A.L. East.(BASEBALL)

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

RHP Hoyden Penn (appendicitis) was lost to the club last week before he could throw a pitch. He is expected to return later this season. The club replaced Penn with LHP Adam Loewen, its only other high-level pitching prospect. Loewen's stay with the O's likely will be brief, but he'll be in the big leagues for good next year; he'll be out of minor league options after 2006.... RHP Chris Ray, the closer, last week worked more than an inning in three straight appearances-his first such outings this year-but the club will hold him to one inning as often as possible. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: CF Corey Patterson's recent hot hitting has been fueled by his bunting ability. After he began the season 1-for-18, the club convinced him to work more on laying down bunts. The speedster legged out some bunt hits, which helped him relax at the plate. He soon was hitting line drives to all fields.--Spencer Fordin

TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS

Before landing on the D.L. this week with a groin injury, LHP Casey Fossum had improved his control and was more effective overall after making several adjustments. Fossum had honed his two-seam fastball and stopped trying to be perfect with inside pitches.... SS Julio Lugo wasn't in top form immediately after returning from the D.L. last month. Lugo says he needed 10 days to get back to game speed and regain his timing after missing 28 games with an abdominal strain. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: If manager Joe Maddon had his way, he'd start all righthanded hitters against Blue Jays ace RHP Roy Halladay. Lefthanders struggle against Halladay's two-seam fastball, which darts away from them as it reaches the plate. Maddon started three lefthanded batters and two switch hitters against Halladay in a game last month. The five were 2-for-17 combined against Halladay in a 4-1 loss.--Bill Chastain

BOSTON RED SOX

The club can get by without a lefthanded reliever because RHPs Keith Foulke and David Riske are effective against lefthanded hitters. Foulke's changeup cuts in on leffhanders and often induces popups.... 3B Mike Lowell's swing is more direct to the ball this season. Lowell broke down his swing during the offseason and noticed there was too much movement. That led to his hitting foul balls on pitches he should have hit hard in fair territory. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Discussion about 18 Kevin Youkilis always centers on his outstanding plate discipline, but that isn't why he has come up big in his first season as an everyday player. Annual offseason work at the Athletes Performance institute in Tempe, Adz., has increased Youkilis' strength and agility, which give him more pop at the plate and better fielding ability.--Ian Browne

NEW YORK YANKEES