Bergesen's day is done (updated)
Bergesen's day is done (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brad Bergesen is shaking hands in the dugout and seeking warmth beneath a sweatshirt, so we'll assume that he's finished for the day. Bergesen threw two innings on Wednesday and was making his first start since April 6. He's registered the Orioles' last three complete games, but manager Buck Showalter told reporters earlier today that the right-hander wasn't going nine innings. Showalter settled for 88 pitches in five. Bergesen is charged with two earned runs. A third run scored after...
Today's silver lining (updated)
Today's silver lining (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are losing again today, 1-0, on a Carlos Santana home run leading off the second inning. They're in another early hole, though not as deep as we've seen in other games on this awful road trip. Here's the good news: Brad Bergesen is mostly forcing the Indians to hit the ball on the ground. Of the six outs he's recorded, five have come on ground balls. He also struck out Matt LaPorta to end the second. When Bergesen makes hitters pound the ball into the ground, he usually wins...
Matusz staying in Sarasota
Matusz staying in Sarasota
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Cleveland that Brian Matusz is making progress in his throwing program in Sarasota, Fla., but there are no immediate plans to bring the left-hander to Baltimore. There was early talk of Matusz throwing a bullpen session this week for pitching coach Mark Connor and bullpen coach Rick Adair, but he hasn't advanced enough to schedule one. Showalter wouldn't commit to a date or speculate whether Matusz might remain at the minor league complex throughout...
Potomac will move next series with Keys to Frederick
Potomac will move next series with Keys to Frederick
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Potomac Nationals will have to move their next home series to Frederick because of inadequate and unsafe field conditions at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Va. Minor league baseball officials inspected the field Friday and deemed it unplayable. In the offseason, a new drainage system was installed in the outfield, and grass has not completely grown around the area where the drainage system was placed. The P-Nats' first game in Frederick will be Monday and they will be the visiting team....
Orioles lineup against Indians
Orioles lineup against Indians
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Can Brad Bergesen be the stopper today? Someone has to apply the brakes on this six-game losing streak. Here's the Orioles' lineup for the final game of their miserable road trip, which doesn't include Adam Jones: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie CF Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP The Indians activated Grady Sizemore from the disabled list. He'll bat leadoff and play center field...
Nationals place RHP Todd Coffey on DL, recall RHP Collin Balester
Nationals place RHP Todd Coffey on DL, recall RHP Collin Balester
Lindsay Rykiel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals today placed right-handed pitcher Todd Coffey on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to April 9, with a left calf strain and recalled right-handed pitcher Collin Balester from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Balester earned the promotion to Washington after working 5.0 scoreless innings of relief for Syracuse this season. In those 3.0...
The O's have earned their way to six straight losses
The O's have earned their way to six straight losses
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Maybe that old baseball saying that "you are never as good as you look when you are winning and never as bad as you look when you are losing," applies to these Orioles. They sure looked good during a 6-1 start. We can only hope they are not as bad as they have looked during the 0-6 run since. They sure have looked bad. In three of the losses, they were pretty much blown out. That would be the last two days and the 13-1 loss to Texas. In the 7-4 loss in game one at Yankee Stadium, it was...
Fox on the run (updated with final score)
Fox on the run (updated with final score)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Just once, I'd like for Tim Belcher to have a mound conference with Nick Bierbrodt. I think it would be a gas. OK, sorry. Jake Fox started a seventh-inning rally with a triple into left-center field. Taking third base was a huge gamble on Fox's part, considering that the Orioles were down by four runs. If he's out, he may as well keep walking into the clubhouse. And make sure not to pass manager Buck Showalter in the dugout. Fox made it safely on a close play and scored on Brian...
Silver lining time again
Silver lining time again
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Luke Scott had no homers and one RBI before today. Now he has one homer and two RBIs. Could this be the start of a hot streak? Indians starter Josh Tomlin might have fanned the flames, instead of the slugger, in the fifth inning. Scott has a hit in four straight games and six of his last seven. Scott is a former Indians farmhand, in case you forgot. The Astros acquired him in a 2004 trade. Did you know that Scott spent his first professional season on the disabled list after undergoing...
Fox trots around the bases (updated 3 times)
Fox trots around the bases (updated 3 times)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Jake Fox provided the first run today and some comic relief. Fox homered in the third inning to reduce the Indians' lead to 2-1 over the Orioles. Fox stumbled as he rounded first base and had to go back to make sure he touched the bag and avoid an embarrassing appeal and out. Players were laughing in the dugout as he came down the steps. You'll recall that Fox had 10 home runs in spring training, 11 if you count the interleague game. He was 0-for-7 before today's game. Fox is making his...