Swept away (with Trembley post game video)

Swept away (with Trembley post game video)
Swept by the Toronto Blue Jays. It's painful to type, it's painful to read. And it makes me want to burn my pocket schedule - while it's still in my pocket. Three home games with Tampa, followed by a West Coast trip that ends in Boston (I guess Adrian Beltre was right about Boston being on the West Coast.) Three home games against the Yankees and three against the Red Sox, the last two taking us into May. Anyone want to project the Orioles' record as they head to Yankee Stadium? Dave...
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Sudden reversal

Sudden reversal
One strike away from carrying his lead into the ninth inning, Kevin Millwood served up a two-run homer to Toronto's Jose Bautista, moving the Blue Jays ahead, 3-2, and quieting the debate over the closer issue. After hanging a curveball to Bautista, Millwood made another mistake pitch to Alex Gonzalez, who followed with his second home run today. Blue Jays 4, Orioles 2. The two-out rally began with Miguel Tejada's error at third base. Matt Albers has replaced Millwood, who never got that...
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Going deep in the game (updated)

Going deep in the game (updated)
Kevin Millwood has taken the mound for the top of the seventh inning, and he's showing no signs of surrendering the lead or the ball. Millwood's thrown only 61 pitches, 42 for strikes. One strike he'd like back is the long home run by Alex Gonzalez in the fourth inning. Millwood has held the Blue Jays to three hits, but the Orioles have left seven runners on base and cling to a 2-1 lead. We're debating who's going to pitch the ninth in a save situation. We know it won't be Mike...
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Getting Miggi with it

Getting Miggi with it
Don't look now, but your cleanup hitter has six RBIs. Miguel Tejada's one-out double in the first inning scored Adam Jones, who reached on an error. Nick Markakis raced home on Luke Scott's grounder. Both runs off Toronto starter Shaun Marcum are unearned. Orioles 2, Blue Jays 0. Anybody want to close out this game today? We're taking volunteers. Tejada, by the way, is 6-for-13 with a homer and six RBIs with runners on base. He's 0-for-9 with the bases empty.
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Turner heading here (updated)

Turner heading here (updated)
Infielder Justin Turner is leaving Triple-A Norfolk and coming to Baltimore today, which would indicate that the Orioles are ready to place second baseman Brian Roberts on the disabled list. Turner's primary position is second. He's also on the 40-man roster. Turner is 2-for-8 with a run scored, two walks and three strikeouts in two games with the Tides. He hit .300 in 108 games with Norfolk last season, and .167 with three RBIs in 12 games as a rookie with the Orioles. Julio Lugo figures...
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Updates on Uehara and Roberts

Updates on Uehara and Roberts
Koji Uehara will throw 25 pitches off a mound today unless his allergies act up again. Seriously, though, he's finally got a bullpen session scheduled in Sarasota after being restricted to throwing off flat ground. He's eligible to come off the disabled list today, but it won't happen anytime soon. He hasn't faced batters in a long time. Brian Roberts will be reexamined today, and it's possible that the club will place him on the disabled list after today's game. Manager Dave Trembley...
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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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