Your worst fears come true (updated)

Your worst fears come true (updated)
The Garrett Atkins double play in the fourth inning looms large right now. You knew it would if you've been paying attention to this team. You could predict what would happen next. It was as easy as 1-2-3. The Orioles didn't bust open the game, and Jim Johnson gave up the game-tying single to Dustin Pedroia with two outs in the seventh after inheriting Jason Berken's mess. Berken walked No. 9 hitter Darnell McDonald on four pitches to start the two-out rally. That can't...
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Strategy time

Strategy time
We were debating in the press box whether David Hernandez should come out for the sixth inning. I agreed with the decision. Let him start the inning and make sure a reliever is ready. Dustin Pedroia immediately tried to destroy my argument with an opposite-field home run that reduced the Orioles' lead to 3-2. Victor Martinez walked, and the ice beneath Hernandez's feet had practically turned to water. Left-hander Will Ohman was warming, so let Hernandez face right-handed hitting Kevin...
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Sort of taking advantage of mistakes

Sort of taking advantage of mistakes
The Red Sox committed two errors in the fourth inning, and the Orioles scored once to expand their lead to 3-1. It should have been so much more. Miguel Tejada led off with a single and hustled to second on center fielder Darnell McDonald's error. Yes, that Darnell McDonald. With Luke Scott at the plate, the Orioles would have settled for a ground ball to the right side. Instead, John Lackey walked him. Ty Wigginton followed with a sharp grounder that looked like a double-play ball until...
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Jonesing for more production (updated)

Jonesing for more production (updated)
Orioles hitting coach Terry Crowley met privately today with center fielder Adam Jones, who entered tonight's game with a .204 average and .228 on-base percentage. It was part pep-talk, part instructional. "I think from this point forward you're going to see a better Adam Jones," Crowley said. "He hit some balls really far early in the year for some home runs and we might have gotten too thrilled with those home runs and forgot about getting back to the basics of being a good hitter, a...
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Trembley's message to the fans (with video)

Trembley's message to the fans (with video)
The Orioles are 4-18 and own one victory at Camden Yards. They haven't posted a winning season since 1997. So why should fans pay to enter these gates? Dave Trembley talks with the media about turning things around "This is your team. This is the Baltimore Orioles," manager Dave Trembley said. "If you love your team, you love them through good times and bad times and you stick with them, because sooner or later this team will turn it around and you want to be here when that happens....
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Pre-game chatter

Pre-game chatter
Brad Bergesen's locker is set up and manager Dave Trembley confirmed that the right-hander will make tomorrow's start. We already knew it, but I suppose it's worth repeating. "Bergesen is on regular rest to come back and pitch," Trembley said. "He went down there and did the things we asked him to do. I talked to him today earlier and he seems a lot more relaxed, a lot more sure of himself. He pitched very well down there. He got some good work in. I would expect that you'll see Brad...
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Atkins at first; Hughes will DH

Atkins at first; Hughes will DH
Left-hander Wilfrido Perez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A Bowie. For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott LF Ty Wigginton 2B Rhyne Hughes DH Garrett Atkins 1B Cesar Izturis SS David Hernandez RHP For the Red Sox: Scutaro SS Pedroia 2B Martinez C Youkilis 1B Drew RF Ortiz DH Beltre 3B Hermida LF McDonald CF Lackey RHP
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Unofficially official

Unofficially official
Brad Bergesen is no longer listed as tonight's starter for Triple-A Norfolk. Left-hander Chris George has taken Bergesen's place in the Tides' rotation and will make his first start since Sept. 7. Troy Patton takes the ball tomorrow and Brandon Erbe on Sunday. Bergesen will return to the Orioles' rotation tomorrow. A corresponding roster move will be made at that time. Bergesen allowed two runs in seven innings, with no walks, in last Sunday's start with the Tides. He got 14 ground ball...
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Fund for Cuellar

Fund for Cuellar
I wanted to pass along some information to anyone who's interested in contributing to the Mike Cuellar Fund, which has been set up by the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T): Mike Cuellar Fund @ Wachovia Bank, N.A. Account Number.....1010279020512 For wire transfers: # ABA #063000021 The organization also provided assistance to Cuellar's family while the former Orioles great was battling stomach cancer. Also, Ripken Baseball announced today that it will host a group of young baseball players...
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No offense, but... (updated)

No offense, but... (updated)
I'm so glad the Yankees left town so the Orioles can finally get a reprieve. Bring on the Red Sox. Well, at least the ballpark won't be filled with fans cheering for the other team. On a strange note, Robinson Cano went 3-for-4 on the ride to the airport. Rangers first baseman Justin Smoak hit his first career home run last night while Brian Matusz was losing to the Yankees. I told you the Orioles should have drafted Smoak. Just kidding. I swear. The Orioles are 4-18 and looking for...
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More post-game talk

More post-game talk
Brian Matusz: "For the most part I was able to battle and get through some tough jams. I just wasn't locating down in the zone as well as I should have. I've just got to make some adjustments and move forward for my next start against the Yankees." That would be Tuesday in the Bronx. Asked about Robinson Cano, Matusz said, "That guy is swinging the bat so well. You see all those hits he had today. They are different pitches in different locations. I left a curveball up. It was...
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Trembley talks about Matusz (with video)

Trembley talks about Matusz (with video)
Orioles manager Dave Trembley wasn't tempted to return Brian Matusz to the mound in the seventh inning. In his opinion, and that's the one that counts, Matusz was done after allowing three runs and throwing 96 pitches through six. "I don't think it was the right thing to do to let him face their lineup again for the fourth time," he said. "Having to work as hard as he did the first three times and the amount of guys who got on base every inning, the amount of two-strike pitches he had to...
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Albers making a statement? (updated twice)

Albers making a statement? (updated twice)
Perhaps something along the lines of, "I want to stay here?" Matt Albers tossed a scoreless inning last night, and he dominated the Yankees in the seventh tonight, retiring Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira on bouncers to the mound and striking out Nick Swisher. His fastball reached 95 mph. Albers' ERA is down to 7.59 in a team-leading 12 appearances, but is it too late to save his job? As you know, a roster spot must be created Saturday for Brad Bergesen. Albers is vulnerable despite being...
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Matusz done for the night

Matusz done for the night
It won't go down as a win, but Brian Matusz has turned in a quality start by holding the Yankees to three runs over six innings. His pitch count stands at 96, and the Orioles' bullpen was busy in the sixth. Matt Albers continues to throw in the seventh, and Matusz isn't going to return. Marcus Thames is 3-for-3 with an RBI against Matusz. Nobody can handle Robinson Cano. Matusz allowed nine hits, struck out two and didn't walk a batter. Brian Matusz talks with the media about his start...
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Now this is happening

Now this is happening
Gwinnett's Matt Jones, who made the final out last night to seal Chris Tillman's no-hitter, belted a three-run homer off Jake Arrieta in the fourth inning. It was fun while it lasted. Arrieta had allowed one earned run in 28 innings until the fourth. Left-hander Brian Matusz could use better luck, and a lineup that's missing Robinson Cano. The Orioles need to pitch around that guy. He began the night batting .390, and his seventh home run increased New York's lead to 2-0 in the...
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What's happening so far (updated)

What's happening so far (updated)
Triple-A Norfolk's Jake Arrieta has allowed one baserunner, on a walk, over the first two innings tonight against Gwinnett. I'm just saying... The Orioles got their first hit off Yankees starter A.J. Burnett on Ty Wigginton's two-out single in the second inning. History won't be made here tonight. Adam Jones led off the bottom of the first by grounding to short, but he ran the count full, so at least he was patient. The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the top half on Derek Jeter's leadoff...
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More pre-game notes

More pre-game notes
I just saw a report that the band A-ha is breaking up after 30 years. Here's a bigger story for me: The band A-ha was still together after 30 years. Jeremy Guthrie was distraught after last night's game, apologizing to practically everyone for his poor performance. Trembley recalled looking out a window of the warehouse during a recent rainstorm and seeing Guthrie running on the warning track. "He's as tireless a worker as anybody," Trembley said. "The guy just prepares himself, he...
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Trembley's not concerned about Roberts

Trembley's not concerned about Roberts
Second baseman Brian Roberts had an endoscopy today to determine the source of his gastrointestinal discomfort, but the Orioles believe the ailment is related to the medication he's taken for his herniated disk and other aches and pains. "I talked to him last night," manager Dave Trembley said. "It's his feeling that he's been taking a lot of medication. I think he's off the medication now. Some of the medication might have just upset his stomach, so that was another issue he was...
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What's next for Koji? (w/quotes)

What's next for Koji? (w/quotes)
Reliever Koji Uehara will continue his injury-rehab assignment by reporting to Triple-A Norfolk and pitching Saturday against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz wants Uehara to come out of the bullpen rather than start the game. Uehara has worked the first inning in two games with Double-A Bowie, allowing one hit and walking a batter. Uehara probably will make two appearances at Norfolk, the second coming on Monday, before the Orioles decide whether to activate him. Manager...
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 2B Rhyne Hughes 1B Nolan Reimold LF Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP For the Yankees: Jeter SS Swisher RF Teixeira 1B Rodriguez 3B Cano 2B Thames DH Granderson CF Cervelli C Gardner LF Burnett RHP Chris Tillman's nine-inning no-hitter last night was the first by an Orioles' Triple-A pitcher since Wayne Garland on April 20, 1974. Radhames Liz has the last nine-inning no-hitter by one...
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