Chris Parmelee on his struggles on offense: "I know I can hit up here"

He got off to an incredible start as an Oriole. Chris Parmelee went 5-for-9 with three homers in his first two games on June 16 and 17. What has followed has been plenty of struggles on offense. He is batting .215 in 31 games. He is just 2-for-20 over his last seven games.

"Honestly, I feel pretty good at the plate," Parmelee said this afternoon. "Obviously the results are not what I've wanted. It's a grind. I know I can hit up here. I know that for a fact. I just have to get my work in and stay after it. I know I can help this team win.

"It's a great group of guys and I'm really excited to be here. But I understand, when it comes down to it, it's all about production. I'm doing my best to do that, whether it's defensively or offensively."

Parmelee, a first-round pick of the Minnesota Twins in 2006 (taken 20th overall), is hitting just .130 in 17 games this month.

"Pitchers are always adjusting to your offensive struggles or some of the holes you might have in your swing," he said. "But they also are not perfect and they do make mistakes. You have to capitalize on them when you get them.

"It is very hard. But you have to keep working and grinding. Some guys in here will tell when they are not feeling the best, that is when they get some hits. Like I said, I know I can hit here. But I just have to go out and do it."

Manager Buck Showalter has certainly given Parmelee a shot to break out on offense. He started twice in the Atlanta series and is in the starting lineup again tonight.

"Yeah. I feel like he has a lot of confidence in me," he said. "So, just go out every day and do everything you can to help the team win."

Parmelee has shown solid defense around the bag at first base. He knows he can still bring something to the team with the glove. A player can't let any struggles he is having on offense impact his play on defense.

"I've been playing this game long enough to be able to separate the two," Parmelee said. "When I was younger, it might have affected me. Just because I might not have been able to drive a run in, you can still save runs over at first base by making picks or doing the right thing with the ball in general. I think it's an underrated position over there. A lot more to it than people think."