Wieters' bat awakens

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

June 20, 2010, 12:39pm

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Matt Wieters began today with only two RBIs since May 27, but he collected three with a bases-loaded double in the first inning that increased the Orioles' lead to 4-0. Wieters hadn't finished a game with three RBIs since May 1 against Boston. He was mired in a 3-for-34 slump, but the Orioles haven't discussed sending him down to Triple-A Norfolk. He's in the lineup again because they didn't have a late game last night, compared to most Saturdays, and interim manager Juan Samuel thinks Wieters is better against right-handers. True, though he was hitting .230 against righties and .203 against lefties before today. He doesn't exactly mash them. Wieters told MASN's Amber Theoharis earlier today that he needs to go up to the plate "with a blank mind and hit." I guess there are two schools of thought here. You should have a plan, according to Nick Markakis, or you should clear your head and not over-think it. Wieters' way worked in the first inning, as the Orioles scored four unearned runs off Jon Garland. The Padres scored once in the bottom half against rookie Jake Arrieta.