*Orioles activate 2B DeShields from 15-day DL*
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BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Baltimore Orioles activated second
baseman Delino DeShields from the 15-day disabled list after
tonight's 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. 

DeShields was placed on the disabled list on June 21 with a
strained right hamstring.  He had hit in 16 of 19 games prior to
suffering the injury on June 20 against the Chicago White Sox. 

The 30-year-old DeShields is batting .274 with four homers and
18 RBI this season.  He hit .208 with two homers and four RBI in
six minor-league games during his rehabilitation. 

"We are very pleased to have Delino rejoin the team," Baltimore
general manager Frank Wren said.  "He was playing very well
prior to his injury and his return gives an element of speed and
versatility to our lineup." 

Rookie Jerry Hairston filled in admirably for the veteran second
baseman, batting .278 with two homerss and six RBI in 24 games
with the club.  However, Hairston was optioned to Rochester of
the International League to make room for DeShields on the
25-man roster. 

"Jerry Hairston did an outstanding job in his time with us and
by going to Rochester, he will continue to play and develop on
an everyday basis," Wren said. 

Hairston was 1-for-4 with an RBI against the Red Sox tonight. 

DeShields signed a three-year deal with Baltimore in December
1998 after spending nine years with Montreal, Los Angeles and
St. Louis. 

The Orioles have won eight of their last 10 games and are 9 1/2
games behind Boston and Toronto in the American League wild-card
race. 

st 07-23-99 01:08 et