Oliver Drake rewarded for dominant week at Triple-A Norfolk

Triple-A Norfolk reliever Oliver Drake has been chosen as the International League's Pitcher of the Week.

How long before the Orioles choose him for a return visit to their bullpen?

Drake was 4-for-4 in save opportunities last week and held opponents to a .077 average (1-for-13). He walked one batter and struck out 10 in four scoreless innings.

The dominance expands beyond a week. Drake hasn't surrendered an earned run in his last 14 appearances, with two walks and 25 strikeouts over 14 innings. Opponents are batting .143 (7-for-49).

Orioles manager Buck Showalter noted last week how Drake, 29, struck out the side in three consecutive outings. He reads the reports. He's aware that Drake is dealing.

For the season, Drake is 0-1 with a 2.03 ERA and 10 saves in 27 games with the Tides.

In 70 career outings with Norfolk, Drake has posted a 1.24 ERA while registering 68 more strikeouts (110) than hits allowed (42) in 72 2/3 innings. His 33 career saves are the most for a Tides pitcher as an Orioles affiliate and the sixth-most in franchise history.

Drake was named Minor League Baseball's top relief pitcher last year, and the Orioles chose him as the organization's co-Minor League Pitcher of the Year with Mychal Givens. He's on the 40-man roster.

The Orioles selected Drake in the 43rd round of the 2008 draft out of the Naval Academy. He made his major league debut last season, appearing in 13 games and allowing five earned runs (seven total) and 16 hits in 15 2/3 innings. Control was an issue, with Drake walking nine batters and striking out 17.

Notes: Chris Tillman moved into sole possession of 13th place on the Orioles all-time wins list yesterday with 66, surpassing Dick Hall. Sidney Ponson is 12th with 73 wins.

Feel bad now for making all those Ponson jokes?

Jonathan Schoop is batting .318/.361/.591 (21-for-66) this month, with six doubles, four home runs, 13 RBIs and 12 runs scored. The Orioles are 33-7 when Schoop homers in his career.

Adam Jones has hit safely in seven of his last eight games, batting .314/.351/.686 (11-for-35) with five extra-base hits, nine RBIs and six runs scored.