No relief in sight

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

June 17, 2011, 6:24pm

Comments

WASHINGTON - Jeremy Accardo replaced Zach Britton and retired one of the four batters he faced. He issued a leadoff walk to Wilson Ramos, gave up a double to former Oriole Jerry Hairston Jr. and walked reliever Sean Burnett before Roger Bernadina flied to left. Accardo is charged with three runs after Jayson Werth's RBI single and Ian Desmond's sacrifice fly off reliever Jason Berken. Nationals 7, Orioles 4. Accardo has been scored upon in four straight appearances and five of six, and his ERA has risen to 5.29. He's allowed 55 baserunners in 32 1/3 innings this season. Could his roster spot be in jeopardy? He's out of options and would have to go on waivers before being outrighted. Berken has pitched in three straight games, going one-third of an inning and two innings before tonight. Lots of speculation in the press box over how the Orioles will make room for Brad Bergesen, who's headed here from Triple-A Norfolk. Berken won't be available for a few days after this workload, so maybe he gets optioned. Steve Johnson is moving up from Double-A Bowie to Norfolk to take Bergesen's spot in the Tides' rotation. Derrek Lee has four hits tonight. Just saying ... Tonight's attendance: 35,562