PRO BASEBALL / MIKE HISERMAN : Hernandez Appreciated in Cleveland

Cleveland is not much of a place to visit, but Jeremy Hernandez certainly doesn’t mind working there.

The former Poly High and Cal State Northridge standout has been a mainstay in the Indians’ bullpen since a June 1 deal that sent him to the American League from San Diego in exchange for Tracy Sanders and Fernando Hernandez, a pair of double-A outfielders.

Hernandez, a right-hander who turns 27 on Wednesday, was used sporadically by the Padres. For the Indians, he has found a niche as a late-inning setup man and part-time closer.

“Just knowing what situations they want me for has helped a lot,” Hernandez said. “Now I’m able to prepare myself mentally for what I am going to face.”

In 14 games since the trade, Hernandez has a record of 1-1, four saves and a 1.08 earned-run average. In 25 innings, he has allowed only 13 hits while striking out 12 and walking five.

On Hernandez’s first day with Cleveland, he was told by Indian Manager Mike Hargrove and pitching coach Rick Adair that he would see action in a variety of bullpen situations until the club could decide on his role.

“I said, ‘Fine. I want to show you what I have and win a job,’ ” Hernandez said.

Of course, Hernandez had heard a similar story before. Prior to this season, Padre management told him he would be counted on as the team’s closer. However, during the spring, Hernandez was given only one opportunity to pitch in a save situation.

Gene Harris emerged as the Padres’ stopper and Hernandez was relegated to a setup role with part-time mop-up duty. When Hernandez pitched well--he had an 11-inning scoreless string--he pitched often. But as soon as he had a bad outing, the club was quick to lose confidence.

As a result, Hernandez’s belief in himself waned. “It was a change, and I needed one,” he said of the trade. “I was losing confidence in my ability.”

Hernandez appeared in 21 games for the Padres, posting an 0-2 record and a 4.72 ERA. In 34 innings he allowed 41 hits and seven walks with 26 strikeouts.

Cleveland has made good on its only promise--that he would pitch often. Hernandez has appeared in almost half of the games the Indians have played since the trade. “I was all for it,” Hernandez said of the club’s plan. “It feels good to have somebody counting on me again.”

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Damon Buford, who played center field so admirably for Baltimore when Mike Devereaux went on the disabled list May 3, has failed to reclaim a spot in the Orioles’ lineup. Since Devereaux returned from a separated left shoulder on May 27, Buford has only two at-bats--both hits in appearances as a pinch- hitter.

Buford, a Birmingham High graduate, has been kept in reserve even though Brady Anderson, the club’s left fielder, went on the DL June 23 with the chicken pox. Instead of moving Buford over from center, the Orioles called up former Stanford star Jeffrey Hammonds, their first-round draft choice in 1992.

Hammonds has temporarily claimed the position by batting .391 with a home run and four runs batted in.

Anderson is eligible to come off the DL on July 8, leaving the Orioles to decide whether Buford would be better off playing for Rochester (N.Y.), Baltimore’s affiliate in the triple-A International League.

“We’re going to have to make some kind of move and Damon knows that if everyone is healthy there is a chance he will go to Rochester where he can play every day,” said Doug Melvin, the Orioles’ assistant general manager and director of player development.

Buford had a game-winning ninth-inning hit off Toronto closer Duane Ward within days of being promoted to Baltimore in May. “Damon came up and gave us a boost,” Melvin said. “He will be a fine major league player.”

For now, Buford is caught in a logjam of young, talented outfielders in the Orioles’ system. Devereaux is 30, Anderson is 29, right fielder Mark McLemore is 28 and Hammonds is 22. In triple-A is 23-year-old Mark Smith, a power hitter who was drafted out of USC in 1991.

Buford, a 10th-round draft choice out of USC in 1990, is the son of Don Buford, a former Oriole outfielder who is manager of the Bowie Baysox, Baltimore’s affiliate in the double-A Eastern League.

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Until he notched a victory in relief on Friday night, Mark Gubicza (1-6), a Northridge resident, could relate to the plight of New York Mets right-hander Anthony Young. Young broke an 82-year-old major league record last week by losing his 24th consecutive decision--a streak that dates back to April 19, 1992. Young lost his 25th in a row Friday.

Gubicza, a right-hander for the Kansas City Royals, had a losing skein almost as long in duration. His previous victory came June 19 of last season, although he lost only eight in a row.

In 1988, Gubicza was a 20-game winner for the Royals.