Matt Lindstrom: "We need to make sure guys are not comfortable in batter's box"

Orioles relief pitcher Matt Lindstrom was asked today what the Orioles pitchers should try to do the next two nights in this series to slow this hot-hitting Texas Rangers team. "I know that people are making a big deal out of this whole hit by pitch thing and what is on purpose and what's not on purpose, but the fact of the matter is, we have to make sure that guys aren't as comfortable as they are in the batter's box," Lindstrom said. "That is just part of the game. If you are going up there and don't have to worry about a pitch inside and you can lean out over the dish, it's going to be a lot easier to hit. We have to remember we have to pitch inside and that is how you will have success in this league." The Rangers have scored 24 runs on 34 hits in the last two nights here at Camden Yards, batting .395 in this series with eight homers and nine hits in 20 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Lindstrom made sure to point out he is not advocating throwing at any of the Texas hitters. "You are not throwing at them, you are just letting them know that you are not scared to come in there," he said. "They can't just sit over there and pick whatever pitch they want to pepper. So it's just giving them another look. I'm not saying we are trying to hit anybody, it's just we need to pitch inside a little more effectively." So would Lindstrom pitch inside to Josh Hamilton if he gets to face him tonight? "Who knows?" Lindstrom said. "Everybody. Not just him. He's one of the more dangerous hitters in the league but we just need to pitch inside more effectively. That is all I'm saying and that's with everybody."