Berken makes progress but O's fall to KC

Amidst a very quiet Orioles clubhouse, Jason Berken had to feel happy and relieved. He pitched well and it appears he'll get more chances in the future in the O's rotation. Berken gave up just two runs and six hits over six innings Tuesday vs. Kansas City. He was in line to win for the first time since May 26th until KC tied it in the 8th. Still, it was a positive night for a pitcher who entered with an ERA of 6.55. "I felt like I threw well the last few innings at New York and I was looking forward to this start. You guys have heard me say it 100 times, but I feel like I am getting better. Tonight was good, but by no means am I done working. "Tonight was one of my better starts of the year and hopefully I can build on this." It was Berken's second quality start. He threw 88 pitches and lowered his ERA to 6.21. He said he wasn't thinking too much about pitching with his job possibly on the line. "You know what's going on but I had the mindset, that no matter what is going on around me that I had to pitch well. I didn't let if affect me or think about it. "It's never fun looking up and seeing 1 and 8. But I've been trying to stay positive. I'm just trying to stay consistent. That's the biggest thing I've lacked this year, just been too up and down at times."