Patton no longer pending

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

September 22, 2010, 5:49pm

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The Orioles accomplished nothing tonight except to reintroduce left-hander Troy Patton to the majors. Patton finally appeared in a game, his first since 2007 with the Houston Astros. He worked two-thirds of an inning after replacing David Hernandez in the seventh and gave up a hit and walk. He also struck out David Ortiz, who drove in four runs against starter Kevin Millwood. Ryan Kalish greeted Patton with a double, and Victor Martinez walked on four pitches with two outs before Ortiz fanned. Patton threw 16 pitches. He'll probably have to ice his arm for a week. I've been asked about Patton so many times, I was preparing an abbreviated "Because You Asked." Manager Buck Showalter has been saving him as the long man, but finally decided to give him a little work in a lopsided game. Showalter also used Rick VandenHurk, who struck out two in a scoreless eighth. VandenHurk was a candidate to start in Boston. He also was a candidate to start in Toronto. I'm starting to wonder if he'll ever start. At least we don't have to wonder about Patton anymore.