BASEBALL / AMERICAN LEAGUE REPORT : CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES : Hitless Henderson Tries to Get Loose

How concerned was Rickey Henderson about going hitless in six at-bats during the playoffs?

Concerned enough to make an appearance at an optional workout Friday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Henderson, who batted .400 and stole a playoff-record eight bases against the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1989 playoffs, walked twice during the Oakland A’s series-opening 4-3 victory Wednesday, but never got past first either time. He struck out twice Thursday against Toronto’s David Cone, leading him to take some extra swings Friday.

“(Thursday) was a bad day,” said Henderson, who ended an Oakland threat Thursday when he flailed at a Cone slider during the fifth with runners on second and third. “I didn’t feel comfortable, so I thought I’d get loose. That way, you keep your timing.”

“He’s been pitched to well,” Blue Jay Manager Cito Gaston said of Henderson. “Cone pitched outstanding to him and that’s the first time he’s seen Cone.”

The top three hitters in Oakland’s batting order--Henderson, Carney Lansford and Ruben Sierra--were one for 21 after the first two games. Sierra had a ninth-inning triple Thursday.

“If you’re going to be successful throughout the year, no matter who you play, the top of the lineup is the key,” Blue Jay pitching coach Galen Cisco said. “If you hold them and keep the walks down, you’re going to be successful.”

Said Oakland Manager Tony La Russa: “Rickey getting on base is like a run or two for us. If he has a great game, it’s three runs. (Thursday), you just had to give Cone credit for pitching a great game.”

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With all three games at the Oakland Coliseum scheduled for the afternoon and weather forecasts calling for sunny skies with highs in the 80s, the weather is likely to be a factor.

“When I played here, the warmer it got, the better the ball carried,” said Toronto batting coach Gene Tenace, who played in five playoffs with the A’s and four World Series with the A’s and the Cardinals. “It carried well for me. . . . The time of day we’re playing is going to make it tough for the fielders. I’ve seen people miss a lot of balls out there. The ball will definitely carry when the weather is hot and humid.”

The A’s were 38-25 in day games this season and 58-41 in night games. Another possible factor is the Coliseum grass: The Blue Jays, who play most of their games on the artificial surface in the SkyDome, were 32-31 on grass.

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Blue Jay reliever Mark Eichhorn, traded by the Angels to Toronto July 30 for Rob Ducey and Greg Myers, couldn’t be happier with the way the deal has turned out.

“At the time, Chuck Crim was throwing the ball well and so were Joe Grahe and Mike Butcher, so I was expendable,” he said. “Whitey (Herzog) did me a favor by asking around to see if anyone was interested, and Toronto was.

“I’ve been playing for 14 years and this is the first time I’ve had this opportunity. It’s just been great.”

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Twelve Oakland regulars worked out during the optional session. Toronto’s workout was mandatory but brief. . . . La Russa said he might put Jerry Browne into the lineup batting second, with Lansford in the middle of the order, but said he was inclined Friday to leave Lansford in the No. 2 spot. . . . Kelly Gruber (sore throat and fever) worked out and Gaston said he expects him to play today.