He now has the best ERA among all O's starters.
And in the last week, David Hernandez pitched back-to-back games at New York and Boston, giving up just two runs and eight hits over 13 innings.
"It's a real positive to go into Boston and New York and get two quality starts. It will help me in future starts. You know you can compete," Hernandez said.
What's been the key to his recent outings?
"For me it was my fastball command. I was able to command it yesterday and in New York. I...
While the Orioles were just 2-7 on the last road trip, within those nine games, mostly losses, they saw some solid performances from young players.
For instance, Nolan Reimold went 7 for 10 in the Boston series and hit .429 on the trip. David Hernandez gave up just two runs in back-to-back starts at New York and Boston. Matt Wieters has quietly put some hits together and now has a four-game hit streak.
I asked Dave Trembley today how does he put all that in perspective. The team suffers...
LHP Rich Hill (3-3, 7.64) tonight will make his 13th start of this season, his 5th at home and his 2nd this year vs. Kansas City.
Over his last five starts, Hill has pitched to an ERA of 10.64 (26ER in 22IP).
Hill took the loss Tuesday at New York, giving up five runs and four walks over three innings. He threw 82 pitches.
Hill has recorded just three quality starts and has pitched more than six innings just three times.
Right-handed batters hit .301 vs. him and lefties hit .256.
Hill...
It's a thankless job, that of the long reliever.
Tonight O's fans should thank Brian Bass for restoring order to this game.
After Rich Hill left trailing 3-2 in the third, Bass came on and got out of that mess. He got Pena and Freel to strand two and keep the O's down one. They have since tied the game.
Bass tonight pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings of four-hit ball.
He had allowed 7ER in 8IP in July, but tonight he restored order to this game and the O's have a chance to win. If they...
Billy Butler had his first career five-hit game and added 3 RBI as Kansas City beat the Orioles 5-3 Monday night. It was game one of the series and a seven-game homestand.
Butler was 5 for 5 with three singles, two doubles and two runs.
The Royals broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the seventh. Butler led off with a double, his fourth hit of the night. He was on third with two outs when Brayan Pena hit a slow roller to third. He beat it out for an RBI infield hit and the lead.
Dave Trembley...
After giving up three runs in just 2 1/3 innings tonight, Rich Hill told reporters he's been dealing with shoulder soreness throughout the season.
"I don't know what to say really. I've been having some issues with the shoulder. We've been doing a good job of keeping the fire down a bit. Unfortunately it's something where I haven't been able to maintain any consistency. I haven't given help to this team. I apologize to the front office and the guys in this clubhouse.
"It's not...
The Orioles have now lost six of the last seven games. They have scored a total of 21 runs in those games and are batting just .252 as a team with 16 extra-base hits in that stretch.
They have scored four runs or less six times in the last seven games.
Six of the Orioles last seven losses have been by one or two runs.
Starter Rich Hill pitched just 2 1/3 innings tonight. He gave up four hits and three runs with three walks. He is 3-3, 7.80 on the year. After the game he told reporters he...
Game Preview
Orioles (42-56) at Kansas City (39-59)
The Orioles offense started to hit the skids beginning in the recent series at New York and that trend continued when the O's began a seven-game homestand Monday vs. Kansas City.
The O's were held to three runs by Bruce Chen and two relievers in a 5-3 loss to the Royals.
Over their last seven games, the O's have scored just 21 runs and are hitting .252 as a team.
Six of the last seven Orioles' losses have been by two runs or...
It's one year later, late July and George Sherrill is again hearing his name mentioned in trade rumors. He says it's flattering, but that he would still prefer to stay an Oriole.
"Same take as last year. I don't want to go anywhere, but that's not my call," Sherrill said. "If somebody is willing to give them something they feel they can rebuild with, that's a choice they are going to make. If I'm here, I'd love to be, if I'm not then I'll go help whoever.
"It's flattering. ...
New O's closer Mike Gonzalez looked pretty relaxed at his locker just a few minutes ago. He handled his interview with a group of reporters probably better than his first two save chances.
Just like the fans, he was relieved when Ben Zobrist's fly ball settled into Nick Markakisis' glove last night to end a shaky bottom of the ninth.
Mike Gonzalez talks with the media about his two appearances this season
"It's definitely a monkey off my back and a good feeling to be able finish the...
RHP Jason Berken (1-8, 6.55) tonight makes his 12th start of 2009, his 7th at home and the 1st of his career vs. the KC Royals.
Berken won his Major League debut on May 26th vs. Toronto, but is 0-8 in ten starts since.
The Orioles are just 2-9 in Berken's 11 starts, losing the last six. In six home starts, Berken is 1-4, 4.54 and the O's are 2-4 in those outings.
In his last two starts, at Chicago and at New York, Berken is 0-2, 9.58. (11ER in 10 1/3IP).
Right-handed batters hit .274...
O's president Andy MacPhail tonight confirmed for MASNsports.com the club's continuing interest in Dominican shortstop Miguel Angel Sano.
He said the club has not yet made Sano an offer, but that could be coming. He also confirmed the club has interest in Sano, even if it is proven that he is older than 16.
"We have some interest," MacPhail stated. "We've followed the player. There is always risk in evaluating players. There is probably greater risk in these cases, but it's...
Catcher John Buck, who entered the game in the ninth inning, produced a two-out RBI single to right in the 11th as Kansas City topped the Orioles 4-3 in 11 frames.
Mark Teahen led off the 11th with a single vs. Danys Baez and stole second. He scored on Buck's liner to right for the go-ahead run.
Billy Butler, who had five hits last night, gave the Royals a 2-0 lead in the top of the first with a two-run shot to left. Adam Jones' two-run shot in the last of the inning tied it up.
It's...
Amidst a very quiet Orioles clubhouse, Jason Berken had to feel happy and relieved.
He pitched well and it appears he'll get more chances in the future in the O's rotation.
Berken gave up just two runs and six hits over six innings Tuesday vs. Kansas City. He was in line to win for the first time since May 26th until KC tied it in the 8th.
Still, it was a positive night for a pitcher who entered with an ERA of 6.55.
"I felt like I threw well the last few innings at New York and I was...
Seven of the Orioles last eight losses have been by one or two runs. The Royals improve to 4-1 in extra-innings while the O's fall to 4-4.
O's Player of the Night - Catcher Matt Wieters. His single in the 6th gave Baltimore a 3-2 lead it could not hold. Wieters went 4 for 5 with four singles and an RBI. It's his first career four-hit game.
Wieters is now 10 for 21 with 3 RBI during a five-game batting streak. He is hitting .273 on the season.
Nolan Reimold went 2 for 4 with two...
Among many keys to the Orioles getting off to a good start this year is this one - can the starters pitch deep into games to rest the bullpen and keep the pen pitchers in their planned roles?
O's manager Dave Trembley hopes the staff will follow Kevin Millwood's lead in that regard.
"Millwood did that for us and that's why we got him at the top of the rotation. He needs to set that tone for everyone. You want your guys to go deeper, but common sense has to prevail.
"You have to look...
Well, it looks like O's fans are almost none the worse for wear this morning after another high-wire act by Mike Gonzalez.
That's a little too much drama this early in the year, especially for some of us, if you know what I mean.
Glad to we don't have to wake up to 0 and 3 with two blown saves, that would put a damper on Opening Day in Baltimore.
I'm at the Yard and we'll get some pregame comments and notes when the clubhouse opens before too long. By 6 tonight, the O's could be 2...
This time Mike Gonzalez got the save, although it was a very shaky one. He got Ben Zobrist to fly out with the bases loaded and two outs as the O's beat Tampa 5-4.
Gonzalez, who fanned and walked two, threw 26 pitches, just 12 for strikes.
The kid won another one: Brian Matusz picked up his 6th Major League win in just his 9th big league start. He gave up two runs over five innings, walking five, fanning seven and throwing 97 pitches.
He is 2-0 in two career starts vs. Tampa at the Trop....
This time Mike Gonzalez got the save and the Orioles got the win. Barely.
He got the first two outs of the last of the 9th before the Rays loaded the bases. Ben Zobrist came up with a chance to win the game, but Gonzalez got him to fly to right on a 1-1 pitch to end it and win it by a 5-4 score.
Dave Trembley and O's fans everywhere can start breathing again. Gonzalez made Don Stanhouse proud.
After suffering a blown save in the 9th in the season opener, Gonzalez gained his first O's...
Chris Tillman has impressed the Orioles in many ways. With his talent, with his poise and with the ability he has at just 21 years of age.
Tonight, the young right-hander will make his Major League debut when the O's host Kansas City at 7:05 p.m.
In spring training, he impressed O's Minor League Pitching Coordinater, Dave Schmidt. Tillman looked to improve one aspect of his game without any suggestions from the coaches.
He worked to perfect his changeup.
"He made a big jump with it...