NAMES & NUMBERS

When Otis Nixon of the Atlanta Braves tied Eddie Collins’ 1912 major league record for steals in a game with six against the Montreal Expos last Sunday, it gave him 222 in 1,279 major league at-bats.

The ratio of one steal per 5.76 at-bats is superior to those of active steal leaders Rickey Henderson (6.42), Vince Coleman (6.45), Tim Raines (8.45) and Willie Wilson (11.2).

“I thought the record was held by somebody like Henderson or Coleman; I don’t even know who this guy (Hall of Famer Collins) is,” said Nixon, whose April 1 acquisition by the Braves seems to have been a steal of another sort.

A part-time player who hit .228 in eight previous seasons, Nixon came from the Expos for minor league catcher Jimmy Kremers and is batting .340 with 33 steals, playing most frequently in left field. He will soon have enough plate appearances to qualify for the list of league batting leaders.

Since his return from Japan before the 1990 season, Cecil Fielder has driven in at least 18 runs and not more than 25 in every month with the Detroit Tigers. He is bidding to become the first player to lead the American League in RBIs in consecutive seasons since Roger Maris in 1960-61, and the first in either league since Mike Schmidt led the National in 1980-81.

The revolving door to the New York Yankees’ clubhouse isn’t spinning at its previous rate. The Yankees have 4 1/2 farm products--Don Mattingly, Roberto Kelly, Pat Kelly, Kevin Maas and platoon outfielder Hensley Meulens--in their regular lineup, the most since 1972.

How extensive has the usual turnover been? Consider that when Roberto Kelly marks his third year with the club Monday, he will be second in continuous service to Mattingly.

The Texas Rangers, who Thursday recalled Terry Mathews and bought Calvin Schiraldi from the Houston Astros, have employed 18 pitchers this season. An offense that is third in the league in runs has powered the Rangers into contention despite the lack of pitching stability.

The Cleveland Indians have been shut out 11 times and have scored three or fewer runs in 40 games, losing 31. The lack of support is getting to Greg Swindell, who is 3-5 despite a 2.22 earned-run average, the league’s fourth-best mark.

“We’re not being aggressive, we’re just letting teams roll over us,” Swindell said. “But I’m not the hitting instructor, I’m not the manager--I’m just a pitcher.”

Director Barry Levinson, whose films include “Diner,” “Tin Men” and “Avalon,” all Baltimore-oriented, is part of a group, headed by clothing chain owner Leonard Weinglass, seeking to meet Eli Jacobs’ $120-million price tag for the Orioles.

A concern, Weinglass said as he announced his intentions and noted the standings in the American League East, is that he would then need another $20 million or so to bring in new players.