The first inning again
The first inning gets Kevin Millwood again.
In his first nine starts this year, he did not allow a single run in the first inning. But today, he gave up three runs on four hits in Kansas City as the Orioles fall behind 3-0.
Millwood has now allowed two runs or more in the first inning of 11 of his last 12 starts. He has given up 34 of his 89 runs this year (38 percent) in the opening inning.
Four of the first five batters reached vs. Millwood, who has won just two of his 20 starts this...
For the Orioles:
Julio Lugo 2B
Nick Markakis RF
Ty Wigginton 1B
Luke Scott DH
Adam Jones CF
Felix Pie LF
Jake Fox C
Josh Bell 3B
Cesar Izturis SS
Kevin Millwood RHP
For the Royals:
Chris Getz 2B
Jason Kendall C
Billy Butler 1B
Jose Guillen DH
Wilson Betemit 3B
Alex Gordon LF
Mitch Maier RF
Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Gregor Blanco CF
Bruce Chen LHP
The Orioles officially recalled left-hander Troy Patton from Triple-A Norfolk. He'll wear No. 40.
Patton was 7-9 with a 4.80 ERA in 20 starts with...
Brad Bergesen didn't get the win last night because Billy Butler hit a two-run homer off David Hernandez in the eighth inning.
Painful, yes, but not the same as taking a Butler line drive off your shin.
If you put it in perspective...well, never mind. It still hurts. It's just a different kind of hurt.
The Orioles need to avoid playing the Royals around the non-waiver trade deadline. Bad things happen.
Speaking of the deadline, yes, I'm aware that ESPN gives the Orioles a failing grade...
Most of these are far from positive or encouraging, but here are some numbers to ponder as we await the series finale of the Orioles-Royals series this afternoon.
It's Juan Samuel's final game as interim manager and he should get some props for handling everything over the last few weeks with some class and dignity.
Let's see today if the O's can get a win for him and if they can get a lead and hold it this time.
*The Orioles had more wins in one series at Texas before the All-Star...
The Nationals stunned the Phillies Saturday night in the bottom of the ninth courtesy a dramatic 3-run homer by Ryan Zimmerman, 7-5. The Nats are now 4-4 against the Phillies this season with 10 games left in the series, after going a miserable 3-15 in 2009.
Washington has now won six of their last nine games against teams with above .500 records. The Nats have also won four of their last five games during this homestand when they found out phenom Stephen Strasburg was going to be...
No wonder I didn't recognize the two teams playing as I walked past the bar television at Fresco's. Those throwback uniforms threw me.
On the ride home, I received a text message that said, "Snakebit!!" I assumed that the Orioles no longer held that 3-2 lead.
Sure enough, I got back to my parents' house in time to watch the top of the ninth - fast game - and get the recap.
In an attempt to find the silver lining, I'll point out that Brad Bergesen held the Royals to two runs over seven...
On a night when the Orioles got a very solid outing from struggling starter Brad Bergesen, they lost to Kansas City on another late home run.
Billy Butler's two-run shot in the eighth on a 98 mile per hour David Hernandez fastball, gave the Royals a 4-3 win on Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.
Jim Hunter and Mike Boddicker talk with Juan Samuel following the O's 4-3 loss
It was Butler's 10th homer of the year and the 50th of his career. Hernandez had come on in the eighth with a 3-2...
Matt Hobgood, last year's O's first-round draft pick, left his start for Delmarva tonight after just nine pitches at Lexington.
A club official informs me that Hobgood left due to lower back spasms. It's too early to know if he will miss his next start and of course he'll get examined further over the next few days.
I understand the trainer came out along with manager Ryan Minor after Hobgood had given up a single, followed by another single and three-run homer. At that point, he left...
The Royals traded Rick Ankiel to the Braves, so you can scratch him from tonight's lineup. Here's the new one:
Getz 2B
Kendall C
Butler 1B
Guillen DH
Gordon LF
Aviles 3B
Maier CF
Bloomquist RF
Betancourt SS
Greinke RHP
Rick VandenHurk is the fifth Netherlands-born player to appear in the majors since 1900. He'll have to wait to make his Orioles debut, since he's been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.
Josh Bell was added to the Orioles' roster tonight.
Scott Moore takes Bell's place on...
The Orioles will assign newly acquired right-hander Rick VandenHurk to Triple-A Norfolk. They're expected to recall left-hander Troy Patton and use him in long relief, but discussions are ongoing.
Mark Hendrickson could be used in a shorter role, since Will Ohman served primarily as a specialist. But the Orioles need depth at long relief because their starters have been exiting games early.
The Orioles asked for VandenHurk earlier today and were turned down. The couldn't reach agreement on...
I've just gotten confirmation that the Orioles traded Will Ohman to the Florida Marlins. Nothing else to report at the moment, but the Orioles have swung their second trade in three days.
Update: The Orioles receive right-hander Rick VandenHurk.
So much for "unlikely."
Luke Scott and Ty Wigginton remain in the organization, but the Orioles have dealt their left-handed specialist, whose 51 appearances without a decision are a club record.
Here are the lineups:
For the Orioles:
Brian...