripled, driving in four runs to give the Chicago Cubs an 8-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians at Tucson. Indian Manager Pat Corrales was ejected for arguing about a play at the plate in the third inning. . . . Juan Samuel’s two-out single in the ninth drove in Greg Gross as the Philadelphia Phillies edged the St. Louis Cardinals, 3-2, at Clearwater, Fla., for their fifth straight win.

Right-hander Dave Stieb threw seven strong innings, scattering three hits, to give the Toronto Blue Jays a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dunedin, Fla. . . . Phil Garner and Tim Tolman each drove in four runs as the Houston Astros raked Sid Fernandez for 10 hits and eight runs in four innings on their way to a 12-2 victory over the New York Mets at St. Petersburg, Fla. The Astros lost pitcher Mike Madden, who broke his left thumb attempting to bunt in the second inning. Madden is expected to miss one month.