How Berken should be workin'

How Berken should be workin'
We can probably agree that Jason Berken has been invaluable coming out of the bullpen and consuming innings in long relief. The debate centers on whether he should be rewarded with a spot in the rotation or left alone to thrive in his current role. Berken has allowed two runs and nine hits in 12 innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts. He's held opponents to one run over his last three appearances spanning 9 1/3 innings. You'll recall that Berken lost 12 games as a starter last...
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More thoughts on Bergesen (updated)

More thoughts on Bergesen (updated)
We've learned at least one thing from the Orioles' decision to option Brad Bergesen to the minors, a move that will be made official later today: They don't believe that he's injured. He's going to Triple-A Norfolk, not the disabled list. Update: The Orioles just confirmed that Bergesen is going to Triple-A. They'll announce the corresponding roster move later today. The word out of Norfolk is that left-hander Alberto Castillo is joining the team in Seattle. If you're there, please...
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Bergy optioned?

Bergy optioned?
It looks that way. I woke up to a flashing red light on my BlackBerry and a text message that Brad Bergesen is heading to the minors. I'm assuming that president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail would prefer that I not attempt to contact him at 3 a.m., so confirmation will have to wait until later. But I trust the person who's alerting me. Bergesen is 0-2 with a 12.19 ERA after allowing seven runs (four earned) in only 2 2/3 innings tonight. We almost forget that he still has...
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Another bad night for Bergy (updated)

Another bad night for Bergy (updated)
The first red flag for me regarding Brad Bergesen didn't come after he got knocked out of a game early or failed to get the same sink on his ball. It happened when he suggested that his confidence might not be at the usual level. What transpired tonight in Seattle won't have Bergesen puffing out his chest. He allowed four earned runs - seven total - and six hits, with three walks, in only 2 2/3 innings. That's the earliest exit of his career, and it left quite a stain on tonight's...
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A few odds and ends (w/minor league notes)

A few odds and ends (w/minor league notes)
Orioles manager Dave Trembley told reporters in Seattle that Lou Montanez could get the majority of the starts in left field because of his mobility, while Nolan Reimold serves as the designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup. Brian Roberts still hasn't been cleared to perform baseball-related activities after back specialist Dr. Lee Riley examined him today at Johns Hopkins. Roberts is a long way from being ready. MASN's Amber Theoharis also passed along that Koji Uehara threw 35...
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Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Ty Wigginton 3B Nick Markakis RF Nolan Reimold DH Matt Wieters C Luke Scott 1B Lou Montanez LF Julio Lugo 2B Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki RF Chone Figgins 2B Franklin Gutierrez CF Jose Lopez 3B Ken Griffey Jr. DH Milton Bradley LF Casey Kotchman 1B Rob Johnson C Jack Wilson SS Doug Fister RHP
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Pie could miss next three months

Pie could miss next three months
Orioles outfielder Felix Pie underwent an MRI this morning and learned that he could miss up to three months with an injury to his latissimus dorsi muscle. Pie went on the disabled list April 16 with an injury classified as a strained muscle in his upper back, but further examination today revealed a more serious problem. There's been no talk of surgery, and Pie is debating whether to stay here or report to Sarasota to rehab after an extended period of rest. President of baseball operations...
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Talking about Tillman

Talking about Tillman
The only good news to report on Chris Tillman relates to his health. He's feeling fine, according to John Stockstill, the Orioles' director of player development. We'll need to find another excuse for Tillman, who lasted only one inning yesterday and allowed four runs and four hits, issued two walks, threw two wild pitches and hit a batter. Tillman was removed after throwing 42 pitches, 24 for strikes. His early exit led to some speculation that he might be hurt, but Stockstill said that...
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Ripken's response

Ripken's response
I just received a statement from Cal Ripken regarding the FoxSports.com story that detailed how owner Peter Angelos allegedly turned down the Hall of Famer's request to join the front office in an unspecified capacity. Ripken was traveling with his family over the weekend and unavailable to comment until today. The statement, sent in an e-mail, reads: "In my baseball experience, rumors and stories seem to break when things aren't going well. Let me address recent media reports. "First...
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What you might see in Seattle

What you might see in Seattle
Kevin Millwood delivered the lineup card to home plate yesterday. I'd have Kevin Millwood deliver the lineup card to home plate tonight. If the Orioles win again, I'd have Kevin Millwood deliver the lineup card to home plate tomorrow night. I'm not sure if he should do it on the night that he's pitching, but we'll cross that bridge on Wednesday. As long as the Orioles are stringing together victories, I'd make sure that Kevin Millwood delivered the morning paper to his teammates. If...
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More trouble for Tillman

More trouble for Tillman
Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Chris Tillman lasted one inning today against Durham, allowing four runs and four hits and walking two batters. His ERA stands at 8.38. Tillman also threw two wild pitches and hit a batter. He threw 42 pitches, 24 for strikes. We might not be seeing Tillman in Baltimore as quickly as we anticipated. Not to be Debbie Downer here, but Josh Bell is 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and is batting .184. Brandon Snyder is 0-for-2 with a walk and two strikeouts and is batting...
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Head games?

Head games?
Breaking news: Oakland pitcher Brett Anderson won't go 30-0 this season. A few readers of this blog saw that I picked against Anderson and suggested that I have my head examined. The guy was bound to lose at least one game. He's one of the top young left-handers in baseball, but he's also human. His spring training physical confirmed it. Next prediction: Brian Matusz goes 29-1 this season. Gary and Jim talk with Dave Trembley about breaking the losing streak Interesting decision by...
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Tying one on

Tying one on
Who are these guys and what have they done with the Orioles? A three-run third inning? Clutch two-out hits? Taking the extra base on a throwing error? Did the Orioles and Athletics switch uniforms? Oakland lefty Brett Anderson hadn't allowed a run in his first 14 innings, but Ty Wigginton drove in two with a double to right field and he raced home on Nick Markakis' single up the middle. Orioles 3, Oakland 0. Wigginton wasn't happy when the Orioles signed Miguel Tejada and Garrett...
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On a Rowell

On a Rowell
Earlier today, I completely forgot to guarantee that Brian Matusz would strike out the side in the first inning, the first one coming on that devastating changeup. I totally saw it coming. Really. You'll just have to take my word for it. Lou Montanez took a nasty spill in foul territory while chasing Ryan Sweeney's fly ball with two outs, but Matusz got a called third strike on his next pitch. Down on the farm, Single-A Frederick's Billy Rowell is 2-for-3 with two doubles, three RBIs...
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Quick Miggi update

Quick Miggi update
Orioles manager Dave Trembley told reporters in Oakland that he doesn't expect Miguel Tejada to go on the disabled list with a hip injury sustained in yesterday's loss. Tejada is listed as day-to-day with an adductor strain. I'm no doctor, though I often play one on this blog, but according to emedicine, hip adductor injuries occur most commonly when there is a forced push-off (side-to-side motion). High forces occur in the adductor tendons when the athlete must shift direction suddenly in...
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Orioles lineup (including Montanez and Turner)

Orioles lineup (including Montanez and Turner)
For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Ty Wigginton 3B Nick Markakis RF Nolan Reimold DH Matt Wieters C Garrett Atkins 1B Lou Montanez LF Justin Turner 2B Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP For the Athletics: Rajai Davis CF Daric Barton 1B Ryan Sweeney RF Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B Kurt Suzuki C Jake Fox DH Adam Rosales 2B Travis Buck LF Cliff Pennington SS Brett Anderson LHP
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I guarantee it

I guarantee it
Before I pack up my car and drive back to Eldersburg, I wanted to make the following statement: The Orioles will win today. It's not necessary for me to pull over, step out of my car and recite the alphabet backward. I don't need to walk a straight line. I'm stone-cold sober and guaranteeing a victory. Brian Matusz might have to go nine innings. He might have to go 10. He might have to ice his arm with a pack that extends to the bottom of his feet and the top of his head. But he's not...
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Beyond painful

Beyond painful
I don't mean the porterhouse steak that my father grilled for me that overlapped my plate. Or half of my mother's steak that I ate for dessert. That's a lot of red meat, my friends. The Orioles lost again today, which is sort of like reporting that the sun came up or someone broke up with Jennifer Aniston (which is the real mystery to me.) Jim Johnson blew the save after Ty Wigginton's sacrifice fly in the eighth inning gave the Orioles a 3-2 lead. Johnson is getting first crack at the...
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Orioles tie game, lose Tejada (w/Bowie update)

Orioles tie game, lose Tejada (w/Bowie update)
We're back to the good news, bad news theme. Miguel Tejada reached on a bunt single in the sixth inning, making him 3-for-3, but he left the game with a right leg injury. Cesar Izturis pinch-ran for him, and Garret Atkins drove in two runs to tie the game, 2-2. Julio Lugo went from shortstop to second, and Ty Wigginton went from second to third. The Orioles must hope that their luck hasn't gone from bad to worse. Bowie update: I already told you about Brandon Waring's two-run homer for...
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Good news, bad news (update)

Good news, bad news (update)
Jeremy Guthrie has blanked the Athletics on three hits over three innings today, walking one and striking out three. Justin Duchscherer has blanked the Orioles on three hits over four innings, walking one and striking out three. Miguel Tejada has two of the three hits for the Orioles. Matt Wieters, batting third, has accounted for the other one. Nick Markakis walked and struck out. No, seriously, he did. Instant update: Guthrie gave up a run in the fourth. Oakland 1, Orioles 0.
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