D-Lee feels like his offense is starting to come around

I guess we could look at this as a positive for the Orioles. They are 4-0 right now and have scored just 17 runs with a team batting average of .237 and slugging percentage of .351. Derrek Lee and Vlad Guerrero have a combined .167 batting average with no homers, no RBIs and no extra-base hits. Lee was limited to just 22 spring training at-bats over eight games due to injuries, but feels he is starting to get close to producing some of the offense he was signed to deliver for this team. "I'm actually feeling pretty good. I'm not getting the results I want, but I feel like I'm not far away," Lee said after Monday's home opener win when he went one for three with a third-inning single. "I'm seeing the ball pretty good and putting together good at bats, so hopefully, it's really close." Lee is 3-for-14 on the year so far, and had his first O's two-hit game Saturday against Tampa. For now, Brian Roberts is a leadoff guy hitting like a number four batter with two homers and a team-leading eight RBIs. "He's fun to watch right now, he's swinging the bat great," Lee said. "I've always enjoyed watching him from the other side, and it's good to be his teammate. He's carrying the offense right now. "I think some other guys will get hot. When we all start clicking on all cylinders, I think it will be really fun." Lee said the sellout crowd energized the players on Monday afternoon. "It was a great crowd and great atmosphere. I'm glad they came out and hope they continue to come out." Here are two audio cuts with Lee: D-Lee Is starting to feel good at the plate by smelewski D-Lee on Roberts three-run homer by smelewski Bird Seed: The Orioles have a team ERA of 1.00 right now with an ERA of 0.69 by the starters and 1.80 by the bullpen ... Last year the Orioles had six win streaks of four games but never won five in a row ... Roberts has knocked in two, three, zero and three runs in the first four games ... Three of Roberts' five hits have gone for extra bases ... All three of J.J Hardy's hits are doubles. Matt Wieters went 1-for-6 his first two games but is 4-for-7 with a double and two RBIs the past two games ... Nick Markakis went 1-for-6 in the first two contests and has now gone 5-for-8 the past two games and is batting .429. O's pitching has allowed exactly one run in each of the four games ... The staff has allowed just one homer and an opponent batting average of only .179 when there are runners in scoring position. Coming later today: I will be at the Bowie Baysox media day and pass along some news and notes from that later this afternoon. Coming tonight: I will be on the air on 105.7 FM from 10 p.m. to midnight, hosting Baltimore Baseball Tonight. Tune in and call in with your comments on the O's.



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