NAMES AND NUMBERS

REUNION: Dennis Eckersley of the Oakland Athletics encountered Kirk Gibson of the Detroit Tigers last Monday night for the first time since Gibson, then with the Dodgers, delivered his game-winning, pinch-homer in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. The latest confrontation was anticlimactic. Gibson drew an intentional walk, after which Eckersley said of the ’88 meeting: “I’ve done a lot since then. He’s been living off it for five years.”

* CAN YOU TOP THIS? Three members of the Atlanta Braves’ touted rotation--Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Steve Avery--combined to give up only three runs in the 25 2/3 innings of their opening starts against the Chicago Cubs, prompting Avery to say: “We’re all competitive and try to one-up each other, but if we have to keep throwing shutouts or one-run games, it’s going to be tough.”

* ON WRY, PLEASE: Frank Viola, who beat David Cone and the Toronto Blue Jays with a one-hitter in the SkyDome late last season, again beat the Royal pitcher at Kansas City last Wednesday night, 3-2. Said the Boston Red Sox left-hander: “Everybody was talking about David Cone, David Cone, again. I felt like a piece of chopped liver. I’ve had a pretty good career, too.”

* AT THE GATE: The Dodgers approach their home opener Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals with about 26,000 season tickets sold. Vice President Walter Nash said he couldn’t remember the last time they failed to reach their 27,000 limit, although it’s still a possibility that they’ll reach it again.

* ODDS AND ENDS: Kansas City third baseman Keith Miller pulled a groin muscle on opening day and went on the disabled list for the sixth time since 1990. . . . Kevin Mitchell has had his share of off-the-

field problems, but he will have to be on his best behavior this summer. His Cincinnati apartment is two doors from Red Manager Tony Perez’s. . . . Rheal Cormier, 3-10 at one point last year, has the longest winning streak of any pitcher in baseball. The St. Louis Cardinal left-hander won seven in a row to finish 10-10 last year, and won his first start of ’93 against the San Francisco Giants. . . . Eckersley walked only 11 batters in ‘92, but he walked two Tigers on opening night, including Milt Cuyler, who drew only 10 walks last season.