After Johnson, Moyer’s a Change

When Angel infielder Dave Hollins was told a few weeks ago his team would be facing Seattle’s Randy Johnson and Jamie Moyer in a critical two-game series in the final week of the season, it wasn’t the Big Unit Hollins worried about.

“Damn, we get Moyer?” Hollins said. “His changeup is impossible to hit.”

Moyer’s comeback is almost as impossible to figure out. The soft-serving left-hander was released by five teams from 1990 to ‘95, including the Orioles in 1995, and he spent 1992 at triple-A Toledo, but Moyer will start Game 2 for the Mariners against Baltimore today.

Acquired from Boston for reserve outfielder Darren Bragg on July 30, 1996, Moyer has gone 23-7 for the Mariners, including a 17-5 record and 3.86 earned-run average this season. A lopsided deal? The Angel equivalent would be getting a 17-game winner for Orlando Palmeiro.

“He’s been one of our mainstays--he’s pitched extremely well,” Manager Lou Piniella said. “His game is location, finesse, he plays with hitters’ timing. What a job he’s done for us. He’s been a model of consistency.”

Piniella likes to pitch Moyer behind Johnson in the rotation because of the wide variance between Johnson’s 97-mph fastball and Moyer’s off-speed deliveries, and Moyer, who has a 5-1 career record against Baltimore, acknowledges that has contributed to his success.

“I don’t think I’ve ever put any fear in any players’ eyes,” Moyer said. “I won’t be throwing any 95-mph fastballs by anyone’s chin.”

Of course, that didn’t help Johnson much Wednesday night in Game 1.

Tonight’s Game

BALTIMORE’S SCOTT ERICKSON

(16-7, 3.69 ERA)

vs.

SEATTLE’S JAMIE MOYER

(17-5, 3.86 ERA)

1 p.m., Seattle Kingdome

TV--ESPN

* Update: Moyer’s career record was 34-57 after losing a game on May 30, 1993, but the left-hander has a 55-27 record since. “But I really feel like I’m the same pitcher now as I was then,” Moyer said. “I haven’t changed anything. It’s just a matter of getting a consistent opportunity.” Moyer has a 5-1 career record against Baltimore, but two Orioles have given him trouble, Brady Anderson (.482) and B.J. Surhoff (.408). Surhoff, Rafael Palmeiro and Roberto Alomar will return to the lineup after not starting against Randy Johnson on Wednesday night. Erickson has an 8-8 career record against Seattle, and his two Mariner nemeses are Ken Griffey Jr., who is hitting .423 (22 for 52) with four homers, seven doubles and 12 RBIs against the right-hander, and Alex Rodriguez, who is hitting .444 (eight for 18) against him.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Series at a Glance

(Orioles lead series 1-0)

* Game 1: Baltimore 9, Seattle 3

* Game 2: Today at Seattle, 1 p.m.

* Game 3: Sat. at Baltimore, 1:30 p.m.

* Game 4: Sunday at Baltimore, 1 p.m.*

* Game 5: Monday at Baltimore, 1 p.m.*

* If necessary