Berken a little better, Hardy update (and Uehara)

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

May 06, 2011, 5:20pm

Comments

Reliever Jason Berken didn't allow a run tonight, which is significant if you consider that he permitted seven in his last five appearances. It wasn't exactly a clean outing for Berken, who gave up three hits, issued an intentional walk and struck out two in 1 1/3 innings, but his ERA is down to 5.02. He had surrendered 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings in those five previous games. That qualifies as a slump. Berken replaced Zach Britton with one out in the sixth and allowed two straight singles. He also threw a wild pitch. Clay Rapada replaced Berken with two outs in the seventh after a single, sacrifice bunt, strikeout and intentional walk. Rapada fanned Johnny Damon to end the rally. Meanwhile, shortstop J.J. Hardy went 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored through six innings at Triple-A Norfolk. Brendan Harris replaced him. Nolan Reimold hit his fourth home run for the Tides. Update: Koji Uehara gave up five home runs in 44 innings last season. He's served up three in 11 2/3 this year, the latest a two-run shot by Johnny Damon in the ninth inning. Rays 6, Orioles 1.