P. Figueroa honored

P. Figueroa honored
Double- A Bowie infielder Paco Figueroa has been named the Eastern League's Player of the Week after batting .481 from the leadoff spot. He also homered, collected seven RBIs and scored eight runs. Figueroa, the twin brother of Bowie's Danny Figueroa, has a six-game hitting streak. He's also the Baysox's first Player of the Week since Nolan Reimold accomplished the feat on Sept. 1, 2008. To keep the good vibe going, Figueroa has vowed to injure his Achilles. Left-hander Troy Patton is...
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This and that

This and that
Another off-day brings another 24 hours on the Dave Trembley Watch. I'll say this much: If the Orioles were ready to make a change, yesterday's game didn't influence the decision. Andy MacPhail doesn't wake up Sunday morning and think, "OK, one more loss today and he's gone." A series finale in Boston doesn't hold that much significance. I've seen managers and coaches fired during small winning streaks. Cla Meredith didn't save Trembley's job by getting the last two outs. If...
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Strange day indeed

Strange day indeed
Could someone please explain this bizarre ritual to me? The Orioles are lining up and slapping hands on the field. Players are smiling. I'm so confused. Hold on...I'm told that's what happens when a team is victorious. I'm waiting for confirmation. Dave Trembley recaps the O's 7-6 win over the Red Sox with Mark Viviano The Orioles have won three games this season. One more and they eliminate the Montreal Canadians. Jim Johnson didn't have to worry about getting the save today....
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Last word on Bergesen

Last word on Bergesen
The most recent line I posted on Brad Bergesen turned out to be his final one. Bergesen allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings today for Triple-A Norfolk, with no walks and four strikeouts. He threw 81 pitches, 56 for strikes. He got 14 ground ball outs and two fly ball outs. Bergesen could be recalled to make Saturday's start against the Red Sox at Camden Yards, though Jake Arrieta deserves serious consideration. It's nice to have choices. Alfredo Simon tossed a scoreless eighth...
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Fighting back (w/Okajima stat added)

Fighting back (w/Okajima stat added)
If I had more time, I'd check the Red Sox blogs to find out whether fans are ripping manager Terry Francona for allowing Hideki Okajima to pitch to Miguel Tejada in the seventh inning. Before today, Okajima was 0-3 with a 5.84 ERA and four blown saves lifetime against the Orioles. He allowed 25 hits in 24 2/3 innings. They've always had his number, for whatever reason. Tejada figured out how to avoid being robbed again by third baseman Adrian Beltre: Launch the ball over his head for a...
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Of course it happened (updated)

Of course it happened (updated)
David Hernandez took a shutout into the sixth inning, but he kept walking the leadoff hitter, which is a recipe for failure. A leadoff walk and two straight hits tied the game and brought left-hander Mark Hendrickson into the game to face two lefties. David Ortiz grounds a run-scoring single into right-center field and J.D. Drew lifts a sacrifice fly. Boston 3, Orioles 1. Hernandez is charged with three runs and four hits in five-plus innings, and another reliever is scuffling. The Orioles...
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A good time to vent (updated)

A good time to vent (updated)
If manager Dave Trembley wanted to release some frustration - like about 18 games worth - he missed a golden opportunity in the third inning. The second base umpire ruled that Ty Wigginton's foot came off the bag on an attempted force play. Wigginton got the out at first, but the Red Sox ended up with a runner, Jeremy Hermida, in scoring position. Replays seemed to indicate that Hermida was out, and I fully expected Trembley to go ballistic. Or Earl Weaver. Instead, Trembley remained calm...
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Did you see it coming?

Did you see it coming?
How many fans predicted back in the early days of spring training that Rhyne Hughes would double in the second inning of an April 25 game at Fenway Park, Craig Tatum would follow with a run-scoring double off the Green Monster, and Cesar Izturis would single while batting from the right side against a right-handed pitcher? Go to the window and collect your money. Izturis must find it easier to hit a knuckleball when going against the percentages. I'm in no position to argue. Hughes is now...
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No vote of confidence for Albers

No vote of confidence for Albers
Orioles manager Dave Trembley met with the media a few minutes ago. Mark Viviano, who's handling the MASN sideline duties for this series, tells me that Trembley had an interesting response when asked whether he still had confidence in struggling reliever Matt Albers. "I don't know," Trembley said. "We'll see." I wouldn't call that a ringing endorsement. Jason Berken has warmed up the past two nights, but he hasn't pitched since Monday in Seattle. His previous appearance was April...
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Look who's leading off

Look who's leading off
Nolan Reimold LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 2B Rhyne Hughes 1B Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS David Hernandez RHP That Achilles must be feeling pretty good. Hernandez hasn't given up a home run in three starts this year after allowing 27 in 19 starts in 2009. The Orioles have lost his last 12 starts since he beat Oakland on Aug. 11, 2009. Hernandez is 0-9 in that span. Hernandez went 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in four starts (including two quality...
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Feeling no relief

Feeling no relief
Adam Jones has homered in two straight games. Nick Markakis has lifted his average to .288. Matt Wieters is batting .318. Ty Wigginton has six homers and 12 RBIs. There's your morning cup of good news. Take small sips so it'll last longer. Once Koji Uehara comes off the disabled list, and it could happen after his two scheduled appearances at Double-A Bowie this week, the Orioles will have to make room for him in the bullpen. I'm assuming that Alberto Castillo will return to Triple-A...
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Big start for Bergy

Big start for Bergy
I'm choosing to look ahead rather than spend another minute focusing on this game - unless this ninth-inning rally produces a tie or the go-ahead run. I reserve the right to change my thought process. Brad Bergesen makes his first, and perhaps only start for Triple-A Norfolk tomorrow. A quality outing could lead him back to the Orioles and that May 1 start against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. If he continues to struggle, he'll stay in the minors and the Orioles will have to find another...
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The decision (updated)

The decision (updated)
Orioles manager Dave Trembley could have left rookie Brian Matusz in the game to face Darnell McDonald with runners on the corners and none out in the seventh inning. He could have brought in right-hander Matt Albers, knowing Boston manager Terry Francona was going to send up a pinch-hitter as the potential go-ahead run. Trembley removed Matusz, who got a pitch up that Jeremy Hermida lined into right-center field for a single before coming out of the game. Francona countered with David Ortiz,...
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What I like about this game

What I like about this game
Let's start with Brian Matusz being on the mound. It's such a comforting feeling - and he's just a rookie. I'll stop referring to him as a "kid" because he isn't pitching like one. Is there a way to bottle Matusz's changeup and distribute it to every other pitcher in the organization? Rhyne Hughes is aggressive in his first at-bat in the majors, wasting no time ripping a single into right field. One pitch, one RBI single. Welcome to the bigs. Adam Jones reaches on a bunt single....
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Turner optioned

Turner optioned
The Orioles made the roster move official. Rhyne Hughes is up, of course, and Justin Turner has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles are more comfortable with Julio Lugo at shortstop and Turner has options remaining. They also decided to keep the extra bullpen arm. Turner was 0-for-9 with three strikeouts in five games. I wish he would get some starts at shortstop with the Tides, but Robert Andino and Scott Moore apparently have dibs. I just think it would increase Turner's...
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Hughes in tonight's lineup (updated)

Hughes in tonight's lineup (updated)
For the Orioles: Lou Montanez LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Matt Wieters C Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 2B Rhyne Hughes 1B Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP Luke Scott is 2-for-5 with two home runs lifetime against Boston starter John Lackey. Miguel Tejada is 10-for-33 with a home run and five RBIs. Nick Markakis is 7-for-23 with two RBIs. Left-hander Brian Matusz has held opponents to a .235 average with one extra-base hit, a sixth-inning double by Kevin Kouzmanoff in his...
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Red Sox lineup

Red Sox lineup
For the Red Sox: Marco Scutaro SS Dustin Pedroia 2B Victor Martinez DH Kevin Youkilis 1B Mike Lowell 3B Jason Varitek C Bill Hall RF Jeremy Hermida LF Darnell McDonald CF John Lackey RHP
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More news on Hughes

More news on Hughes
Rhyne Hughes, who is joining the Orioles in Boston today, reached base via hit or walk in all 14 games that he started for Triple-A Norfolk. Hughes batted .372 (16-43) with two homers and seven RBIs against right-handers, and .250 (2-8) with one homer and four RBIs vs. lefties. You'll like this one: Hughes batted .429 (6-14) with one homer and nine RBIs with runners in scoring position. He'll stick out like a sore thumb in the Orioles' clubhouse. I'm not sure if manager Dave Trembley...
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Hughes heading to Boston? (confirmed)

Hughes heading to Boston? (confirmed)
We found out that you can trust MySpace, at least when Adam Jones' brother is announcing the latest Gold Glove winners. Can we do the same with Facebook? Here's what Rhyne Hughes posted on his wall: "Got the CALL! Thanking God for this blessing and opportunity! See you in Boston!!" Thirty-nine people "liked" his post and gave it a thumbs up. Make it 40 if I can write about a win tonight. Hughes is batting .375 with five doubles, a triple, three homers and 11 RBIs in 14 games with...
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Fun (and not-so-fun) facts

Fun (and not-so-fun) facts
The Orioles are 3-18 in their last 21 road games and 27-64 on the road since the start of the 2009 season. The Orioles have scored more runs in Brian Matusz's three starts (19) than they have in the 10 combined starts of Jeremy Guthrie (seven runs in three starts), Kevin Millwood (eight runs in four starts) and David Hernandez (three runs in three starts). The Orioles enter the series with Boston with each of their three starters having a lower ERA than the Red Sox pitcher they are facing....
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