Today's lineups

Today's lineups
For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott DH Matt Wieters C Ty Wigginton 1B Julio Lugo 2B Cesar Izturis SS Kevin Millwood RHP Second baseman Brian Roberts is listed among the reserves again today. So is Craig Tatum, who figured to start following a night game, but remains on the bench. For the Blue Jays: Bautista RF Gonzalez SS Lind DH Wells CF Overbay 1B Buck C Encarnacion 3B Snider LF McDonald 2B Marcum RHP
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Post-game remarks (with Trembley video)

Post-game remarks (with Trembley video)
Here's the opening statement from Orioles manager Dave Trembley: "(David) Hernandez pitched well, but their guy pitched better. That's it. We didn't score any runs. Had limited opportunities. Needed a couple hits and didn't get them. I'll take the way Hernandez pitched. We'll win some games if he pitches like that." Looking at the first five games of the season, Trembley said, "We played competitive baseball. The games are close. We've had, for the most part, well-pitched games out...
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So much for that idea (updated)

So much for that idea (updated)
With two outs in the fourth inning and first base open, the Orioles decided to walk Travis Snider intentionally and bring No. 9 hitter Jose Molina to the plate. Not a bad plan - except David Hernandez drilled Molina to force in the tie-breaking run. Blue Jays 1, Orioles 0. Hernandez's 93 mph fastball hit Molina in the fleshy part. No need to get specific. Just know that it was Molina, so it was fleshy. Maybe the pitch was retaliation for Blue Jays starter Dana Eveland nailing the...
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The heat is on

The heat is on
David Hernandez might want to get that fastball down in the zone. He was living the high life in the first inning, which is dangerous. but his velocity seemed fine. Hernandez was pumping his fastball at 94-95 mph in the first inning, when he stranded two runners to keep the game scoreless. He got two strikes on Lyle Overbay with 94 mph heat, then induced a pop up on an 84 mph slider to end the inning. Jose Bautista struck out on an 81 mph slider before Adam Lind doubled with two outs and...
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Still updating Gonzalez (because I can)

Still updating Gonzalez (because I can)
Closer Mike Gonzalez sounds encouraged after going over some video with pitching coach Rick Kranitz and conferring with him about the mechanical flaws that, they hope, are causing him to fly off the mound and mishandle leads. "I definitely saw some things that I couldn't see, obviously, when you're on the mound," Gonzalez said. "I was doing some different things that I hadn't done prior in the years that I've been doing this. It was a big difference and I'm thankful that Kranny was...
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Still updating Roberts (because I can)

Still updating Roberts (because I can)
Second baseman Brian Roberts estimated that it could be four to six days before he's ready to play, but he remains hopeful that he'll avoid a trip to the disabled list. Roberts said he feels "actually a little better than I thought." "I was definitely pretty sore last night, but woke up feeling encouraged. The recovery process is a little better than I thought." This is Roberts' first strained abdominal muscle. We'll all remember where we were the day it happened. "I don't know if...
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Blue Jays lineup

Blue Jays lineup
Mike McCoy 2B Jose Bautista RF Adam Lind DH Vernon Wells CF Lyle Overbay 1B Edwin Encarnacion 3B Alex Gonzalez SS Travis Snider LF Jose Molina C Dana Eveland LHP
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Trembley talks about Gonzalez

Trembley talks about Gonzalez
Orioles manager Dave Trembley and pitching coach Rick Kranitz met with beleaguered closer Mike Gonzalez before the clubhouse opened to the media today. Trembley and Kranitz discussed the video they watched of Gonzalez last year, compared to what he's shown in three appearances this week. "I don't think it has anything to do with pressure. I don't think it has anything to do with injury," Trembley said. "I don't believe it has anything to do with anything other than the fact that he...
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Roberts and Gonzalez (updated)

Roberts and Gonzalez (updated)
Second baseman Brian Roberts is listed as day-to-day with a strained abdominal muscle after being examined yesterday by Dr. Andrew Cosgarea. For now, he's avoided the disabled list. Roberts won't take batting practice this afternoon. I haven't seen him since he left yesterday's game. "He is better than he was yesterday," manager Dave Trembley said. "It's an abdominal strain. It's not related to his back. It's right now day-to-day and I think I'll have a better idea tomorrow and...
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Orioles lineup

Orioles lineup
Julio Lugo 2B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Garrett Atkins DH Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold LF Ty Wigginton 1B Cesar Izturis SS David Hernandez RHP Brian Roberts is listed among the reserves.
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Early speculation on Roberts

Early speculation on Roberts
We might find out later today whether the Orioles have decided to place second baseman Brian Roberts on the disabled list with a strained abdominal muscle or attach the day-to-day label to him. Manager Dave Trembley wasn't prepared to classify Roberts' status after yesterday's game, figuring he needed more information from the training staff and medical personnel. Usually, we'll hear day-to-day as soon as a player walks off the field. Probably not a good sign. The early guess is Roberts...
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A closer look

A closer look
Manager Dave Trembley bristled yesterday when asked whether he'd be hesitant to use Mike Gonzalez in the next save situation. "He's the closer," Trembley said. The icy stare that accompanied those words wasn't aimed at anyone. Trembley turned his head and waited for the next question. But it's an uncomfortable situation for everyone. Trembley can't bail on Gonzalez four games into the regular season. Reporters can't ignore the ninth inning crisis. Yes, Baltimore, we have a...
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Sweet Lou

Sweet Lou
Taking a quick check of the farm before going to bed - I have to get up early and milk the cows - I see that outfielder Lou Montanez went 3-for-3 with an RBI triple in Triple-A Norfolk's 6-4 win over Durham. Montanez tried to play last season with torn ligaments in his thumb because he recognized and valued the opportunity that the Orioles laid out for him. He kept swinging the bat, ignoring the pain, until finally forced to the disabled list. He didn't disappear from view at the first...
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Bergy on Bergy

Bergy on Bergy
Brad Bergesen knew three months ago that he'd start the home opener, according to manager Dave Trembley. This isn't how they envisioned it. Bergesen was charged with five runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, leaving his ERA after one appearance at 9.64. "It was a tough outing," he said. "They hit some bad pitches and they hit some good pitches. Hopefully I'll make some adjustments the next few days and get after Tampa Bay." Matt Wieters gives his thoughts on Brad Bergesen's outing...
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Remarks about the closer

Remarks about the closer
How strange that Mike Gonzalez keeps facing the bottom of the order in his save opportunities. Maybe he should start in the middle. Can that be arranged? Manager Dave Trembley's patience is being tested. It shows on his face and in his answers. He's trying to remain supportive of Gonzalez, but he's also frustrated that a 3-1 record has been turned around. Dave Trembley talks with the media after the O's 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays "The bottom line for me is today is a game you have to...
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Closing remarks

Closing remarks
Mike Gonzalez sat at his locker again, waiting for reporters to talk about his latest destructive outing. It must be getting old - for a lot of people. "It's definitely not the way I wanted to start off, but I definitely have the utmost confidence in my ability," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind that I can get the job done. I just got off to a bad start and that's all I can say about that. "The thing I'm most frustrated about is the way this team's playing now. We're hitting...
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The longest walk

The longest walk
It wasn't a 15-pitch free pass from closer Mike Gonzalez. I'm referring to his walk back to the dugout after being removed from the game with two outs in the top of the ninth and the Blue Jays ahead, 7-6. Fans showered Gonzalez with boos long before he hit the real showers. He's surrendered two leads in four games, and last night's save was a buzz kill. Manager Dave Trembley replaced Gonzalez with Cla Meredith. He was one batter away from making the same switch last night. Brian Roberts...
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No, no, no...good play (updated)

No, no, no...good play (updated)
Felix Pie scored from first base on a single. Felix Pie scored from first base on a single. If I type it enough times, maybe it will start to make sense. Pie, pinch-running for Matt Wieters, raced home with the tie-breaking run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth on Cesar Izturis' single into right-center field. Pie just kept motoring - and he wasn't running on the pitch, so he had a lot of ground to make up - and beat the relay from Toronto second baseman John McDonald. Catcher...
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Feeling the love (with attendance note)

Feeling the love (with attendance note)
It didn't take long for Miguel Tejada to win over the remaining fans here who weren't thrilled with his return to Baltimore. Tejada singled in two runs in the first inning and belted a two-run homer to left field in the fifth to tie the game, 5-5, and take Brad Bergesen off the hook. The last time Tejada collected four RBIs or more in a game was July 28, 2009 against the Cubs. He had five RBIs with the Orioles on Aug. 9, 2007 vs. the Mariners. Today's attendance: 48,891. That's a new...
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Roberts injured in home opener

Roberts injured in home opener
Brian Roberts has left the game with a strained abdominal muscle. The injury occurred when Roberts stole second base. He scored the Orioles' first run, but you could tell that he was hurting. Roberts also was shaken up last night while diving into second, but only because he took a knee in the back of his neck. The herniated disk doesn't seem to be an issue, unless it leads to sore necks and stomach muscles. If only I could find comfort in that statement. Julio Lugo has replaced Roberts...
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