and his production Tuesday pushed his April average to a blistering .358. Given his offensive success and considerable positional versatility, Pinder looks poised to continue enjoying regular playing time.

Pinder had started six of the Athletics' last seven games, notching 10 hits -- including four for extra bases -- in 26 at-bats while scoring eight runs and plating four more. The utility man doesn't have a direct path to an everyday role, but the Athletics won't struggle to find ways to keep him in the lineup at least semi-regularly while he wields a hot bat.

Pinder went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored Wednesday against the Orioles.

Pinder took Dan Straily deep in the second inning to record his third home run of the season. He's takenBy July 1, 1985, Padgett had learned of the tax liens. On that date, however, during a meeting with his lawyer and with Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, Padgett executed an agreement whereby he assumed Gilreath's mortgage. The Gilreath mortgage to Mr. and Mrs. Hughes contained provisions that would permit foreclosure in the event that taxes assessed against the property went unpaid or liens attached to it went unsatisfied.
By the time he entered the assumption agreement, Padgett had already tendered a down payment to Gilreath and had begun making improvements. He continued to keep the mortgage payments current. Padgett testified that at the meeting where the mortgage assumption agreement was executed, Mr. Hughes stated that he would foreclose the mortgage so that Padgett could receive clear, unencumbered title when